While I tend to read pretty widely, the thriller genre is one of my absolute favorites. I love the way a good thriller can hook you, and keep you turning the pages late into the night. From psychological thrillers to crime thrillers and beyond, here are all of the best thriller books I’ve ever read!
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Best Thriller Books You Won’t Be Able to Put Down
Looking for some intense, page-turning thrillers to add to your TBR list? You’re in the right place, my friend.
I’ve put together a list of my all-time favorite thriller novels that I recommend to everyone! These books have the perfect mix of drama, mystery, and emotional turmoil to keep you glued to the page.
I still think about many of these thrillers, even years after reading them. Some of them are downright bone-chilling, while others will have you questioning every character’s intentions.
(Quick note: I didn’t include books that fall more into the mystery genre in this list. You can find my all-time favorite mystery novels in this post!)
Let’s get to the list!
The Push by Ashley Audrain
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This book had me SHOOK.
The Push is not an easy book to read. It’s dark and emotional, and it gets under your skin. But it was also nearly impossible to tear my eyes from the page. Legitimately gave me chills.
This dark psychological drama is about motherhood and nature versus nurture. It’s beautifully written, intense, and utterly engrossing. It might not be for everyone, but I could not put it down!
(I’m not including a synopsis here, because I think it’s best to go into this book without knowing too much.)
In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead
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A woman returns to her elite Southern college for a 10-year reunion, reconnecting with her tight-knit group of friends from all those years ago. But they each have dark secrets to hide, and being at the college brings back memories of their friend’s unsolved murder.
Was one of them involved? Someone certainly thinks so, and they’ll do anything to find out the truth.
This thriller is compulsively readable, and one of the best I’ve read in years! If you love mysteries set on college campuses, this is a must-read.
Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
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As a child, Maggie Holt moved into an old estate called Baneberry Hall with her parents. Just three weeks later, they fled during the night. Afterward, her father wrote a bestselling book about the terrifying events they supposedly experienced.
Maggie, too young to remember what happened, returns to the estate twenty five years after her father’s death. She doesn’t believe what her father wrote in his book. But soon, strange events at the house have her questioning everything.
I loved the atmosphere in this spooky story. It’s my favorite Riley Sager book so far!
None Of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
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Popular podcaster Alix Summers meets a woman named Josie in a bar. Alix is drawn to Josie’s unsettling life story, and decides to make her a subject in her podcast series.
But shortly after Josie has entangled herself into Alix’s life, Josie disappears – and that’s when Alix really starts to discover Josie’s secrets.
I really enjoyed this twisty thriller! There’s a reason Lisa Jewell is such a popular thriller author. I also enjoyed her book The Night She Disappeared.
The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean
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Set on an isolated farm in the U.K., The Last Thing to Burn is a tense suspense story about a captive woman, with hints of Room and Misery – but with a unique twist all its own.
This book is incredible, harrowing, and cinematically written so it feels like everything’s unfolding around you. I just couldn’t stop reading. Honestly, it’s a miracle I didn’t burn my dinner!
When they say this book has a claustrophobic atmosphere: they really mean it. Every disturbing detail felt purposeful and tied the story together.
It is a pretty dark book, so I’d recommend looking up the trigger warnings if you’re not sure about it!
They Never Learn by Layne Fargo
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When I heard the premise for this, I was sold. A feminist twist on Dexter? Yep, sign me up.
Scarlett Clark is an English professor at a small college in Pennsylvania. She also kills bad men who get away with things they shouldn’t. But when someone starts to put the pieces together about her past victims, Scarlett’s meticulous planning may not be enough to save her.
This book was so compulsive, edgy, and dark! And, it got bonus points for being set at a college on the East Coast, with an autumn chill in the air and fallen leaves on the streets. Give me a dark academia book any day of the week!
They Never Learn was a twisted and compelling take on the femme fatale vigilante. Highly recommended if you’re looking for a thriller with a sharp edge to it!
Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier
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This is the type of thriller that claws its way into your mind and doesn’t let go (the best kind!). It’s an emotional hard-hitter with an action-packed plot, about a woman whose young son is taken.
I especially loved that this story was set in my hometown in the Pacific Northwest (Seattle, WA). I felt like I was transported back there – to the bustle of Pike Place market and the rolling hills of Queen Anne.
I recommend going into this book blind. Don’t read the synopsis. It’s best to find out each twist and turn as you go, and I think the summary gives too much away. (Even knowing what was going to happen in the first third of the book, though, my attention never waned!)
Shiver by Allie Reynolds
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When ex-snowboarder Milla is invited to the French Alps for a reunion with some friends from her competition days, she’s intrigued enough to show up.
It’s been years since they’ve all seen each other, and the remote mountain resort they’re staying at brings back lots of memories: both good and bad. It also dredges up a whole load of secrets, especially surrounding the mysterious death of one of their friends 10 years ago.
But things aren’t always as they seem, and it turns out someone will do anything to get the truth.
I loved this book – it’s a perfect locked-room thriller to curl up with on a chilly night! It’s set in a snowy mountain chateau, so the atmosphere is ideal for winter reading.
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
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A perfect storm. That’s how I’d describe this thriller.
I’m a sucker for novels set in isolated places: give me cabins in the middle of nowhere, dark and winding forests, and desolate islands all day long. So of course, I was intrigued by this book. And it REALLY delivers.
Set on a remote Irish island during a wedding celebration with a cast of characters holding dark secrets abound, The Guest List was exactly what I hoped it would be (and more).
Listen For the Lie by Amy Tintera
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Years ago, Lucy was found wandering the streets, covered in blood. Despite her “golden girl” status in her small Texas town, everyone believed she killed her best friend.
But Lucy doesn’t remember a thing. Luckily for her, she isn’t convicted.
Now, a podcast decides to cover the story, forcing Lucy to relive her past in order to figure out what really happened that night.
This was such a fun thriller, and would make a great thriller book club read – especially for mystery lovers and crime podcast fans! This novel was a breakout book of 2024, and is totally binge-worthy. I was hooked from the beginning, and finished it in a few days!
Here’s a list of Listen for the Lie book club questions, a character list, and more!
Don’t Look for Me by Wendy Walker
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Molly Clarke, haunted by the death of her youngest daughter, walked away from her family one night, leaving a note and and abandoning her car at a motel in the middle of nowhere.
It seems she doesn’t want to be found. But is that what really happened?
Molly’s older daughter Nicole isn’t so sure. Consumed with guilt, she starts poking around the small town where Molly disappeared, desperate to find out where her mother went.
This thriller was engaging from page one, with deeply flawed and well-rounded characters. It went so much deeper than surface level, portraying a family hounded by grief and regret. And I loved the mysterious small-town, from the diner to the inn to the sprawling woods.
Don’t Look for Me is a deep and adrenaline-fueled thriller, perfect for fans of Gilly Macmillan, Megan Miranda, and Kimberly McCreight.
Mirrorland by Carole Johnstone
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This is like a cross between Gone Girl and Room (but with identical twins). It’s about a young woman who returns to her family home in Scotland after finding out her identical twin sister has mysteriously disappeared.
She finds the house almost exactly as she left it – including the hidden passageways, ornate rooms, and creeping sense of dread from her childhood. Soon, she discovers someone has left clues for her throughout the house.
This was one of the most unique and original psychological thrillers I’ve ever read. So imaginative and breathlessly addicting!
I’m obsessed with old, sprawling houses filled with antiques, endless rooms, and strange passageways, and this book totally fed that obsession. There were even hidden clues throughout the house, which made my mystery-loving heart so happy.
I hope you enjoy these thriller novels as much as I did! Are there any of your own favorites on this list?