Ten Must-Read Novels for Those Who Love Thrillers
If you like serial killer mysteries, you’ll love David Hosp’s ‘Dark Harbor’, which doesn’t strive so much towards the macabre and gory as it does the actual mystery of the plot. Sure, there’s blood and gore – it’s a serial killer story – but this one has sub-plots that grab the attention and hold on throughout the book. If you think you’ve read every serial killer plot there is, think again.
‘Chill of Fear’, a must-read by Kay Hooper, will keep you on the edge of your seat as a team of paranormals try to solve a case of pure evil. Thrown in for extra suspense is a 25 year-old unsolved murder, a now-dead 8 year old girl, and a mysterious resort settled in the Tennessee mountains. You’ll love this book from beginning to climatic end.
Most thrillers involve some type of murder or murders and ‘Faithless’, by Karin Slaughter, is no different in that respect. But, this book presents a thrill a minute as Sara Linton, the Georgian medical examiner in the story, discovers a dead girl underground in a coffin, on her own land. The girl was buried alive, as are others, in the plot that introduces a sinister minister and his underhanded dealings. Injected into the scenes are abortion issues, domestic abuse and brutality. The book isn’t so much fast-paced as it is intriguing and gripping.
Drugs, sleazy bars, grisly murders, cults and motorcycle gangs – what more can a thriller offer? A woman is wandering the streets covered in fly bites, with a bullet in her head and amnesia. ‘Blackfly Season’, by Giles Blunt, is based on a true crime. It is riveting, disturbing, and highly satisfying.
Somewhat of a government thriller, but one that will be loved by even those who despise government thrillers, ‘Fade’, by Kyle Mills, involves a former navy SEAL wanted by Homeland Security for his abilities and knowledge. Since the former SEAL has a valid grudge, he’ll have no part of it. Seemingly a boring plot until the story takes you through the original drama that caused the grudge, to the current crisis. You’ll be surprised at the pace, the suspense and the ending.
‘Dead Ringer’, by Ken Douglas, will grab you right from the start. A pregnant woman is attacked but somehow gets away from the attacker. She’s shocked, though, when her twin sister, whom she thought had died in infancy, shows up dead. And that’s not the only shocker – the news announces it’s her, not her sister that’s been murdered. She slides into her sister’s old life, since hers is fraught with future abortion, infidelity and despair, in hopes of unraveling the mysteries. The story isn’t the run-of-the-mill twin mix-up tale, but a grabbing, fast-paced tale of intrigue, drama, and trauma.
One legal thriller that’s far in front of the others is ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’, by Michael Connelly. It grabs the reader right away with a plot that focuses around a defense attorney who has gotten one probably-innocent man sent to prison but saved many guilty clients from the same fate. Seemingly a same-old – same-old story, you’ll be surprisingly thrilled and excited with this book that keeps you guessing until the very end.
A great psychological thriller that’ll keep you up all night is ‘Rage’, by Jonathan Kellerman. Lies, secrets, violence and murder are only the tip of the iceberg in this story of two teenage boys who confess to murdering a two-year-old girl, do time in juvenile confinement, and eventually get killed – one inside lock-up and the other, shortly after being released. You’ll never guess what’s coming next in this page-turner that uncovers sinister revelations of unknown proportions.
Nora Roberts’ thriller ‘Blue Smoke’, the story of an arson investigator who became interested in solving fire crimes as a child. As an adult, she’s faced with uncovering sociopaths while she struggles to find love. This romantic thriller will please those who like romance mixed with danger.
Thrillers are a part of our culture, but some thrillers fall short of what they promise. Choose one of the recommended books here and you’ll be guaranteed a good read – and a lot of suspense.
