Are you into stories that make you feel different intense emotions all at once? What about books that put you at the end of your seat craving to turn each page until you find out the culprit? If you have checked all the boxes, then you are a thriller-suspense fan. It is a combination of two literary genres, which many draws out a couple of extreme emotions from the readers due to push and pull between the main character and the antagonist and the tension building up in the story.
So, if you are looking for some good reads under thriller-suspense, then listed below are the best books that you might want to add to your reading pile.
The Secret Empress by Frank R. Heller
This brilliant debut novel of Frank R. Heller was published in 2019 by iUniverse. It follows the story of a former CIA field agent Joe Wilder, who now owns a company. When his business is on the brink of bankruptcy due to massive price increase, he went to China to dispute the ministry of trade. He was given a deal with the minister to help his son fly to America. Joe agreed but after how many hours, the minister died. Now, he is considered as the person responsible to the death of the minister and the guardian of 12-year-old Charley Hence, readers can witness how Joe’s abilities were highlighted on The Secret Empress on skills of his former life or rather how Joe will rely on the skills of his former life to stay alive.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Gone Girl is a best-selling and widely recognized novel penned by Gillian Flynn. It already got a film-adaptation starred by Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck. The story centers on a couple living in North Carthage, Missouri who are on their 5th wedding anniversary. But, Amy Dune — wife of Nick Dunne, suddenly disappear. Nick becomes the instant suspect, which tainted the way people perceived him. On the investigation process, he came up with lies and deceits, as well as developed an undesirable behavior. In the middle of this mess, it all goes down to one question: who is the real culprit behind the disappearance of Amy Dunne?
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
The British-Cypriot author Alex Michaelides penned the thriller book The Silent Patient. It was published in 2019 by Celadon Books. The story follows Alicia Berenson, the mute patient, was a painter who was proven guilty of the death of photographer Gabriel Berenson. However, it is told through the eyes of a psychotherapist. She was sent to a protected forensic unit and has become the patient of Theo Faber due to plea of diminished responsibility. The primary reason why Theo applied on the job in the Grove was because of his deep interest in the said case. Moreover, there sessions begin and Theo starts to get to know Alicia through her diary. Theo helped Alicia to cope with the trauma and made her speak, and then the twists and turns happened.
Squeeze Me by Carl Hiaasen
Squeeze Me by Carl Hiaasen was published in 2020 by Vintage Crime/Black Lizard. The book is filled with thrill, humor, suspense, and mystery. It revolves around the story of Kiki Pew Fitzsimmons, who is a significant member of a particular high society. In the middle of a swank gala, Kiki mysteriously disappeared. But, that isn’t only the peculiar thing that happened because a wildlife wrangler named Angie Armstrong was brought to the Palm Beach to handle a gigantic Burmese python. With these two events, the President is more drawn to the case of Kiki Pew. He instantly proclaimed her as a victim of immigrant hordes, which turned out to be a lie. What happened to Kiki?
Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
This instant bestselling book is the debut novel of B.A. Paris. It centers on the story of the perfect newlywed couple named Jack and Grace. People around them think that they are inseparable and they are made for one another. But, everyone starts wondering why Grace doesn’t answer the phone or go out to get coffee. Others also begin to ponder how she keeps a sexy body but cooks delicious meals or why there are extremely protected metal shutters on every window downstairs. What does really happen behind closed doors?
Oliver’s Twist 