Top 10 Psychological Thriller Authors of the 21st Century

It is simple to deceive the heart, not so with the human mind. Today we are looking at some psychological thriller authors who have the rare ability to do the latter. Their stories will make you question reality; they will toy with your thoughts and may even condemn you to a few sleepless nights.

Gillian Flynn

Having been a writer for Entertainment Weekly, Flynn wrote her first novel in 2006. Aside from writing three very popular novels, she has also dabbled in short stories as well as comics. Two of her books also made it to the list of our favorite crime thriller books.

Flynn excels at creating strong female leads and exploring complicated, layered relationships. Her deep understanding and exploration of the vulnerabilities in human relationships makes her books unputdownable for her readers.

Start by reading: Gone Girl

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Paula Hawkins

Hawkins started her career writing under the pseudonym Amy Silver without much success. It was her first novel under her original name, The Girl on the Train, that garnered profound notoriety.

She won acclaim for tackling issues that affect women and society. Paula Hawkins puts the microscope over controversial human actions, such as, cheating and abuse and explains the rationale behind these actions with utmost lucidity.

Start by reading: The Girl on the Train

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Stephen King

Although widely regarded as a legend in the horror genre, Stephen King's horrors are born of what is the pinnacle of psychological thriller writing. Whether it was first novel - Carrie or perhaps his most celebrated work - The Shining, King has always been able to capture the psychological elements of his readers' minds.

King’s specialty lies in his sharp dialogue, passionate opinion on everyday issues, and his incredible ability to transcend genres. Apart from thrilling plots, a Stephen King book always comes with the promise of amazing world-building and believable characterization.

Start by reading: The Shining

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Clare Mackintosh

A former police officer, Clare Mackintosh has written five novels, all part of the Sphere series, that have since been published in more than 35 languages. Her books have hit bestseller lists for crime and thriller books and earned her several prestigious, including Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2016.

Her books are notorious for shocking plot twists, believable portrayals of crime, and solid character development.

Start by reading: I Let You Go

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Mark Edwards

A British Author, Mark Edwards has built his reputation recounting tales of extraordinary events with ordinary people. He has written more than 10 books, each, more terrifying than the other.

Edwards started out co-authoring and self-publishing his books before hitting the big time. Mark leaves his mark by making the readers wonder if the world is truly as straightforward as it seems.

Start by reading: The Magpies

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Lucy Clarke

A psychological thriller author endorsed by the Richard and Judy Book Club, Lucy Clarke has written 5 novels that have been translated into at least 12 languages.

One of Clarke’s most favored tropes involves disappearance of people and how that impacts the close ones of those who disappear. A Lucy Clarke book is a treat to those who like to see clues come in waves to help gradually uncover the mysteries surrounding the protagonists.

Start by reading: You Let Me In

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SJ Watson

Steve J Watson is an English writer, fondly known as SJ Watson. He created earned international acclaim with his debut novel - Before I Sleep. The book has since been published in over 42 languages. An audiologist by profession, Steve took a demotion at work to focus on writing.

Watson often explores the theme of memory loss in his books and his characterization and pacing of his stories are always on point. Watson is especially great at creating relatable characters that his readers can easily invest in.

Start by reading: Before I Sleep

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AJ Finn

Daniel Mallory left his publishing job behind to become AJ Finn and write his debut novel - The Woman in the Window and hasn't looked back since.

Finn offers a fresh perspective in the psychological thriller genre. The Woman in the Window isn’t so much a chilling or a nail-biting but instead a gripping read that is truly hard to put down! The best quality of Finn's writing in perhaps the pacing - there is never a dull moment.

Start by reading: The Woman in the Window

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Lisa Jewell

A psychological thriller specialist, Lisa Jewell first shot to fame with her novel - Then She was Gone. The British author has written eleven novels and continues to leave her readers short on sleep because they simply cannot put her books down!

Lisa has an innate ability to make her characters come alive. Her tales, although borrowed from classic fiction, seem unique in the telling from her perspective. Her appealing style of writing connects with all her thriller readers alike.

Start by reading: I Found You

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Kiersten Modglin

Kiersten is a self-admitted psychological thriller fanatic and has written more than ten books in the psychological thriller and romantic suspense genres.

In her books, she enjoys exploring and showing readers the darkest parts of the human mind. Her ability to tap into the readers' minds and finding twists in the mundane make her a fitting addition to this list of amazing psychological thriller authors.

Start by reading: You Let Me In

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These authors and their books should be give you a great bump to your psychological thriller books reading list! Want us to check out some other psychological thriller authors? Let us know in the comments.

5 Romantic Suspense Thriller Books You Need to Read This Year

Romance books are the perfect when you want to just stay in, curl your toes, and read. Today, however, we are looking at books that explore not only romantic themes to curl your toes but also suspense thriller vibes that set your heart racing. Let's take a closer look at some of the best romantic suspense thriller books you can read this year. While curating this reading list, I focused on the pacing and unique style of storytelling as well as the depth of there relationships each book explores.

'The Deadly Travellers' by Dorothy Eden

Dorothy Eden was born in New Zealand before moving to England in the 1950s. She wrote most of her books in Britain and is known for her suspense genres. Described as the mistress of Macabre, Eden keeps you hooked to your seats.

The Deadly Travellers explores the disappearance of a little girl on a train ride. The protagonist struggles to find her ward as she becomes attracted to a stranger who seems dangerous. Will she find the little girl? And who the stranger that gets her heart racing? Read the book to find out. The protagonist seems like a typical damsel in distress and this is probably what disappointed me most about this book.

The book is ideal if you are looking for an easy to follow romantic suspense thriller for your reading list.

Rating: 3.5/5.

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'Down in New Orleans' by Heather Graham

An American author who has written more than 150 novels and novellas, Heather Graham is famous for unique brand of romance novels. Down in New Orleans was published in 1996 but is still among the top books in the romantic suspense genre.

Accused of the murder of a stripper, Jon must rely on his close friend and ex-wife Ann to help him. Ann believes Jon is innocent, but the police don’t. The mystery of the murder, the romance between Ann and a detective, and the sub-plot of ex-lovers make this a really good thriller story.

The mystery keeps you immersed in the book but the police work depicted here is downright shoddy, sometimes. This is perhaps why, despite being a very good romantic suspense thriller, this book didn't feature among our favorite crime thriller books. The book also has some medical inaccuracies as well. But if you can ignore some of these flaws, you have a sweet romantic thriller on your hands.

Rating: 3/5.

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'The Thing About Love' by Julie James

A lawyer by profession, Julie James shifted to a career of writing after Hollywood producers liked her scripts. She has written nine books and she specializes in building characters with strong and distinct personalities.

The Thing About Love focuses on FBI rivals turned reluctant partners. The underlying sexual tension and mystery about the case they are on make it a riveting read. The protagonists are believable as FBI agents, and as a reader, you will constantly want to know more about how their story unfolds.

The concept of love blossoming amid a rivalry may feel like old wine in new bottle but The Thing About Love is among the better stories to read online when you are confined to your home and want something fun and interesting to keep you company.

Rating: 3.5/5.

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'Some Kind of Hero' by Suzanne Brockmann

Suzanne Brockmann is an American author who has written more than fifty-three novels. She is most famous for her 'Troubleshooters’ series on Navy Seals.

Some Kind of Hero is a story about a dedicated father, a missing child, and a twinkly-eyed romance writer. The collision of their worlds and the consequent emotional explosion and the plight of the single father of a missing child are themes that this book explores tactfully and what make the book hard to put down. This book will stay on your mind well after you finish reading the last page.

For regular Brockmann readers, the basic premise of the Troubleshooters remains the same, which might disappoint a few. For new readers, however, the book definitely deserves a place in your reading list.

Rating: 4/5.

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'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte

This 1847 book is just a timeless classic. It is no surprise that this literature students around the world are in love with this book. Charlotte Bronte probably did her best work with this book but she has also written numerous novellas, novels, and poems.

The meticulous character development and vivid descriptions in Jane are just some things that you really won't find in more contemporary works. The book has an intriguing plot and sufficient twists to keep you hooked. The exploration of morality is one area where the book stands out as compared to modern peers.

Jane Eyre has overtly religious themes which may sometimes be unsuitable for our times but the book has weathered competition from generations of romantic thrillers that followed and is still one of the best stories you will ever read. This is simply a classic, and rightfully so.

Rating: 4.5/5.

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Tell us what is your favorite romantic suspense thriller book or follow the links in the list to get your copy of one of these books. If you are something more niche, check out our forbidden romance reading list.

Top 10 Crime Thriller Books of the 21st Century

From nail-biting suspense thrillers to gripping crime drama, the last few years have been fantastic for readers of crime thriller books.

Detectives, spies, serial killers, drama, this genre is packed with everything.

So, if you love to read about cold-blooded murder and are allured by page-turning plot-twists and spine-chilling mystery, you cannot ignore this list of top crime thriller books of the 21st century that will leave you in awe.

'Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead' by Sara Gran (2011)

Sara Gran’s first book of the Claire DeWitt series, Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead, is an exhilarating, mysterious adventure filled with humor, an exciting plot, and a brilliant backstory.

In the book, Claire is a self-proclaimed “world’s greatest detective” learned detection from Jacques Silette’s mysterious handbook, went to New Orleans to solve a murder case.

Sara Gran’s most significant achievement in the book is that she helps us look through the horror of the post-Katrina world. And better understand its children, slowly becoming perpetrators.

Sara Grad did a great job of knitting several compelling mystery stories in one novel. But with a sharp and engaging voice, she manages to hook the reader and take them into the dark world of DeWitt.

Rating: 3.7/5

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'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn (2012)

Gillian Flynn, one of the most successful thriller writers of our time, brings the reader in a dark place with her razor-sharp writing in the unputdownable masterpiece, Gone Girl.

The story starts on the morning of Nick and Amy’s wedding anniversary, where Nick’s gorgeous wife Amy mysteriously disappears from their home. Under enormous pressure from police and media, Nick starts to show suspicious behavior. But is he the killer? Is Amy dead? You have to read the book to find out.

Gone Girl was able to successfully capture the female rage and helped to re-popularize female-driven crime thrillers. We, briefly, even considered adding it to our romantic suspense thrillers reading list.

However, the book can feel like a slow burner. It takes time to build up Nick and Amy’s marriage and their secrets. That is why the first half of the book may feel a tad slow to some.

Other than that, Gone Girl is a nerve-fraying thriller that puzzles you at every turn.

Rating: 4.0/5

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'The Dry' by Jane Harper (2016)

Award-winning author Jane Harper published her mysterious, page-turning debut thriller, The Dry, in 2016.

This isn’t a breakneck thriller novel that gives you a rush to read, this is the sort of book that starts slow and gradually gains momentum. The complex web of the storyline captivates the reader’s attention to the point that it keeps you thinking about it for a long time after you finish reading.

Another notable characteristic of the book is the depth and beauty given to the characters. You will feel mentally present in each conversation. Also, the writer did a fabulous job with the minimal description of violence. That makes the book suitable for all kinds of readers.

Rating: 4.0/5

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'Sharp Objects' by Gillian Flynn (2006)

Sharp Objects is another chilling crime thriller book written by Gillian Flynn. The book tells the story of Camille Preaker, a reporter who has returned to her hometown to cover a murder story.

As the story advances and the case begins to unravel, Camille finds herself mentally attached to the young victim. And she realizes the demon she is searching for may be a lot closer to her than she thinks.

If you are faint of heart, then this book is probably not for you. There are vivid descriptions of violence, substance abuse, animal abuse in the book. But if you crave for a crime thriller filled with icy, eye-opening, and unforgettable thoughts, then you are in for a treat.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

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'Dodgers' by Bill Beverly (2016)

Bill Beverly’s debut novel Dodgers is a story of a 15-year-old boy, East, a foot soldier of a drug mafia, who is sent to kill a witness in another city. He goes to complete the task with his hothead half brother and two other young men.

East, who never stepped outside his hometown, traveled to another city to commit the murder, but things don’t go as planned.

The book is eventful and primarily follows a road trip with the four main characters. The writer made the characters very believable, and although the drama catches speed early, giving an anticlimax feel, Dodgers is an absolute pleasure to read.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

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'The Turn of the Key' by Ruth Ware ( 2019)

Written by Ruth Ware, The Turn of the Key is a modernized haunted house mystery.

The story revolves around Rowan, who gets a job in a wealthy family as a live-in nanny. As she stays there, she starts to feel that something is a little off. The misbehaving child, the creepy poisonous garden in the back, it all makes her very suspicious. You will discover more mystery as the story unravels.

Right from the beginning, the book manages to hook the reader with vivid, hair-raising depictions of suspense. That said, this book is a slow-burner, and as the story unravels, the intensity increases.

With a brilliant and suspenseful plot, Ruth Ware delivers a stellar suspense thriller book.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

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'The Lock Artist' by Steve Hamilton (2009)

Steve Hamilton took a break from his Alex McKnight Series and created a truly unique lead character in the book The Lock Artist. And he did a really great job with it.

Michel is an eighteen-year-old boy with the exceptional talent of picking locks. He can pick any lock in the world. Due to some trauma in childhood, he hasn’t uttered a single word in ten years. Still, his unique set of abilities pushes him into the world of crime until he sees a chance to escape.

If you are not usually one for crime thriller books, you might want to give this book a spin. This is not just a crime thriller but a tale of love, curse, redemption, and horror.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

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'The Girl Who Played With Fire' by Stieg Larsson (2009)

The Girl Who Played with Fire is the second novel in Stieg Larsson's best-selling series, Millennium. It was published in Swedish in 2006 and in English in 2009.

The story revolves around a genius but troubled hacker Lisbeth Salander who is accused of murdering two reporters. As the story advances, Salander draws herself into a pursuit of the murderer, which leads her to face her own dark past.

The book is hefty. Larsson crafted his suspenseful story in such a way that it gives you a taste of a fast-paced, cinematic crime thriller. With enough plot twists and a compelling cast of important characters, you will either love the book or hate it, as the mood takes you.

Rating: 4.2/5.0

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'London Rules' by Mick Herron (2018)

Slough House is an amazing spy series created by Mike Herron, and London Rules is a brilliant fifth addition to the series.

The main character in the book is Lamb. He is an obese, alcoholic spy who says what should not be said, does what ought not be done. But it gives Herron the license to write unpredictable twists in a way that truly lets the character comedy shine through.

Herron’s story is imaginative but realistic. With an unusual twist to keep it interesting, there’s a lot of dark comedy that will keep readers smirking, giggling, and even laughing out loud.

Honestly, if you get a kick from reading crime thriller novels and like humor too, you must start reading London Rules today.

Rating: 4.3/5

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'Sleepers' by Mark Dawson (2018)

The author of the famous John Milton series, Mark Dawson, published the 13th mission of John Milton by the name Sleepers.

Milton is tasked to eliminate a Russian team that assassinated a Russian defector. The journey takes him to Moscow and sees a confrontation with the directorate of the Sleeper agency.

Sleepers is a thrilling, suspenseful story with multiple viewpoints which run separately but successfully come together in the end. The characters are strong and well-developed. Dawson successfully keeps the reader hooked through to the end of the book. This book was simply written for success.

Rating: 4.6/5.0

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Found some new crime thriller books to add to your reading list? Let us know about your favorite crime fiction novel in the comments.