Best Thriller Books Goodreads (2026): 5 Compared

Finding the best thriller books goodreads readers actually finish starts with the reader: some want a twisty psychological thriller for a long weekend, others want the first book of a long mystery series. We compared 5 thriller listings by author, publisher, date, page count and series position.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	The Locked Door by McFadden	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Suicide Forest by Bates	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Stripped Bare by Baker	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	The Last Thing He Told Me by Dave	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Hidden Pictures by Rekulak	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

The Locked Door by McFadden

Freida McFadden·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 320-page psychological thriller about a surgeon hiding her past, for readers who like twisty domestic suspense.

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Pros

• Print length of 320 pages is stated
• Published October 3, 2023 by Poisoned Pen Press
• Psychological thriller premise built on family secrets

Cons

• The description centers on murder, so it suits adult readers
• No reading age or grade level is stated
• No series information is stated

2

Suicide Forest by Bates

Jeremy Bates·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Book 1 of the 7-book World's Scariest Places series, a psychological thriller set in Aokigahara forest, for horror-thriller readers.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 7 in the World's Scariest Places series
• 1st edition published December 14, 2014 by Ghillinnein
• Real-location premise in Aokigahara forest

Cons

• The description centers on death at a known suicide site; not for sensitive readers
• 2014 edition is the oldest here
• No page count is stated

3

Stripped Bare by Baker

Shannon Baker·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Book 1 of the 13-book Kate Fox series, a Nebraska murder mystery, for readers who like amateur-sleuth series.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 13 in the Kate Fox series
• Published December 8, 2020 by Severn River Publishing
• Nebraska ranch setting with a sheriff's-wife sleuth

Cons

• The description involves murder; preview for sensitive readers
• No page count is stated
• No reading age or grade level is stated

4

The Last Thing He Told Me by Dave

Laura Dave·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A woman's husband disappears, and she and his teenage daughter start uncovering who he really was.

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Pros

• The listing states Book 1 of 2, so the series start is clear
• A stepmother and stepdaughter give a group two perspectives to debate
• Published by Scribner on March 21, 2023, at 336 pages

Cons

• The description mentions a child who lost her mother, so grief is central
• Book 1 of 2 means the group needs the sequel to reach the full story
• A missing husband and a federal investigation make it tense for some groups

5

Hidden Pictures by Rekulak

Jason Rekulak·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A nanny hired to look after a young boy finds his drawings seem to show a long-unsolved murder, suiting readers who like supernatural suspense.

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Pros

• The listing gives 400 pages and a publication date of June 6, 2023
• The supernatural premise, with drawings that may point to a crime, suits readers who like a puzzle-driven plot
• No series position is stated, so the listing gives no sequel to plan for

Cons

• The description mentions rehab, a murder and disturbing images, so preview it for a sensitive reader
• Supernatural elements may not suit readers who prefer a grounded thriller
• No reading age or grade level is stated on the listing

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Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for a thriller reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. None of the 5 listings states a reading age or grade level.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best thriller books goodreads

Series or standalone

2 picks start long series: Stripped Bare is Book 1 of 13 in the Kate Fox series, and Suicide Forest is Book 1 of 7 in the World’s Scariest Places series. The Locked Door states no series. Our best thriller books series list has more starting points.

Check the date and edition

Dates span a decade: The Locked Door (October 3, 2023), Stripped Bare (December 8, 2020) and Suicide Forest (1st edition, December 14, 2014). The 2 reused picks state no date. Buying a gift? See our best thriller books for dads list.

Mind the mature themes

Every described pick involves death: murder in The Locked Door and Stripped Bare, a suicide site in Suicide Forest. Preview the description before buying for a teen reader.

Before you buy

• Check the format: only The Locked Door states a print length (320 pages).
• For a series, start with Book 1: Stripped Bare is Book 1 of 13, Suicide Forest Book 1 of 7.
• Read the description for mature themes before buying for a teen reader.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I start the Kate Fox series?

With Stripped Bare, listed as Book 1 of 13 in the Kate Fox series.

Which of these books states a page count?

Only The Locked Door, at 320 pages. The other 4 listings state no print length.

Are these thrillers appropriate for teen readers?

The descriptions involve murder and death, and none of the 5 states a reading age or grade level. Preview the description before buying for a teen.

Still deciding? Our top pickThe Locked Door by McFadden

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Related lists

See every thriller and mystery list and all fiction lists.

More lists: thriller and mystery books, thriller book series, thrillers for dads and thrillers for girls.