Hello there reader! I see you are lost in the ocean of nail-biting, edge-of-the-seat thrilling reads and confused what to pick. Don’t worry! I’ve got you. You have come to the right place. Whether you are trying to get into reading or a reader who wants to explore the thriller genre, I have got just the book recommendations for you. And this to your TBR pile (it only gets longer, I know!) or add to cart and check out. These books are a must on your shelves.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
This book has to be on the top of the list! The Silent Patient is a psychological thriller that revolves around Alicia Berenson, a famous painter who is found guilty of murdering her husband, Gabriel, by shooting him five times in the face. After the murder, Alicia goes silent which turns her into a mysterious figure and a subject of public fascination. The narrative is driven by Theo Faber, a forensic psychotherapist who becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind Alicia’s silence. The book is renowned for its suspenseful atmosphere and shocking twists.
Murder On The Orient Express by Agatha Christie
A thriller recommendation is incomplete without books by Agatha Christie, the queen of suspenseful writing. This is the most famous detective novel featuring Hercule Poirot. The story unfolds on the luxurious train, the Orient Express, where a wealthy American passenger named Samuel Ratchett is found murdered in his compartment. He has been stabbed multiple times, and the door to his room is locked from the inside.Hercule Poirot who happens to be on the train is asked to investigate. The book is celebrated for its intricate plot, masterful use of misdirection, and the moral dilemma it presents at the end.
Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager
A psychological thriller that follows Emma Davis, a young artist, who is haunted by the disappearance of her three friends fifteen years ago at Camp Nightingale. She is invited back to the camp’s reopening, which she reluctantly agrees to participate in, hoping to uncover the truth about that fateful night. She begins to unravel the hidden truths and deception that challenges everything she thought she knew. A perfect blend of eerie atmosphere, suspense and a gripping narrative.
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
This is a dark psychological thriller that centers around Libby Day, the sole survivor of her family’s brutal massacre when she was just seven years old. Her testimony sent her older brother, Ben, to prison for the murders. Twenty-five years later, Libby is struggling financially and emotionally, and she reluctantly agrees to revisit the case when a group of amateur investigators, known as the Kill Club, offers to pay her to dig into the events of that night. As Libby delves into the past, she uncovers buried secrets and begins to question whether Ben was truly guilty. The novel alternates between Libby’s present-day investigation and flashbacks to the day of the murders, gradually revealing the shocking truth. Flynn’s signature style of complex characters and dark, twisted plot lines makes this a gripping and unsettling read.
Into The Water by Paula Hawkins
I’m sure you have heard of the book, ‘The Girl On The Train’ by Paula Hawkins. Penned by the same author is another gripping read, ‘Into The Water’. The story begins with the death of Nel Abbott, a woman who had been researching and writing about the river’s dark history. Her death is ruled a suicide, but her estranged sister, Jules, returns to the town and becomes convinced that there’s more to the story. As Jules delves into Nel’s life and the town’s past, she uncovers a web of secrets, lies, and troubled relationships that connect various women who have died in the river over the years. The novel is told through multiple perspectives, revealing how the past continues to haunt the present and the sinister undercurrents that run through the seemingly quiet town.
The Village Of Eight Graves by Seishi Yokomizo
A classic Japanese mystery novel and part of the famous Kosuke Kindaichi series. The story is set in a remote village called Eight Graves, which gets its name from a centuries-old massacre of eight samurai who were buried there. The novel follows Tatsuya Terada, a young man who is summoned to the village after learning he is the long-lost heir to a wealthy family. However, his arrival triggers a series of gruesome murders, echoing the village’s bloody past. As fear and suspicion spread, private detective Kosuke Kindaichi is called in to solve the mystery. The novel intricately weaves together themes of family secrets, curses, and revenge. It is a captivating tale of suspense, blending traditional mystery elements with the eerie atmosphere of Japanese folklore.
The Law Of Innocence by Michael Connelly
Want to give legal thriller a shot? This is just the book for you. This is a legal thriller featuring defense attorney Mickey Haller, also known as “The Lincoln Lawyer.” In this novel, Mickey finds himself on the other side of the law when he is arrested for the murder of a former client. The evidence against him seems overwhelming, as the body is found in the trunk of his car, but Mickey is determined to prove his innocence. The novel is a tense courtroom drama that explores themes of justice, morality, and the lengths one will go to for the truth.
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
Science fiction meets thriller! The story follows Jason Dessen, a college physics professor who is living a content but ordinary life with his wife and son. One night, Jason is abducted and knocked unconscious, only to wake up in a strange, alternate version of his life where he is a celebrated scientific genius who has achieved groundbreaking success. However, in this world, his wife is not his wife, and his son was never born. Desperate to return to his original life and family, Jason must navigate through dangerous and unfamiliar worlds, while confronting the terrifying implications of his scientific discoveries. “Dark Matter” is a fast-paced, thought-provoking novel that combines suspense, science, and existential questions about the paths we take and the lives we lead.