Suspense books are iconic books as they pull the reader into gripping plots filled with twists, tension, and mysteries that demand to be unraveled. Suspense books keep you guessing, turning pages long after you planned to stop.
If you’re all set for stories that will make your pulse race and your mind reel, these 10 must-read suspense books are ideal for you.
10 Must-read Suspense Books
1. The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
Anne and Marco Conti’s lives are confused when their baby is kidnapped while they attend a dinner party next door and as the investigation unfolds, dark secrets about their marriage and pasts come to light, which are more shocking than you think.
Author’s fast-paced narrative and shocking revelations create a story where everyone is a suspect and nothing is as perfect as it seems.
2. No Exit by Taylor Adams
Darby who is stranded at a rest stop during a snowstorm, discovers a kidnapped child who is locked in a van.
Trapped with strangers, one of whom is the kidnapper, she must figure out how to save the child without becoming a victim herself. Adams crafts an intense and fast-paced thriller that’s just impossible to put down.
3. Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson
Christine Lucas, who wakes up every day with no memory of her past due to a severe form of amnesia. Her husband, Ben, patiently explains her life to her every morning.
But when she begins to uncover the bitter truths through a secret journal, Christine realizes not everything is as great as she thinks. Watson’s detailed writing and creeping tension make this novel an unforgettable psychological thriller.
4. The Perfect Nanny by Leïla Slimani
What begins as a seemingly wonderful arrangement quickly turns into a chilling tale of obsession and tragedy. When a couple hires a nanny to care for their two children, she integrates herself seamlessly into their lives—until her true nature is revealed.
Slimani’s stark, unsettling prose and masterful tension-building does create a haunting story that will linger long even after the final page.
5. Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
Jules Larsen lands a dream job as an apartment sitter at the mysterious Bartholomew, which is quite a luxurious building in Manhattan. But the high-paying gig comes with unsettling rules and really strange occurrences.
As Jules uncovers the building’s dark secrets, she realizes her life is in danger. Sager’s gothic-inspired suspense book is a chilling exploration of paranoia and also survival.
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6. Verity by Colleen Hoover
Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer, who is offered the chance to complete the unfinished manuscripts of bestselling author Verity Crawford.
While going through Verity’s notes, Lowen uncovers a chilling autobiography which is detailing many horrifying secrets. Hoover combines romance, suspense, and jaw-dropping twists in a book that leaves readers questioning everything.
7. An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Jessica Farris signs up for a psychology study on principles and morality, as she expeced it to be an easy way to make money. But as the questions grow invasive and the sessions become quite unsettling, Jessica realizes she’s part of a much larger and a more sinister game.
With every chapter, this book raises the stakes and leaves you questioning the true motives of every character of the novel.
8. In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware
Nora Shaw is invited to a remote cabin for a weekend hen party, but what starts as a celebration takes a sinister turn when old grudges resurface and an accident leaves someone in the cabin dead.
Ware’s debut novel is a fast-paced and a claustrophobic thriller that keeps readers second-guessing every character.
9. Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter
Claire and Lydia are estranged sisters who brought together by a tragedy: the murder of Claire’s husband. As they dig deeper into his death, they uncover shocking links to their sister’s disappearance two decades earlier.
Author’s dark and brave writing makes this suspense book a gripping yet emotionally charged read.
10. The Breakdown by B.A. Paris
Cass Anderson’s life spirals out of her control after she witnesses a woman stranded in her car during a storm but doesn’t stop to help. When the woman is later found dead, Cass becomes consumed by much guilt and paranoia.
Paris expertly builds tension as Cass begins to question her own sanity and the motives of those who are around her.
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Conclusion
There you have it—10 suspense books that are guaranteed to mess with your head and have you flipping pages like your life depends on it. Honestly, if you haven’t read some of these, you’re seriously missing out on some real treasure.
Whether you’re into psychological mind games, or just a good old-fashioned thriller, these books have something for everyone. Trust me, just pick one up, and you’ll be hooked. Just don’t blame me when you stay up all night trying to figure out what happens next though!
