Some excellent suspense thrillers novels include 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier. It's a gothic mystery set in a large, imposing mansion. The unnamed narrator is haunted by the memory of Rebecca, her husband's first wife. 'The Silence of the Lambs' is a must - mention again. The psychological battle between Clarice and Lecter is what makes it so gripping. Also, 'In the Woods' by Tana French. It has a really interesting premise where a detective has to investigate a case that might be related to his own past trauma, which he has forgotten.
One of the best is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. The story is full of twists and turns. The characters are complex and the relationship between the two main characters, Nick and Amy, is full of mystery. Another great one is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It has a dark and gritty atmosphere with a strong female lead, Lisbeth Salander, who is on a journey to uncover secrets. And 'Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris is also a classic. The cat - and - mouse game between Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter is extremely suspenseful.
For beginners, 'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins is a great choice. It has a simple yet engaging plot that is easy to follow. The story is told from multiple perspectives which adds to the suspense. Another good one is 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie. It's a classic mystery with a great setup and a lot of twists. Christie is known for her accessible writing style.
I also think 'An Anonymous Girl' by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen is a top 2019 thriller novel. It's a psychological thriller that explores the relationship between a young woman who signs up for a mysterious study and the psychologist conducting it. The power dynamics and the slow - burn mystery make it a really captivating read.
Another notable thriller from 2018 novels was 'My Sister, the Serial Killer' by Oyinkan Braithwaite. It had a unique premise where the main character had to deal with her sister's murderous tendencies. The cultural backdrop of Nigeria added an extra layer of intrigue, and the cat - and - mouse dynamic between the sisters was filled with suspense.
One of the best thrillers of 2018 novels is 'The Woman in the Window' by A.J. Finn. It has a great plot full of mystery and suspense. The main character, an agoraphobic woman, witnesses something strange from her window which leads to a web of secrets.
One of the best thrillers in 2020 novels is 'The Guest List' by Lucy Foley. It's set on an isolated island where a wedding is taking place. The characters are all hiding secrets, and as the story unfolds, the tension builds up and the secrets start to come out, making it a real page - turner.
One of the best thrillers in 2022 novels is 'The Maid' by Nita Prose. It has an engaging plot with a unique protagonist. The story unfolds in a hotel setting and keeps the readers on their toes with its mystery and unexpected twists.
One of the best thrillers from 2016 novels is 'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins. It keeps readers on the edge of their seats with its unreliable narrator and a mystery that unfolds gradually.
'The Dry' by Jane Harper is also a top thriller from 2017. Set in a drought - stricken Australian town, a detective returns to his hometown to investigate a murder - suicide case. But as he digs deeper, he uncovers a web of secrets and long - held grudges that make the case far more complex than it first appears.
'The Woman in the Window' by A.J. Finn was quite popular in 2017. It was a psychological thriller about an agoraphobic woman who witnesses a crime from her window. The book was full of suspense and had a really interesting take on the unreliable narrator trope.
One of the great 2019 thriller novels was 'The Silent Patient' by Alex Michaelides. It had a really engaging plot with a lot of twists and turns. The mystery of Alicia's silence was captivating.