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28 Serial Killer Thrillers for Your Next Crime Book Club Reading Challenge
If your book club loves a good murder mystery, it’s time to turn up the suspense with a collection of serial crime thrillers that will have everyone playing detective.
After all, there is something especially addictive about a thriller that introduces a killer who may already be several steps ahead of everyone else. Add in a handful of suspicious characters, a cold case or two, and a twist you never saw coming, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a page-turning book club discussion.
So grab your book club crew, make some snacks, and prepare to ask the most important question of the night:
🧐Who did it?
How to Turn These Books Into a Book Club Reading Challenge
#1: The 12-Month Challenge
First, select one book each month and let members vote on the next selection.
#2: The 28-Book Challenge
For the ultimate challenge, encourage your most dedicated thriller readers to complete all 28 selections.
#3: The Pick-and-Choose Challenge
Alternatively, use the free printable checklist and let each member select the books that appeal to them most.
#4: The Thriller Tournament
Finally, divide the books into categories and have members vote for their favorites. Best categories could include:
- Serial Killer
- Plot Twist
- Most Unpredictable
- Creepiest Setting
- Female Protagonist
- Most Disturbing
- Ending
- Book Club Discussion
- “I Couldn’t Put It Down” Read
AWARD: At the end of the challenge, crown your book club’s Ultimate Thriller Champion.
💡Book Club Tip: Don’t want to read all 28 books? Turn this list into a year-long challenge by choosing one thriller each month and using the remaining books for bonus picks, buddy reads, or spontaneous “read this one next!” selections.
Get Inside the Minds of Killers, Victims, Investigators…
This post may contain affiliate links for items that I’ve found helpful as a host. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
- Before She Disappeared by Lisa Gardner – Frankie Elkin has made it her mission to find people who have disappeared without a trace. This time, she heads to Boston to investigate a missing teenage girl. Soon, secrets, violence, and unanswered questions begin piling up.
- The Psychopath Next Door by Mark Edwards – What could be more unsettling than discovering that the person living next door may not be who they appear to be? In fact, this psychological thriller turns an ordinary neighborhood into a place where the danger may be much closer than anyone realizes.
- Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll (Amazon) – For a darker historical twist, get immersed in this gripping thriller that follows women caught in the orbit of a terrifying killer. Inspired by real events, the novel explores violence and institutional failures. Most importantly, it highlights the power of women who refuse to be ignored.
- Night Watcher by Daphne Woolsoncroft – Few things are scarier than a mysterious figure who begins watching from the shadows. Suddenly, ordinary life takes on a much more sinister edge. Meanwhile, this atmospheric thriller steadily builds tension through unsettling discoveries and the fear that someone may be watching when you least expect it.
Psychological Serial Crime Thrillers
- The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison (Amazon) – Behind its beautiful exterior, the garden hides an unimaginably dark secret. From there, immerse yourself in this disturbing thriller about women held captive by a twisted collector. As survivors reveal their stories, the mystery becomes a chilling exploration of a truly terrifying criminal.
- The Lake of Lost Girls by Katherine Greene (Amazon) – At the center of this mystery are missing girls, a troubled family, and a past that refuses to stay buried. As long-held secrets surface, the novel explores the devastating consequences of several women’s disappearances. Even so, this one keeps you guessing until the very end!
- The Stolen Hours by Allen Eskens – In this crime thriller, Eskens digs into a complicated case where the truth is buried beneath layers of unanswered questions. Meanwhile, the strong investigative element and emotional stakes make this a satisfying mystery to unravel piece by piece.
Download the BEST 28 Serial Crime Thrillers Book Challenge!
Dark Crime Thrillers and Killer Investigations
- The Trap by Catherine Ryan Howard – When a young woman disappears, the search for answers leads into a chilling mystery filled with secrets and suspicion. As the investigation unfolds, Howard keeps readers questioning what really happened. Ultimately, it’s a tense story that makes you want to keep reading just one more chapter.
- They Never Learn by Layne Fargo (Amazon) – Fargo creates a dark, feminist thriller follows women who decide that some dangerous men deserve consequences of their own. The novel gives book clubs plenty to debate about justice and revenge. Plus, where does the line between right and wrong really fall? It’s an intriguing choice for readers looking for a female serial killer perspective.
- Come With Me by Ronald Malfi – After a devastating loss, a grieving man becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind a series of disappearances. However, what begins as a search for answers gradually becomes a haunting journey into darkness and grief. Soon, the possibility that something far more sinister is happening becomes impossible to ignore.
Need more suspects, clues, detectives, and dangerous criminals?
These next crime thrillers take the investigations to another level with intense cases, relentless killers, and plenty of twists to keep you guessing.
- The Sandman by Lars Kepler – Explore a chilling case involving a long-missing victim leads investigators into the terrifying world of a relentless killer. Fast-paced and atmospheric, this Scandinavian crime thriller is perfect for fans of intense investigations and high-stakes suspense.
- The Fourth Monkey by J.D. Barker (Amazon) – The Four Monkey Killer has terrorized Chicago for years. However, the investigation takes an unexpected turn. Unfortunately, the killer dies before authorities can catch him. Now, detectives must race against time to uncover his final secrets and determine whether the nightmare is really over. Even better, this is the first book in an amazing series!
- Keep This for Me by Jennifer Fawcett – A mysterious inheritance and a forgotten past pull the characters into a story filled with secrets. As the pieces fit together, readers are forced to reconsider what they know. Ultimately, you’ll question the people and events at the center of the mystery.
- The Serial Killer Support Group by D.B. Stephens – What happens when a group of serial killers gets together to talk about their problems? This darkly entertaining thriller flips the usual serial-killer story on its head. This twisted premise is perfect for readers who enjoy crime fiction with a hefty dose of dark humor.
Double Booked – A Ready-Made Club for You
Create your own local chapter of theDouble Booked Club using ready-to-use resources – more downloads & printables – designed to make launching simple. And no — you don’t have to keep the name Double Booked.
Explore more Book Club information and ideas for more reading challenges that will keep your TBR List growing!
True Crime Inspired and Meta Thrillers
- Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar – This clever novel blends fictional storytelling with the style of a true-crime investigation. As murders unfold, the story feels like something pulled straight from a case file.
- Kill for Me, Kill for You by Steve Cavanagh (Amazon) – Two women connected by tragedy make a dangerous agreement. From there, Cavanagh packs twists, revenge, and questions about identity and justice. As a result, this thriller is perfect for readers who love trying to predict what happens next.
- Sadie by Courtney Summers – After her younger sister’s murder, Sadie sets out on a desperate mission for answers. Meanwhile, the story unfolds through multiple perspectives, including a podcast-style investigation. This emotionally intense thriller explores grief, revenge, and the devastating impact of violence.
- A Happy Marriage by A.R. Torre – Of course, a seemingly perfect marriage begins to reveal cracks beneath the surface. As those cracks widen, increasingly disturbing secrets emerge. Ultimately, this psychological thriller explores trust and the terrifying possibility that you may never truly know the person beside you.
Download the BEST 28 Serial Crime Thrillers Book Challenge Checklist!
Serial Killers, Revenge, and Kick-butt Women
- All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker – At its heart, this is a sweeping, emotional story about obsession, friendship, loss, and the search for a missing girl. Beyond the crime itself, this richly layered story gives book clubs plenty to discuss. Most importantly, it explores the lengths people will go to protect the people they love.
- Too Close to Home by Seraphina Nova Glass – At first, a seemingly ordinary community becomes the center of a disturbing mystery. However, secrets soon emerge from behind closed doors. As suspicion grows, readers are left wondering how well anyone really knows their neighbors. Even worse, they must consider how much danger can hide in plain sight.
- Guess Again by Charlie Donlea – Charlie Donlea delivers another twisty mystery designed to keep readers questioning every piece of evidence. As the investigation unfolds, new information forces everyone to reconsider what they thought they knew.
Ready for those “Wait…what?” Moments?
These next thrillers are packed with unexpected revelations, complicated characters, and twists that will have your book club rethinking everything.
- Ask for Andrea by Noelle Ihli (Amazon) – Three women who were murdered by the same man become connected in a haunting story. As their stories unfold, readers discover the aftermath of violence and the search for justice. Their stories are ultimately about more than a killer. They are about the women who refuse to let their lives be forgotten.
- Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn – After decades of secretly working as assassins, four women suddenly discover that they may have become targets themselves. Suddenly, they discover that they may have become targets themselves. Fortunately, these clever, fast-paced characters bring a wonderfully entertaining energy to the story. As a result, this is a fun choice for book clubs wanting a killer thriller with a lighter, more playful edge.
- Imposter by L.J. Ross – You know a mysterious identity and a dangerous situation create the foundation for a thriller filled with deception. As the characters try to uncover the truth, readers are encouraged to question everything. Ultimately, you’ll question who is genuine, who is lying, and who is hiding something darker.
Unsettling Domestic and Psychological Thrillers
Sometimes, the most unsettling crimes aren’t committed by strangers. Instead, these thrillers explore danger hiding behind familiar faces, seemingly safe homes, and relationships that may not be what they appear to be.
- The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead – A woman begins investigating the disturbing death of a former college friend. As she digs deeper, she discovers connections to a dangerous world hidden behind privilege and power. Ultimately, the novel explores the complicated ways people become trapped in systems that are difficult to escape.
- Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson – A young woman learns she has little time left to live. Now, she must solve her own murder before it happens.Because of this unusual premise, the book makes an irresistible choice for book clubs. Meanwhile, the investigation keeps readers guessing about who wants her dead and why.
- You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego – A secluded gathering of mystery writers seems like the perfect setting for secrets, suspense, and murder. However, things take a darker turn when fictional crimes become dangerously real. This playful, twisty mystery is perfect for fans of locked-room setups and suspicious guests. Plus, it doesn’t take itself too seriously.
- The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf (Amazon) – At first, a writer staying alone at an isolated farmhouse finds herself pulled into a mystery from the past. Soon, secrets surrounding a decades-old crime begin to surface, and the tension grows. Ultimately, it’s the perfect combination of a cold case, a winter storm, and the unsettling feeling that someone may still be watching.
Try all of these Book List Challenges!
28 Ultimate Domestic Thriller Book Challenge
Want the ULTIMATE 28 domestic thriller book list? These amazing reads lean heavily into:
- marriages and toxic relationships
- family secrets
- obsession and betrayal
- domestic suspense
- emotional manipulation
- friendship drama
- psychological mind games
28 Weekend Binge Suspense & Crime Thriller Book Challenge
These authors put together the can’t-put-down engaging plots and characters:
- Unreliable narrators
- Morally gray characters
- Twist endings Ethical dilemmas
- Family secrets
- Murder investigations
- Psychological suspense
28 Horror & Suspense Thriller Book Challenge
These horror and suspense thriller books often combine:
- Shocking final twists
- Psychological suspense
- Supernatural horror
- Missing person mysteries
- Serial killer investigations
- Isolated settings
- Unreliable narrators
- Family secrets
12 Month Ultimate Mystery & Murder Thriller Reading Challenge (196 Books)
You’ll love this challenge if you enjoy:
- Fast-paced
- Psychological
- Police procedurals
- Missing person mysteries
- Locked-room
- Crime fiction
- Gothic suspense
- Domestic thrillers
- Serial killer novels
- Horror thrillers
28 Crime & Mystery Thriller Book Challenge
Get ready to grow your TBRL
- Murder investigations
- Cold cases
- Missing persons
- Serial killer thrillers
- Courtroom suspense
- Detective investigations
- Police procedurals
- Amateur sleuths
- Small-town secrets
- Locked-room
- Psychological
- Dark family secrets
28 Serial Crime Thriller Book Challenge
Get ready to ask, “Who did it?”
- Multiple murders
- Missing persons
- Cold Cases
- Unsolved Crimes
- Revenge &B Vigilante Justice
- Dark Secrets
- Hidden Identities
- True Crime
- Crime-Fiction Blend
- Psychological Cat-and-Mouse
Final Takeaways
Whether your book club enjoys cold cases, psychological suspense, revenge plots, missing-person mysteries, or terrifying serial killers, these 28 books offer plenty of dark and twisty reading material.
And best of all? You can turn this list into an entire year of book club entertainment by pairing each thriller with themed snacks, mystery games, discussion questions, and a little friendly competition. Start with one book, let your members vote on the next, and then before you know it, you’ll have your own 28-book serial crime thriller reading challenge—with plenty of theories, red herrings, and “I knew it!” moments along the way.
And finally, remember: Keep your friends close, your books closer, and always watch the suspicious neighbor.
See the Book Club Book Tasting Party hosting post, and For Grits & Shins Events & Hosting, Book Club or Double Booked club pages for more information about book club events and activities!
