What Are the Top Thriller Books for a Memorable Read?
A great thriller will take you to another world. You sit down with a book and a cup of tea, and the next thing you know, it’s 2 AM, and you’re still thrilled to read that one chapter left.
If you’re looking for the best thriller books to read, you should not chase the most famous title. The key is to identify the kind of fear you enjoy most. Here’s your simple guide that walks you through the best thriller books that deliver an unforgettable experience. Let’s see how you can choose the one that suits your interest and mood.
Want to browse while you read? Explore our full range of thriller eBooks and suspense fiction.
Psychological Thrillers: When the Twist Is in Your Head
If you’re someone who loves thriller books with plot twists, go for psychological thrillers. They replace chases with doubts and suspenseful uncertainty, and you never fully trust the narrator.
If you’re looking for a psychological thriller to get started on, here are the three best psychological thriller books.
1. Gone Girl
Written by Gillian Flynn. The book reveals a marriage, a disappearance, and a mid-book twist that continues to captivate readers’ attention.
2. The Silent Patient
Written by Alex Michaelides. Tells the story of a woman who stops speaking after a brutal crime and her therapist, who tries to uncover the reason behind her silence.
3. The Housemaid
Written by Freida McFadden. It is a fast and addictive book that shows the life of a housemaid in a wealthy family with dark secrets.
Ideal for: readers who like to second-guess all characters.
Want a suspense read where nothing is quite what it seems? Try Black Listening, a suspense thriller eBook from our catalog.
Crime and Legal Thrillers: For Readers Who Love a Good Case
Both crime thrillers and legal thrillers enthrall readers with pressure and clues. These two are excellent if you prefer fast-paced thriller books that will keep you busy.
1. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Written by Stieg Larsson. It’s a story of a journalist and a talented hacker who dig deep into a missing-person case that happened decades ago.
2. Along Came a Spider
Written by James Patterson. It’s a book with very short chapters and a cat-and-mouse chase that you can’t stop reading.
3. The Firm
Written by John Grisham. It's the story of a smart young lawyer who finds out his dream law firm has a dark secret.
Ideal for: readers who enjoy crime investigation.
For a gripping maritime mystery, see Dead Water.
Romance Filled with Suspense
Romantic suspense thrillers retain your interest for two reasons: danger and desire.
1. Verity
Written by Colleen Hoover. It’s a story of a writer who’s been struggling. She then finds a disturbing manuscript, and her growing feelings intensify the risk.
2. Rebecca
Written by Daphne du Maurier. It is an interesting, timeless Gothic classic novel about a new bride haunted by her husband's first wife.
3. The Wife Between Us
Written by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. It’s a story of a jealous ex-wife, a glamorous fiancée, and an unexpected love story.
Ideal for: readers who want tension and emotion in the same story.
Political, Action, and Spy Thrillers
Many readers prefer stories with big, world-level danger that progress at a constant pace. Spy and action thrillers have both. They are the best thriller books for adults who enjoy a big, cinematic tale.
1. The Day of the Jackal
Written by Frederick Forsyth. It’s a story of an assassin who plots to kill the president of France on one condition: no one involved will ever know who he is. The best part is, despite knowing who it is, you can’t take your eyes off the plot.
2. The Hunt for Red October
Written by Tom Clancy. The book narrates the battle between two navies: a Soviet submarine captain and a possible defector.
3. The Da Vinci Code
Written by Dan Brown. The book has secrets, symbols, and a roller coaster ride through Paris and London. Each chapter ends with a hook.
Ideal for: readers who love to read plots that are worldwide, such as international conspiracies.
If you like conspiracies and covert operations, check out Black Veil Protocol and the techno-thriller Ghost Grid.
Young Adult and Genre-Bending Thrillers
Never miss young adult thriller books, as they are quick, sharp, and twist-filled in every chapter. Adults and grown-ups love sharp stories with twists. If you’re a fan of sci-fi and suspense, there’s also a great pick here.
1. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
Written by Holly Jackson. It’s a story about a student who reopens a closed murder case for her school project.
2. One of Us Is Lying
Written by Karen M. McManus. It’s an interesting story of five students who walk into detention, and only four leave.
3. Dark Matter
Written by Blake Crouch. A science fiction thriller in which a physicist awakens in a life that isn’t his.
Ideal for: readers who want a quick read filled with suspense.
More of a sci-fi reader? Browse our science fiction eBooks, or try the survival thriller The Last Ice Road.
Final Thoughts
A great thriller is a book that a reader can’t stop reading. Pick one as per your mood, and read from chapter one to see if it keeps you from sleeping until midnight.
There are great choices available for you to try, and your unforgettable read awaits. Browse more in our thriller eBooks collection, check the latest in new books, or start with our eBooks range.