Summary: In this article, I have selected 20 of the best page-turner books I think will have you turning pages all night long. Here are my top 3 picks:
- The Last Room on the Left by Leah Konen
- The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
- And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Page-turners are the kind of books that grab your attention from the very first page and don’t let go until the last. With fast-paced plots, compelling characters, and plenty of unexpected twists, they make it almost impossible to stop reading. These books offer an escape into a world full of suspense or excitement, pulling you in and keeping you hooked. They’re perfect when you want to get lost in a story and feel a rush of emotions, whether it’s mystery, thrill, or adventure. The best part about a page-turner is how it keeps you reading, making it the kind of book you can’t put down.
TOP 20: Best Page-Turner Books
- The Last Room on the Left by Leah Konen
- The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
- And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
- Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
- The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
- NYPD Red 3 by James Patterson and Marshall Karp
- Maximum Ride: School's Out Forever by James Patterson
- Misfortune by Wesley Stace
- The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
- The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
- Funny Girl by Nick Hornby
- Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
- The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
- Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
- The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
- Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
- The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
- Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
- Verity by Colleen Hoover
- The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré
1. The Last Room on the Left
- Author: Leah Konen
- About: A feminist retelling of The Shining, where a woman discovers a body during a snowstorm, leading to a series of chilling events.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful, atmospheric, and descriptive.
- Length: Approximately 90,000 words.
- Year written: 2024.
- Emotional impact: Keeps you on edge with tension and mystery.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate.
- Why read it: A fresh take on a classic thriller with strong female characters and an unpredictable plot.
2. The Golden Couple
- Author: Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen
- About: A psychological thriller exploring a perfect marriage unraveling with secrets and betrayals.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, alternating perspectives.
- Length: Approximately 95,000 words.
- Year written: 2022.
- Emotional impact: Deeply engaging, exploring themes of trust and betrayal.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: A gripping, suspenseful story with shocking revelations.
3. And Then There Were None
- Author: Agatha Christie
- About: Ten strangers are invited to an island, and one by one, they are killed. A classic murder mystery.
- Style of writing: Tense, clever, and atmospheric.
- Length: Approximately 60,000 words.
- Year written: 1939.
- Emotional impact: Highly suspenseful, with a shocking ending that lingers.
- Difficulty level: Easy.
- Why read it: Christie's masterpiece that keeps readers guessing until the final reveal.
4. Fourth Wing
- Author: Rebecca Yarros
- About: A young woman is thrust into a deadly competition where survival is uncertain, blending romance with high-stakes adventure.
- Style of writing: Engaging, fast-paced, with emotional depth.
- Length: Approximately 120,000 words.
- Year written: 2023.
- Emotional impact: Intense emotions, focusing on resilience and self-discovery.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: A compelling mix of romance and action that keeps readers invested.
5. The Lost Symbol
- Author: Dan Brown
- About: Robert Langdon uncovers secrets tied to Freemasonry in Washington, D.C.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, filled with riddles and historical details.
- Length: Approximately 200,000 words.
- Year written: 2009.
- Emotional impact: Engaging but less emotionally profound beyond the thrills.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: For fans of conspiracy theories, puzzles, and action-filled adventures.
6. NYPD Red 3
- Author: James Patterson & Marshall Karp
- About: Detectives from the elite NYPD Red team investigate high-profile cases while navigating personal dilemmas.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, with short chapters and multiple POVs.
- Length: Approximately 85,000 words.
- Year written: 2014.
- Emotional impact: Keeps you engaged with action, but less emotional depth.
- Difficulty level: Easy.
- Why read it: Perfect for those who love fast-paced crime novels.
7. Maximum Ride: School's Out Forever
- Author: James Patterson
- About: Genetically modified children with wings must fight for survival as they face dangerous threats.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, action-heavy, with humor.
- Length: Approximately 90,000 words.
- Year written: 2006.
- Emotional impact: Provides emotional moments, focusing on loyalty and survival.
- Difficulty level: Easy.
- Why read it: Ideal for YA fans who love action, adventure, and a bit of sci-fi.
8. Misfortune
- Author: Wesley Stace
- About: The story of a cross-dressing heir/heiress navigating family secrets and inheritance.
- Style of writing: Humorous, witty, with a touch of whimsy.
- Length: Approximately 85,000 words.
- Year written: 2005.
- Emotional impact: Light-hearted but thought-provoking on identity and family.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: A quirky, unique story with plenty of twists and humor.
9. The Woman in Me
- Author: Britney Spears
- About: Britney Spears' personal memoir, detailing her life, struggles with fame, and fight for freedom.
- Style of writing: Candid, heartfelt, and straightforward.
- Length: Approximately 100,000 words.
- Year written: 2023.
- Emotional impact: Deeply emotional for fans who have followed her journey.
- Difficulty level: Easy.
- Why read it: A behind-the-scenes look at the life of one of pop culture’s biggest stars.
10. The Pairing
- Author: Casey McQuiston
- About: A romance about two former lovers reconnecting on a European food tour, filled with humor and heartfelt moments.
- Style of writing: Light, humorous, and romantic.
- Length: Approximately 95,000 words.
- Year written: 2023.
- Emotional impact: Sweet and uplifting, with a feel-good romance.
- Difficulty level: Easy.
- Why read it: Perfect for fans of romantic comedies and second-chance love stories.
11. Funny Girl
- Author: Nick Hornby
- About: A beauty queen in 1960s London aspires to become a TV star, navigating the entertainment industry and personal challenges.
- Style of writing: Humorous, insightful, with a nostalgic feel.
- Length: Approximately 100,000 words.
- Year written: 2014.
- Emotional impact: A mix of humor and reflection on ambition and identity.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: A witty exploration of the entertainment world and personal growth.
12. Demon Copperhead
- Author: Barbara Kingsolver
- About: A modern retelling of David Copperfield, set in Appalachia, following a boy’s journey through hardship.
- Style of writing: Lyrical, descriptive, and deep.
- Length: Approximately 130,000 words.
- Year written: 2022.
- Emotional impact: Heart-wrenching, dealing with poverty, addiction, and identity.
- Difficulty level: Moderate to challenging.
- Why read it: A powerful, character-driven story that’s both moving and thought-provoking.
13. The Couple Next Door
- Author: Shari Lapena
- About: A couple's baby goes missing during a dinner party, and secrets begin to unravel.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, suspenseful, with plenty of twists.
- Length: Approximately 90,000 words.
- Year written: 2016.
- Emotional impact: Keeps readers hooked with its suspense, but less emotional depth.
- Difficulty level: Easy.
- Why read it: A domestic thriller full of mystery and shocking revelations.
14. Behind Closed Doors
- Author: B.A. Paris
- About: A psychological thriller about a seemingly perfect marriage hiding dark secrets.
- Style of writing: Gripping, with a sense of foreboding.
- Length: Approximately 100,000 words.
- Year written: 2016.
- Emotional impact: Unsettling, focusing on manipulation and psychological control.
- Difficulty level: Easy.
- Why read it: A chilling look at the darker side of marriage and psychological abuse.
15. The Silent Patient
- Author: Alex Michaelides
- About: A woman who shoots her husband and then stops speaking; a psychotherapist becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth.
- Style of writing: Psychological, with lots of twists and unreliable narration.
- Length: Approximately 80,000 words.
- Year written: 2019.
- Emotional impact: Intriguing, with a shocking ending.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: A thrilling and suspenseful psychological mystery that keeps you guessing.
16. Big Little Lies
- Author: Liane Moriarty
- About: Three women in a small community with dark secrets that lead to a murder.
- Style of writing: Clever, humorous, and deep.
- Length: Approximately 100,000 words.
- Year written: 2014.
- Emotional impact: Heartfelt, with moments of humor and sadness.
- Difficulty level: Easy.
- Why read it: A fascinating mix of humor, drama, and mystery.
17. The Girl on the Train
- Author: Paula Hawkins
- About: A psychological thriller about a woman who becomes entangled in a disappearance after observing a woman on her daily train ride.
- Style of writing: Unreliable narration, dark and suspenseful.
- Length: Approximately 95,000 words.
- Year written: 2015.
- Emotional impact: Dark and unsettling, leaving you questioning the truth.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: A gripping, intense read full of psychological twists.
18. Sharp Objects
- Author: Gillian Flynn
- About: A journalist returns to her hometown to cover a series of murders, confronting her troubled past.
- Style of writing: Dark, psychological, with brooding atmospheres.
- Length: Approximately 100,000 words.
- Year written: 2006.
- Emotional impact: Disturbing, dealing with trauma and family dysfunction.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: For fans of psychological thrillers with dark, complex characters.
19. Verity
- Author: Colleen Hoover
- About: A romance thriller where an author uncovers disturbing secrets about her colleague's past.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, emotional, with suspenseful twists.
- Length: Approximately 90,000 words.
- Year written: 2018.
- Emotional impact: Intense, with unpredictable twists.
- Difficulty level: Easy.
- Why read it: A captivating story that blends romance with mystery and suspense.
20. The Girl with the Louding Voice
- Author: Abi Daré
- About: A young Nigerian girl fights for her voice and freedom in a society that tries to silence her.
- Style of writing: Inspiring, emotional, with rich cultural detail.
- Length: Approximately 100,000 words.
- Year written: 2020.
- Emotional impact: Deeply emotional and empowering.
- Difficulty level: Moderate.
- Why read it: A powerful, moving story about resilience, hope, and finding your voice.
Conclusion
To wrap it up, if you're looking for books that’ll keep you hooked from start to finish, I think The Last Room on the Left, The Golden Couple, and And Then There Were None are some of the best choices. Whether you're in the mood for a modern thriller with a fresh twist, a deep dive into a marriage unraveling, or a classic mystery with an unforgettable ending, these books definitely won’t disappoint. Each one is packed with suspense and twists that’ll keep you turning pages until the very end.
