I’m so excited to share some of my favorite (and most-anticipated) 2021 thriller books! This year has been fabulous for thriller releases, from new books by beloved thriller authors like Sally Hepworth and Mary Kubica to exciting debut authors.
To put together this list, I’ve taken into account Goodreads ratings and my own thoughts for the books I’ve read so far. Either way, these books are sure to delight thriller lovers!
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Best Thriller Books of 2021
Shiver by Allie Reynolds
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When ex-snowboarder Milla is invited back 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 – and secrets. But things aren’t always as they seem, and it turns out someone will do anything to get the truth.
Release date: January 19th, 2021
The Burning Girls by C.J. Tudor
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“An unconventional vicar moves to a remote corner of the English countryside, only to discover a community haunted by death and disappearances both past and present–and intent on keeping its dark secrets–in this explosive, unsettling thriller from acclaimed author C. J. Tudor.”
Release date: February 9th, 2021
Too Good to Be True by Carola Lovering
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Skye Starling has struggled with OCD since her mother’s death, but luckily, her boyfriend understands that it’s a part of her. After a whirlwind courtship, he proposes – but is he too good to be true?
Release date: March 2nd, 2021
Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson
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I won’t include a full synopsis here, because I don’t want to share any spoilers if you haven’t read the first book. But in general, this series is about a young woman (kind of like a modern Nancy Drew) who attempts to solve true crime cases. “The highly-anticipated crime-thriller sequel to the no. 1 debut of 2019, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.”
Release date: March 2, 2021
The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth
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“From the outside, everyone might think Fern and Rose are as close as twin sisters can be: Rose is the responsible one and Fern is the quirky one. But Rose has always been Fern’s protector from the time they were small. Years ago, Fern did something very, very bad. And Rose has never told a soul. When Fern decides to help her sister achieve her heart’s desire of having a baby, Rose realizes with growing horror that Fern might make choices that can only have a terrible outcome.”
Release date: April 13th, 2021
When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain
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After a traumatic accident, Anna Hart, a missing persons detective, returns to her small hometown of Mendocino, CA. Hiding away in a cabin in the woods, she learns that a teenage girl is missing. She can’t help but get involved in the search for the girl – but can she trust her instincts?
Release date: April 13th, 2021
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.
Release date: April 20th, 2021
Mirrorland by Carole Johnstone
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A young woman 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.
Release date: April 20th, 2021
The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
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A struggling writer (and writing teacher) named Jake hears about a killer idea for a story from one of his students. But when that man dies, Jake decides to take that idea and write his own story, sharing it with the world. But it turns out, somebody knows his secret, and they’re not willing to stay quiet.
Release date: May 11th, 2021
Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
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“In this smart and chilling thriller, master of suspense and New York Times bestselling author Mary Kubica takes domestic secrets to a whole new level, showing that some people will stop at nothing to keep the truth buried.”
Release date: May 18th, 2021
The Ivies by Alexa Donne
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“Alexa Donne delivers a nail-biting and timely thriller about teens who will stop at nothing to get into the college of their dreams. Too bad no one told them murder isn’t an extracurricular.”
Release date: May 25th, 2021
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
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“An incendiary and utterly compelling thriller with a shocking twist that delves deep into the heart of institutionalized racism, from an exceptional new YA voice. Welcome to Niveus Private Academy, where money paves the hallways, and the students are never less than perfect. Until now.”
Release date: June 1st, 2021
Bath Haus by P.J. Vernon
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Bath Haus is a “classic runaway-train narrative, full of the exquisite escalations, edge-of-your-seat thrills, and oh-my-god twists. P. J. Vernon’s Bath Haus is a scintillating thriller with an emotional punch, perfect for readers curious for their next must-read novel.”
Release date: June 15th, 2021
Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby
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“A Black father. A white father. Two murdered sons. A quest for vengeance. Provocative and fast-paced, S. A. Cosby’s Razorblade Tears is a story of bloody retribution, heartfelt change – and maybe even redemption.”
Release date: July 6th, 2021
The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
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“A fast-paced, thrilling horror novel that follows a group of heroines to die for, from the brilliant New York Times bestselling author of The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires.”
Release date: July 13th, 2021
In My Dreams I Hold A Knife by Ashley Winstead
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
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“A college reunion turns dark and deadly in this chilling and propulsive suspense novel about six friends, one unsolved murder, and the dark secrets they’ve been hiding from each other—and themselves—for a decade.”
Release date: August 3rd, 2021
Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
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“Ten years of marriage. Ten years of secrets. And an anniversary they will never forget. Rock Paper Scissors is the latest exciting domestic thriller from the queen of the killer twist, New York Times bestselling author Alice Feeney.”
Release date: September 7th, 2021
The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
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“A cold case, an abandoned mansion, family trauma and dark secrets lie at the heart of Lisa Jewell’s remarkable new novel.”
Release date: September 7th, 2021
No One Will Miss Her by Kat Rosenfield
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
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“A Gone Girl for the gig economy, this is a story of privilege, identity, and cunning, as two devious women from opposite worlds discover the dangers of coveting someone else’s life.”
Release date: October 12th, 2021
These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
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“A father and daughter living in the remote Appalachian mountains must reckon with the ghosts of their past in Kimi Cunningham Grant’s These Silent Woods, a mesmerizing novel of suspense.”
Release date: October 26th, 2021
All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
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“In this fast-paced thriller, Wanda M. Morris crafts a twisty mystery about a black lawyer who gets in over her head after the sudden death of her boss. A debut perfect for fans of Attica Locke, Alyssa Cole, Harlan Coben, and Celeste Ng, with shades of How to Get Away with Murder and John Grisham’s The Firm.”
Release date: November 2nd, 2021
The Collective by Alison Gaylin
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
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“Camille Gardner is a grieving—and angry—mother who, five years after her daughter’s death, is still obsessed with the privileged young man she believes to be responsible. When her rash actions attract the attention of a secret group of women—the collective—Camille is drawn into a dark web where these mothers share their wildly different stories of loss as well as their desire for justice […].”
Release date: November 2nd, 2021
And there you have it: the best 2021 thriller books so far! I hope you enjoy these fabulous thrillers. What’s been your favorite suspense read this year?
If you’re looking for more awesome books to read, check out these book lists: