Best Mystery, Thriller and Suspense Books is a popular category on Amazon that features books designed to grip readers with tension, danger, and intrigue. These genres often overlap, but each offers a unique reading experience. Mystery novels usually revolve around solving a crime or uncovering a hidden truth, often led by a detective or amateur sleuth. Thrillers are fast-paced stories filled with action, high stakes, and life-or-death scenarios that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Suspense focuses on building psychological tension and uncertainty, often with unexpected twists. On Amazon, this category includes bestsellers, new releases, and a wide range of subgenres such as crime fiction, psychological thrillers, legal dramas, spy novels, and more. Whether you’re looking for a classic whodunit or a pulse-pounding page-turner, the Mystery, Thriller & Suspense section on Amazon offers something for every fan of suspenseful storytelling.
1. Best Mystery, Thriller and Suspense Books – A Ballard and Bosch Novel
Best Mystery, Thriller and Suspense Books Detective Ballard and her team in the Open-Unsolved Unit receive a breakthrough DNA match linking a recently arrested 24-year-old man to the infamous “Pillowcase Rapist,” a serial rapist and murderer who terrorized Los Angeles two decades ago. The discovery suggests a familial connection, leading to the revelation that the suspect’s father was the original perpetrator. As Ballard delves deeper into the case, she faces a web of legal challenges and secrets that complicate the investigation.
Simultaneously, Ballard’s badge, gun, and ID are stolen—a theft she cannot report without jeopardizing her career. This personal violation propels her into a dangerous situation, prompting her to seek assistance from Harry Bosch. Adding another layer to the narrative, Bosch’s daughter, Maddie, a patrol officer, volunteers for the cold case unit, bringing her own motivations and connections to the table.
2. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden, published on August 23, 2022, is a psychological thriller that delves into themes of class, power, and deception. The narrative follows Millie, a young woman seeking a fresh start, who secures a job as a live-in housemaid for the affluent Winchester family. As she becomes entangled in their lives, she discovers that the family harbors dark secrets, leading to a suspenseful and unpredictable storyline.Best Mystery, Thriller and Suspense BooksThe Housemaid by Freida McFadden, published on August 23, 2022, is a psychological thriller that delves into themes of class, power, and deception. The narrative follows Millie, a young woman seeking a fresh start, who secures a job as a live-in housemaid for the affluent Winchester family. As she becomes entangled in their lives, she discovers that the family harbors dark secrets, leading to a suspenseful and unpredictable storyline.
The novel has garnered attention for its gripping plot and unexpected twists, making it a popular choice among thriller enthusiasts. However, reader reviews are mixed; some praise its fast-paced narrative and engaging characters, while others criticize it for being overly predictable and lacking depth.
The Housemaid has been adapted into a film, set to be released on December 25, 2025. Directed by Paul Feig, the movie stars Sydney Sweeney as Millie and Amanda Seyfried as Nina, bringing the thrilling story to the big screen.
3.First Lie Wins Story Reese’s Book Club
As Evie becomes more entangled in Ryan’s world, she finds herself questioning her mission and the lines between her fabricated persona and her true self. Best Mystery, Thriller and Suspense Books The novel delves into themes of identity, trust, and deception, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with unexpected twists and a gripping narrative.
Reese Witherspoon praised the book, stating, “This fast-paced read has everything you could want in a thriller: secret identities, a mysterious boss, and a cat & mouse game that kept me guessing the whole way through.For those interested in exploring this thrilling tale, First Lie Wins is available in various formats, including hardcover, paperback, Kindle, and audiobook. You can find it on platforms like Amazon, Penguin Random House, and Reese’s Book Club.
4. Unputdownable psychological thriller with a breathtaking twist
Don’t Let Her Stay by Nicola Sanders, published on February 6, 2023, is a psychological thriller that delves into themes of trust, manipulation, and the complexities of family dynamics. Best Mystery, Thriller and Suspense Books The narrative follows Joanne, a new mother living in a picturesque country house with her husband, Richard, and their baby daughter, Evie. Their seemingly perfect life is disrupted when Richard’s estranged daughter, Chloe, moves in, claiming she wants to reconnect and help with the baby. However, Joanne begins to notice unsettling behaviors and manipulative actions from Chloe, leading her to question Chloe’s true intentions and her own sanity. The story is a gripping exploration of psychological manipulation, gaslighting, and the dangers of ignoring red flags within familial relationships.
5.Story of Night She Disappeared
The Night She Disappeared: A Novel by Lisa Jewell is an unputdownable psychological thriller that delves into the mysterious disappearance of a young couple and the secrets lurking in a secluded estate. Narrated by Joanne Froggatt, known for her role in Downton Abbey, the audiobook offers a compelling listening experience.
the summer of 2017, Tallulah, a teenage mother, heads out for a date, leaving her infant son at home with her mother, Kim. She texts her mother at 11 p.m., but by 4:30 a.m., she hasn’t returned. Friends mention she was last seen heading to a pool party at a house in the woods known as Dark Place. Tallulah and her boyfriend, Zach, vanish without a trace.
A year later, Sophie, a writer of cozy mysteries, moves into a cottage near the estate. During a walk in the woods, she discovers a sign that reads “DIG HERE.” This clue propels her into the investigation, uncovering hidden family secrets and a haunting mystery.