Summary: In this article, I have selected 20 of the best mystery thriller books I find full of twists and turns that will leave you hooked. Here are my top 3:
- Verity by Colleen Hoover
- The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
- The Inmate by Freida McFadden
Mystery thriller books are addictive because they mix suspense, twists, and unexpected turns that keep you hooked. The thrill of solving mysteries, uncovering secrets, and feeling the tension build makes these stories impossible to put down. Whether you love action, psychological twists, or just a good mystery, they offer an exciting and gripping escape.
TOP 20: Best Mystery Thriller Books
- Verity by Colleen Hoover
- The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
- The Inmate by Freida McFadden
- The Crash by Freida McFadden
- You Killed Me First by John Marrs
- The Last Juror by John Grisham
- The Fourth Girl by Wendy Corsi Staub
- Love, Mom by Iliana Xander
- The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden
- The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden
- Keep It in the Family by John Marrs
- Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
- The Housemaid Is Watching by Freida McFadden
- Never Lie by Freida McFadden
- The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
- The Briar Club by Kate Quinn
- Unveiled by Jane Henry
- The Teacher by Freida McFadden
- Ward D by Freida McFadden
- The Woman in the Cabin by Becca Day
1. Verity
- Author: Colleen Hoover
- About: A psychological thriller about a struggling writer uncovering dark secrets while working on a famous author’s unfinished manuscript.
- Style of writing: Intense, suspenseful, emotionally charged
- Length: ~95,000 words
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: Strong emotional pull, evokes shock, tension, and introspection
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: If you love gripping psychological thrillers with unexpected twists, this is a must-read.
2. The Housemaid
- Author: Freida McFadden
- About: A woman becomes a housemaid for a wealthy family but uncovers dangerous secrets.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, suspenseful, twist-heavy
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Jaw-dropping twists, keeps you on edge
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Why read it: A highly addictive thriller with shocking twists and unpredictable plots.
3. The Inmate
- Author: Freida McFadden
- About: A woman imprisoned in a facility with dark secrets and crime.
- Style of writing: Gripping, dark, suspenseful
- Length: ~85,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Strong emotional pull, empathizing with the protagonist’s journey
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: If you enjoy psychological thrillers with fast-moving plots, this is a compelling choice.
4. The Crash
- Author: Freida McFadden
- About: A woman deals with the aftermath of a car accident that changes her life forever.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, emotionally intense, suspenseful
- Length: ~80,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Strong emotional response, intense themes of trauma and survival
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A thrilling, fast-paced mystery dealing with trauma and survival.
5. You Killed Me First
- Author: John Marrs
- About: A dark exploration of revenge, technology, and betrayal.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful, dark, psychological
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Leaves a lasting impact through its themes of betrayal and revenge
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: If you’re looking for a psychological thriller about betrayal and the dangers of technology, this is perfect.
6. The Last Juror
- Author: John Grisham
- About: A legal thriller involving a murder trial and a young juror’s experience.
- Style of writing: Detailed, suspenseful, methodical
- Length: ~110,000 words
- Year written: 2004
- Emotional impact: Emotional, focusing on morality, justice, and personal lives
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A solid legal thriller with a mix of personal drama and suspense.
7. The Fourth Girl
- Author: Wendy Corsi Staub
- About: A woman investigates the mysterious deaths of young women.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful, atmospheric
- Length: ~95,000 words
- Year written: 2009
- Emotional impact: Tense and unsettling atmosphere
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: Atmospheric thriller blending mystery and suspense, perfect for fans of dark mysteries.
8. Love, Mom
- Author: Iliana Xander
- About: A psychological thriller about a mother’s secrets and their effects on her family.
- Style of writing: Dark, emotional, gripping
- Length: ~75,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Deep emotional resonance, focusing on family dynamics and hidden truths
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: For readers who enjoy psychological twists and deep family-driven mysteries.
9. The Boyfriend
- Author: Freida McFadden
- About: A twisty thriller about a seemingly perfect boyfriend hiding dangerous secrets.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, twist-filled
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Intense emotional twists, keeps readers hooked
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A suspenseful read about love, lies, and the dangers of trust.
10. The Housemaid's Secret
- Author: Freida McFadden
- About: The sequel to The Housemaid, continuing the suspense-filled drama.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful, twist-filled
- Length: ~95,000 words
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: Keeps the tension high, with unpredictable characters
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Why read it: If you loved The Housemaid, this sequel offers more shocking twists.
11. Keep It in the Family
- Author: John Marrs
- About: A dark story about family secrets and betrayal.
- Style of writing: Gripping, dark, suspenseful
- Length: ~85,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Unsettling, with complex relationships
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A dark family drama mixed with mystery and suspense.
12. Haunting Adeline
- Author: H.D. Carlton
- About: A psychological thriller with dark and mysterious elements, blending horror and suspense.
- Style of writing: Dark, immersive, intense
- Length: ~105,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Unsettling with lasting psychological impact
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: For readers who enjoy psychological suspense with dark, haunting themes.
13. The Housemaid Is Watching
- Author: Freida McFadden
- About: The follow-up to The Housemaid, continuing the suspenseful drama.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, twist-filled
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: High tension, with unpredictable developments
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: More thrills from The Housemaid, providing shocking moments and deepening the suspense.
14. Never Lie
- Author: Freida McFadden
- About: A psychological thriller about lies, manipulation, and secrets.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful, psychological
- Length: ~85,000 words
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: Intense twists and lasting emotional punch
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A fast-paced, gripping psychological thriller with twists that keep you hooked.
15. The God of the Woods
- Author: Liz Moore
- About: A mysterious and suspenseful story set in a remote area full of dark secrets.
- Style of writing: Atmospheric, slow-building, thoughtful
- Length: ~100,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Thought-provoking and unsettling
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A slow-burn mystery perfect for readers who enjoy deep dives into secrets and survival.
16. The Briar Club
- Author: Kate Quinn
- About: A historical mystery blending family drama and suspense.
- Style of writing: Engaging, well-researched, character-driven
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Powerful, with an emotional connection to characters
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A great pick for those who enjoy historical settings combined with mystery and drama.
17. Unveiled
- Author: Jane Henry
- About: A dark romantic thriller with elements of suspense and danger.
- Style of writing: Dark, emotional, suspense-filled
- Length: ~80,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Deep emotional resonance tied to the characters’ journey
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A mix of romance, suspense, and danger that will keep you captivated.
18. The Teacher
- Author: Freida McFadden
- About: A psychological thriller about a teacher caught in a dangerous situation.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful, fast-paced
- Length: ~80,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: A tense, emotional rollercoaster with shocking revelations
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A suspense-filled thriller focusing on social dynamics and unexpected events.
19. Ward D
- Author: Freida McFadden
- About: Set in a psychiatric ward, where the protagonist uncovers dark secrets.
- Style of writing: Dark, immersive, suspenseful
- Length: ~85,000 words
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: Haunting, emotionally intense
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: If you enjoy psychological suspense with a dark, atmospheric setting.
20. The Woman in the Cabin
- Author: Becca Day
- About: A woman trapped in a dangerous situation with a mysterious man.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, suspenseful
- Length: ~80,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Tense and psychologically intense
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A thrilling and emotional ride perfect for fans of mystery and suspense.
Conclusion
To wrap it up, if you’re into suspenseful thrillers that keep you hooked from start to finish, I think Verity, The Housemaid, and The Inmate are must-reads. Each one brings shocking twists, unforgettable characters, and plenty of drama to keep you on the edge of your seat. Whether you’re after mind-bending mysteries, psychological twists, or just a story that’ll keep you turning pages late into the night, these three books definitely deliver it all.
