Ten Thriller Books You Need to Read

Do you have the stomach for terrifying and suspenseful stories? If so, these are ten thriller books you need to read! A few of these thriller books kept me up at night, but every single title deserves its place on this list. I love a good thriller – along with fantasy and romance, it’s one of my favorite genres – but it’s not often that one stands out like these do.

As always, these books are listed in no particular order (the numbers are purely for listing!) They are all five-star reads, as far as I’m concerned, and should be read by every thriller book fan 🙂

1. Lock Every Door by Riley Sager

When Jules Larson takes on a house-sitting job in a high-profile luxury apartment building, she has no idea of the dark labyrinth of the hotel or the fact that many of its temporary residents over the years have vanished without. trace.

Lock Every Door is still one of the eeriest I’ve ever read. I’m not a horror reader – in fact, horror is the only genre I absolutely will not read – but for a hot minute while reading this book I thought I’d stumbled into the dark world of things that go bump in the night. I cannot say too much without giving away the plot, but suffice it to say it’s the thriller that has stayed with me the longest. Read it, I dare you.

2. Safe by S.K Barnett

Twelve years ago, Jenny Krystal was kidnapped right off her street. Now, she’s back. And time has changed her…

This book was so disturbing. I devoured it in a day, and for good reason. It ended up being my twenty-twenty thriller of the year.

3. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Alicia Berenson had no reason to murder her husband. A driven and passionate artist, she was, according to others, madly in love with him. Or was she? It’s impossible to know for sure because Alicia hasn’t spoken a single word since the crime. 

The Silent Patient was originally recommended in my Facebook readers group by my friend Jackie, and I’m so glad she did because this book made me a firm fan of Alex Michaelides (though admittedly I often call him Michael Alexidis in error). The blurb caught my attention immediately, and the opening chapters sucked me in. The Silent Patient was a read-in-one-sitting book, equal parts chilling and clever!

4. The Dare by Lesley Kara

Lizzie was there, the day that Alice died. They were teenagers and best friends. Alice’s family has never forgiven Lizzie, though there is no proof that Lizzie had anything to do with it – not even in Lizzie’s mind. Because Lizzie doesn’t remember anything that happened that day.

I read this book three years ago and I still think about it. It was a roller-coaster of note! My only gripe was the title… it never quite seemed to fit. I might have to re-read it to see if I missed something 🙂

5. The Memory Wood by Sam Lloyd

Abducted Elissa is terrified that every moment might be her last. Until Elijah discovers her hidden deep in the woods. Elissa thinks Elijah is her savior, but Elijah has never had a friend before and isn’t in any hurry to lose her.

This book chilled me right through to the marrow of my bones. Read it… I double dare you.

6. The President is Missing by Bill Clinton and James Patterson

President Duncan is dealing with an unprecedented terrorist situation. Fortunately, the prez is ex-military and a pretty bad-ass. Unfortunately, he’s missing.

Talk about a power couple. The ex-President of the United States and one of the most successful thriller authors the world has ever known have paired up to bring us this heart-stopping, nail-biting political thriller. Having lived in the Whitehouse, Clinton’s input lends credibility and authenticity, while Patterson’s signature breakneck pacing keeps you on the edge of your seat. I loved this book, and its sequel The President’s Daughter was just as good.

7. The Shape of Night by Tess Gerritsen

Trying to escape her own haunted past, Ava flees to a small coastal village to spend her days in peace, writing a cookbook. Unfortunately, she didn’t know about the string of unsolved murders plaguing the town until it was too late.

A Facebook friend once described this book as Fifty Shades of Casper and I’ve never forgotten it. It’s funny because it’s true. Borderline horror, I admit I had to read it during the day. It’s creepy, and atmospheric, with a healthy dose of paranormal.

8. I Will Find You by Harlan Coben

David has only served five years of his life sentence in prison for murdering his own son when his sister-in-law comes to visit him. Rachel shows David the impossible: a photograph, taken at a theme park, with a familiar face in the background.

Matthew is alive.

Man, I loved this book. I was late to the Harlan Coben fan club but I’m making up for it, fast. I’ll read anything this man writes.

9. The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden

Millie can’t believe her luck when she lands a live-in job at the Winchester mansion. After all, being an ex-con hardly looks good on her resume. But soon, Millie learns that her new employer has secrets of her own, and that her door doesn’t only lock from the inside.

I don’t know why but this book reminded me of a modern-day Jane Eyre retelling… Until it didn’t. Nina Winchester is like a modern-day Mrs. Rochester, only with full control of her faculties, but The Housemaid is twisty-twisty and will keep you guessing until the very end.

10. I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes

The spine-tingly, spy-thriller about an American operative’s race to save America from calamity.

The release of the much anticipated (and very long-awaited) sequel, The Year of the Locust, has re-ignited Terry Hayes popularity, and I Am Pilgrim is back in the public eye. I doubt that there’s a thriller reader in the world who hasn’t read this one yet, but it still makes my list!

That’s my list of ten thriller books you need to read! I hope you try them, and if you do, let me know what you think. You can also find me on Goodreads… I’d love to read your reviews!

Until next time, read hard!

MD x

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