Books to read on stifling, lazy summer days

[IceIceBabyBump]

I'm after some recommendations for literary fiction books for hot, lazy summer days. I don't mean fluffy holiday reads at all.
I mean books that ooze thick, humid, oppressive heat and, in doing so, create an unsettling atmosphere.

I'm after recreating the seasonal pairing of dark, atmospheric, spooky books for autumn nights but for hot summer days.

I've got Claire Fuller's "Bitter Orange" on my list already.

What else?

You've just reminded me that I have this on my shelf upstairs!

I just wanted to pop back and say thank you for all the recommendations.

I ordered
"The Beach" by Alex Garland
"Ghana Must Go" by Taiye Selasi (based on another thread)
"The Water Cure" by Sophie Mackintosh.

I've also dug out "Demon Copperhead", "The Goldfinch", "The Little Friend", and "Homegoing" from my bookshelves so I have them ready as sultry, summer reads too.

I'm reading "The Beach". It's absolutely blood brilliant. Thank you to whoever recommended it!

I read The Beach on holiday last year. It’s a great book! It’s very ‘of its time’ now - I enjoyed the nostalgia of pre-influencer travel! 😂

So glad lots of people have suggested Call me by your name - I read it in the depths of winter but really should re-read it in this seemingly endless summer. I definitely read it at the wrong time of year!

I read Sunstruck by William Rayfet Hunter over the (very hot and sultry) weekend.
First half is set in sizzling Provence.
It has definite The Secret History vibes. A really good read!

I recently loved Villa Coco By Andrew
Sean Greer.

Wolf Worm by T Kingfisher is a historical horror with halloween vibes but it is set in South Carolina so hot and sultry.
Don't read it if you have a fear of bugs.

This is a cracking read.

It sure is!

Lots of Sabine Durrant’s novels: Lie With Me, Dead Heat and Sun Damage are fantastic.

I read it years ago and can’t remember a thing about it now.

Sounds like an excuse for a re-read.

Good choice!👏

Cider with Rosie is a good choice.

Maybe I’ll add it to my TBR tower

Notes on a Scandal.