Top 20 bestselling thriller books

A good thriller is a subjective thing, its perception strongly depends on the level of reader's preparedness and the skill of the author.Often, writers in this genre get bogged down in stylistic confusion that makes it hard for readers to understand what's going on. Therefore, we have combined in the rating literature for every taste: canonical classics that have stood the test of time, cult works that have given rise to new literary universes and entire generations of fans, as well as experimental finds of eccentric writers, whose work has significantly revived the genre.

The best thriller books that have become classics

5 Devil's Advocate

A classic story about high ambitions and a deal with evil. However, this book is not banal or straightforward - it raises deep topics of personal choice, careerism, freedom of conscience, moral values ​​and restrictions. Add to the powerful ethical and philosophical concept the basic canons of a proper thriller: an atmosphere of disturbing empathy, uncertainty, and anxiety. Together they work to fully immerse the reader in the plot and give a growing sense of pleasure from the reading process.

According to the apt definition of the reviewer, the book opens the door to the world of the otherworldly and mysterious and subtly inspires piercing fear, therefore it is not recommended for impressionable natures before going to bed.

4 battle royale

The bestseller that became the basis for the film adaptation and the inspiration for the 15-volume manga by Masayuki Taguchi. The action takes place in a fictional world, but it makes you seriously think about real everyday things. The government of Far East Asia, led by the Great Dictator, has developed a combat program - in fact, it is a cruel game of survival.

Every year, in a closed area, children of middle school age are forced to fight among themselves. Only one should remain alive, but not everyone agrees to accept the rules of the game. As always, the Japanese have no equal in inventing strategies and tactics. And this is one of the best thrillers on the theme of the struggle of the state with the freedom of the individual.

3 Red rivers

Strange murders take place in French cities, and at first glance there is nothing in common between them. However, the more pieces of the puzzle fall into the hands of the detectives, the stronger the connection between the events is traced and the tension grows: the victims are destroyed with new cruelty and sophistication.

A twisted plot, intriguing and shocking events, an original approach to the investigation - these are the features in Grange's novels that attract the most experienced fans of the genre. This is a classic action-packed detective with a dynamic development. By the way, if you watched the Kassovitz film of the same name with Jean Reno and Vincent Cassel, but did not read the book, then the ending of the original story will surprise you very much.

2 Silence of the Lambs

The British Crime Writers Association listed the novel as one of the 100 best detective stories of all time. The cycle of novels focuses on Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant forensic psychiatrist and surgeon who practices serial murder and cannibalism in his spare time.

Educated intellectual Lecter attracts readers with his outstanding mind, subtle humor, love of aesthetics. Anthony Hopkins, who played the protagonist, correctly noted that the main character is a type that many people secretly admire.That part of ourselves that everyone tries to hide, secret desires, fantasies and dark sides of the soul must be recognized in ourselves in order to become truly healthy.

1 Shine

“It’s easy to ignite children’s curiosity – and they [children] will not rest until they find out exactly what adults are hiding from them,” King responded to the ban on The Shining from American school libraries. This is where the author's humor ends, and the immersion into the realistic-mystical atmosphere of the closed space of the Overlook Hotel begins.

King combined the canons of gothic literature with an addictive psychological thriller. The theme of alcoholism and domestic violence, the problem of choice, the influence of evil on different types of personalities are masterfully revealed. The book has been elevated to the rank of a cult: in its piggy bank nominations for the Locus and Gandalf awards, the enthusiasm of the main critics of The New York Times, the recognition by Rolling Stone themselves and the film adaptation by the legendary Kubrick.

Best thriller books in the category New

5 nine elms

Bryndza is the author of several bestsellers according to Amazon, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today. His books have been translated into 27 languages ​​and have sold over 2 million copies in total. In each of them, readers will find an exciting plot and a meeting with one of the main characters so beloved by admirers - Erica Foster or Kate Marshall.

Reviews about the work of the author of "Nine Elms" can be found diametrically opposed. From reader gratitude for the ease of narration and an interesting plot to harsh accusations of unconvincing and stereotyped characters.Despite such controversial feedback, the book can be recommended to both experienced detectives and beginners.

4 Tokyo zodiac

Soji Zimada in the 80s came up with a new literary movement, the honkaku novel. This is a kind of intellectual game with the reader: is he able to solve the crime faster than the detective-hero, receiving the same set of facts and clues as he reads. The invention was to the taste not only to the Japanese, but also to lovers of literature around the world. The result was a kind of puzzle game, a brain trainer, but certainly not the usual narrative with a murder and an investigation.

Who Should Be Careful Before Buying? For those who are looking for a standard exciting thriller and are not ready to strain their brains while reading. The book will suit competitive, gambling, intellectually developed persons, perhaps even those who are ready to do detective investigations themselves.

3 Planners

Crime thriller by Kim Onsu will be a curious discovery for those who want to understand contemporary Korean literature. An energetic plot with bloody and sometimes shocking scenes is seasoned with philosophical reflections on the strength of the system, which cannot be defeated. In addition, the main character - the killer Resen - does not try to change something, but meekly and melancholy follows fate.

Readers fell in love with the work for its subtle noir atmosphere, melodic and poetic style of the author, despite the presence of obscene vocabulary. The novel is distinguished by the complete absence of cliches in the development of characters and storylines. Such an atypical book will surprise even sophisticated connoisseurs of the genre.Age limit - 18+.

2 silent patient

Many famous writers wrote their reviews of the book, in particular, Stephen Fry, Blake Crouch, David Baldacci, Lee Child, and others. Together with the beautiful cover and incredible media attention, the publication could not fail to become a bestseller. The author has a genuine talent to captivate from the first line. It is enough to take a thriller from the store shelf and open the first page to be convinced of this.

Can criminal psychotherapist Theo Faber get her husband's murder suspect talking? The mysterious artist has not uttered a word since the tragedy, but she painted a self-portrait with a single word - Alcesta. The strengths of the novel: a non-standard story and the most incredible ending.

1 stranger

Stephen King has already collected prestigious awards for his new creation The Outsider (original). The Goodreads Choice Awards, Locus Award, Premio Ignotus, Deutscher Phantastik Preis, Prêmio Le Blanc, "Results of the Year" from the World of Fantasy magazine - this is the list of awards that respected the author with nominations in various categories.

As always, "King of Horror" delivered an amazing 3-in-1 blend of thriller, mystery and detective genres. King launched a new book cycle, Bill Hodges & Holly Gibney, which fans of the Master have long heard about, but this information will be useful to anyone who follows the development of popular culture in the field of literature. A continuation of the series is planned for publication in 2020.

Best Thriller Books in the category Psychology, Detective

5 Living people. Vongozero

The modern reader will love the lively and colorful language in the work of Yana Wagner. This is confirmed by numerous enthusiastic reviews on literary forums. The main character conquers with a rational and reasonable approach to everyday situations. The characters, by the way, are built very competently, the internal emotional reaction to their actions is provided.

If the reader is interested in the topic of survival, the novel will provide him with the opportunity to fully immerse himself in this atmosphere. To some, the author's style seems heavy, overloaded, but in general, commentators pay tribute to the jewelry elaboration of the plot and characters of the characters.

4 The girl on the train

The author turns to a non-standard technique and tells the story on behalf of three women. After the disappearance of one of the heroines, the rest fall into such a cycle of events that you don’t get bored. Paula Hawkins skillfully plays on the feelings of the reader, reveals the psychological background of the participants in an intricate puzzle, uses symbolism as an artistic device.

According to the plot, the train is a symbol, and it is different for each character. The thirst for stability, escapism and the desire to protect privacy are important motives for the behavior of the characters. The book became a New York Times bestseller, holding the number one spot for 13 weeks. It also topped the UK Book Rankings for 20 weeks, an absolute record.

3 Macbeth

Nesbø's Macbeth is the most inventive remake of Shakespeare's tragedy.Retelling the works of the great playwright has become a popular trend in modern English literature. This is how the Shakespeare XXI project was born, in which the Norwegian Nesbø was the pioneer of all non-English-speaking writers.

Judging by the reviews, the readers more than once had a desire to applaud the skill of the author. He managed to transform all the key moments of the classic bloody tragedy into an equally interesting genre - police noir thriller. However, the book is not suitable for everyone - I think it will be appreciated only by a thoughtful reader with a rich literary heritage.

2 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The book is cult, twice filmed, awarded the Glass Key Award, Boeke Prize, Galaxy British Book Awards, Anthony Award, Crime Thriller Award. The original name is Män som hatar kvinnor, i.e. "Men who hate women"; Russian translators used tracing paper from the English edition. The prototype of Salander is Pippi Longstocking, and references to Lindgren's work are found more than once on the pages of the novel.

Readers are always trying to answer the question - which is better, a book or a movie, and not finding a clear answer, they advise you to find free time for both. The work is readily dismantled into quotes, sharp and unhackneyed, and they are looking forward to the film adaptation of the second part of the trilogy - “The Girl Who Played with Fire”.

1 Rebecca

An English thriller classic listed in the "100 Greatest Detective Novels of All Time". The book was also declared the best novel of the century by the jury of the Anthony Prize.The main genre technique is absolutely successfully used: if in a detective story time moves backwards in time, then in a thriller it moves forward, towards disaster.

Rebecca is a brilliant psychological novel about the intricacies of human relationships. An interesting fact: Rebecca is a dead character around whom the main events of the work play out. And the name of the main character is not pronounced even once and remains unknown. The famous story has been filmed nine times.

Best Thriller Books in Horror & Mystery category

5 scarlet chants

Clive Barker's continuation of the cult cycle of Harry D'Amour horror films that fans have been waiting for thirty years. This universe immerses the reader in the world of the occult, evil and sinister intricacies. The epic confrontation between charismatic heroes is described in a vivid Barker style of writing.

Among the comments on the network, one can notice bewilderment by the quality of the Russian translation by S. Krikun. According to some readers, he failed to convey the style characteristic of the author, many mistakes were made. However, other fans of the series were able to get a taste of the atmosphere, enjoying the "desired demonic abominations, blood and gloom" to the fullest.

4 Essence

It is difficult to surprise fans of the genre with a scenario that is boring at first glance: the family moves to a new home, followed by strange incidents. But Little's easy, pleasant manner of presentation works wonders: it is impossible to tear yourself away from a tense thriller! The reader believes, and this is the main thing.

The bestseller is suitable for fans of the author's style, but you should not expect any literary revelations from him. Bentley Little, who also writes under the pseudonym Philip Emmons, is considered a controversial figure even for a horror writer. Dean Koontz and Stephen King themselves are read to them, students of literary colleges study the works, and at the same time, the distribution of books through shops and libraries is prohibited in many states of America.

3 House of Peculiar Children

Another talented American who created a landmark story for popular culture. Journey into the family archives and further adventures of teenager Jacob Portman will not leave anyone indifferent. One of the author's best literary experiments: in the first part of the book, the reader must decide who to believe - the hero himself or the interpretations of his psychotherapist. The time loop is another extremely curious trick for fans of non-standard reading.

The famous thriller is illustrated with vintage photographs that inspired Riggs to write the novel. The bestseller stayed on the New York Times list for 70 weeks in the children's literature section.

2 house of leaves

The debut of the American prose writer Danilevsky turned out to be extremely successful, the novel became a bestseller after a series of failures in various publishing houses (the author heard 32 refusals before Pantheon agreed to release the book). The reader is waiting for a complex and unusual plot, so the thriller can only be recommended to an experienced bibliophile. And a good fantasy.

Ergodic literature, as its critics call it, requires the active participation of the reader in the creation of the text. You will have to forget about the standards of a linear narrative and be ready to dive into an intricate world - with a strange house, spatial distortions, frightening events. The process of reading, as conceived by the author, turns into a search.

1 Call of Cthulhu

The legendary author, with his work, gave impetus to the whole literary direction "Myths of Cthulhu" - Lovecraft's followers still write their works in this fictional universe, not only in literature, but also in music, dramaturgy, video games. Critics consider The Call of Cthulhu to be one of the most influential stories in the mystery genre.

The Lovecraftian atmosphere of horror has become a household name: the heroes are attracted by an interest in the unknown, which leads to insanity or death. The character tries to take a rational look at the revealed secret, but comes to the conclusion that a number of things cannot be explained, moreover, nothing depends on human understanding.

Popular vote - what is the best bestselling thriller book?
Vote!

Shine

Silence of the Lambs

Red rivers

battle royale

Devil's Advocate

stranger

silent patient

Planners

Tokyo zodiac

nine elms

Rebecca

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Macbeth

The girl on the train

Living people. Vongozero

Call of Cthulhu

house of leaves

House of Peculiar Children

Essence

scarlet chants

Total voted: 68

Vote results