Thriller books have always been a popular choice among readers, providing a rush of adrenaline and suspense that can be hard to match. From classic tales of murder and mystery to modern stories of espionage and psychological twists, the thriller genre has something for everyone. In this article, we’ll take a look at the 10 best thriller books of all time, featuring works by some of the most talented authors in the field. Whether you’re a seasoned fan of the genre or just discovering your love for thrillers, these books are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
Collection of Best Thriller Books of All Time
Don’t Let Her Stay
Author: Nicola Sanders
Richard was ecstatic when his daughter expressed a desire to reconcile. He assured me that she was a sweet girl and that her initial reservations about his remarriage were now behind them.
I couldn’t wait to meet her and start building a relationship. I had fond visions of us bonding over baked goods and discussing everything from boys to career aspirations. I wanted to be someone she could confide in, a substitute for her late mother.
However, things haven’t exactly gone according to plan.
The Silent Patient
Author: Alex Michaelides
Alicia Berenson, a renowned painter, seemed to have it all – a prosperous career, a loving marriage to a celebrated fashion photographer, and a luxurious home in an affluent London neighborhood. However, one fateful evening, her life took a drastic turn when she shot her husband, Gabriel, five times in the face without uttering a single word.
Alicia’s inexplicable silence transforms a personal tragedy into a media sensation, catapulting her into the public eye and fueling widespread speculation. As her art prices soar, Alicia becomes a mysterious figure, hidden from the limelight at the Grove, a secure forensic unit in North London.
Theo Faber, a determined criminal psychotherapist, seizes the opportunity to work with Alicia, eager to unlock the secrets behind her enigmatic silence. His unwavering dedication to getting her to open up leads him down a treacherous path, where he finds himself confronting his own motivations and obsessions.
As Theo delves deeper into Alicia’s psyche, he risks becoming consumed by his quest for the truth, threatening to jeopardize his own sanity and relationships. Meanwhile, Alicia remains steadfast in her silence, guarding the dark secrets that drove her to commit such a brutal act.
Will Theo succeed in unraveling the mystery surrounding Alicia’s actions, or will his pursuit of the truth ultimately prove futile? The Silent Patient, a gripping psychological thriller, keeps readers on the edge of their seats as it explores the complexities of the human mind and the blurred lines between sanity and madness.
The Quarry Girls
Author: Jess Lourey
Minnesota, 1977. Summer is in full swing, and for the teenagers of a tight-knit community, it’s a season of excitement and adventure. Late-night swimming parties at the quarry, the annual county fair, and exploring the labyrinthine tunnels beneath the city are just a few of the thrills that await. But for two best friends, Heather and Brenda, the summer takes a dark turn when they stumble upon a shocking secret.
One fateful night, Heather and Brenda witness something they can never forget – something that changes their lives forever. They make a pact to keep it a secret, afraid of the consequences if anyone were to find out. But their vow is put to the test when a friend goes missing, the second girl to disappear in a week. The authorities seem reluctant to investigate, leaving Heather feeling desperate and alone.
Convinced that the missing girls are connected to what she and Brenda saw, Heather embarks on a dangerous search for answers. As she delves deeper into the mystery, she realizes that nothing in her community is as it seems. The police, the boys she meets at the quarry, even her own parents – everyone seems to be hiding something. But Heather refuses to give up, driven by a fierce determination to uncover the truth and save the missing girls.
As she navigates the treacherous underbelly of her town, Heather comes to realize that she’s not just fighting for justice – she’s fighting for her own survival. Because she knows that she’s next on the list, and time is running out. Will she be able to expose the sinister forces at work before it’s too late? Or will she become the latest victim of a conspiracy that threatens to destroy everything she holds dear? The answer lies in the shadows, waiting to be uncovered.
The Surgeon
Author: Leslie Wolfe
In the high-stakes world of surgery, Dr. Anne Wiley has built a reputation as a skilled and trusted practitioner. But when her perfect life is turned upside down, Anne’s carefully constructed facade begins to crumble.
After a tragic accident results in the death of a patient, Anne’s world comes crashing down around her. Struggling to cope with the guilt and shame, she becomes increasingly paranoid and isolated, unable to confide in anyone.
As the investigation into the death intensifies, Anne’s grip on reality begins to slip further. She starts to question everyone around her, including her husband, who she suspects may be involved in the cover-up.
Desperate to protect herself and her career, Anne makes a series of desperate decisions that lead her down a dangerous path. But as the truth begins to unravel, Anne must confront the dark secrets she’s been keeping and decide whether she’s willing to risk everything to keep her deceit hidden.
A gripping psychological thriller, “The Surgeon’s Secret” delves into the dark side of medicine and the lengths people will go to protect themselves when their reputations are on the line. With twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end, this is a page-turner that will haunt you long after you finish reading.
Then She Was Gone
Author: Lisa Jewell
Ellie Mack, a beloved teenager, vanished without a trace ten years ago. Her mother, Laurel, has been searching for answers ever since. Recently, Laurel meets Floyd, a charming man, and his daughters, including Poppy, who resembles Ellie. As Laurel grows closer to Floyd and his daughters, she’s torn between her desire for happiness and her need for truth about Ellie’s disappearance. The similarities between Poppy and Ellie reignite the questions that have haunted Laurel for years. Did Ellie run away or was there a darker motive? Who is Floyd, really? Laurel’s search for answers may jeopardize her newfound happiness, but she must find the courage to seek the truth, no matter the cost.
The Last Thing He Told Me
Author: Laura Dave
When Owen Michaels vanishes without a trace, he leaves behind a cryptic note for his wife of one year, Hannah Hall, urging her to protect his sixteen-year-old daughter, Bailey. Despite her confusion and fear, Hannah understands the reference to Bailey, who has been estranged from her father since her mother’s death.
As Hannah’s attempts to contact Owen yield no response, she becomes increasingly alarmed. The situation takes a turn for the worse when the FBI arrests Owen’s boss, and federal agents show up unannounced at her Sausalito home. Hannah soon realizes that her husband has been keeping secrets from her and that Bailey might hold the key to unlocking the truth about Owen’s identity and sudden disappearance.
Determined to uncover the facts, Hannah and Bailey embark on a dangerous quest to piece together Owen’s past. Along the way, they encounter unexpected obstacles and surprises, forcing them to adapt and adjust their strategy. As they dig deeper, they begin to construct a new future for themselves, one that neither of them could have predicted.
The investigation leads them down a twisted path filled with lies, betrayal, and deceit. With each new discovery, Hannah and Bailey find themselves questioning everyone they thought they could trust, including each other. As the stakes rise, they must decide whether to follow their hearts or their heads, all while trying to stay one step ahead of those who will stop at nothing to keep the truth hidden.
Will Hannah and Bailey succeed in solving the enigma that surrounds Owen’s disappearance? Or will they fall prey to the same forces that drove him underground? The outcome hangs precariously in the balance, threatening to tear apart the very fabric of their lives.
Verity
Author: Colleen Hoover
Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer, is offered the job of completing a successful book series by Jeremy Crawford, whose wife, bestselling author Verity Crawford, is unable to finish it due to injury. Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, expecting to find years of notes and outlines to help her get started. Instead, she discovers an unfinished autobiography that Verity never meant for anyone to read, containing disturbing revelations about her family’s tragic past.
Lowen wrestles with the decision of whether to share the manuscript with Jeremy, knowing it could devastate him and potentially damage their developing relationship. As she delves deeper into the pages, she realizes the immense impact Verity’s words could have on Jeremy’s life and their future together.
Weighing her moral obligations against her personal interests, Lowen grapples with the ethical dilemma of whether to conceal or reveal the truth. Her choice will determine the trajectory of their lives and the legacy of Verity’s work. Will Lowen choose to protect Jeremy and preserve the status quo, or will she opt to disclose the shocking secrets and risk losing everything she’s come to hold dear?
If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood
Author: Gregg Olsen
After over a decade, the mention of their mother’s name still evokes a deep sense of unease and fear in Nikki, Sami, and Tori Knotek. The mere sound of the word “mom” conjures up painful memories of the unspeakable abuse, degradation, and torture they suffered at the hands of their sadistic mother, Shelly. For years, the sisters were forced to endure unimaginable horrors behind the closed doors of their farmhouse in Raymond, Washington, their mother’s cruelty and manipulation leaving them scarred and vulnerable.
Despite the odds against them, Nikki, Sami, and Tori found solace in each other’s company, forming a fierce bond that helped them weather the storm of their mother’s abuse. As they grew older, they began to realize that their mother’s behavior was not normal and that they were not alone in their suffering. With the help of a few brave individuals who were drawn into their mother’s dark web, the sisters found the strength and courage to break free from their mother’s grasp and seek justice.
If You Tell is a powerful and inspiring account of the Knotek sisters’ journey from victimhood to survival. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of sibling love, showing how even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a brighter future. The sisters’ story serves as a reminder that no matter what challenges we face in life, we are never truly alone, and that with the support of those around us, we can overcome even the most daunting obstacles.
Through their story, Nikki, Sami, and Tori hope to shed light on the issue of child abuse and neglect and to provide a voice for those who have been silenced by their abusers. They want their story to serve as a warning to those who would harm innocent children, and as a message of hope and empowerment to those who have been affected by abuse. By sharing their story, the Knotek sisters aim to create a world where every child can grow up feeling safe, loved, and valued.
Where the Crawdads Sing
Author: Delia Owens
In the small coastal town of Barkley Cove, North Carolina, rumors have long circulated about the elusive “Marsh Girl,” a mysterious figure said to inhabit the vast, isolated marshlands surrounding the town. When handsome local man Chase Andrews is found dead in late 1969, the townsfolk immediately point fingers at Kya Clark, the reclusive woman known to dwell in the marsh.
However, Kya is not the monster the villagers portray her to be. Despite her rugged exterior, she possesses a deep intelligence and emotional depth. Having grown up alone in the harsh environment of the marsh, Kya has developed an intimate connection with the natural world, finding solace in the company of the gulls and learning valuable lessons from the ever-changing tides.
Yet, as much as Kya cherishes her independence, she cannot help but yearn for human connection. When two young men from town take an interest in her wild beauty, Kya tentatively opens herself up to the possibility of love and friendship. But fate has other plans, and a shocking event rocks the town, leaving Kya to confront the dark secrets that have long lurked beneath the surface of the marsh.
Delving into themes of isolation, identity, and the power of nature, Where the Crawdads Sing is both a poignant coming-of-age narrative and a gripping whodunit. Author Delia Owens skillfully weaves these elements together, crafting a tale that is at once a celebration of the resilience of the human spirit and a cautionary reminder of the dangers that lurk in the shadows of our lives. Ultimately, the novel demonstrates how our experiences as children shape us irrevocably, and how the natural world holds both beauty and terror in equal measure.
The Family Upstairs
Author: Lisa Jewell
Libby Jones’s life is transformed overnight when she receives a letter revealing the identity of her birth parents and informing her that she is the sole heir to their multi-million-pound mansion in Chelsea, London. However, she quickly discovers that she is not the only one interested in her newfound inheritance.
Twenty-five years earlier, a gruesome scene unfolded at 16 Cheyne Walk, where police discovered three bodies in the kitchen and a fourth child missing. The remaining children were never found, and the case remained unsolved.
Now, as Libby begins to unravel the mysteries of her family’s past, she unwittingly sets off a chain of events that puts her on a collision course with the dark secrets that have haunted the house for decades.
With the help of a brilliant but troubled detective, Libby must navigate a tangled web of family dynamics, old rivalries, and buried secrets to uncover the truth about her family and the house that has been shrouded in mystery for so long.
As the story unfolds, Libby’s search for answers becomes a race against time, as she faces off against formidable foes who will stop at nothing to claim the inheritance that she believes is rightfully hers. Will she be able to uncover the truth before it’s too late, or will the secrets of the family upstairs continue to haunt her for generations to come?