Are you feeling like some suspense? Nothing can keep you engrossed for as long as the best mystery thrillers and put your amateur detective skills to use. These compelling selections are great reads at any time of the year and will get your blood pounding. These captivating works will keep you engrossed in the text well into the night, whether you’re lounging on a warm beach in the height of summer or cuddling under a blanket on the couch on a soggy day.
Best Suspense Books 2023
Suspense novels are a thrilling and exciting literary genre that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. It can be difficult to know where to begin when there are so many excellent suspense novels to choose from. There is something for everyone in the world of suspense books, whether you like psychological thrillers, crime novels, or mysteries.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of suspense novels is their ability to keep readers guessing until the very end. Suspense novels with unexpected twists and turns keep readers engaged and invested in the story. These books can also be emotionally charged as they explore complex themes and characters that challenge our perceptions of right and wrong.
There are several factors to consider when selecting the best suspense books to read. Some readers, for example, may prefer action-packed, fast-paced books, whereas others may prefer books that delve deeper into the psychology of the characters. It’s also important to think about the book’s writing style and tone and the author’s reputation in the genre.
Overall, the best suspense books keep readers engaged, entertained, and emotionally invested in the plot. Readers can discover new and exciting stories that will keep them on the edge of their seats by exploring different authors and sub-genres within the world of suspense books.
Read on to learn more about the best suspense books to read :
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris
Nella Rogers, the sole Black employee at her prestigious publishing house, is first overjoyed when a Black lady begins working in the cubicle next to hers. Nevertheless, when her new coworker gets more competitive and threatening messages begin to appear on her desk advising her to leave the company, her excitement quickly turns to apprehension. The Other Black Girl is both an exciting mystery and a superb examination of the microaggressions that poison a workplace, and the author’s own experience inspired it in publishing.
Long Bright River by Liz Moore
Even if their lives could not be more different, the two sisters reside on the same streets. Then one of them disappears.
Two once-inseparable sisters come to blows in a Philadelphia neighborhood shaken by the drug crisis. One, Kacey, is trapped in addiction and lives on the streets. On her police beat Mickey travels the same blocks. Even though they aren’t in contact anymore, Mickey is constantly concerned about her sibling.
When a mysterious run of murders starts in Mickey’s neighborhood, and Kacey abruptly vanishes, Mickey develops a terrible obsession with catching the murderer—as well as her sister—before it’s too late.
Long Bright River is simultaneously heart-pounding and heart-wrenching: it is a gripping suspense novel that is also a moving story of sisters, addiction, and the formidable ties that persist between place, family, and fate. It alternates its present-day mystery with the story of the sisters’ childhood and adolescence.
Night Film by Marisha Pessl
The creator of the “blockbuster debut” (People) Special Topics in Calamity Physics is the New York Times best-selling author of Night Film, a brilliant, eerie, and stunningly suspenseful literary thriller.
A stunning young woman, Ashley Cordova, is discovered dead in a vacant warehouse in lower Manhattan on a soggy October night. Scott McGrath, a seasoned investigative journalist, has his doubts even though her death has been deemed a suicide. McGrath encounters the legacy of Ashley Cordova’s father, the famed, reclusive, cult-horror film director Stanislas Cordova, who hasn’t been seen in public in more than 30 years, while he investigates the peculiar circumstances surrounding Ashley’s life and death.
Another death linked to this supposedly cursed family line seems to McGrath to be more than just a coincidence. Although a lot has been said about Cordova’s gloomy and scary movies, not much is known about the man. With the help of two strangers, McGrath is lured farther and further into Cordova’s creepy, seductive world by his desire for vengeance, curiosity, and the truth.
McGrath lost both his marriage and his career the last time he came close to outing the director. He might lose even more this time. You’ll be kept guessing until the very end of Night Film, Marisha Pessl’s brilliantly written and fascinating new book.
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
The wedding festivities in Lucy Foley’s thriller turn dark. The intriguing book, which is set on an island off the coast of Ireland, chronicles the lavish wedding of a budding TV star and a determined magazine editor. Even though every glittering aspect of the extravagant celebration has been meticulously arranged, it doesn’t take long for things to start to go awry, and someone ends up dead.
The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas
Sunnybrook’s cheerleaders are no longer present.
First, there was the car tragedy, which resulted in the deaths of two girls after their vehicle collided with a tree on a rainy night. The murders took place shortly after. The man next door killed those two girls. No one will ever know his motivations because the police shot him. The most recent dead cheerleader was Monica’s sister. Sunnybrook High’s cheerleading squad was disbanded following her suicide. Nobody wished to be reminded of the lost girls.
Five years ago, that happened. Sunnybrook High’s faculty and students now wish to honor the deceased cheerleaders. But Monica finds it difficult. She merely wishes to forget. But Monica’s world is beginning to fall apart. There are the letters on her stepdad’s desk, a recently discovered old cell phone, and a mysterious new classmate. Whatever occurred five years ago is still a factor. Some residents of the town are not being completely honest. Monica is somehow at the center of everything.
Sunnybrook is now free of cheerleaders, but it does not guarantee that everyone else is secure.
Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson
When Enchanting Jones, a young aspiring singer, meets and falls in love with iconic R&B artist Korey Fields, she feels she is taking a step closer to realizing her ambitions. Yet because of Korey’s evil and tyrannical side, her dream gradually turns into a terrifying reality. When she awakens one morning to find him dead, her hands stained with blood, and no memory of the previous night, the nightmare only intensifies. With a compelling whodunit and insightful cultural commentary that stick with you long beyond the last page, this Adolescent book packs a punch.
Ace of Spades by Faridah ABIKE-IYIMIDE
You only need to know that I am here to divide and rule. The way all great tyrants rule. ―Aces
When Devon Richards and Chiamaka Adebayo, two students from Niveus Private Academy, are chosen to serve as senior class prefects at the prestigious school, it appears like their year is off to a fantastic start. After all, it not only looks fantastic on college applications, but it also formally enters each of them into the valedictorian race.
However, soon after the announcement, a person going by the name Aces starts sending them anonymous text messages in which they expose shocking information about the two of them, upending their lives and jeopardizing every part of their carefully imagined futures.
What started off as a twisted joke swiftly transforms into a dangerous game with all the odds stacked against them as Aces shows no signs of stopping. Can Devon and Chiamaka be able to stop Aces before things get very dangerous?
A high-octane thriller from debut novelist Faridah bké-ymdé is filled with pulse-pounding suspense and current social satire.
The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb
Ray McMillian’s life is fully planned, having grown up Black in a rural area of North Carolina. But Ray has a talent and a dream; he is a world-class professional violinist who will stop at nothing to achieve his goal. Not even the ingrained racism in the classical music industry, which his mother wants him to leave alone since she doesn’t want him to create such a fuss.
All of Ray’s goals suddenly appear possible when he learns that his family’s worn-out fiddle is actually a magnificent Stradivarius. Ray and his violin go on to conquer the globe. Nevertheless, the violin is taken on the day of the prestigious and competitive Tchaikovsky Competition—the Olympics of classical music—and a ransom note for $5 million is put in its stead. Ray feels as though he has lost a part of himself without it. When the competition draws near, Ray must reclaim his priceless violin and demonstrate to him and the rest of the world that regardless of the result, he has always been a truly brilliant musician.
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
Safeguard her, Owen Michaels smuggles a note to his beloved wife of one year before vanishing. Hannah Hall is aware that the note is referring to Bailey, Owen’s sixteen-year-old daughter, despite her perplexity and anxiety. Bailey is a young girl who sadly lost her mother. Bailey, who is adamantly opposed to her new stepmother.
Hannah rapidly discovers her husband isn’t who he claimed to be as her desperate calls to Owen go unanswered. The FBI, a US marshal, arrests Owen’s boss, and federal investigators show up at her Sausalito house without warning. And that Bailey might be the key to discovering Owen’s real identity—and the real reason for his disappearance.
Bailey and Hannah set out to find the truth. But as they begin to piece together Owen’s past, they quickly discover that they are also creating a new future—one that neither of them could have foreseen. The Last Thing He Told Me is a compelling mystery that will astound you with its last, sad turn thanks to its rapid-fire pacing, head-spinning story twists, and emotive family drama.
Final Words
In conclusion, the world of suspense books is full of thrilling and exciting stories that keep readers engaged and invested in the narrative. Whether you are a fan of psychological thrillers, crime novels, or mysteries, there is a suspense book out there that will captivate your imagination and keep you on the edge of your seat. With so many great options to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. However, by reading reviews and exploring different authors and sub-genres within the genre, readers can discover new and exciting stories that will keep them entertained for hours on end. So, whether you are a seasoned suspense reader or a newcomer to the genre, consider picking up one of the many great suspense books available and prepare to be swept away by an exhilarating and unforgettable story.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are suspense books?
Suspense books are a genre of literature that involves stories with high levels of tension, excitement, and unpredictability. These books are designed to keep readers engaged and on the edge of their seats.
What types of stories are commonly found in suspense books?
Suspense books can cover a wide range of topics and themes, but common storylines include psychological thrillers, crime novels, and mysteries. These stories often involve plot twists, unexpected reveals, and a cast of complex and interesting characters.
What makes a suspense book good?
A good suspense book is one that keeps readers engaged and invested in the story. These books often have well-developed characters, unexpected plot twists, and an overall sense of tension and excitement that keeps readers guessing until the very end.
Who are some of the most popular suspense authors?
There are many great suspense authors, including Agatha Christie, Stephen King, Gillian Flynn, Dan Brown, James Patterson, and many more. Each of these authors has a unique writing style and approach to storytelling, making it easy for readers to find an author they enjoy.
Are suspense books appropriate for all ages?
Suspense books are generally targeted toward adults, but there are some books in the genre that are appropriate for young adult readers. It is important to read reviews and check the age appropriateness of a book before giving it to a younger reader.