There’s nothing like a suspense fiction book to keep your heart racing and your mind spinning with possibilities. These are the stories that pull you in, keep you guessing, and don’t let go until the very last page. From dark psychological thrillers to gripping mysteries with unexpected twists, suspense fiction has a way of turning an ordinary evening into an unforgettable adventure. Every turn of the page brings new secrets to uncover, new questions to answer, and plenty of thrills along the way.
Whether you’re a seasoned fan of the genre or just looking for a great starting point, this list of the best suspense fiction books has you covered. Each book offers something unique—characters with hidden motives, high-stakes plots, and surprises you won’t see coming. So, if you’re ready for edge-of-your-seat storytelling that will keep you hooked until the very end, dive into these 20 must-reads. You might just discover your next favorite book!
1. The Woman in the Window
Author: A.J. Finn
Prize Awarded: N/A
Book Launch Date: January 2, 2018
Preferred Group: Fans of psychological thrillers with unreliable narrators.
Where to Buy: Available at Amazon, Audible, and most bookstores.
Book Overview:
Dr. Anna Fox hasn’t left her New York home in months. As an agoraphobic former psychologist, she spends her days observing her neighbors through her camera lens. One day, Anna sees something horrific—a violent act in the home across the street. But was it real, or was her mind playing tricks on her?
This gripping psychological thriller keeps you questioning Anna’s reliability and the truth behind what she saw. A tangled web of secrets, mental health struggles, and danger unfolds in a way that will keep you hooked until the shocking finale.
2. The Night Watchman
Author: Louise Erdrich
Prize Awarded: Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (2021)
Book Launch Date: March 3, 2020
Preferred Group: Readers who enjoy character-driven suspense with historical depth.
Where to Buy: Find it on Amazon, Bookshop.org, or your local bookstore.
Book Overview:
Set in 1950s North Dakota, this novel weaves a suspenseful tale about the fight to protect Indigenous land. Thomas Wazhashk, a night watchman and Chippewa tribal leader juggles his responsibilities while opposing a federal policy threatening tribal rights. Meanwhile, a young woman named Patrice searches for her missing sister, taking her into dangerous territory.
This blend of history, activism, and mystery creates a deeply moving narrative with moments of real tension, making it a rich and rewarding read.
3. Behind Closed Doors
Author: B.A. Paris
Prize Awarded: N/A
Book Launch Date: February 11, 2016
Preferred Group: Fans of psychological thrillers exploring domestic abuse and control.
Where to Buy: Available at Amazon, Walmart, and most major bookstores.
Book Overview:
Jack and Grace Angel have the perfect marriage—or so it seems. Jack is a successful lawyer, and Grace is a stunning homemaker, but beneath their glamorous exterior lies a terrifying truth. Grace is held captive by her husband, and every aspect of her life is controlled.
With its tightly wound tension and shocking revelations, this psychological thriller explores the dark side of marriage and the lengths one must go to survive.
4. The Silent Corner
Author: Dean Koontz
Prize Awarded: N/A
Book Launch Date: June 20, 2017
Preferred Group: Fans of conspiracy-driven thrillers with strong female leads.
Where to Buy: Widely available on Amazon, Audible, and in bookstores.
Book Overview:
Jane Hawk, a talented FBI agent, is devastated by her husband’s inexplicable suicide. As she investigates, she uncovers a chilling conspiracy involving powerful forces using mind control to eliminate perceived threats.
This fast-paced thriller takes readers on a cross-country chase filled with danger and intrigue, making Jane a compelling protagonist who is both clever and relentless in her quest for justice.
5. Lock Every Door
Author: Riley Sager
Prize Awarded: N/A
Book Launch Date: July 2, 2019
Preferred Group: Fans of gothic suspense and eerie settings.
Where to Buy: Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and local retailers.
Book Overview:
Jules Larsen takes a job as an apartment sitter at the Bartholomew, a luxurious but mysterious job. Jules Larsen accepts a job that is too good-to-be-true as an apartment sitter in a luxury New York building. But the Bartholomew is no ordinary residence—it’s filled with mysterious rules, reclusive tenants, and a sinister history. When another sitter disappears, Jules discovers the building’s horrifying secrets.
With a moody, gothic atmosphere and relentless twists, this story draws readers into a chilling nightmare they won’t soon forget.
6. The Chain
Author: Adrian McKinty
Prize Awarded: International Thriller Writers Award for Best Hardcover Novel (2020)
Book Launch Date: July 9, 2019
Preferred Group: Readers who enjoy high-stakes psychological thrillers.
Where to Buy: Available on Amazon, Bookshop.org, and Audible.
Book Overview:
Rachel Klein’s worst nightmare comes true when her daughter is kidnapped. To save her, Rachel must kidnap another child and perpetuate “The Chain,” a terrifying cycle orchestrated by shadowy criminals. The moral dilemmas Rachel faces, combined with the nail-biting tension, make this a heart-stopping read.
Adrian McKinty crafts a masterful thriller that explores the lengths a parent will go to protect their child while keeping readers on edge with every turn of the page.
7. The Last House on Needless Street
Author: Catriona Ward
Prize Awarded: British Fantasy Award for Best Horror Novel (2021)
Book Launch Date: September 28, 2021
Preferred Group: Fans of psychological suspense with a dark, unsettling edge.
Where to Buy: Available on Amazon, Bookshop.org, and most bookstores.
Book Overview:
Ted lives in a secluded house near the woods with his cat, Olivia, and has kept to himself since a traumatic event. When a young girl goes missing nearby, the police and neighbors suspect Ted, but the truth is far more complex than anyone could imagine. This dark and deeply layered psychological thriller will keep readers guessing with its mix of eerie atmosphere, unreliable narrators, and shocking twists.
8. The Good Sister
Author: Sally Hepworth
Prize Awarded: N/A
Book Launch Date: April 13, 2021
Preferred Group: Readers who enjoy domestic thrillers with complex characters.
Where to Buy: Check it out on Amazon, Audible, and local retailers.
Book Overview:
Fern and Rose are twins with a complicated relationship. While Fern struggles with sensory processing issues, she depends on Rose for support. But when Fern’s plan to help Rose have a baby takes a dark turn, their secrets begin to unravel, revealing a deeply emotional and suspenseful tale.
This domestic thriller is both heartwarming and chilling, blending family drama with a tense and unexpected mystery.
9. The Paris Library
Author: Janet Skeslien Charles
Prize Awarded: N/A
Book Launch Date: February 9, 2021
Preferred Group: Readers who enjoy historical fiction with a suspenseful twist.
Where to Buy: Available on Amazon, Bookshop.org, and major booksellers.
Book Overview:
In Nazi-occupied Paris, librarian Odile Souchet secretly joins the resistance while working at the American Library. Decades later, a curious teenager in Montana uncovers Odile’s hidden past, connecting two generations through bravery and loss.
This beautifully written historical novel is both a celebration of libraries and a poignant tale of courage and survival.
10. Then She Was Gone
Author: Lisa Jewell
Prize Awarded: N/A
Book Launch Date: July 27, 2017
Preferred Group: Fans of psychological thrillers with emotional depth.
Where to Buy: Widely available at Amazon, Audible, and local bookstores.
Book Overview:
Ellie Mack was fifteen when she disappeared. A decade later, her mother, Laurel, meets a man whose young daughter looks eerily like Ellie. As Laurel uncovers the truth, she is drawn into a twisted web of lies and deception.
11. The Family Upstairs
Author: Lisa Jewell
Prize Awarded: N/A
Book Launch Date: August 6, 2019
Preferred Group: Fans of domestic thrillers with multi-layered mysteries.
Where to Buy: Available on Amazon, Bookshop.org, and local bookstores.
Book Overview:
In The Family Upstairs, Libby Jones inherits a mansion in Chelsea, only to discover its dark history involving a cult-like family and a series of deaths. As Libby investigates, the lives of three families converge, revealing long-buried secrets.
12. The Chestnut Man
Author: Søren Sveistrup
Prize Awarded: N/A
Book Launch Date: September 3, 2019
Preferred Group: Fans of Nordic noir and dark police procedurals.
Where to Buy: Available on Amazon, Audible, and major retailers.
Book Overview:
A gruesome murder in Copenhagen leads detectives Thulin and Hess to a chilling discovery: a small chestnut figurine left at the crime scene. As they unravel the mystery, the case ties back to a prominent missing person presumed dead.
13. The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
Author: Stuart Turton
Prize Awarded: Costa First Novel Award (2018)
Book Launch Date: September 18, 2018
Preferred Group: Readers who enjoy intricate, mind-bending mysteries.
Where to Buy: Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and local bookstores.
Book Overview:
Aiden Bishop must solve the murder of Evelyn Hardcastle, but there’s a twist: he wakes up in the body of a different guest at the manor each day, reliving the same event from new perspectives.
Turton’s innovative storytelling and masterful twists make this one of the best suspense fiction books, offering a unique take on the traditional whodunit.
14. The Hunting Party
Author: Lucy Foley
Prize Awarded: N/A
Book Launch Date: December 3, 2018
Preferred Group: Fans of locked-room mysteries with ensemble casts.
Where to Buy: Check it out on Amazon, Target, and major bookstores.
Book Overview:
A group of friends reunites for New Year’s Eve at a remote lodge in the Scottish Highlands. When one of them is found dead, it becomes clear the killer is among them.
Lucy Foley expertly builds suspense with shifting perspectives and a claustrophobic setting, making The Hunting Party a must-read for fans of the best fiction suspense books.
15. The House of Silk
Author: Anthony Horowitz
Prize Awarded: N/A
Book Launch Date: November 1, 2011
Preferred Group: Fans of Sherlock Holmes and classic detective stories.
Where to Buy: Available at Amazon, Audible, and most major bookstores.
Book Overview:
In this authorized continuation of the Sherlock Holmes series, Anthony Horowitz delivers a gripping new mystery. Holmes and Watson investigate a dangerous conspiracy involving the enigmatic “House of Silk,” leading to shocking revelations.
16. The Wife Between Us
Author: Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Prize Awarded: N/A
Book Launch Date: January 9, 2018
Preferred Group: Fans of domestic thrillers with unexpected twists.
Where to Buy: Find it on Amazon, Audible, and local bookstores.
Book Overview:
The Wife Between Us lures readers into believing they’re reading a typical love triangle story, only to pull the rug out from under them. The twists and shifting narratives will make you question everything you think you know.
17. The Perfect Stranger
Author: Megan Miranda
Prize Awarded: N/A
Book Launch Date: April 11, 2017
Preferred Group: Readers who enjoy stories about hidden identities and small-town secrets.
Where to Buy: Available on Amazon, Walmart, and local booksellers.
Book Overview:
When Leah Stevens moves to rural Pennsylvania for a fresh start, her life takes a dark turn. Her roommate, Emmy, vanishes, and Leah realizes she may not have known Emmy at all. As Leah digs deeper, she becomes entangled in a dangerous web of lies.
This gripping novel delivers twists and tension, making it a strong addition to the best suspense fiction books list.
18. The Shadows
Author: Alex North
Prize Awarded: N/A
Book Launch Date: July 7, 2020
Preferred Group: Fans of psychological thrillers with supernatural undertones.
Where to Buy: Widely available on Amazon, Audible, and major retailers.
Book Overview:
When Paul Adams returns to his hometown decades after a brutal murder linked to his childhood friends, he’s haunted by memories and a recurring nightmare. As another killing takes place, Paul realizes the nightmare might be real.
19. The Couple Next Door
Author: Shari Lapena
Prize Awarded: N/A
Book Launch Date: July 14, 2016
Preferred Group: Fans of domestic thrillers and shocking twists.
Where to Buy: Available at Amazon, Target, and most major retailers.
Book Overview:
When Anne and Marco Conti’s baby goes missing during a dinner party at their neighbor’s house, their perfect life unravels. As secrets come to light, the truth becomes more shocking than anyone imagined.
Shari Lapena’s fast-paced narrative and layered plot make this an essential read for fans of the best fiction suspense books.
20. The Whisper Man
Author: Alex North
Prize Awarded: N/A
Book Launch Date: August 20, 2019
Preferred Group: Readers who enjoy crime thrillers with emotional depth.
Where to Buy: Available on Amazon, Bookshop.org, and local bookstores.
Book Overview:
In the small town of Featherbank, a serial killer dubbed “The Whisper Man” terrorized families years ago. When a father and son move into the town, they’re drawn into a chilling connection to the past.
This haunting and emotionally driven story is a standout among the best suspense fiction books, offering both scary and heartfelt moments.
Final Note
Suspense fiction books have a unique way of pulling readers into their worlds, keeping you guessing until the very last page. This list of the best suspense fiction books features stories filled with intrigue, unexpected twists, and characters that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading. Whether you’re drawn to psychological thrillers, locked-room mysteries, or high-stakes crime dramas, these books offer something for everyone.
Pick one, settle into your favorite reading spot, and prepare for hours of thrilling entertainment. Remember, the beauty of suspense lies in the unknown, so let these books surprise you!
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What defines a suspense fiction book?
A: A suspense fiction book focuses on creating tension and keeping readers on edge as they anticipate what will happen next. These books often feature unexpected twists, intense situations, and characters with hidden motives.
Q2: Are these books suitable for first-time suspense readers?
A: Absolutely! This list includes a variety of titles ranging from classic psychological thrillers to fast-paced crime dramas, making it perfect for both newcomers and seasoned fans of suspense fiction.
Q3: What’s the difference between suspense fiction and thriller fiction?
A: While both genres are closely related, suspense fiction often builds tension more gradually, keeping readers guessing about the outcome. Thrillers tend to be more action-packed, with higher stakes and faster pacing.
Q4: Are all these books stand alone, or are some part of a series?
A: Most of the books on this list are standalone stories, but a few, like The Silent Corner by Dean Koontz, are part of a larger series.
Q5: Where can I buy these books?
A: These books are widely available at major retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org. You can also check your local bookstore or library for physical or digital copies.
Enjoy diving into the world of the best suspense fiction books—just don’t forget to sleep with the lights on!