Crime Thriller Books: There is nothing more exciting than a well-written crime thriller packed with deceit, pulse-pounding plot twists, suspense, and mystery. They keep the reader on edge while gradually unraveling the grand mystery. They take you on an adventure full of highs and lows. Let’s dive into the tantalizing world of crime thrillers. Here are some great crime thriller book recommendations to commence your journey.
Book On The List
- In the Woods by Tana French
- A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder by Holly Jackson
- Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
- Skin by Mo Hayder
- The Alienist by Caleb Carr
- The Poet by Michael Connelly
- The Reversal by Michael Connelly
- The Snowman by Jo Nesbø
Crime Thriller Books
In the Woods by Tana French
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| Pages | 464 |
| Themes | Identity and memory, Psychological trauma, Detective work, Mysteries |
| Trigger Warnings | Trauma, Graphic violence, Loss, Grief |
The book follows the narrative of Detective Rob Ryan and Cassie Maddox. They are assigned the duty to investigate the murder of a young girl in a small Irish town. The crime scene is in the same forest where Ryan experienced a traumatic event. His two childhood friends went missing with him having no memory of it. As Ryan immerses himself in the case, he is confronted with his past. The similarities between the two cases are increasing day by day. Suspicion arises about his lost memories. Ryan discovers he is the sole survivor of a mysterious and traumatic event. Ryan’s struggles add a layer to the narrative making it more interesting.
A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder by Holly Jackson
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| Pages | 400 |
| Themes | Mystery, Suspense, Crime investigation, Small-town Secrets, Teenage Drama |
| Trigger Warnings | Violence, Murder, Stalking, Harassment, Drug Use |
The book follows the story of Pippa Fitz-Amobi, a high school student. For her senior capstone project, she decides to reinvestigate Andie Bell’s murder case. Andie Bell was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend Sal Singh, who later committed suicide. Pippa starts digging up the case and is convinced that Sal isn’t the murderer. She takes help from Sal’s brother Ravi Singh.
As she keeps investigating new information is brought to light, and shocking twists and turns take place changing the entire trajectory of the case. However, someone in the town isn’t happy about the investigation and repeatedly tries to harm Pippa. Pippa’s determination to solve the case puts her in a dangerous situation but she manages to solve the mystery. One of the best crime thriller books to begin with.
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
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| Pages | 288 |
| Themes | Murder mystery, Justice and morality, Social class and cultural diversity |
| Trigger Warnings | Murder, Mild violence, Deception |
The story follows the life events of a renowned Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. As Hercule was traveling from Istanbul to Calais on the luxurious Orient Express a wealthy American Businessman named Ratchett is murdered on the train. Poirot is asked to investigate the case. When he starts digging up information, he notices many passengers have mysterious, conflicting, and inter-woven backgrounds which arouses suspicion.
Poirot discovers that Ratchett was a gangster who had committed various crimes. When the true intention behind the murder is revealed Hercule has to make a hard choice, whether to serve justice or duty. A classic crime thriller book by none other than Agatha Christie.
Skin by Mo Hayder
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| Pages | 384 |
| Themes | Crime and investigation, Psychological thriller, Serial Killer |
| Trigger Warnings | Graphic and disturbing content, Violence, Trauma, Psychological distress |
Skin by Mo Hayder is a dark murder mystery that follows the life events of Detective Jack Caffery. A decomposing body with no head and hands is discovered on the shore of the Bristol Channel, the horrifying condition of the corpse indicates a gruesome crime. Jack is drawn towards the case and starts investigating it. He soon discovers that there are more corpses.
The man behind these horrible murders is termed as ‘The Walking Man’ who has a troubled past and a bone-chilling presence. The Walking Man’s dark presence and Jack’s interpersonal struggles add a layer of complexity to the narrative. The book revolves around themes like obsession, violence, and trauma.
The Alienist by Caleb Carr
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| Pages | 512 |
| Themes | Criminal psychology, Historical fiction, Exploration of mental illness |
| Trigger Warnings | Crime scenes, Investigations, Serial killings, Graphic descriptions of violence |
‘The Alienist’ is a historical crime thriller set in 1896 in New York City. It follows the narrative of Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, a criminal psychologist, or “alienist” as they were called at that time. Kreizler assembles a team of experts which includes illustrator John Schuyler Moore, and Sara Howard, the first woman hired by the New York Police Department, to investigate a series of gruesome murders. The victims were mostly commercially sexually exploited boys.
As they delve into the investigation they face resistance from the authorities, challenges from society, and societal prejudice. The book offers valuable insights into the old times. A gripping tale that uncovers the dark side of human nature. The book has been adapted into a television series.
The Poet by Michael Connelly
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| Pages | 544 |
| Themes | Crime journalism, Serial killings, Police procedural |
| Trigger Warnings | Violent crime scenes, Graphic content, Murder, Investigation, Psychological toll |
The book follows the story of Jack McEvoy, a newspaper reporter in Denver. Jack’s twin brother Sean; a detective is found dead and his death is ruled out as suicide. Although Jack is convinced that is not the case. He starts to investigate the case. He finds many similar cases across the country. Jack concludes that it is the work of a serial killer known as ‘The Poet’, who leaves quotes by Edgar Allan Poe on the crime scene to mock the police. Jack teams up with Rachel Walling to dig deep in and uncover the truth.
The Reversal by Michael Connelly
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| Pages | 512 |
| Themes | Legal thriller, Criminal justice system, Courtroom drama, Morality |
| Trigger Warnings | Themes of sexual assault, Child Abuse, Graphic descriptions, Ethical dilemmas |
The book follows the narrative of defense attorney Mickey Haller who is asked to work as a prosecutor in a high-profile case. The case involves Jason Jessup, a child molester. After being in prison for 24 years, the conviction is overturned by new DNA evidence. As Mickey prepares for the retrials he faces complex problems due to media scrutiny, legal challenges, and personal conflicts. Jason Jessup’s ex-wife, Maggie McPherson presiding as the judge adds a layer of complexity. The book has a gripping narrative exposing the flaws in the legal system.
The Snowman by Jo Nesbø
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| Pages | 464 |
| Themes | Nordic noir, Detective investigations, Serial Killer, Gruesome crimes, Dark and atmospheric setting |
| Trigger Warnings | Graphic violence, Disturbing crime scenes, Serial killings |
The book centers around a series of gruesome murders followed by the appearance of a snowman near the crime scene. The killer targets married women with children. Detective Harry Hole is given the responsibility to investigate the case. Harry starts digging up the information. It is a race against time. Harry needs to catch the murderer while also managing his alcoholism and strained relationships. The chilling setting, gripping narrative, and suspense add a layer of thrill to the book. A great crime thriller book to read.
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