There are many great thriller novels that could be part of this list. 'Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris is a classic. The character of Hannibal Lecter is one of the most iconic in thriller literature. It's a chilling story of a hunt for a serial killer. Also, 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown combines mystery, history, and thriller elements, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
I'd recommend 'Misery' by Stephen King as well. The story of an author held captive by his 'number one fan' is both terrifying and thrilling. It really plays on the power dynamic between the two characters. And 'The Pelican Brief' by John Grisham is also a great choice. It's about a young law student who uncovers a conspiracy that puts her life in danger.
Some of the 2018 best thriller novels include 'The Woman in the Window' by A.J. Finn. It's a gripping psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats with its unreliable narrator and a mystery that unfolds within the confines of a house.
One of the best 2017 thriller novels is 'The Dry' by Jane Harper. It's set in a drought - stricken Australian town and has a great mystery at its core. Another is 'Before the Fall' by Noah Hawley. The story of a plane crash and the subsequent investigation is full of twists and turns. And 'The Girl Before' by JP Delaney is also notable. It's about a woman who moves into a minimalist house with some very strange rules and a dark past.
Some of the best 2019 thriller novels include 'The Silent Patient' by Alex Michaelides. It's a gripping tale about a criminal psychologist trying to get a mute patient to talk about her crime. Another great one is 'The Institute' by Stephen King. It involves a mysterious institute and children with special powers. Also, 'The Chain' by Adrian McKinty is quite good. It has a unique and terrifying concept of a chain of kidnappings.
The 'Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown is a popular thriller that combines mystery and historical elements. 'The Bourne Identity' by Robert Ludlum is also great. It follows a man with amnesia trying to figure out his identity while being chased. And 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie, with its isolated setting and series of murders, is a masterful thriller.
Well, 'The Silent Patient' by Alex Michaelides was also a popular 2020 thriller. It's about a famous painter who stops speaking after shooting her husband. The story is filled with twists and turns as a psychotherapist tries to figure out what really happened. And then there's 'The Wife Upstairs' by Rachel Hawkins, a modern - day take on 'Jane Eyre' with a thrilling and unexpected plot.
One of the best thriller novels is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It has a complex mystery involving a decades - old disappearance and a journalist and a hacker teaming up to solve it.
Well, one key characteristic is a fast - paced plot. For example, in 'The Bourne Identity', the action just keeps coming, and you're constantly on edge as Bourne tries to figure out his past. Another is suspense. In 'Rear Window', the suspense builds as the main character spies on his neighbors and suspects something sinister. Suspense makes you keep turning the pages.
Well, most of them have complex and unpredictable plots. For example, they often have sudden twists that you don't see coming.
One of the best thriller novels is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It has a complex mystery and a unique protagonist. Another great one is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn, which has unexpected twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. 'Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris is also a classic thriller with the terrifying character of Hannibal Lecter.