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72 of the Most Popular Mysteries and Thrillers of the Past Three Years
“All my books come to me, first of all, as a character in my mind and as a story that I want to tell. But how you tell that story, there are definitely some deliberate decisions involved.”
That’s British author Ruth Ware, one of the planet’s most accomplished contemporary mystery writers. In a Goodreads interview from a few books back, Ware talked about the “how” of the mystery/thriller novel—the way authors deploy careful narrative choices and techniques to tell all kinds of different stories.
We’ve gathered below 72 of the most popular mystery and thriller books of the past three years, as determined by Goodreads members’ Want to Read lists. The “what” of these books is interesting enough—stories about island weddings, small-town hotels, and obsessed academics. But pay attention to the “how” as well, the specific setups and particular premises that make mystery stories so compelling.
Scroll over the book covers to learn more about each title, and add the ones that pique your interest to your Want to Read shelf.
Comments Showing 1-50 of 82 (82 new)
The Turn of the Key and The Thursday Murder Club were the ones I have read from this list. Both were really good; the latter was amusing too
Nono wrote: "I just completed the The Sun Down Motel by St. James and can't stop thinking about it. I can't wait to get my hands on her new book, The Book of Cold Cases.She's becoming a new fa..."
I just read The Book of Cold Cases and it was AMAZING!!
Apoorva wrote: "Nono wrote: "...I can't wait to get my hands on her new book, The Book of Cold Cases."I just read The Book of Cold Cases and it was AMAZING!!
Ahhh, I guess I need to pester our public library to get two copies then 'cause I really can't wait anymore. :D
Nono wrote: "I just completed the The Sun Down Motel by St. James and can't stop thinking about it. I can't wait to get my hands on her new book, The Book of Cold Cases.She's becoming a new fa..."
I agree. I loved The Sun Down Motel a lot and really want to read her other books now. The Book of Cold Cases looks so good!
Mayke ☕️ wrote: "Nono wrote: "I just completed the The Sun Down Motel by St. James and can't stop thinking about it. I can't wait to get my hands on her new book, The Book of Cold Cases.She's beco..."
and The Broken Girls is another of her amazing works
if you love The Sun Down Motel, then you'll enjoy this one as well:)
I also just finished The Book of Cold Cases and LOVED IT!! I’m also a huge fan of both Ruth Ware and Mary Kubica, and The Thursday Murder Club series is amazing!
I find this list both underwhelming and incomplete. More than half of it is "popular fiction," touted for its author/notoriety and not for its story, and there are a couple of really crap writers included here, in my opinion. There are much better mysteries out there in the more mainstream mystery category than what has been collected here. This seems like a self-serving Amazon promotion.
Melliott wrote: "I find this list both underwhelming and incomplete. More than half of it is "popular fiction," touted for its author/notoriety and not for its story, and there are a couple of really crap writers i..."The title is "the most popular," not the highest rated. These are the books read by the most people, meaning these many reached lots of readers because they were the books with the most successful marketing. I read 25 of them. A couple were DNF, and I ranked 3 of those I finished with 2 stars, 8 with 5. There are some very good books in this field, including a couple of the best I read in the 3 past 3 years--"We Begin at the End," by Chris Whitaker, and "The Chain," by Adrian McKinty, are amazing. While there were additional very good books on this list, there were many average ones, and a few real dogs, including a few by authors I swore to never pick up again. Like your experience, many of my favorites didn't make the list, but that's not because they lacked popular appeal, but because low advertising budgets meant not so many folks knew about them.
Nono wrote: "I just completed the The Sun Down Motel by St. James and can't stop thinking about it. I can't wait to get my hands on her new book, The Book of Cold Cases.She's becoming a new fa..."
That was a good one, read last month for book club. I want to check out her newer book as well
I am amazed you have not included Anthony Horowitz book here. I am partial to his mystery-within-mystery books. "The Moonflower mirders" was just brilliant.
Janet wrote: "Melliott wrote: "I find this list both underwhelming and incomplete. More than half of it is "popular fiction," touted for its author/notoriety and not for its story, and there are a couple of real..."Which were the ones you really disliked on the list? I've added some to my To Read List and am wondering now if I should remove them. Would appreciate your opinion please :)
Shari Lapena is top of my list for a good thriller.
Ruth Galloway series and anything by Anthony Horowitz. I'm surprised neither author is on the list.
Melliott wrote: "I find this list both underwhelming and incomplete. More than half of it is "popular fiction," touted for its author/notoriety and not for its story, and there are a couple of really crap writers i..."I agree with this! I would like to add The Nothing Man as one of my very favorites from the past few years.
Kate wrote: "Janet wrote: "Melliott wrote: "I find this list both underwhelming and incomplete. More than half of it is "popular fiction," touted for its author/notoriety and not for its story, and there are a ..."Basically any of the ones that have a rating below 4. Or 3.9 if you want to get technical. I don't think the Rachel Hawkins books are any good and I also don't care for Riley Sager books. Shari Lapena books aren't that great either.
Sathya wrote: "I am amazed you have not included Anthony Horowitz book here. I am partial to his mystery-within-mystery books. "The Moonflower mirders" was just brilliant."I agree - both Horowitz's Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders are fantastic. Each contains two mysteries - a literary modern mystery investigated by a female book editor wrapped around an Agatha Christie - like classic. Horowitz's plotting is perfection and his writing is wonderful.
I look forward to seeing the pending film version of the first book - coming to PBS in Canada before the end of the year (I hope!). It is already out in Britain.
I have read more than half of these books and I am always looking for new and exciting reads. Thanks for the list.
Janet wrote: "Melliott wrote: "I find this list both underwhelming and incomplete. More than half of it is "popular fiction," touted for its author/notoriety and not for its story, and there are a couple of real..."Actually, the article says the list is based on readers’ Want to Read shelves.
Allison wrote: "Kate wrote: "Janet wrote: "Melliott wrote: "I find this list both underwhelming and incomplete. More than half of it is "popular fiction," touted for its author/notoriety and not for its story, and..."
My thoughts exactly, Allison.
My thoughts exactly, Allison.
Noble wrote: "The Turn of the Key and The Thursday Murder Club were the ones I have read from this list. Both were really good; the latter was amusing too"LOVED Thursday Murder Club!
I always love historical fiction mysteries, like the Benjamin Weaver series by David Liss. Anyone recommend other books/series like that?
Miracle Creek is a hot pile of garbage that dehumanizes autistic people and promotes anti-vaxxer BS. I'm not a huge activist type on books like this; I don't nitpick. This was just genuinely that awful and I hope none of you waste your precious time on it.
Allison wrote: "Melliott wrote: "I find this list both underwhelming and incomplete. More than half of it is "popular fiction," touted for its author/notoriety and not for its story, and there are a couple of real..."can you tell me which "the nothing man"? several came up? I always like to research books others suggest. thank you
Elizabeth George new mystery Something To Hide is an excellent Linley-Havers read,
I'm not a huge Stephen King fan, but could not put Billy Summer down. Brilliant read.
I just finished Billy Summer by Stephen King. Not a huge King fan, but could not put this book down. Brilliant read.
My favorite from this list was The Chain by Adrian McKinty, and a close second was The Silent Patient. I was surprised not to see The Guest List by Lucy Foley listed.
My mistake — The Guest List was there! Also a very good thriller.
Mattia wrote: "Allison wrote: "Melliott wrote: "I find this list both underwhelming and incomplete. More than half of it is "popular fiction," touted for its author/notoriety and not for its story, and there are ..."Yes, so sorry! It's by Catherine Ryan Howard.
Janice wrote: "Shari Lapena is top of my list for a good thriller."Agreed absolutely love her writing!
What a great list! Added lots to my TBR but happy to see I've read the majority :)
The Silent Patient is truly one of the best books i've ever read. The end will knock your socks off!
Julie wrote: "The Push by Ashley Audrain was unforgettable"I agree! I enjoyed it, so different than other books in this genre. And it has stuck with me as a book I recommend to people 15 months later.
The Last Flight by Julie Clark. One of the best books I've read in a while.
Despite what some say, this is a great list! I've read 10 of these so far (before this list existed) and am working on another. If you haven't read the following titles, they are amazing; lots of twists, "did not see that coming" moments, and excellent endings!The Family Upstairs (a companion to this is coming out in July - The Family Remains)
The Silent Patient & The Maidens (The Silent Patient was this author's debut novel, and it was fabulous!)
The Last Flight
The Guest List (Can't wait to read The Paris Apartment - just picked it up)
Thanks to who took the time to put this together, and thanks to all the reader here who rate and review books!
I'm currently reading 'The Plot' by Jean Hanff Korelitz and it's one of the best books I've read in a long time (providing the end doesn't dissapoint!). I would be keen to see more from her. Any recommendations for similar stories? By the way I have read and love The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith and A Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne - both in the same vain as The Plot.
Haven't read any of the books on the list, although I do recognise a few of the authors.A current favourite, that is not listed, is Tom Wood and the Victor thrillers. Has the same page turning ability as some of the early Lee Child Reacher books did.
Patrice wrote: "Ruth Galloway series and anything by Anthony Horowitz. I'm surprised neither author is on the list."I agree. I like all of the Ruth Galloway series. Also all of Ann Cleeves mysteries.
I cannot believe that Michael Connelly and John Sanford failed to make the list. Any book by either will be an excellent crime read!
Nono wrote: "I just completed the The Sun Down Motel by St. James and can't stop thinking about it. I can't wait to get my hands on her new book, The Book of Cold Cases.She's becoming a new fa..."
I haven't read Sun Down Motel, but I have read Book of Cold Cases and it was definitely a 5 star read.
Nono wrote: "I just completed the The Sun Down Motel by St. James and can't stop thinking about it. I can't wait to get my hands on her new book, The Book of Cold Cases.She's becoming a new fa..."
You should totally give "The Haunting of Maddie Claire" a read!!!
Nono wrote: "I just completed the The Sun Down Motel by St. James and can't stop thinking about it. I can't wait to get my hands on her new book, The Book of Cold Cases.She's becoming a new fa..."
OMG, I absolutely tore through The Sun Down Motel. I haven't stopped raving about it yet!
She's becoming a new fave author of mine, fast! :)