Unlocking the Mystery: 10 Detective Thrillers You Can't Miss
Book RaiderThere's something utterly fascinating about a good old mysterious whodunit, isn't there? A trail of breadcrumbs just barely visible, a detective with the brains of Einstein and the grit of a gladiator, a cast of seemingly innocuous characters, all with their own closet of skeletons. And then there's you, sitting comfortably on your couch, turning into your own private Sherlock Holmes, trying to piece the puzzle together.
Yet, in the vast literary ocean of murder, suspense, and treachery, figuring out which book to dive into can itself be as perplexing as cracking the Da Vinci Code. So, grab your magnifying glass, dust off your detective hat, and prepare to embark on an audacious hunting expedition into the shadowy world of detective thrillers. Here’s a guide to some spine-tingling, page-turning, sleep-with-the-light-on detective thrillers that you absolutely can't miss. Trust me, they’re criminally good.
The Word Is Murder
by Anthony Horowitz
Why The Word Is Murder is on this list: If you’re a fan of spine-tingling suspense and unexpected plot twists, Horowitz's 'The Word Is Murder' is the perfect fit for you. It's a detective thriller that’ll keep you up all night, just like a loud neighbor or a good pizza order.
'The Word Is Murder' is the first in a series featuring private investigator Daniel Hawthorne and his sidekick-author, Anthony Horowitz. Yeah, you read that right - the author has written himself into the story, and it's as fun as it sounds, like finding a twenty in your old jeans. The story kicks off with a well-to-do woman found strangled hours after planning her own funeral. Digging into her peculiar case, Hawthorne and Horowitz find themselves mired in a web of deceit and hidden secrets. The novel combines classic elements of Sherlock Holmes and modern detective fiction, with a quirky meta twist.
What readers like: Readers have been gushing over the book's well-drawn characters, the intriguing plot, and Horowitz's quirky self-insertion. Plus, the dialogue is snappy and the story moves faster than a cheetah with a jetpack. If you have a soft spot for intelligent, witty mystery novels that break the fourth wall, you’re in for a real treat.
Check Price at Amazon
Eight Perfect Murders
by Peter Swanson
Why Eight Perfect Murders is on this list: Complex riddles? Check. Genius detectives? Check. Unanticipated plot twists? Double check. Eight Perfect Murders seamlessly fits into our list of detective thrillers that promise to twist your brain into a pretzel. Before you know it, you'll also be scratching your head trying to identify the murderer, just like our hero.
Eight Perfect Murders is set in a popular Boston bookstore, where our protagonist Malcolm runs a blog highlighting fiction's most unsolvable murders. Little does he know, a serial killer has been using that list to wreak havoc in real life. Mean, right? Now, Malcolm has no choice but to turn detective and help the FBI catch the killer. A race against time ensues that's anything but boring.
What readers like: Readers have fallen head over heels in love with Swanson's brilliant narrative coupled with eccentric characters. Spice it up with a clever series of murders inspired by cult classic crime novels, and we've got a winner. If you enjoy armchair sleuthing with a good ol' cup of joe, this one's for you.
Check Price at Amazon
The Turn of the Key
by Ruth Ware
Why The Turn of the Key is on this list: If meaty detective dramas are your cup of tea, then you're in luck. Ruth Ware's 'The Turn of the Key' checks off all boxes on the list of nail-biting suspense, a formidable sleuth, and unexpected twists that leave your mind reeling.
Picture this - you're a nanny in a seemingly perfect family, living in a sparkling high-tech house in the Scottish Highlands. But, everything's not as pristine as it seems and before you know it, a child's dead, you're in jail, and you don't remember a moment of what happened. Now that's what I call a sticky situation. 'The Turn of the Key' wraps you around its little finger right from the get-go, with its immersive storytelling and a mystery that leaves even the most seasoned readers guessing.
What readers like: Readers rave about the book's uncanny ability to transport them right into the middle of the drama, making them a part of the mystery. The suspense is drawn out just enough to keep you on the edge of your seat, but not enough to exasperate you. A must-read for those who have a taste for the twisted and heart-pounding.
Check Price at Amazon
The Searcher
by Tana French
Why The Searcher is on this list: The Searcher by Tana French caters perfectly to all the 'Sherlock Holmes' enthusiasts out there who like unraveling life's puzzles with a quite literary twist. This masterful detective thriller is all about mystery, suspense, and heart-thumping excitement
Retired detective Cal Hooper moves to a remote Irish village with the intention to heal from the horrors of his career. However, trouble comes searching for him in the form of a local boy whose brother has mysteriously disappeared. The story ensues as Cal can't help but to plunge himself into this detective thriller's intricate puzzle. With each twist and turn of the plot, 'The Searcher' will keep you stuck to your armchair, reluctant to even blink.
What readers like: Readers are all praise for the author's superb storytelling, realistic characterization, and the nail-biting suspense. They also can't get enough of the convincing portrayal of an idyllic yet haunting Irish village. The unexpected twists and turns are quite a hit too. Some have stayed up all night just to finish 'the last few chapters' which, mind you, may or may not have been half the book.
Check Price at Amazon
The North Water
by Ian McGuire
Why The North Water is on this list: If you're always the first to crack a case on 'CSI', The North Water will take your detective skills to the high seas. It's thrilling and dripping with mystery, it's what every detective thriller buff truly yearns for.
This novel pushes boundaries, testing the strength of its readers with its vivid details. Set on a 19th-century Arctic whaling ship, The North Water traps you on that ice-cold, desolate environment, pulling you into an insidious plot involving a brutal murder. The life of Patrick Sumner, an ex-army surgeon with a stained past, is suddenly intertwined with the violent and sinister harpooner Drax. A thriller that's part detective fiction, part historical adventure - it's chilling, raw and deeply suspenseful.
What readers like: Detective fiction fans laud its beautiful writing - brutal yet eerily poetic, adding another layer to the chilling atmosphere. Readers rave about how the raw and dark themes twirls your heart, giving a unique and gripping narrative style. McGuire's characters, especially Patrick Sumner, will hook you from the get-go, and his storyline will keep you guessing for more.
Check Price at Amazon
The Lost Man
by Jane Harper
Why The Lost Man is on this list: This book shouts ‘mystery’ like a detective with a magnifying glass. Brimming with suspense, twists and turns, it's a classic whodunit that keeps you on your toes.
Set in the blazing Australian Outback, the story revolves around three brothers – one of whom is found dead under mysterious circumstances. Packed to the brim with family secrets, deception, and underlying tensions, this tasty page-turner will leave you as dry-mouthed as the Aussie desert itself.
What readers like: Fans love Harper’s in-depth character development and the tantalizing plot that unfolds bit by bit, like peeling an onion – but a lot more enjoyable and with less tears. Or, well, your mileage may vary on that last part.
Check Price at Amazon
The Chain
by Adrian McKinty
Why The Chain is on this list: The Chain is like a puzzle wrapped in an enigma, shrouded by a riddle. That’s three layers of mystery, earning its spot as a top detective thriller. Also, it has 'chain' in its title, and who doesn't love a good detective story with chains involved?
This book has one frightening premise - your child is kidnapped, and the only way to get them back is to kidnap another child. And thus, then begins the chain. This terrifying cycle of events forces our protagonist Rachel into the life of a detective, where she must unravel the secret operations of the Chain before it's too late. A plot that's as engrossing as it is terrifying.
What readers like: Readers rave about the riveting storyline, the unexpected plot twists, the nail-biting suspense, the strong, relatable characters, and the way our ordinary single mom turned detective manages to outsmart the bad guys. It's like taking a roller-coaster ride while sitting at home. You might want to keep the lights on, though. This one's a page-turner with a side serving of chills.
Check Price at Amazon
Long Bright River
by Liz Moore
Why Long Bright River is on this list: In 'Long Bright River', Liz Moore presents a masterclass on the twisty-turny, Sherlock-y goodness that is detective thriller novels. If your appetite for enigmas is as ravenous as an AI's for data, this one's for you.
This riveting tale follows the lives of two sisters: Mickey, a police officer patrolling a notoriously harsh Philadelphia neighborhood, and Kacey, who's fallen into a life of addiction and homelessness within the same district. When Kacey mysteriously goes missing at the same time a string of murders occur, Mickey becomes obsessed with finding the culprit and her sister- before it's too late. Amidst this chaos, family drama simmers and secrets resurface, making this gritty thriller a page-turning exploration of suspense and sisterhood.
What readers like: Fans love this book because it solves the crime of bland storytelling. Its gripping plot, realistic characters, and atmospheric setting keep readers engrossed till the very end. It has a way of playing with your emotions, making you swing between empathy, suspense, anger and intrigue faster than a cat chasing a laser point. Readers also adore the surprising plot twists and the satisfying conclusion. In short, 'Long Bright River' is more than just a detective thriller; it's a powerful exploration of family, addiction, and the lengths one will go to for those we love.
Check Price at Amazon
Lethal White
by Robert Galbraith
Why Lethal White is on this list: Packed with layers of tightly knitted plot twists and turns, Lethal White will have your neurons firing on all cylinders as you try to unravel the mystery alongside our main characters. Very fitting for the wannabe Sherlock Holmes in all of us.
In Lethal White, we're reintroduced to our favorite dynamic detective duo, Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott. They dig through political scandals, sagas of the rich and powerful, cover-ups and blackmails to get to the bone-chilling truth hiding behind an enigmatic claim of a child's murder. If you thought parliament was all dull debates and long-winded speeches, you're in for a shock. And oh, did I mention the beautiful but lethal white horse?
What readers like: Readers love the intricate plot, the exquisite narrative and the constant suspense that keeps them flipping pages well after bedtime. And of course, who isn't a sucker for genuine, flawed characters we can't help but cheer for, love, and sometimes, even get frustrated at. If you like your mysteries served with a side of spot-on social commentary and engrossing character arcs, then Lethal White should be right up your alley.
Check Price at Amazon
Conviction
by Denise Mina
Why Conviction is on this list: If you think detectives only exist in the hazy, cold streets of 19th-century London, think again. 'Conviction' will show you otherwise. Trust us, it's the sort of detective thriller that'll glue you to your seat — and that's coming from folks who don't easily get attached to furniture.
'Conviction' is not your typical detective novel. The story features a woman named Anna, who is literally obsessed with true crime podcasts. When a murder case that was covered in a recent podcast pops up on her news feed, Anna recognizes the victim as an old acquaintance. And what does she do? She decides to solve the case herself. In her kitchen. With her earphones on. Relatable, or what? Denise Mina artfully takes us through a vivid world of chilling crimes, intriguing characters, and well, podcasts. If that isn't thrilling, we don't know what is.
What readers like: Readers have applauded how 'Conviction' intertwines modern culture, specifically podcasts, into the traditional detective thriller. They're also pretty jazzed about the protagonist, Anna. She's not just another brooding detective; she's a multi-dimensional person with a life beyond crime-solving. Anyway, if you've ever found yourself trying to solve a crime you heard on a podcast, this might just be your next read.
Check Price at Amazon
