18 Great Mystery Thrillers You Can’t Put Down
Embark on a journey into the enigmatic world of mystery and suspense with our handpicked selection of great mystery thriller books for 2025. As the year unfolds, readers seeking spine-tingling plots, captivating characters, and unexpected twists will find themselves immersed in a realm where every page holds the promise of uncovering secrets and solving puzzles.
From gripping psychological thrillers to intricate whodunits, this curated collection offers an array of captivating narratives that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last sentence. Get ready to delve into a realm where every turn of the page brings a new revelation and every clue leads closer to the truth.
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The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Alicia Berenson lives a picture-perfect life as a renowned painter married to Gabriel, a top fashion photographer. One night, Gabriel comes home late, and Alicia shoots him five times, then stops speaking entirely. Her silence turns a personal tragedy into a public mystery, skyrocketing her fame and locking her away in a secure unit.
Theo Faber, a criminal psychotherapist, becomes obsessed with uncovering Alicia’s secrets. His relentless pursuit of the truth drives him deep into his own psyche, blurring the lines between healer and haunted. This gripping tale stands out as one of the best mystery thrillers, where silence speaks louder than words.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Ten strangers arrive on a secluded island, invited by a mysterious millionaire who remains absent. Each guest hides a dark secret, and one by one, they begin to die.
As the body count rises, fear grips the survivors, and no one knows who will be next. The isolated island becomes a deadly trap, leaving no room for escape.
The Body in the Ice House by Kate Hardy
Georgina Drake’s routine photoshoot at Hartington Hall turns into a chilling investigation when she discovers the lifeless body of Karen Berry, the hall’s second wife.
Suspicions arise as Georgina learns about Karen’s troubled relationships and the animosity she stirred among the household. With the police, led by the charismatic DI Colin Bradshaw, probing the case, Georgina’s curiosity deepens. During a walk with her spirited spaniel Bertie, they stumble upon a buried skeleton, linking past and present crimes.
Now, Georgina must unravel Hartington’s secrets to unveil the killer’s identity before more lives are endangered.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
Five years ago, everyone believed Sal Singh killed schoolgirl Andie Bell. The case was closed, but Pippa Fitz-Amobi doubts the truth. For her final year project, she digs deeper into the murder.
As Pip uncovers hidden secrets, danger looms closer. Someone in town will do anything to protect their lies. This mystery thriller to read keeps you guessing until the very end, where the line between truth and deception blurs.
Verity by Colleen Hoover
Struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh takes a dream job completing a bestselling series for Verity Crawford, who is injured and unable to write. While searching Verity’s office, Lowen finds a shocking, private manuscript filled with dark confessions.
Torn between hiding the truth and using it to her advantage, Lowen wrestles with her growing feelings for Verity’s husband, Jeremy. This mystery thriller book dives deep into obsession, betrayal, and the devastating power of secrets.
Broken Girls by Nicky Downes
Leia Thompson’s seemingly normal outing to a shopping mall ends in tragedy, leaving Detective Jacqueline ‘Jack’ Kent suspicious of the circumstances. Investigating Leia’s background reveals a controlling mother and a complex medical history, raising unsettling questions.
As similar deaths occur, Jack uncovers disturbing connections and suspects, including Leia’s estranged father and the medical professionals involved. With each revelation, the case grows more sinister, leading Jack to fear for those close to her.
Racing against time, Jack must untangle a web of dark secrets and motives before the killer strikes again. This gripping crime thriller, filled with shocking twists, will captivate readers who enjoy Angela Marsons, Rachel McLean, and Sally Rigby.
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
I work as a housekeeper for the wealthy Winchesters, cleaning their home, caring for their daughter, and cooking their meals. But Nina’s cruel games and lies, along with Andrew’s quiet despair, make me question their perfect life.
When I try on one of Nina’s dresses, it sets off a chain of terrifying events. Trapped in my attic room, I realize the Winchesters have no idea who I truly am—or what I can do. This mystery thriller to read will leave you breathless until the final twist.
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
A snowdrift halts the Orient Express in the Balkans, trapping passengers aboard. By morning, an American tycoon is found dead, stabbed in his locked compartment.
Detective Hercule Poirot, on vacation, must solve the crime before another life is lost. With everyone a suspect, this top mystery thriller keeps you guessing until the final revelation.
Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
Ellie Mack vanished at fifteen, leaving her family shattered. Ten years later, her mother Laurel struggles to move on, haunted by unanswered questions about Ellie’s disappearance.
When Laurel meets Floyd and his daughter Poppy, eerie similarities to Ellie resurface, unraveling old wounds. This mystery thriller book delves into a mother’s pain and the chilling secrets that refuse to stay buried.
None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
On her 45th birthday, podcaster Alix Summer meets Josie Fair, a mysterious woman with a cryptic past. Despite Josie’s unsettling presence, Alix invites her into her life for a podcast, unaware of the darkness she brings.
When Josie vanishes, Alix uncovers a horrifying legacy and realizes she’s now the hunted. This mystery thriller to read grips you with twists, danger, and the blurred line between curiosity and consequence.
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
Oliver Marks is finally free after ten years in jail, and Detective Colborne waits to hear the truth. A decade earlier, Oliver was part of a tight-knit group of Shakespearean actors at a prestigious conservatory.
Their fierce rivalries turned deadly during their final year, blurring the line between performance and reality. This best mystery thriller unravels a chilling tale of ambition, betrayal, and the masks people wear to hide the truth.
Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
Navigating the complexities of her new life at Alfred Nobel Academy, Sade Hussein finds herself plunged into darkness once again as her roommate, Elizabeth, disappears after their first night together.
With suspicions mounting against her, Sade reluctantly joins forces with the enigmatic Unholy Trinity, led by the captivating Persephone. Amidst the pressures of academic catch-up and the allure of newfound friendships, Sade and Elizabeth’s best friend, Baz, embark on a quest to unravel the mystery surrounding Elizabeth’s disappearance.
However, when tragedy strikes with the discovery of a student’s body, Sade realizes that the academy harbors secrets far deeper than she ever imagined. As she delves deeper into the labyrinth of deceit and intrigue, Sade uncovers truths that threaten to shatter her perception of reality, revealing a darkness that mirrors her own hidden past.
The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
Mikael Blomkvist plans to expose a massive sex trafficking ring, but the investigation turns deadly when two reporters are murdered. Shockingly, the evidence points to Lisbeth Salander, the brilliant hacker who once saved him.
Blomkvist refuses to believe in her guilt and dives into the case, while Salander fights to clear her name and confront her haunting past. This mystery thriller book grips you with its intense chase and unrelenting twists.
Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson
Pip Fitz-Amobi swore off detective work after her true-crime podcast went viral. But when Jamie Reynolds vanishes and the police refuse to act, Pip steps back into the role she tried to leave behind.
Determined to find Jamie, she digs deeper into her town’s hidden darkness, all while the world watches her every move. This mystery thriller to read will keep you racing to uncover the truth before it’s too late.
Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
When Shelby Tebow vanishes, fear grips the town. Meredith Dickey and her daughter Delilah soon disappear too, leaving behind a chilling mystery that grows colder with time.
Years later, Delilah’s sudden return stirs up old questions and uncovers hidden truths darker than anyone expected. This top mystery thriller keeps you on edge, blending suspense and unexpected twists at every turn.
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
In this thrilling tale of deception and intrigue, Evie Porter navigates a double life orchestrated by her mysterious boss, Mr. Smith. Operating under a false identity, Evie immerses herself in a picturesque Southern town, blending seamlessly into its fabric as she sets her sights on her target, Ryan Sumner.
However, as Evie delves deeper into her mission, she finds herself drawn to Ryan in unexpected ways, prompting her to question her allegiance to her secretive employer. With her past closing in and her true identity at risk of exposure, Evie must stay one step ahead while balancing the high stakes of her dangerous game.
As the tension mounts, Evie’s resolve is put to the test, revealing her resilience in the face of adversity and her unwavering determination to carve out a new future for herself.
Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
Twenty-five years ago, Maggie Holt’s family fled Baneberry Hall, a Victorian estate tied to her father’s infamous memoir, House of Horrors . Skeptical of his claims, Maggie returns after his death to renovate and sell the home.
But Baneberry Hall isn’t ready to let go of its secrets. As eerie events mirror her father’s story, Maggie must confront the truth behind the house’s dark past. This mystery thriller book will leave you questioning what’s real and what’s imagined.
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Madeline, Celeste, and Jane are three mothers with seemingly ordinary lives, but their paths collide in unexpected ways. Beneath the surface of schoolyard politics and small-town gossip lies a web of secrets, jealousy, and betrayal.
When a tragic event rocks their community, the line between right and wrong blurs. This mystery thriller to read unravels the dark side of parenthood, friendship, and the lies we tell to protect ourselves—or harm others.
There you have it, our 18 Great Mystery Thrillers You Can’t Put Down. Looking for more book recommendations?
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