Summary: In this article, I have compiled 20 of the best Thriller Novels I think will leave you hooked from start to finish. Here are my top 3 picks:
- The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
- The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Thriller novels are perfect for anyone who loves fast-paced, gripping stories that keep you hooked from start to finish. With twists, suspenseful plots, and complex characters, they pull you in and make it hard to put the book down. As you try to solve the mysteries and connect the dots before the characters do, your mind stays fully engaged. Whether you're after a psychological puzzle or an action-packed chase, thrillers offer an exciting escape that leaves you wanting more.
TOP 20: Best Thriller Novels
- The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
- The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
- The Crash by Freida McFadden
- Midnight Black: Gray Man, Book 14 by Mark Greaney
- The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden
- Love, Mom by Iliana Xander
- The Summer Guests by Tess Gerritsen
- Lethal Prey by John Sandford
- You Killed Me First by John Marrs
- The Fourth Girl by Wendy Corsi Staub
- Nobody's Fool by Harlan Coben
- Never Lie by Freida McFadden
- The Ritual by Shantel Tessier
- The Teacher by Freida McFadden
- Shadow's Reckoning by Mary Stone
- The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
- One Step Too Far by Lisa Gardner
- A Beautiful Couple by Leslie Wolfe
- The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
1. The Housemaid
- Author: Freida McFadden
- About: A psychological thriller about a woman who becomes a maid in a wealthy family’s home and discovers dark secrets about her employers.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, straightforward with short chapters to keep you hooked.
- Length: ~70,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: The book is filled with twists and dark revelations that leave a lasting impact.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: It’s a fast-paced, twist-filled story that keeps you guessing and hooked until the very end.
2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
- Author: Stieg Larsson
- About: A gripping mystery about a journalist and a hacker who investigate a wealthy family’s dark past.
- Style of writing: Detailed, with intricate descriptions and character development.
- Length: ~150,000 words
- Year written: 2005
- Emotional impact: The book leaves a strong emotional impact, with themes of revenge, trauma, and justice.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: It’s a complex, multi-layered thriller with unforgettable characters and a gripping plot.
3. The Silent Patient
- Author: Alex Michaelides
- About: A psychotherapist tries to uncover the truth behind a woman who shot her husband and then refused to speak.
- Style of writing: Tense, psychological, with sharp twists and a slow-building mystery.
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: A mind-bending psychological twist that stays with you long after reading.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: If you love psychological thrillers with shocking twists, this one is a must-read.
4. The Crash
- Author: Freida McFadden
- About: A woman survives a car crash but discovers strange events surrounding the accident.
- Style of writing: Quick-paced, suspenseful with short chapters.
- Length: ~75,000 words
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: The twists and revelations make it an emotional rollercoaster.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A fast-paced, gripping read with shocking twists that make it hard to stop reading.
5. Midnight Black: Gray Man, Book 14
- Author: Mark Greaney
- About: A covert operative, known as the Gray Man, faces off against global threats.
- Style of writing: Action-packed, intense with detailed combat scenes.
- Length: ~120,000 words
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: The high-stakes action leaves a rush of adrenaline and excitement.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: If you love fast-paced thrillers with intense action and espionage, this is the book for you.
6. The Housemaid's Secret
- Author: Freida McFadden
- About: A continuation of “The Housemaid,” revealing more secrets and dark twists.
- Style of writing: Engaging, suspenseful, and fast-paced.
- Length: ~80,000 words
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: It keeps readers on edge, with shocking moments and emotional revelations.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: If you loved the first book, this one will keep you captivated with its twists and dark secrets.
7. Love, Mom
- Author: Iliana Xander
- About: A mother’s disappearance and the secrets she left behind lead to a complex mystery.
- Style of writing: Intricate and emotional, with a focus on family dynamics.
- Length: ~100,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: A deeply emotional thriller with family betrayal and loss at its core.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: If you're looking for a thriller with emotional depth and mystery, this will keep you hooked.
8. The Summer Guests
- Author: Tess Gerritsen
- About: A summer getaway turns deadly when guests at a remote estate are forced to face terrifying secrets.
- Style of writing: Atmospheric and suspenseful, with strong character development.
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: The suspense builds steadily, creating an emotional atmosphere of unease.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: If you enjoy slow-burn thrillers with a mysterious atmosphere, this one’s a great pick.
9. Lethal Prey
- Author: John Sandford
- About: A former criminal and a detective team up to solve a high-stakes case filled with danger.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, action-packed with sharp dialogue.
- Length: ~105,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: The action and suspense lead to an emotional and thrilling journey.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: If you enjoy thrillers with a lot of action and dynamic characters, this one is for you.
10. You Killed Me First
- Author: John Marrs
- About: Two women who are both fighting for their lives and their freedom are thrust together.
- Style of writing: Tense, full of shocking twists and a psychological edge.
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Keeps readers on edge with its shocking twists and suspense.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: A suspenseful psychological thriller that keeps readers guessing until the very end.
11. The Fourth Girl
- Author: Wendy Corsi Staub
- About: Four girls, bound by a traumatic experience, uncover long-buried secrets.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced and full of mystery, with a focus on suspense.
- Length: ~85,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: The mystery and emotional turmoil resonate deeply.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: A chilling tale of secrets and suspense that will keep you hooked.
12. Nobody's Fool
- Author: Harlan Coben
- About: A suspenseful tale where everyone has secrets and no one is who they seem.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, sharp, with a lot of twists and turns.
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: The twists and revelations leave readers shocked and emotionally invested.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: If you love a good mystery with unexpected turns and emotional depth, this is a great choice.
13. Never Lie
- Author: Freida McFadden
- About: A tense psychological thriller about a lie that unravels everything.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful and fast-paced with a focus on shocking twists.
- Length: ~75,000 words
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: Keeps readers emotionally invested with a series of shocking developments.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For readers who love twisty, fast-paced thrillers that keep you on edge.
14. The Ritual
- Author: Shantel Tessier
- About: A mysterious and dangerous ritual leads to dark and twisted consequences.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced and filled with tension and suspense.
- Length: ~85,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: The emotional stakes build as the dark twists unfold.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: If you like a thriller with supernatural elements and intense tension, this book will keep you hooked.
15. The Teacher
- Author: Freida McFadden
- About: A teacher becomes embroiled in a web of lies and secrets that could destroy her life.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful with shocking twists and a fast pace.
- Length: ~80,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: The tension and revelations make it an emotionally intense read.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A fast-paced thriller with secrets that will keep you turning the pages.
16. Shadow's Reckoning
- Author: Mary Stone
- About: A former detective is pulled back into a case that’s much darker than expected.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful, dark, and full of twists.
- Length: ~95,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: The emotional tension builds steadily throughout the book.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: For fans of detective thrillers with dark secrets and unexpected twists.
17. The God of the Woods
- Author: Liz Moore
- About: A mysterious disappearance in a remote town leads to a tangled web of secrets.
- Style of writing: Atmospheric, slow-building tension with rich character development.
- Length: ~105,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: The haunting atmosphere and emotional depth stay with you long after reading.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: A gripping, atmospheric thriller with a deep, emotional impact.
18. One Step Too Far
- Author: Lisa Gardner
- About: A woman goes missing in a rugged terrain, and a group of people must search for her, facing their own demons along the way.
- Style of writing: Tense and character-driven with detailed suspense.
- Length: ~105,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: The emotional stakes are high, making it a compelling and dramatic read.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: If you love thrillers with intense character development and high emotional stakes, this book will keep you hooked.
19. A Beautiful Couple
- Author: Leslie Wolfe
- About: A couple’s seemingly perfect life unravels when dangerous secrets are revealed.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful and fast-paced with plenty of twists.
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: It’s a shocking and gripping read that leaves you emotionally invested.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: If you enjoy fast-paced thrillers with unexpected twists, this is a great choice.
20. The Couple Next Door
- Author: Shari Lapena
- About: A seemingly perfect couple faces unexpected tragedy when their baby goes missing.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, with a strong focus on suspense and unraveling secrets.
- Length: ~75,000 words
- Year written: 2016
- Emotional impact: The tension builds quickly, leaving readers shocked by the twists.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: A twisty, engaging thriller that keeps you hooked with every page.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for thrillers that will keep you hooked from start to finish, I think The Housemaid, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and The Silent Patient are excellent picks. Each one brings something different to the table—whether it’s the psychological suspense of The Housemaid, the complex investigation in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, or the mind-blowing twists of The Silent Patient. Personally, I think all three will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave a lasting impression.
