David Baldacci is one of today’s best-known names when it comes to thriller fiction, having sold more than 150 million copies worldwide. Since his debut in 1996, he’s penned more than 40 best-selling books, some of which were adapted for film and television.

Having practiced law, his works are filled with details that paint a realistic picture of the world of law—from the legal language, the atmosphere of a courtroom, and the investigative nature of a case.

Best David Baldacci Books

If you’ve just discovered David Baldacci’s particular blend of storytelling, it can be difficult to decide on which of his works to start with. Here are ten of his books that I recommend you check out first, in no particular order.

1. Absolute Power

Absolute Power is Baldacci’s debut novel and the one that catapulted him to fame. Follow Luther Whitney, a burglar who breaks into a billionaire’s house looking for valuables. But in doing so, he witnesses a violent crime that sends him on the run from a conspiracy that goes all the way to the highest office of the United States.

2. Split Second

In Split Second, Secret Agent Michelle Maxwell has made a terrible mistake that leads to the disappearance of a presidential candidate she’s supposed to protect. Senior Agent Sean King knows what’s it like, having made the same error eight years earlier. But what if the events that haunt them are only part of a larger scheme?

3. The Camel Club

The Camel Club is composed of four misfits who dedicate themselves to studying all kinds of conspiracy theories and uncovering the truths behind them. But when they discover a full-blown plot to assassinate the president, they’re given a closer look at dangers they’ve never expected to face.

4. Zero Day

In Zero Day, investigative expert John Puller is called to investigate a brutal murder in a remote town. Isolated with only a headstrong detective as his potential ally, Puller must put a stop to a conspiracy that extends far beyond this small town.

5. The Innocent

The Innocent follows hardened hitman Will Robie who takes contracts from the United States government. When the latest job feels off, he does something he’s never done before: refuse to pull the trigger. He finds himself on the run alongside a teenage runaway whose parents’ murders may be connected to his failed hit.

6. Memory Man

Memory Man follows Amos Decker, a former police detective who has given up on life. Haunted by his family’s murders, he wanders around aimlessly, taking up the occasional detective work. When a chance to discover the truth presents itself, he’s more than willing to get back in the game. But to do so means facing memories he would much rather forget.

7. Long Road to Mercy

In Long Road to Mercy, Atlee Pine is the lone FBI agent stationed in Shattered Rock and is responsible for overseeing the Grand Canyon. When one of the canyon’s mules is killed, it becomes apparent that something bigger is going on—something that may well be connected to her sister’s kidnapping from more than three decades ago.

8. True Blue

True Blue follows disgraced cop Mason Perry who spent two years in prison after being framed for a crime. Now she’s out and looking to be a cop once more. But with her reputation in shambles, her only shot is in solving a major case on her own.

9. Wish You Well

Wish You Well concerns two young children in the aftermath of their father’s death in an auto accident. Accustomed to the hustle-and-bustle of New York, they suddenly find themselves living in Virginia mining country. But not all is well in their quiet town, and a dark, destructive force threatens their newfound peace.

10. Total Control

In Total Control, Sydney Archer has it all: a job she loves, a successful husband, and a daughter she dotes on. But when her husband’s plane crashes into the Virginia countryside, he leaves behind questions Sydney has no idea how to answer. Besieged by law enforcement on all sides, she must sift through secrets and lies to discover who her husband truly is.

11. The Winner

The Winner follows LuAnn Tyler: young and beautiful, but dirt poor. Hoping for a better life for her and her daughter, she receives an opportunity she dares not resist. All she needs to do is change her identity and leave the United States forever. But the money comes with a price she’s not fully willing to pay…

12. Last Man Standing

In Last Man Standing, follow Web London’s life is suddenly ripped apart by a brutal ambush that costs him his friends, his colleagues, and his reputation. To piece it back together, he must seek the help of the only other person to survive the encounter, a 10-year-old boy. And when his search leads him back to where it all began, he realizes he must face his assassin once again—and be the last man standing.

Reading David Baldacci Books

David Baldacci writes with a masterful blend of suspense and realism that has turned his works into best-sellers and page-turners. With so many excellent books of his to read and so little time, the twelve I listed here are meant to start you off in your Baldacci journey.

Some of these are stand-alone novels but most are part of his best-selling series. It doesn’t really matter which of them you begin with, as all of them are guaranteed to immerse you in the thrilling and suspenseful world his characters live in.

Cole Salao

Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!

The post 12 of the Best David Baldacci Books to Read Now appeared first on killerthrillers.net.

Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Edgar Allan Poe are just a few of the greats who transformed the mystery genre into what it is today. But while they established a lot of elements that characterize the genre, some modern writers are taking it up a notch with new twists and turns, and a different blend of characters.

The inclusion of new technology and updated investigative work offer readers a more contemporary feel of this long-existing genre. Scientific methods such as profiling and forensics have become a norm, giving readers access to details that create a more vivid style of storytelling. Then there’s the increasing emphasis on deep-rooted societal problems that contemporary works love to explore.

All of these elements add a layer of complexity and danger that creates a delightfully deeper pool of tension mystery fans can dive into.

Modern Mystery Writers

There is no denying that mystery writers of the past are responsible for turning mystery into a popular genre. But it’s also inevitable for the genre to evolve as the people who write and read it change over time. Today, you can find writers who take the mystery genre in new directions or build upon well-established foundations.

These are the authors who are currently leading the mystery genre — the ones who have gotten longtime fans talking and lured new enthusiasts. From serial killers who taunt the police to ordinary people suddenly thrown into dangerous conspiracies, you can’t go wrong with these contemporary mystery writers.

1. Gillian Flynn

Gillian Flynn is a name that’s recently made big noise in the mystery genre. Her novel, Gone Girl, puts a suspenseful twist on the ultimate commitment: marriage. It sparked a trend of contemporary novels that feature women who are lost, angry, flawed, and most importantly, dangerous.

Recommended reading:

• Gone Girl
• Sharp Objects
• Dark Places

2. Henning Mankell

Henning Mankell was a Swedish crime writer who is sometimes regarded as the father of Nordic Noir or Scandinavian Noir, which is characterized by its social criticism and simple, realistic language. The stories are usually given a bleak setting, creating a dichotomy between a peaceful and ordinary society and the societal crimes lying underneath its surface.

Recommended reading:

• Faceless Killers
• The Pyramid
• The Return of the Dancing Master

3. Stieg Larsson

Stieg Larsson is another popular Swedish crime writer. Though Henning Mankell is considered the father of Nordic Noir, Larsson is credited to have introduced the genre to worldwide readers. His Millenium series is considered an archetype of the genre and is one of the reasons for the popularity that the genre enjoys today.

Recommended reading:

• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
• The Girl Who Played with Fire
• The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest

4. Stephen King

Stephen King inhabits a huge chunk of pop culture. Though he’s most popularly known as the “King of Horror,” his works are a blend of horror, science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and other genres, allowing him to reach a wide variety of readers.

This genre-mixing, combined with his frequent bestsellers and huge fanbase, draws countless readers into exploring all of these genres, including mystery.

Recommended reading:

• The Shining
• Misery
• The Green Mile

5. Tana French

Ever since her debut as a writer, Tana French has steadily become a fixture in modern detective fiction, consistently earning praise and awards for her works. Her most famous novels, the Dublin Murder Squad series are a blend of psychological thrillers and police procedurals. The Independent, a British newspaper, has dubbed her “the First Lady of Irish Crime.”

Recommended reading:

• In the Woods
• The Witch Elm
• The Searcher

6. Alex Michaelides

Though he only has two books so far, Alex Michaelides’s works have garnered much attention and praise. His debut novel, The Silent Patient, was not only a bestseller but was considered the best mystery book of the year by various organizations.

His works are an evolution of the whodunit and whydunit format, employing his knowledge of psychology to create intriguing mysteries.

Recommended reading:

• The Silent Patient
• The Maidens

7. Ruth Ware

Ruth Ware is a writer who’s often compared to Agatha Christie due to the similarities of their writing style. And while she does admit to being influenced by Christie, her stories offer a fresh and modern take on long-established tropes. Her clever plots, immersive atmosphere, and heart-racing pacing are worthy of the legacy left behind by the Queen of Crime.

Recommended reading:

• One by One
• The Turn of the Key
• The Woman in Cabin 10

8. Dan Brown

Dan Brown is an author who’s known for his particular blend of history, technology, and conspiracy theories in his works. His most famous works, the Robert Langdon series, has become a trendsetter. Because of its popularity, people began looking into historical thrillers and conspiracy fiction, driving writers to create similar stories, which in turn popularized the genre more.

Recommended reading:

• Angels & Demons
• Deception Point
• Digital Fortress

9. Patricia Cornwell

Patricia Cornwell is best known for have popularizing the forensic thriller, a subgenre where crimes are investigated using the body as the medium for investigation.

At a time when women were relegated as side characters in crime fiction, Cornwell created a female forensic scientist who was not only believable and brilliant, but could also go toe to toe with her male counterparts.

Recommended reading:

• Postmortem
• Hornet’s Nest
• The Body Farm

10. Michael Connelly

Michael Connelly is currently one of the biggest giants of crime fiction. His most popular work, the Harry Bosch series, is not only a best-selling series but can also be considered a reflection of the city of Los Angeles’s evolution. With 22 successful novels published in the span of three decades, Connelly is one of the most experienced contemporary mystery writers.

Recommended reading:

• The Black Echo
• The Lincoln Lawyer
• The Narrows

Meet Nicholas Holloway, TCK Publishing’s Resident Thriller Author

Did you know that our very own Fiction Editor, Nicholas Holloway, is an award-winning thriller and mystery author? He is known for combining themes of isolation, broken families, and revenge with unreliable characters that stray from the typical police thriller.

Readers regularly comment on his effortless ability to create visually stunning, cold, and mountainous landscapes that act as a character in their own right. His most recent thriller, Three Houses on a Hill, won the 2020 Claymore Award. His first novel, The Loop, was featured on BuzzFeed’s 29 Thriller Novels So Twisty That People Read Them In One Sitting!

Recommended reading:

• The Loop
• Three Houses on a Hill
• That Which Was Golden, coming in 2022!

Why Are Mystery Books So Good?

There are many reasons why people find the mystery genre so enthralling. It’s got an engaging format, and can immediately catch your attention with plots and characters that captivate your curiosity. Once you get hooked, then it’s all about getting to the bottom of the mystery.

It’s also thought-provoking, keeping you cognitively challenged throughout the story. This genre can stump you in some parts and make you feel brilliant when you solve the many problems that litter the narrative. The challenges it presents as you go further just make the reward all the more satisfying.

Cole Salao

Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!

The post The Best Contemporary Mystery Writers to Read Right Now appeared first on killerthrillers.net.

Mystery stories scratch at the uncontrollable itch we call curiosity. When faced with the unknown, we simply want answers. And in mystery fiction, answers are always hidden or in short supply — until an intrepid individual comes and uncovers them all, of course.

Mystery is a difficult genre to tackle. You have to leave enough clues that make the search interesting but not impossible and also have the reader feel that they’re solving the mystery alongside the characters. It’s a high-tension and extremely immersive experience.

Best Mystery Authors

It’s an impossible task to create a definitive list of authors that built the mystery genre from the ground up. And of course, everyone has their own personal opinions of what a good mystery is.

In building this list, I considered the author’s overall influence on both culture and literature. And I have to admit, a certain level of personal bias played into this selection. Here’s my shortlist, in no particular order:

1. Agatha Christie

A mystery authors list isn’t complete without one of the genre’s widely regarded best authors. Dame Agatha Christie gave the world not one, but two legendary fictional detectives: Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. The Guinness World Records lists her as the best-selling fiction writer of all time with more than 2 billion copies sold worldwide.

Recommended reading:

• And Then There Were None
• Murder On the Orient Express
• Murder at the Vicarage

Check out more of the best Agatha Christie books.

2. Arthur Conan Doyle

Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes is the most popular fictional detective of all time. He’s so attached to detective fiction that he’s practically the mascot for it. With his character, Doyle began changing the public’s perspective on crime and mystery fiction to one of respectability. His work is a catalyst to the popularity that crime and mystery fiction enjoy even today.

Recommended reading:

• The Hound of the Baskervilles
• A Scandal in Bohemia
• A Study in Scarlet

3. Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe is best known for his poems and short stories that focus on the mysterious and macabre. The Raven, his most famous poem, is a brilliant blend of mystery and the supernatural. He’s also credited to have invented detective fiction through his detective character, C. Auguste Dupin. His influence on mystery is so big that there’s a coveted annual award named after him, presented to the best mystery stories published or produced in the previous year.

Recommended reading:

• The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket
• The Murders in the Rue Morgue
• The Cask of Amontillado

4. P. D. James

P.D. James’s claim to fame came in the form of detective Adam Dalgliesh. She was called by many as the “Queen of Crime“, due to her complex plots that paired well-rounded characters with enticing mysteries. Her works were much more than about crimes, though. They were also a study of the United Kingdom’s bureaucracies, of which she had worked in for decades.

Recommended reading:

• Cover Her Face 
• An Unsuitable Job for a Woman 
• The Children of Men 

5. Dashiell Hammett

Dashiell Hammet was once regarded as the dean of hardboiled detective fiction. He’s one of the few people to have actually experienced similar situations to those that he writes about. His experience working for the famed Pinkerton National Detective Agency lent the intense authenticity and realism that his writing is known for. His most famous work, The Maltese Falcon, is one of the most celebrated mystery novels, consistently ranking high in many Top 100 lists.

Recommended reading:

• The Maltese Falcon
• The Thin Man
• Red Harvest

6. Ruth Rendell

Along with P.D. James, Ruth Rendell is responsible for elevating the “whodunnit” genre into “whydunnits“. Her stories no longer sought out the identities of criminals but also examined their motivations. With this new focus of storytelling, she was able to bring a level of psychological sophistication to the mystery genre.

Recommended reading:

• From Doon with Death
• A Dark-Adapted Eye
• Asta’s Book

7. Raymond Chandler

Chandler, along with Hammet and a few other writers, is credited for establishing the hardboiled school of detective fiction. It’s a genre that emphasized the violence of crime and the corruption embedded within an incompetent legal system, viewed through the eyes of a hardened detective.

Recommended reading:

• Farewell, My Lovely
• The Long Goodbye
• The Big Sleep

8. Dorothy Sayers

Dorothy Sayers is another female writer from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. Her most popular character, Lord Peter Wimsey, is the archetype of the gentleman detective. He’s a witty scholar who solves mysteries for his own amusement. He was equal parts tragic and comedic, suffering from war-induced nervous insomnia yet able to view the world with humor. It made him realistic, a quality that made the character a success among readers.

Recommended reading:

• Who’s Body?
• Gaudy Night
• The Nine Tailors

Who Is the Best Mystery Thriller Writer?

Agatha Christie is widely regarded as the best mystery writer of all time. Aside from being the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her book, And Then There Were None, is also the world’s best-selling mystery novel and one of the best-selling books of all time.

She established much of what mystery is today, from making the whodunnit popular to inspiring other writers to enter the genre. For years, her works have been included in many top 100 lists from various institutes and are still being referenced and adapted even today.

In fact, her murder mystery play, The Mousetrap, has been in continuous production since 1952 and was only shut down last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s the world’s longest-running play that continues to garner her respect and attention even years after her death.

Her long career and continued fame are proof that mystery and crime fiction still captivates many readers, and many modern writers are still evolving the genre through the works they put out.

Cole Salao

Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!

The post 8 Mystery Authors Who Influenced the Genre appeared first on killerthrillers.net.

Her riveting mysteries have captivated generations of film audiences as well, with over 44 film adaptations of her novels.

If you’re a mystery or thriller fan, Christie’s works are essential. In this post, we’ve rounded up her 10 most thrilling reads that will keep you hooked until the very last word.

10 Best Agatha Christie Books

Below are the 10 best Agatha Christie books, according to Goodreads ratings.

1. And Then There Were None

Ten strangers, each with their own secrets and fears, are invited to an isolated mansion on an island. When they arrive, they realize their mysterious host is nowhere to be found, and they’re completely cut off from the rest of the world. As the guests share their darkest secrets, they begin to turn up dead, one by one. Will the dwindling guests find the killer among them?

Published in 1939, Christie has said this was the most difficult book to write. It has been adapted for radio, television, film, and stage productions.

2. Murder on the Orient Express

Another murderer-among-us mystery thriller, Murder on the Orient Express joins And Then There Were None among the most widely read Agatha Christie books.

In this classic which has spurred two film adaptations, 13 passengers aboard the famous Orient Express find themselves suspects in a violent murder, and Detective Hercule Poirot is set on finding the killer.

3. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

Roger Ackroyd knew that his fiancée poisoned her brutal first husband, and when she’s found dead from a suspected suicide, he suspects that someone had been blackmailing her. Then, while reading the evening post, Roger discovered one last fatal piece of information, but before he could finish reading, someone stabbed him to death, in a murder that forces Poirot out of retirement.

The British Crime Writers’ Association voted this the best crime novel ever, and its twist ending is credited with significantly impacting the crime genre.

4. Death on the Nile

Linnet Ridgeway was young, stylish, and beautiful. She appeared to have everything, until someone shot her through the head on an Egyptian river cruise.

In this mysterious web of love, jealousy, and betrayal, Detective Poirot must weed out the killer on board.

5. The A.B.C. Murders

A serial killer is working his way through the alphabet, plunging all of England into a state of panic.

With every murder, the killer appears to grow more confident, even leaving a trail of deliberate clues to taunt Detective Poirot—but that might just prove to be the killer’s first, and fatal, mistake.

6. The Mysterious Affair at Styles

In Christie’s debut novel, we’re introduced to Detective Hercule Poirot, her famously eccentric protagonist. As a Belgian refugee of WWI, Poirot settles in England, but when his wealthy benefactress is found dead, he must put his skills to the test.

So whodunnit: the victim’s much younger husband, her resentful stepsons, her longtime hired companion, a family friend working as a nurse, or the London poison specialist who happens to be in town?

7. A Murder Is Announced

The local gazette announces: “A murder is announced and will take place on Friday, October 29th, at Little Paddocks at 6.30 p.m.”

Naturally, all the villagers of Chipping Cleghorn are more than a little curious. It must be a practical joke or some kind of hoax… but when the curious locals arrive on time at Little Paddocks, the lights suddenly go out and a gun is fired. Only Miss Marple can unravel it the gruesome crime they discover when the lights come back on.

8. 4:50 from Paddington

In the small instant that two trains run side by side, passenger Elspeth McGillicuddy witnessed a murder.

But with no other witnesses, no suspects, and no case, only Elspeth’s friend, Jane Marple, takes her claims seriously.

To crack the case, Miss Marple asks her friend Lucy Eyelesbarrow to infiltrate the Crackenthorpe family, who appear to be at the heart of the mystery.

9. Five Little Pigs

Caroline Crale was convicted of murdering her cheating husband, but there were five other “little pigs” who could have been the culprit: Philip Blake , who went to market; Meredith Blake (who stayed at home; Elsa Greer, who had her roast beef; Cecilia Williams, who had none; and Angela Warren, who cried all the way home.

Sixteen years after the crime, Caroline’s daughter discovers her mother’s posthumous letter that proves her innocence, and asks Hercule Poirot to reopen the case.

10. Evil Under the Sun

Just when Poirot thought he could take a vacation, he arrives at a beach in Devon—only to find a murdered woman among the sunbathers.

Poirot had sensed sexual tension in the air ever since Arlena Stuart arrived, but he suspects that this crime of passion conceals something much more sinister.

What Is Agatha’s Best Selling Novel?

Agatha Christie’s best selling novel to date (and the world’s best-selling mystery ever) is And Then There Were None, with over 100 million sales.

Collectively, her works have sold approximately 2 billion copies, making her the best-selling novelist of all time, with her sales second only to Shakespeare and the Bible.

If you’re interested in discovering more about Christie and other highly talented mystery and thriller writers, check out our list of the best thriller authors.

Kaelyn Barron

The post 10 Most Thrilling Agatha Christie Books appeared first on killerthrillers.net.

So when you come across a truly great thriller, you know the writer has some serious talent, which might be why authors of this genre are some of the most recognized names in writing.

In this post, we’ve rounded up the best of the best so you can plan your next thrilling read.

The Best Thriller Authors

Below are 15 must-read thriller authors that you’ll definitely want to start with if you’re new to the genre.

1. Stephen King

Often referred to as the King of Horror, many of Stephen King’s best works can actually be considered psychological thrillers.

From The Shining to Misery, King’s masterful storytelling and often less-than-stable characters will have you anxiously trying to catch your breath, right up until the chilling end.

Must-Read: Misery

2. John Grisham

Best known for his riveting legal thrillers, John Grisham has real-life experience as an attorney and a politician.

He published first novel, A Time to Kill, in 1989. Grisham is one of only three authors to sell two million copies on a first printing, alongside Tom Clancy and J.K. Rowling, and many of his novels have been adapted for the big screen, including The Firm, which stars Tom Cruise.

Must-Read: A Time to Kill

3. Agatha Christie

Dame Agatha Christie holds the title of the best-selling fiction author of all time (tied only with Shakespeare).

Best known for her detective thriller novels, Christie’s 66 books and 14 short stories have collectively sold more than 2 billion copies.

Must-Read: And Then There Were None

4. Gillian Flynn

Gillian Flynn is best known for her mega-hit Gone Girl, which was adapted into an award-winning film starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike.

Although Gone Girl was Flynn’s first book to reach #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List, it was actually her third psychological thriller, preceded by Sharp Objects (2006) and Dark Places (2009). Following the success of Gone Girl, both of these novels were also adapted for film or television.

Must-Read: Gone Girl

5. James Patterson

A legend in the thriller genre, James Patterson has over 100 New York Times bestsellers to his name, and in recent years has collaborated with all kinds of talent, including former President Bill Clinton.

Patterson’s co-author partnerships have allowed him to publish so many titles, and he has said that he is better at thinking up exciting plots than crafting sentence after sentence.

Must-Read: Along Came a Spider

6. Lee Child

James Dover Grant CBE, better known by his pen name Lee Child, is the author of the best-selling Jack Reacher series.

The series follow the adventures of a former American military policeman, Jack Reacher, who is arrested for a murder he didn’t commit in the first book.

Tom Cruise stars as Reacher in the film adaptation of Child’s 2005 novel One Shot.

Must-Read: Killing Floor

7. Stieg Larsson

Stieg Larsson was a Swedish journalist and author who passed away in 2004 at age 50.

In 2008, Larsson was the second-best-selling fiction author in the world, thanks to the success of the English translation of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, which became a big-screen success starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara.

Must-Read: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

8. Dan Brown

Dan Brown is a thriller author best known for his historical conspiracies, especially the Robert Langdon novels, which include Angels & Demons and The Da Vinci Code.

His novels typically involve treasure hunts that take place over a period of 24 hours, which makes them all the more thrilling.

Must-Read: The Da Vinci Code

9. David Baldacci

David Baldacci is a trained attorney best known for his suspense novels and legal thrillers.

While practicing law, he began writing his first novel, Absolute Power, which took three years to complete. Baldacci has published 40 best-selling novels for adults, plus seven novels for younger readers.

Must-Read: Memory Man

10. Dean Koontz

Dean Koontz is famous for his suspense thrillers, which frequently incorporate elements of horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and satire.

Following his high school graduation, he worked as a high school English teacher and wrote his first novel, Star Quest, during his spare time.

Koontz has written under 10 different pen names and published over 105 novels, plus many novellas and short story collections.

Must-Read: Phantoms

11. Thomas Harris

Thomas Harris is best known for creating one of the most famous characters in fiction, Hannibal Lecter.

The author avoids publicity, and did not give a major interview between 1976 and 2019. He broke his silence that year to promote his latest book, Cari Mora.

Must-Read: The Silence of the Lambs

12. Alex Michaelides

Alex Michaelides is a British-Cypriot author who studied English literature at Trinity College, Cambridge University.

Michaelides also studied psychotherapy and worked for two years at a secure unit for young adults, which provided much of the inspiration for his first novel, The Silent Patient, which was the bestselling hardback debut of 2019 in the U.S.

Must-Read: The Silent Patient

13. Tom Clancy

Tom Clancy worked as an insurance agent before writing his first book, The Hunt for Red October, about a Russian submarine crew’s defection. His debut novel was an instant bestseller and was praised by President Reagan.

The book also introduces the character Jack Ryan, who appears in 21 novels and has been portrayed by John Krasinski, Alec Baldwin, and other high-profile actors.

Must-Read: The Hunt for Red October

14. Clive Cussler

In addition to writing novels, Clive Cussler was also an underwater explorer. He authored over 80 books, many of which revolve around oceanic adventures.

Cussler also founded the National Underwater and Marine Agency, which has discovered over 60 shipwreck sites.

Must-Read: Pacific Vortex!

15. Tana French

Tana French is an American-Irish writer famous for her psychological and crime thrillers, which have earned her the nickname of “the First Lady of Irish Crime.”

French is also trained as a professional actor, and began writing her debut novel between castings.

Must-Read: In the Woods

The Best Thriller Writers

Skilled writers who know how to take us for a ride and keep us guessing are why we love the thriller genre.

By reading the best thriller authors, you’re sure to find an entertaining story that you won’t soon forget. And for even more thrills, be sure to check out our list of the most addictive thriller podcasts.

Kaelyn Barron

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