7 Thriller Books That Are 10/10 Masterpieces

Over the years, we have seen the releases of some amazing, critically acclaimed, and popularly celebrated thriller novels, many of which have gone on to become notable pop culture landmarks. In all that time, the genre has grown alongside the social and technological evolution of humanity, transforming the very idea of how stories are told and introducing new tropes and subgenres. And in the process, the thriller genre has also produced some true masterpieces that rank among the greatest books of all time, outstripping all others in the genre with their powerful, effective storytelling and unmatched sense of suspense.

From beloved classics to cutting-edge contemporary novels, these books have all successfully captured the hearts and minds of readers everywhere, creating memorable characters and shocking readers while delivering compelling stories of the human condition. Whether you prefer cerebral mysteries, gripping psychological explorations, or inventive storytelling, this list has something for every shade of thriller fan. With that in mind, read on to discover our handpicked selection of thriller books that are undeniable 10/10 masterpieces.

1

‘The Killer Question’ (2025)

Image via Atria Books, Simon & Schuster

A modern epistolary mystery novel, The Killer Question was written by British journalist, screenwriter, and author Janice Hallett. Presented through text messages, emails, quiz transcripts, and local reports, the book takes readers through a pitch for a Netflix true-crime documentary based on the mysterious past of a once-loved country pub, The Case is Altered, and its equally mysterious owners, Mal and Sue Eastwood. The narrative moves back and forth in time, unraveling the history of the pub and its popular trivia nights, which take a dark turn after a suspicious team joins the game.

If you thought epistolary novels couldn’t be very thrilling, think again. The Killer Question is a wicked, clever, and deliciously meta work of mystery fiction that packs dead bodies, questionable characters, and a whole lot of pub quizzing in its unputdownable narrative. Swapping traditional prose for a fun and fast-paced, mixed-media story, the novel has been highly acclaimed by critics and readers, earning praise for its storytelling, pacing, and shocking twists. It’s easily one of the most inventive and ambitious books of recent years, and a must-read for all fans of thrillers and mysteries.

2

‘Bullet Train / Maria Beetle’ (2010)

Image via Columbia Pictures

Written by Japanese author Kōtarō Isaka, Maria Beetle (published in English as Bullet Train) is a dark comedy crime thriller novel set aboard a high-speed Shinkansen bullet train. The book brings a number of colorful and dangerous characters together over the kidnapped son of a mob boss and a suitcase full of ransom money. The book is the second novel in Isaka’s Hitman trilogy, preceded by Three Assassins (also known as Grasshopper) and followed by The Mantis (aka AX).

A high-octane thriller that effortlessly shifts between dark satire, slapstick comedy, existential philosophy, and sheer dread, Bullet Train is easily one of the most engaging books of the 2010s. Both the original Japanese edition and the English translation have earned high acclaim for their high-energy narrative, wicked humor, and clever twists. It’s also packed with unforgettable characters, like the eternally unlucky Ladybug and the hauntingly evil teenage mastermind Prince. Bullet Train has also been adapted as a 2022 film by David Leitch and as a Japanese stage play in 2018.

3

‘Big Little Lies’ (2014)

Image via Penguin Publishing

A hugely popular suburban thriller, Big Little Lies is a darkly comedic and highly suspenseful novel written by Australian author Liane Moriarty. The book explores the lives of three mothers living in an affluent Australian coastal community, each facing their own challenges. A mysterious death at a school trivia night upends their lives, with personal secrets, domestic violence, and schoolyard drama coming together to spoil their seemingly perfect existence.

A sharply satirical exploration of rich suburban life and dark domestic drama, Big Little Lies is a gripping page-turner that leaves the reader in both shock and awe of its characters. Balancing its secrets and dangers with a well-crafted story of female friendships, the novel debuted at the top of the New York Times Best Sellers list when it was published in 2014, making Moriarty the first Australian author ever to debut at number one in the United States. The novel also went on to be adapted as the critically acclaimed and multi-Emmy-winning HBO series starring Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, and Zoë Kravitz. A sequel novel, Big Little Truths, is currently scheduled to be published on August 25, 2026.

4

‘Three Assassins / Grasshopper’ (2004)

Image via The Overlook Press

The first novel in Kōtarō Isaka’s Hitman series, Grasshopper, later translated into English as Three Assassins, is a black-comedy thriller centered on a recently widowed schoolteacher who joins a criminal organization to seek revenge for his wife’s murder. But when his target is murdered by someone else, he finds himself pulled in unexpected directions by the actions of three eccentric killers. The novel moves between the POVs of the schoolteacher (aka the Grasshopper), a quiet veteran hitman (the Whale), and a talkative young assassin (the Cicada).

First published in 2004, Three Assassins was quite highly acclaimed, both in the original Japanese and the later English translation. The novel takes readers on an almost-surreal journey through Tokyo’s criminal underworld, balancing action and intrigue with a touching exploration of grief and regret. The book was adapted as a Japanese film in 2015 and spawned a successful franchise that includes two loose sequels, a short story collection, and two manga series.

5

‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ (2005)

Image via Norstedts Förlag

Written by Stieg Larsson, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a psychological mystery thriller novel that follows disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist and gifted but troubled hacker Lisbeth Salander. When Blomkvist is hired by a wealthy industrialist to look into a 40-year-old disappearance, it brings the two characters together on an investigation that uncovers dark secrets and a long legacy of corruption. Originally released in Sweden with the title Män som hatar kvinnor (Men Who Hate Women), the book was the first in the Millennium trilogy, which has since been expanded into an ongoing series.

First published in 2005, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is an iconic modern psychological thriller featuring an unconventional female protagonist, a powerful sense of atmosphere, and a complex, gripping plot. The novel was a major international success, and its popularity was further elevated by its Swedish film adaptation and the Hollywood remake, both of which easily rank among the most critically acclaimed thrillers of the 21st century. The Millennium series as a whole has played a significant role in sparking greater worldwide interest in Nordic crime fiction, leading to the “Nordic Noir” trend of recent decades.

6

‘Gone Girl’ (2012)

Image via Phoenix

The third and most successful novel by American author Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl revolves around husband and wife Nick and Amy Dunne, whose lives take an unexpected turn when Amy mysteriously vanishes on their fifth anniversary. The subsequent investigation uncovers evidence of a possible murder, including a diary that points to Nick as the prime suspect, but it soon becomes clear that neither Nick nor Amy is telling the whole truth. The book unveils the story in three parts, revealing new angles and perspectives in each.

A thoroughly engrossing psychological thriller about a turbulent, complicated marriage and toxic codependency, Gone Girl is a dark and twisted book full of dark and twisted people. Masterfully using the unreliable narrator trope to create a truly unpredictable experience, the novel has been highly acclaimed by readers and reviewers alike, raising the bar for modern thrillers. Gone Girl was later adapted as a successful and award-winning film by David Fincher, with Flynn writing the screenplay herself.

7

‘Murder on the Orient Express’ (1934)

One of the most iconic mystery books of all time, Murder on the Orient Express was written by legendary English writer Agatha Christie and follows her famous creation, Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, on a baffling case somewhere in Yugoslavia. Set aboard the titular luxury train, the novel reveals how Poirot’s trip home to London from the Middle East is interrupted by a case of murder, one with contradictory pieces of evidence and no clear killer in sight. As he investigates his diverse fellow passengers, a conspiracy begins to take shape that forces Poirot to question both his abilities and his moral fiber.

Murder on the Orient Express may seem a far cry from the high-energy train thrillers that we see today, but the book is still quite a suspenseful and entertaining experience, even if the thrills arise primarily from the “little grey cells,” as Poirot would put it. The novel’s central mystery is one of the most iconic in the genre, and the story has been an inspiration for generations of subsequent authors and their works. The book has also been adapted to other media multiple times, including four TV adaptations and three films.