20 Thriller Novels That Will Keep You On Edge This Winter

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·9 min read

1.All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris

What it's about: Suspense? Check. Mystery? Check. Thriller? Check. This book is a fast-paced, nonstop story that follows a well-to-do Atlanta lawyer who unfortunately finds her boss — her secret lover — shot dead. Get it from Bookshop or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

2.Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty

What it's about: Families are tough. Full stop. Add in a missing spouse and a husband as the prime suspect, and things get even more complicated. The Delaney siblings are split on their father's innocence and their complex relationships, sibling rivalries, and secrets, which keep readers' minds spinning. The author that brought the world Big Little Lies is back again with a story sure to have people talking. Get it from Bookshop or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

3.Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough

What it's about: This novel will leave your jaw on the floor. Sarah Pinborough really went there with an ending that would make most readers scratch their head and eyes roll, but she made it work. And by making it work she did something that many authors strive to do in their novels: shock readers. Behind Her Eyes is a sensual thriller with supernatural elements. It's a read you'll never forget. Get it from Bookshop or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

4.Carrie by Stephen King

What it's about: This book takes all of your high school fears, cranks them up to 100, and doesn't let up. Stephen King is truly a national treasure. How was this his first novel? Throughout the novel you feel Carrie's teenage angst and want to reach out to help, but not to worry, the revenge that Carrie White unleashes on her unrelenting bullies will leave you in awe of her telekinetic destruction. Get it from Bookshop or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

5.Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff

What it's about: This book is what happens when you take that picture-perfect, wealthy, high school sweetheart couple and give them a big dose of reality. A novel written from two perspectives of a flailing marriage, the pretentious characters are spiteful, unlikeable, yet still appealing. Former US President Barack Obama even named the book his favorite read of 2015! Get it from Bookshop or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

6.Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

What it's about: This iconic novel took the world by storm. Gillian Flynn, another national treasure, creates atmospheric tension that jumps off the pages. Amy Dunne is sadistic. Nick Dunne is complacent (picture Ben Affleck), and the pair cannot live without the other. I guess that's marriage? The novel is filled with twists and turns, and by the end readers are nauseated at the toxicity from this Leave It to Beaver couple. Get it from Bookshop or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

7.Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk

What it's about: This thriller is a minefield of mind-blowing moments from start to finish. Originally published in 1999, Palahniuk rereleased the thriller, forcing readers to jump from chapter to chapter as they follow the multiple storylines as a disfigured model seeks revenge. Get it from Bookshop or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

8.Misery by Stephen King

What it's about: Annie Wilkes is the

9.My Sweet Girl by Amanda Jayatissa

What it's about: Formerly an orphan from Sri Lanka, Paloma comes off as an innocent young woman who was recently cut off from her parents. However when Paloma finds her roommate dead, her secrets from the orphanage in Sri Lanka begin to catch up to her. With a hint of a supernatural activity that adds to the twists, this novel is riveting with a highly flawed narrator. Get it from Bookshop or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

10.One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest by Ken Kesey

What it's about: This classic controversial novel is sure to leave the hairs on the back of your neck standing hours after you finish reading. The setting takes place in the heart of Oregon, where Nurse Ratched runs the psychiatric ward with an iron fist. Kesey writes a scary, dark book that transports readers to the hospital as patients fight for survival. Later adapted into a 1975 American psychological film starring Jack Nicholson — say no more — the book is a perfect read for those seeking chills. Get it from Bookshop or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

11.Out by Natsuo Kirino

What it's about: Four Japanese night shift workers band together to cover up the murder of one of their husbands, but betrayal, lies, and greed unravel their plan to get away and frame a reformed town criminal. Natsuo Kirino is able to make your skin crawl with her words. The detail, horror, and gore that she captures fully wraps readers into each chapter. Get it from Bookshop or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

12.Quiet in Her Bones by Nalini Singh

What it's about: Aarav Rai is on a mission to solve the mystery behind his mother's 10-year-old cold case murder, but is Aarav actually the one that may have killed his own mother that rainy night in the backlands of New Zealand? As Aarav uncovers more clues about himself, his deceased socialite mother, abusive father, and inquisitive neighbors, he quickly begins to go down a dark mental rabbit hole that ends up bringing him to his potential demise. Get it from Bookshop or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

13.Speaking of Summer by Kalisha Buckhanon

What it's about: Summer is your typical New York City transient creative, but when her twin sister goes missing after her mother's death, Summer's world falls apart. Speaking of Summer enthralls you into Summer's community and mind, and right when you think you've figured her out the entire thriller flips. What was real, and what was all made up? Get it from Bookshop or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

14.The Secret History by Donna Tartt

What it's about: This book is a lot like your favorite hate-watch TV show or Instagram follow. Every character is terrible in their own way, but you just cannot turn away. Tartt builds the tension in the book page by page and envelops you in the chaos. The New England backdropped

15.The Surrogate by Toni Halleen

What it's about: Thrillers tend to take your biggest fears and amplify them, and in this novel Halleen taps into new parents' biggest fear. What happens if your surrogate runs away with your meant-to-be child? The alternating point-of-views among the characters keep the story at a fast pace that heightens the intensity until the very last page. Get it from Bookshop or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

16.The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith

What it's about: Mr. Ripley is complex, intriguing, and most importantly, a sociopath. The complexities of this character remain a blueprint for many filmmakers and novelist searching to create a character who you fear and loathe yet remains palatable. The Italy backdrop makes the novel all the more worthwhile. Although it was published over 50 years ago, the book remains timeless. If you end up loving this book, there are others in the series for you to enjoy! Get it from Bookshop or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

17.The Woman Outside My Door by Rachel Ryan

What it's about: When it comes to horror and fear, nothing rings spookier than a child and their imaginary friend who may or not may not exist. In Rachel Ryan's debut novel, readers are found questioning the main character's sanity and will flip through the short suspenseful chapters as the motive and suspects change. Get it from Bookshop or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

18.Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

What it's about: This psychological thriller is much more than just a mother (Laurel) searching for her missing daughter (Ellie) storyline. As the story draws on, readers feel the suspense build as more answers lead to more questions behind the disappearance of Ellie. A must-read novel that can be read in just a few hours! Get it from Bookshop or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

19.Verity by Colleen Hoover

What it's about: The energy and pace in this book are like a fun house at a carnival. It's ever-changing, and just when you think you know what to expect next, Hoover hits you with another turn. Up until the very final page, readers are mining for clues. Just when you thought you figured out the who, what, when, where, and why, it completely changes, leaving you gobsmacked. Get it from Bookshop or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.

20.Where They Wait by Scott Carson

What it's about: Can you imagine your sleeping app turning on you to wreak havoc in your dreams? Well, now nightmares. This eerie and intriguing novel questions the depth and capabilities of technology companies' infiltration into users' subconscious and conscious mind.  Get it from Bookshop or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.