10 Best Mystery Thrillers Books of 2021
10 Best Mystery Thrillers Books of 2021
Here we share our edition of the hottest thriller books coming in 2021, from historical crime thrillers to poignant psychological page turners, the best thrillers of 2020 and the very best thriller novels of all time.
From sharp psychological thrillers to poignant crime novels, 2021 will be a nerve-racking year for thriller books. Ellery Lloyd's clever social media thriller People Like Her will have you turning the pages all night, while Bishop's explosive debut DVD City of Vengeance is perfect for fans of historical crime thrillers. Here we've put together our edition of the best new thriller books of 2021, take a look back at the best thrillers of 2020, and collect the very best thriller novels of all time.
Black 13
by Adam Hamdy
Black 13 is the exciting first spy thriller book in Adam Hamdy's Scott Pearce series. Radical extremists are on the rise and governments, the military and intelligence services are outsmarted, borders are falling apart and those in power are puppets. In this new world one man will make a difference. That man is ex-MI6 agent-in-exile, Scott Pearce.
See Also: 10 Romantic Thriller Books That Will Get Your Heart Rate Running
People Like Her
by Ellery Lloyd
This clever debut thriller from husband-and-wife writing team Ellery Lloyd takes an immersive look at the dark side of social media and influencer culture. Emmy Jackson is better known to her online fans as Instagram sensation Mamabare, famous for telling it that way when it comes to modern parenting. But not everything you see online can be believed, and someone knows the truth about Emmy and plans to make her pay. . .
City of Vengeance
by DV Bishop
Florence, 1536. When a prominent Jewish moneylender is found dead, Cesare Aldo, a criminal court officer, is tasked with solving his murder. In the course of his investigation, Aldo discovers a plot to overthrow the unstable ruler of Florence, Alessandro de 'Medici. Aldo is caught in a frantic race against time to solve the murder and stop the conspiracy while keeping his own secrets safe. This historical crime thriller is an exciting debut by DV Bishop.
Daughters of Night
by Laura Shepherd-Robinson
This historic crime thriller is Laura Shepherd-Robinson's second, following her award-winning debut Blood & Sugar. Set in London in 1782, it's the story of Caroline Corsham, who is determined to seek justice for a string of murders of first-class prostitutes - crimes the police are more than happy to ignore. As she delves deeper into the darkest, hidden corners of Georgian society, Caroline soon discovers that much more is at stake than her reputation. . .
Nightshift
by Kiare Ladnershift workers
This dark, sexy and terrifying novel explores ambivalent female friendship against the otherworldly backdrop of the liminal world of London night. When twenty-three-year-old Meggie meets the enigmatic Sabine, she realizes that Sabine is everything she would like to be herself. She quickly gives up her daytime existence for the chance to work the same night shift as Sabine, and her obsession quickly gains momentum of its own.
Can you see me now?
by Trisha Sakh Lecha Weerklinken Afspeelt
The secrets of a woman from the verleden in the gifts in this tense psychological thriller zich in the turbulent world of Indian politics. When sixteen-year-old Alia arrives from England at her prestigious new private school in India, she is quickly drawn into an intoxicating world of privilege as she befriends two of the most popular girls of her year. But the events of one night shatter her world, and just as she finds success as a minister in the Indian government, the secret of that night will haunt her.
EVEN
by Andrew Grant In
this blood-curdling spy thriller from Andrew Grant, now co-author of the Jack Reacher novels as Andrew Child, David Trevellyan, an ex-agent of the Royal Navy Intelligence, sees David Trevellyan fighting for his life after being charged with murder. While investigating who set him up, he uncovers a massive international conspiracy that goes straight to the heart of power in the US.
I Follow You
by Peter James
This nerve-wracking, self-contained thriller book is a must-read for fans of Peter James. Marcus Valentine seems to have it all. He is a kind, charming and confident doctor with a happy family. But something or someone has always been missed. One day he narrowly misses hitting a jogger with his car. As she runs away, he is sure she's a girl from his past. A girl he could never forget. As he is consumed by his obsession with her, events take a tragic turn.
Defend or Die
by Tom Marcus
Defend or Die is the second explosive thriller starring former M15 agent Matt Logan. Now part of a totally undeniable government organization known as 'Blindeye', they are licensed to do whatever it takes to protect the UK's national security. When they begin to dig into the life of a Russian oligarch who may be facing the threat of a terror attack in London, they soon discover a network of incredibly dangerous individuals who can tear the nation apart.
Daylight
by David Baldacci
In the third book in the Atlee Pine series from bestselling thriller writer David Baldacci, Atlee teams up with her longtime friend, military investigator John Puller. As they work together to investigate Ito Vincenzo, the man responsible for the kidnapping of Atlee's sister, they discover the lies and deceit that strike the heart of democracy. And the truth of what happened to Atlee's sister will shock her to the core.
The Hidden Girls
by Rebecca Whitney
This dark psychological thriller book from debut author Rebecca Whitney is one of the best thriller books of 2020. Ruth is a new mom recovering from postpartum psychosis, and after months of hearing voices, she's no longer sure of her own judgment - and it seems like no one else is. One night, when she hears a scream from a gas station, she thinks it must be her ghost doing tricks again, and the police and her husband agree. But what if there was a scream? Someone could get in trouble. They may need Ruth's help. . .
Walk the Wire
by David Baldacci.
Amos Decker and Alex Jamison are called to the remote North Dakota Badlands when the remains of a woman are discovered in the Great Plains. The woman was a teacher at a school run by a mysterious male-led sect, and no one seems to know who she is or where she came from. While looking for information in London, the local town at the center of the fracking industry, they discover that there is jealousy and deep rivalry between the wealthiest investors. But it's the highest-rated air force facility around that can really hold the answers. . . Fans of David's Memory Man series will love this new Amos Decker thriller.
Our Dark Secret
by Jenny Quintana
As a teenager in the 1970s, Elizabeth was smart and overweight, a perfect target for bullies. Then Rachel and her family moved to the city and everything changed. She was drawn to bright, beautiful Rachel like a moth through a flame. Their friendship wasn't exactly the same, but Elizabeth would do anything for Rachel. Then the first body was found. . . When another body is found twenty years later, Elizabeth desperately tries to keep the secrets of her teenage years a secret. But she cannot keep running from her past. Can she? This intelligent crime thriller book is a must-read for fans of Jenny Quintana's The Missing Girl.
The Darkest Evening
of Ann Cleeves
The Darkest Evening is the ninth novel in the Vera Stanhope series by Ann Cleeves, an acclaimed series of detective novels following Superintendent of detective Vera Stanhope, and now a major ITV drama in the tenth series.
Vera's latest case, a classic mansion mystery with a contemporary twist, begins when, driving home through a thick snowstorm, she sees a car dragging off the road ahead of her and finds a young toddler alone in the backseat.
Fearing for the child's safety, Vera takes the child and drives on to the nearest house, arriving in Brockburn, a dilapidated stately home where a party is in full swing, but a young woman lies dead outside in the snow. . .
In a classic mansion mystery with a contemporary twist, this is a crime thriller to enjoy.
Find Them Dead
by Peter James
Award-winning crime thriller writer Peter James is back with a poignant new Roy Grace book. A Brighton mobster is on trial for conspiracy to commit murder, and on the first day of the trial, a person in the gallery follows the judges with keen interest. The gangster's henchmen must influence two of the judges if he is found not guilty - but which two? When Roy Grace is called to investigate a murder related to the trial, he realizes how powerful the accused really is.
If I Can't Have You
by Charlotte Levin
When Constance meets Little Samuel, a doctor at the family practice where she works as a receptionist, she knows it is him. Samuel seems less certain, but if Constance has learned anything in life, it is that when you love someone, you never let go of him. If I Can't Have You is an all-consuming novel about loneliness, obsession, and how far we go for those we love.
The Half Sister
by Sandie Jones
Sisters Kate and Lauren have always been there for each other, but a knock on the door at their weekly Sunday lunch turns their world upside down. Because the woman at the door claims to be their half-sister - which would mean she's the daughter or their beloved deceased father. Kate and Lauren refuse to believe Jess's lies, but it soon becomes clear that the sisters are hiding their own secrets. . . This is a thriller book from the author of The Other Woman.
Sisters
by Michelle Frances
The rivalry between Abby and Ellie runs deep. They were never close as children, and not much has changed since then. Abby always hated Ellie for being their mother's favorite, while Ellie is jealous of Abby's perfect husband and beautiful home on the Italian island of Elba. When Abby invites Ellie to stay, they hope they can finally put their differences aside, but simmering tensions quickly explode with their mother, too. And Abby begins to suspect that her mother and sister are keeping a dangerous secret. . . This psychological thriller book offers a perfect escapism.
The Last Trial
by Scott Turow
Kindle County's most respected lawyer in court, Sandy Stern, has been persuaded to defend his longtime friend Kiril Pafko, despite being eighty-five years old and in precarious health. The former Nobel laureate has been charged with fraud, insider trading and murder in a federal racketeering charge. While Stern questions everything he thought he knew about his friend, he finds his duty to defend his client and his faith in the judicial system before a terrible final test. This masterful legal thriller unfolds with tension that turns pages.
One Good Deed
by David Baldacci
Murder, secrets, revenge and a touch of romance are combined in this noir-inspired thriller with a twist that's sure to keep you going to the very last page. Aloysius Archer wants to start a new, peaceful life in Ponca City after serving a prison sentence for a crime he did not commit. But he takes on more than he bargained for when he starts working as a debt collection agency for local business magnate Hank Pittleman and gets involved with some of the city's most dangerous residents.
View more books by David Baldacci here.
The Secret of Cold Hill
by Peter James
When Cold Hill House went up in flames, so did the memories of its violent history. Now it has been replaced by a new development of ultra-modern homes, and while construction is still underway, the first two families can't wait to move into their new homes. But it doesn't take long before they start to feel uncomfortable in their new home. And one thing the brokers never mentioned; no one has ever lived in Cold Hill House over the age of forty. . . This is a chilling thriller book from the author of the Roy Grace series
Girl in the Rearview Mirror
by Kelsey Rae Dimberg. This
a tense thriller about power and privilege will keep you on the edge of your seat. Finn Hunt leaves her Midwest life behind for a fresh start in Arizona. When she finds a job as a nanny for a US senator's young daughter, she is also drawn into the family's privileged life. But when a strange woman begins to follow Finn and her young boss, she realizes that the senator and his family are hiding some dark secrets.
Recursion
by Blake Crouch
Barry Sutton is in search of the truth. All over the country, people are waking up to memories of a life they haven't lived. Are they the victims of a mysterious new disease that affects memory? Or is something terrible happening to reality itself? Recursion Twisting Thriller is the sequel to the time-science fiction Dark Matter.
Witness
by Mandaue Heller Bezorgde
Holly Evans is in constant motion with her mother. When they move into an illegal sublet in Manchester, Holly feels settled for the first time in her life, but why is she forbidden to leave or even open the door when her mother isn't there?
This gritty thriller paints a dark picture of Manchester's underworld and will hold you to the last page.
Blood in the Water
by Jack Flynn
Homeland Security agent Kit Steel is committed to the fight against terrorism. And she's looking for the blood of her nemesis, Vincente Carpio, one of the world's most ruthless and dangerous criminals. He was responsible for the deaths of her husband and young son, and Kit is determined to keep him behind bars forever. But the manipulative Carpio still has an influence on the outside and is just waiting for the right time to strike. . .
A window breaks
through CM Ewan
If your family were targeted in the middle of the night, what would you do? After a terrible tragedy, a family retreats to rural Scotland for a much-needed escape. But in the middle of the night, a group of strangers break into the house. As the family fights for their lives, long-kept secrets are revealed and everything can be lost. This nerve-racking thriller book will keep you awake at night.
The Knock
by Jessie Keane
Dora O'Brien's life started to go bad when she started mingling with the wrong company. Pregnant, homeless and under the control of the corrupt police officer Donny Maguire, Dora struggles with alcohol and drugs. Her daughter Angel grows up in the shadow of her mother's abusive relationship, but when things turn murderous, she must grow up quickly. Survival is all that matters, and sometimes it's the safest place to be on the wrong side of the law. . . This is crime fiction at its most gritty.
You Are Not Alone
by Greer Hendricks
Shay Miller has no job, no apartment, and no boyfriend. When she witnesses a young woman throwing herself in front of a train, she realizes she could end up in the same spiral. But soon she meets a group of women who seem to be having their lives together, who invite her to join them and say to her, "You're not alone." As she's drawn deeper by the glamor of the glamorous Moore sisters, her life keeps getting better, but what price should she pay? You are not alone. Is that a promise or a threat? You Are Not Alone will be one of the most unforgettable psychological thrillers of 2020.
The Fifth Column
by Andrew Gross
It is 1939 and Europe is on the brink of war. While in New York, Charles Mossman encounters a hate-filled Nazi sympathizing rally, he confronts one of them, with deadly consequences. Two years later, he is released from prison and wants to make amends with his family. But support for the Allies is driving Nazi sympathizers underground, and Charles is sure that dark forces are exploiting them.
When I Was Ten
by Fiona Cummins
Dr. Richard Carter and his wife were murdered in what was one of the most notorious double murders of modern times. Their daughter, ten-year-old Sara Carter, spent eight years in a secure children's ward for the crime and now lives a quiet life under a false name. with your own family. On the anniversary of the crime, journalist Brinley Booth is tasked with tracking down Sara and her older sister Shannon. But Brinley isn't just a journalist - she's also the sisters' childhood friend. And confronting what really happened on the night of the murders will affect everyone. This is another poignant reading from thriller writer Fiona Cummins.
Genesis
by Robin Cook
At first it is thought that social worker Kera Jacobsen has died of a tragic drug overdose. But when Chief Medical Examiner Laurie Montgomery and her pathology assistant Dr. Aria Nichols started the investigation, they discovered that Kera was ten weeks pregnant when she died. Could the father be the key to resolve the matter? Aria conducts research using a controversial new DNA tracking technique, but when Kera's best friend is found murdered, she realizes there is someone who really doesn't want Kera's secrets to be uncovered. This is another thrilling read from the master of the medical thriller Robin Cook.
Saint X
by Alexis Schaitkin
When Claire is only seven years old, her teenage sister Alison disappears while on vacation with their parents on the Caribbean island of Saint X. Days later, when Alison's body is found, two men are arrested, but the evidence is scarce , and they are later released free of charge. As the story hits the tabloids, the lives of Claire and her parents change forever.
Years later, Claire lives in New York when she unwittingly gets into a taxi with one of the men accused of murdering her sister. This is certainly fate, she makes up another meeting and begins an obsessive search for the truth. This moving, atmospheric novel has all the thrills of a crime thriller novel hitting a devastating end.
Tell Me Your Secret
by Dorothy Koomson
Ten years ago, Pieta survived a weekend with a serial killer. She never told anyone what happened, but now he's back - and staying alive could mean revealing her darkest secret. Fifteen years ago, Jody, a policewoman, made a mistake that led to the killer being released. When she discovers Pieta's story, she realizes she now has a way to capture him.
The Trap
by Melanie Raabe
Twelve years ago, Linda's little sister was murdered. Linda saw the killer, but he was never caught. And now she's seen him again - on TV. He's a famous reporter and Linda is sure no one will believe her, so she sets a trap. She is writing a book about a woman who is murdered and whose murderer is never caught. And once it is published, she agrees to give an interview to just one reporter. . .
Absolute Power
by David Baldacci
adapted into a film directed by, and starring, Clint Eastwood, Absolute Power is a poignant story set at the center of Washington DC's political clout. When professional burglar Luther Whitney gets stuck on the job, he witnesses something that destroys his belief in justice. Can he discover a political conspiracy going all the way to the President of the United States?
My Sister, the Serial Killer
by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Korede has always been a good big sister, helping her little brother or sister clean up her mess. Unfortunately, Ayoola's messes are often deadly. In fact, she has sent her last three boyfriends in 'self-defense'. Family comes first, until Ayoola starts dating the doctor at the practice where Korede works. . .
American Psycho
by Bret Easton Ellis
Wall Street in the 1980s; the American dream in overdrive. At first glance, Patrick Bateman is living the dream: a job as a stockbroker, dinner every night at the newest restaurant in town, an array of admirers - helped by his charm and good looks. But behind the pristine facade hides a psychopath. A man addicted to his superficial life, Bateman pulls us into a dark underworld where the American Dream turns into a nightmare. One of the most controversial novels of all time, American Psycho (which was adapted into a movie of the same name in 2000) is a disturbingly brilliant black satire about the darkest side of human nature.
Absolute Proof
by Peter James
When investigative reporter Ross Hunter answers the phone to Dr. Harry Cook, his life changes forever. Harry claims he has been given absolute proof of God's existence, and he wants Ross's help to make sure the world takes him seriously. The credibility of all world religions is threatened if Ross can survive enough to present the evidence. . .
The Wife Between Us
by Greer Hendricks
This shocking and intelligent domestic thriller is the debut novel by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. The unstable Vanessa is obsessed with her ex-husband and his new younger fiancé, and she will stop at nothing to make sure they don't get married. But what really drives her obsession - is it jealousy or something else?
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