It’s time for more distractions. Here’s a list of novels that will keep you up all night reading. Some of the best thrillers around and ones you are sure to enjoy.
- Red Dragon– The most menacing “Tooth Fairy” in literary history, and the first iteration in any medium of Dr. Hannibal Lecter. A tense psychological thriller with a plot that can hook you even if you already know what’s coming. The entry point into an entire franchise worth of mind games and serial killers.
- Delirious- One of those “ordinary person gets set up, his life falls apart, and now he has to prove he’s innocent” thrillers. The writing is compelling and it’s twisty enough to keep you turning pages.
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo– Massive trigger warnings. This book and its subsequent sequels delve deeply into worlds of misogyny and sexual abuse. But the titular girl is just the badass who is needed to give these men the punishment they deserve. If you can handle the more graphic element the mystery is compelling, and the action is outstanding.
- Intensity– Dean Koontz is one of the greats and he shows it here. A taught cat and mouse game between a serial killer and his would-be victim that puts you on the edge of your seat from the outset and never lets you relax.
- The Bat– The first of the Harry Hole series from Jo Nesbo. It is also the weakest of a series that just keeps getting better over time. But I always say you should start at the beginning. It’s a quick read and if you even mildly enjoy it you’ve got eleven more after it to keep you entertained.
- Fingersmith- This is an odd book to categorize as it’s a historical novel that features a mystery and more than a few criminals. But I think the continual tension puts it in the thriller category. No matter how you define it though this is a great work of fiction that plays with your expectations and gives you something you don’t see very often. A must-read.
- Eye of the Needle– This book doubles down on the ultimate bad guy, not only is he a Nazi but he’s a serial killer to boot. This is where Ken Follet starts to do his historical fiction thing and, in the process, produces a great thriller.
- Primal Fear- Another novel where you may be more familiar with the movie version. That’s okay the book has two things going for it, more room to delve into its character psyches, giving it more depth. And sequels. A compelling read, capable of getting you out of your own head.
- Eileen– Dark and gripping. The writing is brutally straightforward making it an easy read that you can’t easily put down.
- The Expendable Man– A mistaken identity thriller that will keep you guessing throughout. And just when you think you’ve got a handle on what’s going on the ground will shift under your feet. A classic of the genre.