Mysteries, thrillers, and suspense books have been capturing the imaginations of readers for centuries. Whether it’s the twists and turns of a classic whodunit or the nail-biting suspense of a psychological thriller, there’s something about this genre that keeps us readers coming back for more. In this post, I’ll be discussing the my picks for the best mysteries, thrillers, and suspense books published in the last ten years.

Best is a subjective term. So how did I make the selections? I picked these books based on their popularity, ratings, reviews and awards. They cover a wide range of topics, styles and subgenres, from crime to domestic to psychological to more traditional mystery. Whether you are looking for a twisty plot, a complex character, a gripping atmosphere or a shocking ending, you will find something to suit your taste in this list.

Here are my picks for the 10 best mystery, suspense and thriller books from the past decade:

1. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (2012)
   This is probably one of the most famous and influential books in this genre from the last decade. It’s hard to underestimate the impact and infuence this book has had in the last decade with the rise of the unreliable narrator and domestic noir. It tells the story of Nick and Amy Dunne, a married couple whose lives are turned upside down when Amy goes missing on their fifth anniversary. As the police and media investigate, Nick becomes the prime suspect and his lies and secrets are exposed. But what really happened to Amy? And what is she hiding? This book is a masterclass in unreliable narration, plot twists and psychological manipulation. It will keep you guessing until the very end.
   
   
2. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (2015)
   This is another book blockbuster hit that expanded its reach when it was adapted into a movie. It follows Rachel Watson, an alcoholic and depressed woman who commutes by train every day and becomes obsessed with a couple she sees from the window. She calls them Jess and Jason and imagines they have a perfect life. But one day, she sees something shocking that changes everything. She decides to get involved in their lives and soon finds herself in a web of lies, secrets and danger. These are not the most likable characters but the plot is propulsive. This book is an addictive read that explores themes of memory, identity and obsession.
   
   
3. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides (2019)
   This book has its critics for both the writing and its narrative machinations but it’s hard to deny this huge best-selling debut didn’t tap into something within the mystery and thriller genre. Its legion of fans praised it as a smart and original psychological thriller. It centers on Alicia Berenson, a famous painter who shot her husband five times in the face and then never spoke again. She is admitted to a secure psychiatric unit where she remains silent and mysterious. Theo Faber, a criminal psychotherapist, becomes fascinated by her case and tries to get her to talk and reveal her motives. But as he digs deeper into her life and past, he uncovers secrets that are more disturbing than he imagined. This book is a clever and suspenseful read that has a stunning twist.
   
   
4. The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn (2018)
   This is another debut novel that has been a huge success both in print and as a movie. It follows Anna Fox, an agoraphobic woman who lives alone in her New York apartment and spends her days watching old movies and spying on her neighbors. One day, she witnesses something shocking in the house across the street: a woman being stabbed by a man. She calls the police, but they don’t believe her and no one else seems to know anything about the woman. Anna becomes obsessed with finding out the truth, but she also has to face her own demons and secrets. This book is a gripping and atmospheric homage to Hitchcock and classic noir.
   
   
5. The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison (2013)
   This is a debut novel that has been compared to Gone Girl for its domestic thriller elements and cemented the domestic/suburban noir subgenre as the “It” genre of the decade. It follows Jodi and Todd, a married couple who seem to have it all: wealth, beauty and comfort. But beneath the surface, their relationship is full of lies, betrayal and resentment. Todd is a serial cheater who plans to leave Jodi for his young mistress; Jodi is a passive-aggressive psychologist who refuses to confront him or accept reality. As their marriage crumbles, they both plot their own ways to get what they want — even if it means murder. This book is a chilling and realistic portrait of a dysfunctional marriage that spirals out of control.
   
   
6. The Dry by Jane Harper (2017)
   This is the first book in the Aaron Falk series by Jane Harper, an Australian author who has won several awards for her crime fiction. It follows Aaron Falk, a federal agent who returns to his drought-stricken hometown after 20 years to attend the funeral of his childhood friend Luke. Luke apparently killed his wife and son before shooting himself, but Falk is not convinced that it was a simple murder-suicide. He agrees to help the local police investigate the case, but he also has to face his own past. This debut announced Harper as a major new talent to watch and highlights the piercing, desolate Australian landscape as a perfect setting for mystery and noir. It’s also recently been adapted into a move starring Eric Bana.
   
   
7. The Girl Before by J.P. Delaney (2017)
   This is a debut novel that has been described as a cross between Fifty Shades of Grey and The Girl on the Train. It follows two women who live in the same minimalist and high-tech apartment at different times: Emma, who moves in with her boyfriend after a traumatic break-in; and Jane, who moves in after Emma’s death. Both women are drawn to the enigmatic and controlling architect who designed the apartment, but they also discover that living there comes with a set of strict and bizarre rules. As they try to unravel the mystery behind the apartment and its creator, they realize that they are in danger of repeating the same fate as the girl before. This book is a twisted and addictive read that explores themes of obsession, control and identity.
   
   
8. The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena (2016)
   This is a debut novel that has been a bestseller and a critical success. It tells the story of Anne and Marco Conti, a young and happy couple who have everything they ever wanted: a beautiful home, a loving marriage and a sweet baby girl. But one night, when they leave their baby alone in their house while attending a dinner party next door, their worst nightmare comes true: their baby is gone. As the police investigate, they discover that nothing is as it seems and everyone has something to hide. This book is a fast-paced and riveting thriller that exposes the dark side of domestic bliss.
   
   
9. The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware (2016)
   This is the second novel by Ruth Ware, who has been dubbed as “the Agatha Christie of our time”. It follows Lo Blacklock, a travel journalist who gets the opportunity to cover a luxury cruise on a small ship. She hopes that this will be a relaxing and fun trip, but things take a dark turn when she witnesses a woman being thrown overboard from the cabin next to hers. She alerts the security, but they tell her that there is no one staying in that cabin and no passengers are missing. Lo is convinced that she saw something real, but she can’t trust anyone on board. She decides to find out what really happened, but she puts herself in danger as she uncovers a deadly secret. This book is a tense and claustrophobic thriller that will make you think twice before booking a cruise.
   
   
10. The Girl in the Ice by Robert Bryndza (2016)
    This is the first book in the Detective Erika Foster series by Robert Bryndza, a British author who has sold over three million copies of his books worldwide. It follows Erika Foster, a detective who is assigned to investigate the murder of a young socialite whose body is found frozen in a lake. She soon realizes that this is not an isolated case, but part of a serial killer’s pattern. She also has to deal with her own personal issues, such as the loss of her husband and the hostility of her colleagues. This book is a gripping and gritty thriller that introduces a strong and flawed heroine.
    

I hope you enjoyed this list of 10 best mystery, suspense and thriller books from the last few years. These books will keep you on the edge of your seat, make your heart race and challenge your mind. Whether you are looking for a traditional thriller, a domestic thriller, or a psychological thriller, you will find something to suit your taste in this list.

If you have read any of these books, let me know what you think in the comments below. And if you have any other recommendations for great suspense books, feel free to share. I’m always looking to add to my TBR pile. Happy reading!