For those who love a good heart-racing thriller, here are 10 popular novels that are guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. From Gillian Flynn’s twisted “Gone Girl” to Michael Crichton’s sci-fi classic “The Andromeda Strain,” there’s something for every kind of thriller lover. Stephen King makes an appearance with both “The Shining” and “The Stand,” while Thomas Harris’ Hannibal Lecter series is represented by “The Silence of the Lambs” and “Red Dragon.” Paula Hawkins’ “The Girl on the Train” and Donna Tartt’s “The Secret History” offer up unreliable narrators and complex characters, while Robert Ludlum’s “The Bourne Identity” delivers fast-paced action.
10 Popular Thriller Novels That Keep You on the Edge
1. “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn
The suspenseful and twisted story of Nick and Amy Dunne will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end. This psychological thriller delves into the intricacies of a marriage gone wrong and leaves you questioning everything you thought you knew.
2. “The Girl on the Train” by Paula Hawkins
Told from multiple perspectives, this novel centers around Rachel Watson, an unreliable narrator who finds herself embroiled in a missing persons case that she may have had a hand in. With plenty of twists and turns, “The Girl on the Train” will keep you guessing until the very end.
3. “The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown
This international bestseller follows symbologist Robert Langdon as he unravels a conspiracy within the Catholic Church. Full of historical and religious intrigue, “The Da Vinci Code” is a page-turner that will keep you up all night.
4. “The Silence of the Lambs” by Thomas Harris
The first novel in the Hannibal Lecter series, “The Silence of the Lambs” is a chilling tale of FBI trainee Clarice Starling and her efforts to capture the serial killer Buffalo Bill. The suspenseful and psychological nature of the novel makes for a truly thrilling read.
5. “The Shining” by Stephen King
Arguably one of King’s most iconic novels, “The Shining” tells the story of Jack Torrance, a writer who becomes the winter caretaker of the Overlook Hotel. As Jack’s sanity begins to unravel, the hotel’s dark past begins to emerge. This book is a true masterpiece of horror and suspense.
6. “The Bourne Identity” by Robert Ludlum
The first in a series of novels revolving around CIA agent Jason Bourne, “The Bourne Identity” follows the journey of a man suffering from amnesia as he tries to uncover his true identity. The thrilling plot and fast-paced action scenes make this book a true page-turner.
7. “The Andromeda Strain” by Michael Crichton
In this classic sci-fi thriller, a group of scientists race against time to contain a deadly virus that has been brought to Earth by a satellite. The detailed scientific explanations and edge-of-your-seat plot make “The Andromeda Strain” a must-read for fans of the genre.
8. “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt
An atmospheric and thrilling novel set on a college campus, “The Secret History” follows a group of students who become involved in a murder plot. The complex characters and intricate plot twists make for a mesmerizing read.
9. “The Stand” by Stephen King
A post-apocalyptic epic, “The Stand” depicts a world ravaged by a deadly virus and the few remaining survivors who must band together to rebuild society. With a sprawling cast of characters and a richly detailed world, this novel is both thrilling and emotionally resonant.
10. “Red Dragon” by Thomas Harris
The second novel in the Hannibal Lecter series, “Red Dragon” is a gripping and intense thriller that follows FBI profiler Will Graham as he tracks down the serial killer known as the Tooth Fairy. The character of Hannibal Lecter looms large in this novel, adding an extra layer of suspense and terror.