Whether it was a spooky ghost story, an exciting detective tale, or a captivating whodunit, the thrilling books listed below kept our hearts pounding this year. They caught your attention, too. So, get ready to add them to your reading list! Here are the top mystery and best thriller books 2023.
Locust Lane
Stephen Amidon’s novel, Locust Lane, has been praised as “compulsively readable” by The Washington Post. It is a gripping crime story set in Emerson, Massachusetts, an affluent New England suburb with fancy houses and well-kept lawns.
When teenager Eden Perry is found dead in the town’s nicest area, suspicion falls on three other teens who were with her that night:
- Christopher, the outsider;
- Jack, the popular but mean kid; and
- Hannah, who seems sweet but unstable.
As tensions rise and secrets unravel, the parents of these young suspects will do anything to protect their own, even if it means sacrificing someone else. If you enjoy suspenseful mysteries, Locust Lane is a must-read, reminiscent of works like Mystic River or the thrillers of Harlan Coben.
The Angel Maker
The story begins about 20 years ago when a young teen boy named Chris is brutally attacked by a deranged man, leaving him scarred for life.
A professor is found brutally murdered in his bed. This professor collected possessions related to an infamous serial killer known as Jack Lock, also called The Angel Maker.
The novel explores the aftermath of violent events across several families and generations. It’s a bone-chilling British thriller that delves into family secrets, danger, and the mysterious killer’s ability to see the future.
So, in simple terms, “The Angel Maker” is a suspenseful book where past crimes haunt the present, and a detective tries to unravel the truth behind a chilling murder.
The Woman Inside
The Woman Inside, written by a crime novelist belongs to Swedish M. T. Edvardsson (known for A Nearly Normal Family), is a gripping domestic thriller. It is all about hidden lies, secrets, and the desperate struggle to survive. Let me break it down for you:
- Karla, a law student with dreams of becoming a judge, rents a room from Bill Olsson, a widower who’s struggling to make ends meet.
- Bill needs money to care for his daughter, and Karla could use some extra cash too. So, she takes up a job as a housekeeper for a wealthy but couple whose name isRytters.
- The Rytter household seems picture-perfect, but something is seriously amiss. The husband is controlling, and the wife rarely leaves her room due to a mysterious ailment.
- When the Rytters end up dead, shocking secrets come to light, endangering everyone involved.”
All the Sinners Bleed
In 2021, S.A. Cosby’s book Razorblade Tears received high praise and appeared on many different best-of-the-year lists, like by Time and NPR. This year, Cosby is back with All the Sinners Bleed, proving he is still a master storyteller. This gripping Southern noir delves into themes of race, class, faith, and the dark side of human nature.
The story revolves around a former FBI agent, Titus Crown, who now serves as the small-town sheriff in city, Charon County, Virginia. He is also the very first and well known Black sheriff in the history of the county. When a local teacher is murdered, it shocks the community. However, there is an even more disturbing revelation that a serial killer is on the loose.
As Titus investigates, he must confront not only the present danger but also his own painful past, the troubled history of the town, and a far-right group pushing for a Confederate celebration parade.
Small Mercies
Small Mercies, a gripping crime novel by bestselling author Dennis Lehane in New York Times, unfolds on the streets of Boston. Horror writer Stephen King praises it as engaging, enraging, “thought-provoking, and can’t-put-it-down entertainment.” Let us understand this in simple langauge:
- The story is set in the summer of 1974.
- Mary Pat Fennessy, a struggling single mother from the housing projects in Southie, Boston, faces every parent’s nightmare: Jules, her teenage daughter, has disappeared.
- On the same night, a Black man who looks too young is found dead after a subway train hits him. Mary Pat realizes it is no accident.
- As she searches the city during a scorching heatwave and amidst tensions of races over school integration, she is determined to uncover the truth, even if it means crossing paths with the formidable mob boss Irish Marty Butler.
Exiles
Exiles, a gripping crime novel by Jane Harper, has left a lasting impression. Even though it was released at the beginning of 2023, we are still thinking about it as the year comes to an end. Let me break it down for you:
- The story follows Aaron Falk. a federal investigator.
- Even during his vacation, mystery clings to him.
- A local woman named Kim Gillespie disappeared a year ago in the wine country of Southern Australia.
- On the anniversary of her disappearance, Gillespie’s daughter seeks Aaron’s help.
- As Aaron delves into the case, he uncovers more questions and dangers than answers.
FAQs
What was the Goodreads Choice Award winner for Best Thriller Books 2023?
The winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Thriller books 2023 was “The Housemaid’s Secret” by Freida McFadden. It is a psychological suspense novel with intriguing plot twists.
What are some highly anticipated mysteries and best thriller books 2023?
If you are a mystery lover, check out the most anticipated mysteries and thrillers for each month of 2023. There are plenty of intriguing murder cases waiting to be solved.
