If you’ve ever found yourself telling yourself “just one more chapter” until the sun peeks through your window, welcome to the club of the sleep-deprived thriller book lovers. There’s something addictive about unputdownable thrillers—they grab you by the throat, drag you through a storm of secrets and suspense, and leave you reeling with every twist.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of mystery thrillers, in search of psychological thriller books, or just someone looking for thriller books trending on BookTok, this curated list is your late-night companion. These gripping thriller novels are perfect thriller books to binge, and yes, you will stay up all night.
So grab your blanket, make that third cup of coffee, and let’s dive into 10 thriller novels you can’t put down—aka, the must read thrillers of the year.
1. The Housemaid Is Watching by Freida McFadden
Just when we thought the Housemaid series had peaked, Freida McFadden came back with a vengeance. The Housemaid Is Watching is one of those psychological thriller books that makes you question every smile, every silence, and every single unlocked door.
This is hands-down one of the thriller books with shocking endings. You’ll be convinced you’ve cracked the mystery… until the final few pages flip your brain upside down. If you’re into dark twisty thrillers or books like Gone Girl, this one should be on your nightstand—though sleep might be optional.
Why it’s a page-turner: The tension builds slowly until it explodes. This book feeds your paranoia and keeps you guessing.
2. All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham
If books that keep you awake had a poster child, this would be it. A mother’s child disappears, and no one—not even the police—can help. The sleepless protagonist isn’t just battling insomnia; she’s unraveling the truth one torturous memory at a time.
This novel isn’t just a crime thriller; it’s a haunting descent into obsession, grief, and the blur between memory and madness. It’s a plot twist thriller that doesn’t hold back.
Perfect for: Fans of suspense novels 2025 that mix emotional weight with jaw-dropping reveals.
3. The Coworker by Freida McFadden
Yes, another McFadden masterpiece—because she owns the booktok thriller recs category right now. The Coworker is set in an office where nobody is who they seem to be, and when one of them vanishes, secrets begin bubbling up like lava.
This one’s a blend of gripping thriller novel and dark workplace comedy, and if you’re a fan of thriller books viral on TikTok, you’ve definitely heard the buzz.
Bonus points: This is one of those thriller books to binge in one sitting. Seriously, don’t start it before bed unless you’ve cleared your schedule.
4. None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
Lisa Jewell is a queen of the best thrillers of all time, and this one is one of her finest. A famous podcaster meets her “birthday twin,” a woman who seems unassuming… until she doesn’t. What starts off as a strange coincidence morphs into a chilling game of manipulation and identity.
Jewell blends psychological thriller books with commentary on media, obsession, and storytelling itself. It’s meta, it’s clever, and yes, it will mess with your head.
Why it works: You’ll start questioning every narrator in your life. A total thriller book page turner.
5. The Only One Left by Riley Sager
Sager always delivers, but this book is his most atmospheric and eerie yet. A woman once accused of murdering her entire family now lives in a crumbling mansion—mute and possibly innocent. A young caregiver is sent to look after her, and guess what? Nothing is what it seems.
Plot twist thrillers don’t get much more layered than this. It’s like a gothic horror and crime thriller novel had a baby—and that baby grew up to scare the hell out of you.
Ideal for: Readers craving suspense novels 2025 with foggy settings and secrets buried in the walls.
6. Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
It’s been out a while, but it’s making waves again in booktok thriller recs. A glamorous couple, a perfect marriage… or so it seems. As you peel back the layers, you’ll find that perfection is often just a very polished cage.
A must read thriller for fans of slow-burn horror and psychological thriller books that make your skin crawl.
Warning: This book touches on emotional abuse and entrapment, so be prepared. But it’s also one of the most unputdownable thrillers you’ll read this year.
7. The Night Swim by Megan Goldin
This one is for fans of courtroom drama and investigative journalism. A true crime podcast host is pulled into a real-life mystery while covering a rape trial in a small town.
It’s chilling, important, and deeply immersive. One of those thriller books trending that also has heart and purpose.
Great for: People looking for thriller books page turners that deal with real-world issues without losing the pace.
8. The Last Word by Taylor Adams
Taylor Adams is the author of No Exit (another hit you should add to your TBR), and The Last Word follows in its edge-of-your-seat footsteps. It’s about a woman who writes a negative review of a horror novel—and then realizes the author might be coming after her.
Yes, it’s as wild as it sounds. Think dark twisty thrillers meet slasher movie—but for book lovers. A meta masterpiece for those who love thrillers about… well, thrillers.
Read it if: You want a book that feels like a Netflix original but better.
9. What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall
Friendship, betrayal, trauma—this gripping thriller novel checks every box. Three girls once testified against a man who went to jail. Years later, one of them is dead, and the truth is cracking at the seams.
This is one of the newer trending thrillers that has caught fire on Goodreads and TikTok. It’s a blend of coming-of-age and murder mystery that’ll give you chills.
Why it’s a keeper: If you loved books like Gone Girl, you’ll devour this one.
10. The Guest by B.A. Paris
Imagine showing up at someone’s house uninvited… and deciding to stay. For weeks.
That’s the premise of this claustrophobic psychological thriller, where hospitality turns sinister. Thriller books with shocking endings rarely get as uncomfortable—or as addictive—as this one.
Best enjoyed: Late at night, when you hear a knock at the door and question whether you should answer it.
Final Thoughts: Your Next Thriller Binge Is Waiting
If you’ve made it this far, your TBR list is probably groaning—but your thriller-loving heart is happy. These are the best thriller books 2025 has to offer, and every single one delivers on its promise: to keep you awake, turning pages, and whispering “just one more chapter” at 3 a.m.
From psychological thrillers and crime thrillers to plot twist thrillers with endings you’ll never see coming, these are the must read thrillers for every suspense junkie out there.
So light that candle, pour your favorite drink, and let the binge begin.
This article was brought to you by Riya’s Blogs—your happy place for book recs, reading rants, and literary obsession.
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