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28 Crime and Mystery Thriller Books That Will Keep You Guessing
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Nothing beats a great mystery where every chapter changes your theory.
When you love brilliant detectives, serial killer investigations, courtroom battles, psychological mind games, or impossible murder mysteries, these twenty-eight crime and mystery thriller books that deliver plenty of shocking twists and unforgettable endings — here you go!
Why Crime and Mystery Fans will LOVE these Books
- Murder investigations
- Cold cases
- Missing persons mysteries
- Serial killer thrillers
- Courtroom suspense
- Detective investigations
- Police procedurals
- Amateur sleuth mysteries
- Small-town secrets
- Locked-room mysteries
- Psychological twists
- Dark family secrets
From cold cases and missing persons to haunted mysteries and high-stakes investigations, this reading list has something for every thriller fan and makes an excellent resource for your next book club selection.
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!
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.
Psychological Thrillers & Twisted Secrets
Looking for your next crime thriller? Get ready to grow your TBR!
- Those Empty Eyes — Charlie Donlea Ten years after surviving the brutal murder of her family, Alex Armstrong discovers the past may not be finished with her. As new evidence surfaces, every answer creates another mystery, making this an impossible book to put down.
- I Let You Go — Clare Mackintosh A tragic accident changes multiple lives forever, but nothing is as straightforward as it first appears. Before long, one shocking mid-book twist is one readers still talk about years later. An emotional domestic thriller that you won’t forget.
- The Quiet Girls — Dorothy Koomson Long-buried trauma resurfaces when a disturbing case refuses to stay in the past. Emotional storytelling meets chilling psychological suspense.
Even More Secrets…
- Anatomy of an Alibi — Ashley Elston When old lies refuse to stay buried, meanwhile every friendship suddenly becomes suspicious. This layered mystery slowly reveals secrets that change everything you thought you knew.
- It’s Not Her — Mary Kubica Nothing feels safe when identities become blurred and trust disappears. Soon enough, every new chapter raises the stakes while delivering Kubica’s signature twists.
- That Night — Gillian McAllister One terrible evening sends several lives in completely different directions. As the timelines come together, devastating truths begin falling into place one revelation at a time.
Murder Mysteries That Keep You Guessing
- The Anniversary — Alex Finlay Years after a notorious family tragedy, a reunion becomes another deadly investigation. Naturally, every guest has something to hide—and every chapter raises the stakes.
- The Mastermind — Brian O’Sullivan An elaborate criminal scheme slowly unravels into something far more dangerous than anyone expected. Before long, clever plotting and escalating tension make this a rewarding mystery.
- The Devil’s Advocate — Steve Cavanagh Defense attorney Eddie Flynn takes on a case where almost everyone believes the accused is guilty. However, courtroom drama collides with serial killer suspense in one of the series’ strongest installments.
- Frame 232 — Wil Mara A forgotten piece of evidence surrounding the JFK assassination threatens to rewrite history. This political thriller blends conspiracy, suspense, and nonstop action.
- Dissection of a Murder — Jo Murray A brutal murder investigation uncovers secrets hiding beneath seemingly ordinary lives. Consequently, every interview introduces another suspect worth questioning.
- Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect — Benjamin Stevenson A mystery writers’ train tour turns deadly, leaving everyone both detective and suspect. Fortunatley for the readers, the witty narration makes the twists even more entertaining.
- The Last Murder at the End of the World — Stuart Turton Humanity’s final survivors must solve one impossible murder before civilization ends completely. Turton combines science fiction, mystery, and mind-bending puzzles into one unforgettable story. If you’re a fan of 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, try this one!
- Missing White Woman — Kellye Garrett A missing-person investigation reveals uncomfortable truths about media attention and public perception. Clever social commentary meets an addictive mystery.
Police Procedurals, Crime Thrillers & Serial Killer Mysteries
- Those Girls — Chevy Stevens Three sisters fleeing violence discover danger waiting around every corner. As their journey unfolds, emotional storytelling blends perfectly with relentless suspense.Chevy is a consistent author that doesn’t disappoint.
- We Are All Guilty Here — Karin Slaughter A community hiding generations of violence begins to unravel after another horrific crime. Once the investigation begins, decades of buried secrets finally rise to the surface.
- All the Sinners Bleed — S.A. Cosby Sheriff investigates a serial killer while confronting the deep racial tensions dividing his Virginia town. Equal parts crime thriller and powerful character study. One of the most memorable novels in this list.
- The Butcher — Jennifer Hillier When a notorious serial killer’s past resurfaces, everyone connected becomes a potential victim. Hillier expertly blends family drama with terrifying suspense.
- In the Dark — Loreth Anne White A luxury wilderness retreat becomes a nightmare when guests begin disappearing. Isolated settings and growing paranoia make every chapter more suspenseful.
- Death Row Games — Shade Owens A deadly competition forces participants into impossible choices where survival comes at a terrible cost. With every challenge, the tension climbs higher until the explosive conclusion.
Download the BEST 28 Crime and Mystery Thrillers Book Challenge!
Mystery Thrillers with Dark Supernatural Twists
- Wicker — Kevin Guifoile A seemingly ordinary object becomes the center of increasingly disturbing events. Creeping dread builds steadily until the shocking conclusion.
- Murder Road — Simone St. James A deserted highway with a terrifying reputation becomes the setting for another mysterious death. Ghost stories and murder investigations collide in classic Simone St. James fashion.
- Pines — Blake Crouch A Secret Service agent arrives in a quiet town where nothing makes sense—and leaving isn’t an option. Every answer only deepens the mystery in this addictive science-fiction thriller. The first book in an amazing trilogy that social media is raving about.
- From Below — Darcy Coates A documentary crew explores a sunken shipwreck where something refuses to stay buried. Atmospheric underwater horror delivers chills on nearly every page.
- The Unknown — Riley Sager A seemingly impossible mystery draws ordinary people into terrifying circumstances. Riley Sager expertly mixes supernatural uncertainty with psychological suspense.
- Portrait of a Haunting — Madison Tyler Nelson A mysterious portrait appears connected to increasingly disturbing supernatural events. Gothic atmosphere and eerie discoveries make this a perfect late-night read.
Download the BEST 28 Crime and Mystery Thrillers Book Challenge Checklist!
Clever Mysteries That Defy Expectations
hese books don’t fit neatly into one category—and that’s exactly what makes them so entertaining.
- Imposter by Fletcher Felix Nothing is what it seems when deception, hidden identities, and dangerous secrets collide in this fast-paced thriller. Just when you think you’ve figured out who’s telling the truth, another twist sends the story in a completely different direction.
- The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett True-crime author investigates a notorious cult linked to a decades-old murder, only to discover that everyone involved has something to hide. Told through emails, transcripts, and documents, this clever mystery turns readers into detectives as they piece together the truth themselves.
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
If your favorite thrillers involve clever detectives, impossible murders, psychological twists, courtroom drama, or shocking revelations, these 28 crime and mystery thriller books deserve a place on your reading list. Share with your book club or challenge a book friend!
Best of all, every novel delivers enough twists to keep you second-guessing your favorite suspects until the final chapter.
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