Thrillers are always good books to turn to when you want a book which is easy-to-read, and which packs in storyline, plot-twists, and action.
They keep you on the edge of your seat from the start to the very end, and can be perfect for this time of year, when you just want to curl up inside with an engaging book, as the weather get worse.
Below find a list of my Top 5 Favourite Thrillers
‘The Girl on the Train’ by Paula Hawkins
I read this one a bit ago, and I remember really liking it- so I had to put it on a list of my 5 favourite thrillers. I thought it was packed full of twists and turns, and I liked the way it made you question everything the narrator said. Rachel was certainly a very unreliable narrator.
However, I wouldn’t say this is a book I would read again. This book was good purely because of its plot twists and exciting action. I wouldn’t read it again, but it definitely deserves to be up there as a thriller.
There’s some debate about whether ‘Gone Girl’ is misogynist or feminist, so check out this article for more about the arguments on both sides.
‘The First Wife’ by Emily Barr
I recently read this book, and I really enjoyed it! It managed to create a brilliant, interesting storyline, while still incorporating thrilling action.
At the start, it was just a tale of first love and a young woman finding herself in a world she knew nothing about, but which she grew to love. And then towards the end it became a thrilling tale of anger, hate and intrigue.
The links to ‘Rebecca’ by Daphne Du Maurier gave it all the more thrill, and definitely made it a thriller to read this year!
‘Gone Girl’ by Gillian Flynn
This book made me feel so many emotions- it was terrifying, disgusting and incredibly frustrating. While Amy was a strong female lead, I couldn’t relate to her at all, and the whole book was both thrilling and scary in equal measures.
The fact that the reader really does not know who to believe makes this an interesting and intriguing tale, even if the characters were difficult to relate to, and I didn’t particularly feel like I was rooting for either of them. Not one I would read again, but well worth a first read. The action and suspense is immense.
‘The Fever’ by Megan Abbott
I haven’t actually read this one, but I read about it recently and, if you’re into thrillers, it will be right up your street. All about a group of girls who become mysteriously ill, Abbott tells a tale of psychological sickness, and the role of fear and manipulation within a group of high school girls.
It sounds like the perfect psychological thriller, and one I will definitely give a try next time I need lifting out of a reading slump, and I need something quick-paced!
‘Feel Me Fall’ by James Morris
Last summer I read and reviewed this book for James, and I really enjoyed it! It’s like a modern take on Lord of the Flies, using a mixed group of high school children, instead of just boys.
I’m not sure whether this would be considered a thriller, but the unreliable narrator and the thrilling action sure make for an interesting and quick read, full of action.
What do you think of my top 5 favourite thriller? Would you like to read any in the future? What is your favourite thriller?
Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below!
Happy reading x
Picture Credits here
I loved Girl on a Train but I didn’t like Gone, Girl at all. I’ll have to check out the other three.
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That’s fair enough- it’s an acquired taste!
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I have read the Girl on the Train and Gone Girl, and quite liked them both.
Definitely plan to check out The First Wife! I read The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr which I really liked, so I hope to visit her thrillers someday.
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The First Wife is a really good one, Emily Barr is a fantastic author 🙂
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The only two of your list that I have read are Gone Girl and Girl On The Train but I didn’t like either.
A thriller I recently read and liked was the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
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“Don’t Look Now” by Daphne du Maurier
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That’s such a good shout!
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Great post! I also liked The Girl on The Train. I need to read Gone Girl, and I want to pick up The Fever too. Megan Abbott is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.
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I’ve never read it, but I included it because it sounded so good- I look forward to checking out her writing 🙂
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I haven’t read any of these but do enjoy a good thriller when I’m in the mood.
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I think you have to be in the mood, and autumn/winter is definitely a good time for it 🙂
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Wow, they sound pretty scary, not sure they’d be my kind of thing haha! I do like a good thriller however- I’ll have to take care to read them during the day, and with my housemates around 🙂 thanks for dropping by!
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I’ve read Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train. I’ll put the others on my TBR list. Feel Me Fall sounds particularly intriguing. Thanks for the post.
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Feel Me Fall was such a good read, a brilliant narrator! You can check out my review from last year for more info, there’s no spoilers 🙂
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Great article!
Out of the books you mentioned I read The Girl on the Train and Gone Girl. Both fantastic reads! I have to say though The Girl on the Train movie adaptation was a mess unfortunately. Which was a let down because the book was so incredibly good.
I never heard of those other books before, but they sound really interesting. Yet more books for the reading list, LoL.
My favorite thriller is probably You by Caroline Kepnes.
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I haven’t actually watched it, I prefer to read thrillers, but I heard back things 😦 thanks for the reccommendation 🙂
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No problem =).
Yeah, the movie version was just really super disappointing. Especially since the book was so good. I was really surprised by how bad it was unfortunately.
You was also recently adapted into a TV Series on Lifetime and it was perfectly transition from book to TV. There’s also a sequel to You called Hidden Bodies.
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Loved Gone Girl.
The Girl on the Train was pretty ok too 🙂
I think these books started my fascination with unlikeable main characters 😀
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Ooh I get what you mean lol
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Oh i love finding new books ro read. Ive also heard good reviews about the fever x
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Ooh, I hope you enjoy them if you give them a go 🙂
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I wish I had the nerve to read thrillers but I just get too nervous! Watching the Gone Girl movie had my heart racing 🙈😂
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Ooh I could never watch Gone Girl, I think it would be much too graphic for me!
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somehow i never understood the whole thing about the girl on a train. Joy at http://www.thejoyousliving.com
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Great list. Really enjoyed The Girl on the Train. Gone Girl was intriguing and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. I agree with you about Amy. She’s not a likeable character and I wouldn’t want to have her as a friend!
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She is really scary haha, but clever and calculating I guess!
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I read Gone Girl and The Fever, and I’ve had Girl On a Train for over a year, but haven’t gotten to it yet.
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I really want to read The Fever- did you enjoy it?
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Not as much as I thought I would – had to go back and look at my review from 4 years ago – can’t believe it’s been that long!
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Ooh, okay! I may still give it a go, but I agree thrillers can be a bit disappointing sometimes 🙂
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I’m a HUGE Patricia Cornwell/James Patterson kind of reader so the only one I’ve read form your top 5 is “Gone Girl” which I really enjoyed . I think I’ll branch out and grab a copy of “The First Wife” and check it out – thanks for sharing.
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No worries, I hope you enjoy it when you give it a go 🙂
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I’ll be sure and let you know
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