While romance books have dominated BookTok, it’s time for thriller books to take their well-deserved place in the spotlight. From It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover (unfortunately 😅) to Icebreaker by Hannah Grace, romance has certainly brought many new readers into the fold. But with Halloween 🎃 around the corner, these 10 best thriller books are packed with shocking twists and turns and will keep you on the edge of your seat, leaving you wondering “What happens next?”
So sit back—or maybe not too relaxed… Go grab your favorite blanket, make a hot chocolate, and get ready to jump into the suspenseful world of must read thriller books.
Top 10 Unmissable Thriller Books That Deserve Your Attention
1. The Cottage by Lisa Stone 🏡
Written to keep you wanting to know what happens next, The Cottage follows Jan Hamlin, who needs a fresh start after losing both her boyfriend and job 🥀. Jan decides to rent an isolated cottage in the woods for what she hopes will be a relaxing getaway. However, at night, faint taps start to creep her out, testing her resolve to enjoy her break.
What makes this book truly disturbing are its real-life links, all while maintaining a slightly fantastical tone. This eerie blend showcases why Lisa Stone is considered one of the best thriller authors. If you’re on the lookout for recommended thriller books that deliver suspense and psychological twists for this spooky season, The Cottage is a must-read 🔍.
2. The Castaways by Lucy Clarke 🏝️
The dual perspective and alternating timelines in The Castaways make it one of the most gripping thriller books you’ll read. Lori and her sister Erin plan a getaway to escape life’s burdens, but on the day of their flight, Erin misses it due to a rough hangover and a missing passport. As events take a dark turn, the plane crashes, and Lori is nowhere to be found. ✈️😱
This captivating story not only follows Erin’s desperate search for her sister in the present but also uses Lori’s flashbacks to uncover the chilling truths about what happened on the island that day.
Looking to level up your TBR list on the Bookly app? Grab The Castaways—this must-read thriller has all the suspense and emotional depth you need! 🔥
3. The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell 🕵️♀️
A hidden gem among thriller books, The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell truly deserves more recognition.
The story follows Kim, the mother of Talullah, who continues to push for answers to her daughter’s mysterious disappearance a year after she left her son with her mother and never returned. Determined to uncover the truth, Kim’s search takes a turn when, in 2018, a sign labeled “dig here” is discovered, leading her closer to what happened that fateful night. 🔍💔
This thriller book captures the essence of late autumn nights, filled with suspense and unexpected twists. 🍂🌰
4. I Found You by Lisa Jewell 🌊
Another must-read thriller book from Lisa Jewell, I Found You, 100% deserves a spot on this list, even though it didn’t make its way to BookTok yet.
Alice lives near the beach with her children, where nothing exciting ever happens—until a mysterious man unexpectedly appears at her doorstep. He has no memory of who he is, what brought him there, or even why he’s jacketless. Intrigued, Alice invites him into her home, but who exactly is she welcoming in? 🤔
This gripping novel will have you questioning everything, making it impossible to put down. Perfect for those cozy nights in bed, you’ll be eager to unravel the mystery of this enigmatic man.
Why not add I Found You to your Bookly app TBR for a thrilling read this Halloween Season?
5. The Last Girl by Goldy Moldavsky 🎭
If you’re a fan of dark humor and slasher films, The Last Girl by Goldy Moldavsky is a fast-paced story you won’t want to miss.
Rachel, a horror-obsessed teen, joins a secret club dedicated to true crime and scary movies. However, their fascination with all things dark and gory quickly turns too real as the group becomes the stars of their own horror classic. 🎬👻
Packed with unexpected twists, pop-culture references, and a clever dose of satire, this must read thriller book will leave you wishing you could read it for the first time again. It’s a chilling ride that playfully pokes fun at the genre.
6. Last One to Die by Cynthia Murphy 🔪
If you’re looking for a fast-paced thriller book that feels like a rollercoaster ride through a haunted house, Last One to Die by Cynthia Murphy is your ticket! 🎢👻
The story follows Niamh, a newcomer to London, who quickly discovers that the city’s iconic sights lose their charm when paired with a dash of serial killer drama. As young women mysteriously start dying around her, Niamh finds herself at the center of a deadly game.
Blending supernatural chills with just the right amount of relatable awkwardness, this book is perfect for readers who enjoy their thrills with a side of “Wait…what just happened?” 🤯
Don’t forget to add Last One to Die to your Bookly app for an exhilarating read!
7. The Cousins by Karen M.McManus 👨👩👧👦
Get ready for a thrilling cocktail of family secrets, mysterious inheritances, and backstabbing in The Cousins by Karen M. McManus. 🔍
This book may remind you of just how awkward family gatherings can be—except this one is much worse! When three estranged cousins are summoned to their wealthy grandmother’s island estate, they expect a summer of bonding (and secretly hope for a fortune). Instead, they uncover dark truths that shatter their family ties. 😳
Written by the bestselling author of the TikTok sensation One of Us Is Lying, twists lurk around every corner in this story by Karen M.McManus. It’s like a family vacation where the itinerary includes murder, betrayal, and a splash of paranoia. This book deserves as much recognition as its sister title, so get ready to question everything—even your own relatives! 🗡️
8. That Woman by Helen Monks Takhar ⚖️
That Woman by Helen Monks Takhar is a darkly entertaining psychological thriller book that explores a tense rivalry between two women in the cutthroat world of media. 📸
Meet Ali, an ambitious editor in her 40s. She finds her position threatened by the young, Instagram-perfect Emily, who seems poised to steal both her job and her sanity. As their mind games escalate, Ali begins to spiral, leaving the readers questioning who’s really playing whom.
With sharp wit and unsettling twists, this book is a cutthroat read that highlights the complexities of ambition and rivalry in the workplace. Make sure to add it to your “Must read thriller books” custom collection on the Bookly app for when you need extra help to get out of a reading slump! 📚😩
9. The Book Club by C.J. Cooper 📓
In The Book Club by C.J. Cooper, a seemingly harmless gathering of bookish women takes a sharp turn into psychological warfare. Imagine tea, biscuits, and a dose of manipulation, secrets, and lies. 🍪🤫
What begins as a cozy literary discussion spirals into a blame game, where trust is nowhere to be found, and suspense clouds your vision. You’ll be relieved that the worst part of your weekly book club meetings is just when it’s your turn to host!
This thrilling whodunit is packed with jaw-dropping moments, making it a must-read for fans who enjoy their page-turners with a side of dark humor.
Grab your friends, organize your very own book club, and prepare for lively discussions—just be ready for some unexpected twists with this one! 😱📖
10. The Chain by Adrian McKinty 🔗
In The Chain, a gripping psychological thriller, a mother named Rachel receives a life-altering phone call: her daughter has been kidnapped. The only way to get her back? She must abduct another child, becoming part of a chilling chain of kidnappings.
As Rachel races against time to save her daughter, the tension mounts, and moral lines blur, forcing her to confront the darkest corners of her desperation. 😱
Her journey reveals how far a parent will go when pushed to the brink, exploring themes of sacrifice, fear, and resilience in the face of unimaginable circumstances.
If you’re searching for good thriller books that will leave you breathless and questioning every twist, The Chain is an absolute must for your TBR 📚
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As the spooky season approaches, we can’t think of a better time to dive into a world of suspense, mystery, and the unexpected. While romance books have captured our hearts, thrillers have a unique way of gripping our minds, leaving us breathless with every twist and turn. We hope this list has introduced you to some reads that will keep you guessing until the very last page.
So, as the mornings get darker, the nights creep in faster, and the air turns chilly, let these thrillers add a little extra excitement to your cozy reading sessions. Happy reading, and remember—trust no one! 🤫🤫
This article was written by our Bookly Pro Reader, Macie! 💙
Before You Add These Must-Read Thriller Books to Your TBR, Check Out These Other Recommendations!
Amp up the adrenaline with our hand-picked selections of Murder Mystery Books and Psychological Thrillers. These gripping reads are packed with tension and unexpected twists that will keep your heart racing. If you ever feel a reading slump creeping in, these books will pull you right back into the reading habit and keep you hooked! 🕵️♀️⚡️
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