What am I looking for when I read a thriller? Tension, pacing, an unforgettable plot, and characters I can really sink my teeth into.
It can be hard to find a book that checks all of these boxes. But when I come across one that does… you can BET I’m going to share it with you.
Before we get into it, I have some really exciting news to share…
Nat Cassidy joined me on this weeks episode of Talking Horror, and guys…
This one is worth clearing your afternoon for.
Nat Cassidy, USA Today bestselling author of Mary, When the Wolf Comes Home, and his newest release I Know a Place had me dying laughing but also feeling all the feels. We talked about his horror origin story, why the genre attracts outsiders and keeps them, what it means to write stories that are equal parts grief and gallows humor, and why the horror community might just be the most genuinely supportive corner of publishing right now.
If you haven't picked up I Know a Place yet, this episode will push you over the edge. Go listen, then go read it.
Watch on Youtube, or listen on Spotify or Apple Music.
Okay, now here are the top five thrillers I’ve read so far in 2026, plus a couple of bonus mentions, because it’s my newsletter and I make the rules!
The Madwife by Megan Church.
This is going to be more suspense than thriller, but MY GOD, is this book good! The tension and building drama of what is happening to this 1950s housewife is sheer perfection. Not to mention, I love a book that takes heavy topics and layers them beautifully into a story I can’t put down. If you like domestic thrillers or suspense, you have to pick this up.
Those Empty Eyes by Charlie Donnelly.
This had one of the most suspenseful twists. I mean, honestly, I probably looked exactly like the head-exploding emoji. The book starts out with a total punch to the gut. A wham-bam to the chest that leaves you completely sucked in. It does have a bit of a slow burn in the middle, which can sometimes turn me off from a thriller, but the ending was totally worth it. I’m still thinking about the way this one wrapped up… honestly, I probably always will be.
The Dead Husband Cookbook by Danielle Valentine.
I keep talking about this book because I just loved it so much. It was atmospheric, mysterious, and haunting, and the character development was absolutely top-notch. It doesn’t have the craziest twist, so if you’re hoping for that, I'd suggest adjusting your expectations. You read this one for the characters and the building dread. Plus, it had a FANTASTIC ending, which I think is one of the hardest parts to pull off in a thriller. So, seriously, what more do you want?
We are all guilty Here by Karin Slaughter.
Karin Slaughter is one of the reigning queens of thriller for a reason. I always tell people this one is a bit of a slow burn because it’s setting up a series—specifically, the first book in a brand-new series from her. But the ending? OH MY GOSH. The payoff is TOTALLY INSANE! The character development and sheer intrigue are more than enough to pull you through, and by the time you reach the final page, you’ll be chomping at the bit for more.
It Should Have Been You by Andrea Mara.
This is the BEST Andrea Mara book I’ve read so far! It has short, snippy chapters with pacing that never quits, and a ton of different character POVs, which I absolutely love. I had no idea what was actually going on until the very end, and the unhinged characters in this book had me reading as fast as I possibly could. This is a total roller coaster of a book, so strap in because shit gets crazy. And we love that.
And then for some bonuses, of course!
Haven't Killed in Years by Amy Green is just a delightful, riot of a thriller that I promise is a good time!
Lock Every Door by Riley Sager is one of his best and I feel like people don’t recommend it enough.
It’s Not Her by Mary Kubica is surprisingly good. I don’t always have the best luck with Mary Kubica but this one is definitely worth reading.