You gotta agree that there’s something undeniably magnetic about a good thriller. The suspense, the twists, and the edge-of-your-seat moments pull readers in and refuse to let go.
If you’re hunting for thrillers that won’t just be another book on the shelf, you’re in the absoute right place, so these are 15 thriller books guaranteed to keep you hooked from the first page to the last.
15 Thriller Books You Can’t Put Down
1. The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup
This thriller book follows two detectives finding a sadistic killer, who is leaving clues through crepy, handmade dolls.
In this book, Sveistrup delivers a gritty, tension-packed story that will satisfy any fan of Scandinavian crime thrillers.
2. The Chain by Adrian McKinty
When one’s child has been kidnapped, and to get the child back, they must kidnap someone else’s.
This suspenseful thriller explores just how far a person will go to protect the ones they love—and as everything comes at a price, what will be its cost?
3. One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
When five high school students walk into detention, but to reader’s surprise only four walk out alive and one of them is missing… or dead?
This thriller book is filled with twists and dark secrets, this whodunit thriller keeps readers guessing until the last page.
4. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
Just imagine waking up in a different life. Jason Dessen’s alternate-reality journey is as thrilling as it is mind-bending.
This one will blend suspense with sci-fi elements that’ll keep a reader glued to the last page.
5. My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing
This darkly twisted domestic thriller follows a couple who keep the excitement in their marriage by committing heinous crimes together.
This one’s quite a sinister ride from start to finish.
6. The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
Lo Blacklock, a travel journalist (main lead), is invited on a luxurious cruise through Norway. But the peaceful atmosphere of the journey is shattered when she witnesses what she believes to be a murder—only there’s no evidence of it, and no one else on board is missing.
Lo tries to put together what she saw, she becomes increasingly paranoid, questioning her own sanity in a claustrophobic, closed setting.
7. The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
What starts as a story about a jealous ex-wife quickly spirals into something far more complex.
The seemingly straightforward tale of a love triangle reveals layer after layer of secrets, lies, and betrayals. Vanessa appears to be the bitter ex, obsessing over her replacement, but there’s more to her story than meets the eye.
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8. Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
Jack and Grace are the definition of a perfect couple: he’s charming, and she’s devoted. But behind the closed doors of their home lurks a terrifying reality.
Grace is trapped in a nightmare and is forced to maintain the facade of a happy marriage while enduring Jack’s controlling and abusive behavior.
9. The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter
Two sisters, traumatized by a brutal event from their childhood, find themselves driuven back into darkness when a shocking crime shakes their small town.
Slaughter blends emotional depth with brutal suspense, creating a story that examines family bonds, trauma, and resilience against a backdrop of raw violence.
10. The Girl Who Lived by Christopher Greyson
Surviving a massacre that killed her beloved sister, Faith now struggles with guilt and even hallucinations and she tries to rebuild her life.
But when she starts to believe her sister’s killer is still out there, Faith is desperate to solve the mystery leads her down a dangerous path where reality blurs with her haunting memories.
11. Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson
In this thriller book, Christine Lucas wakes up every day with no memory of her life, relying on notes, her husband, and her doctor to piece together her existence.
But when she uncovers startling inconsistencies, Christine realizes someone may be manipulating her past. Watson’s thriller is quite gripping, a story that blurs reality with paranoia in a quest for truth.
12. The Other Woman by Sandie Jones
Emily who thinks she’s met the man of her dreams, but his mother, Pammie, is determined to ruin their relationship.
This domestic thriller explores family dynamics and obsession, as Emily battles against her controlling future mother-in-law, ultimately questioning what’s real and what’s imagined.
13. The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine
Amber Patterson is determined to insert herself into the lives of the wealthy Parrish family and can do anything for it. As she schemes to take over Daphne’s life, she uncovers secrets that will shift the power dynamics in quite shocking ways.
Constantine’s psychological thriller is a clever exploration of jealousy, ambition, and the lengths people will go to achieve their desires.
14. No Exit by Taylor Adams
In this thriller book, college student Darby Thorne is stranded at a remote rest stop during a snowstorm. When she discovers a kidnapped girl in a van outside, she realizes someone inside the building is the kidnapper.
With no way to escape and no help coming, Darby must outwit a dangerous adversary in this fast-paced, high-stakes thriller.
15. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Set in a seemingly perfect town, this novel explores the lives of three women caught in a web of lies, secrets, and many hidden truths.
With a murder at the center, Moriarty weaves a tale of suspense, drama, and unexpected twists, keeping readers engaged until the final revelation.
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Conclusion
These 15 thriller books each bring something unique to the table, from detailed mysteries and psychological depth to shocking twists and intense action.
Whether you’re drawn to tales of domestic suspense, conspiracy, or love twisted family secrets, these thriller books promise a thrilling escape into the darker side of human nature.
