Another highly rated thriller is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It combines elements of mystery, crime, and a strong female lead. The detailed investigation and the dark secrets revealed make it a gripping read.
Thomas Harris' 'The Silence of the Lambs' is also among the best. The cat - and - mouse game between Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter is extremely intense. The psychological aspect of the story, along with the hunt for a serial killer, makes it a classic in the thriller genre.
One of the top rated thriller novels is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. It has a complex plot full of twists and turns that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The characters are well - developed and the story is told in a very engaging way.
A good option is also 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown. It's full of puzzles and historical references that are easy to follow. The fast - paced action and the race against time to uncover secrets make it very exciting for new thriller readers.
One characteristic is the use of unreliable narrators. In many top - rated ones like 'Gone Girl', the narrators' versions of events can't be fully trusted, which adds to the mystery. Another is the exploration of the human psyche. For example, in 'We Need to Talk About Kevin', it delves into the mind of a mother dealing with a difficult son. Also, a sense of suspense is crucial. These novels keep you on the edge of your seat, like in 'The Girl on the Train' where you're constantly trying to figure out what really happened.
Sure. '30 Days of Night' is quite good. It's set in Alaska where there is a month - long night, and vampires take advantage of the darkness. The art style is moody and really helps set the spooky tone.
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 rated novels is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. It's a classic that has endured for centuries. The complex characters, like Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, and the exploration of love, class, and society in 19th - century England make it a masterpiece. Its witty dialogue and detailed descriptions have charmed generations of readers.