The 2020s have already delivered a thrilling array of crime fiction, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with intricate plots, compelling characters, and shocking twists. If you're a fan of suspense, mystery, and stories that will have you burning the midnight oil to reach the final page, then look no further! We've compiled a list of eight of the most suspenseful crime novels that have graced our bookshelves this decade. Get ready to add these thrillers to your must-read list!
1. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
While technically released at the tail end of the last decade, the lingering suspense and mind-bending psychological elements of The Silent Patient make it a cornerstone of early 2020s crime fiction. The story of a psychotherapist determined to unravel the mystery of his famous artist wife who has gone completely silent after murdering her husband is a masterclass in thriller writing. The unreliable narration and shocking reveals will keep you guessing until the very last page.
2. The Guest List by Lucy Fokley
Set on a remote island during a lavish wedding celebration, The Guest List expertly builds suspense as a storm rages outside and a body is discovered. Told from multiple perspectives, each guest has secrets and potential motives, creating a web of suspicion that will leave you questioning everyone. This crime novel is a perfect example of a locked-room mystery with a modern, atmospheric twist.
3. The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
For a meta take on suspense, look no further than The Plot. A struggling writer steals a brilliant plot idea from a deceased former student, only to find his newfound success threatened by anonymous messages. This crime novel cleverly blends literary fiction with a gripping thriller narrative, exploring themes of ambition, plagiarism, and the dark side of creativity. The layers of mystery and the constant threat of exposure create relentless suspense.
4. My Sweet Girl by Amanda Jayatissa
This debut crime novel introduces Paloma, a seemingly ordinary adoptee living in San Francisco, whose dark past comes back to haunt her when the body of her manipulative roommate is discovered. Told with a sharp, witty voice and filled with unexpected twists, My Sweet Girl delivers a unique brand of suspense. The unreliable narrator and the gradual unveiling of Paloma's history make for a truly captivating and unsettling read.
5. The Maid by Nita Prose
While possessing a lighter tone than some on this list, The Maid delivers its suspense through a charmingly naive protagonist, Molly Gray, a hotel maid who stumbles upon a dead body in a guest's room. Molly's unique perspective and her literal interpretation of social cues lead to both humorous and suspenseful situations as she navigates the ensuing mystery. This crime novel is a refreshing take on the genre, proving that suspense can come in unexpected packages.
6. Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
Imagine witnessing your teenage son commit a murder, only to wake up the next day and find yourself a day in the past. This is the premise of Wrong Place Wrong Time, a mind-bending thriller that unravels a complex mystery through a non-linear timeline. The constant shifts in time create relentless suspense as the protagonist desperately tries to understand what happened and prevent the tragedy.
7. The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden
Freida McFadden has become a master of the domestic thriller, and The Housemaid's Secret is a prime example of her ability to craft relentlessly suspenseful narratives. This sequel to The Housemaid delves deeper into the secrets and past of Millie, the seemingly unassuming housemaid. Filled with shocking twists and turns, this crime novel will keep you guessing until the very last page, solidifying its place as one of the most suspenseful reads of the decade.
8. Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Another example of suspense blended with unique charm, this crime novel features a lonely elderly shopkeeper, Vera Wong, who discovers a dead body in her tea shop and takes it upon herself to solve the mystery. Vera's well-intentioned but often misguided interventions in the lives of the suspects create both humorous and surprisingly suspenseful moments as the truth slowly unravels.
This list is just a taste of the incredible suspenseful crime fiction that the 2020s have offered so far. Each of these novels provides a unique and gripping reading experience, guaranteed to keep you turning the pages late into the night. So, grab a copy, settle into your favorite reading spot, and prepare to be thoroughly captivated by these masterful tales of mystery and suspense! Happy reading!
The 2020s have already delivered a thrilling array of crime fiction, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with intricate plots, compelling characters, and shocking twists. If you're a fan of suspense, mystery, and stories that will have you burning the midnight oil to reach the final page, then look no further! We've compiled a list of eight of the most suspenseful crime novels that have graced our bookshelves this decade. Get ready to add these thrillers to your must-read list!
1. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
While technically released at the tail end of the last decade, the lingering suspense and mind-bending psychological elements of The Silent Patient make it a cornerstone of early 2020s crime fiction. The story of a psychotherapist determined to unravel the mystery of his famous artist wife who has gone completely silent after murdering her husband is a masterclass in thriller writing. The unreliable narration and shocking reveals will keep you guessing until the very last page.
2. The Guest List by Lucy Fokley
Set on a remote island during a lavish wedding celebration, The Guest List expertly builds suspense as a storm rages outside and a body is discovered. Told from multiple perspectives, each guest has secrets and potential motives, creating a web of suspicion that will leave you questioning everyone. This crime novel is a perfect example of a locked-room mystery with a modern, atmospheric twist.
3. The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
For a meta take on suspense, look no further than The Plot. A struggling writer steals a brilliant plot idea from a deceased former student, only to find his newfound success threatened by anonymous messages. This crime novel cleverly blends literary fiction with a gripping thriller narrative, exploring themes of ambition, plagiarism, and the dark side of creativity. The layers of mystery and the constant threat of exposure create relentless suspense.
4. My Sweet Girl by Amanda Jayatissa
This debut crime novel introduces Paloma, a seemingly ordinary adoptee living in San Francisco, whose dark past comes back to haunt her when the body of her manipulative roommate is discovered. Told with a sharp, witty voice and filled with unexpected twists, My Sweet Girl delivers a unique brand of suspense. The unreliable narrator and the gradual unveiling of Paloma's history make for a truly captivating and unsettling read.
5. The Maid by Nita Prose
While possessing a lighter tone than some on this list, The Maid delivers its suspense through a charmingly naive protagonist, Molly Gray, a hotel maid who stumbles upon a dead body in a guest's room. Molly's unique perspective and her literal interpretation of social cues lead to both humorous and suspenseful situations as she navigates the ensuing mystery. This crime novel is a refreshing take on the genre, proving that suspense can come in unexpected packages.
6. Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
Imagine witnessing your teenage son commit a murder, only to wake up the next day and find yourself a day in the past. This is the premise of Wrong Place Wrong Time, a mind-bending thriller that unravels a complex mystery through a non-linear timeline. The constant shifts in time create relentless suspense as the protagonist desperately tries to understand what happened and prevent the tragedy.
7. The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden
Freida McFadden has become a master of the domestic thriller, and The Housemaid's Secret is a prime example of her ability to craft relentlessly suspenseful narratives. This sequel to The Housemaid delves deeper into the secrets and past of Millie, the seemingly unassuming housemaid. Filled with shocking twists and turns, this crime novel will keep you guessing until the very last page, solidifying its place as one of the most suspenseful reads of the decade.
8. Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Another example of suspense blended with unique charm, this crime novel features a lonely elderly shopkeeper, Vera Wong, who discovers a dead body in her tea shop and takes it upon herself to solve the mystery. Vera's well-intentioned but often misguided interventions in the lives of the suspects create both humorous and surprisingly suspenseful moments as the truth slowly unravels.
This list is just a taste of the incredible suspenseful crime fiction that the 2020s have offered so far. Each of these novels provides a unique and gripping reading experience, guaranteed to keep you turning the pages late into the night. So, grab a copy, settle into your favorite reading spot, and prepare to be thoroughly captivated by these masterful tales of mystery and suspense! Happy reading!
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