The Greatest "Political, Suspense, Fiction" Books Since 1970

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 300 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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Genres

Political

The "Political" category of books encompasses works that explore the theory, practice, and history of government and politics. These books may cover topics such as political ideologies, political systems, political institutions, political movements, and political leaders. They may also examine the relationship between politics and other areas of society, such as economics, culture, and international relations. Political books can be both informative and thought-provoking, offering readers insights into the complexities of the political world and the challenges of governing in a democratic society.

Suspense

Suspense is a genre of literature that is characterized by a feeling of tension, uncertainty, and anxiety that keeps the reader on edge and engaged throughout the story. It typically involves a protagonist who is facing a dangerous or threatening situation, and the plot is driven by the anticipation of what might happen next. Suspense novels often feature unexpected twists and turns, and the reader is left guessing until the very end. This genre is popular among readers who enjoy thrillers, mysteries, and crime fiction.

Fiction

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  1. 1. The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth

    "The Day of the Jackal" is a suspenseful thriller that revolves around an unnamed and highly skilled professional assassin who is hired by a French dissident paramilitary organization to kill Charles de Gaulle, the President of France. The novel intricately details the meticulous preparations of the assassin, his many disguises, and his method of operation, while also depicting the desperate efforts of the French police to uncover his identity and prevent the assassination, leading to a tense cat-and-mouse chase across Europe.

  2. 2. The Children of Men by P. D. James

    Set in a dystopian future where mankind has become infertile, the novel centers on a history professor who becomes involved with a group of revolutionaries seeking to overthrow the oppressive government. As the world descends into chaos due to the impending extinction of the human race, a miraculous pregnancy offers a glimmer of hope. The professor must protect the pregnant woman and navigate the dangerous political landscape, while grappling with the implications of a world without children.

  3. 3. The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy

    This novel details the story of a high-ranking Russian submarine captain who aims to defect to the United States without sparking a war between the two nations. The American government, upon receiving information about the captain's intentions, sends its best analyst to aid in the successful defection of the captain and his crew. The novel is a thrilling tale of espionage, filled with suspense and detailed technical descriptions of military technology and procedure.

  4. 4. Snow by Orhan Pamuk

    Set in the small city of Kars in northeastern Turkey, the novel follows a Turkish poet who has spent several years in political exile in Germany. He returns to Turkey during a time of political unrest, with tensions high between religious and secular factions. As he becomes embroiled in the turmoil, he also becomes involved in a romantic relationship with a beautiful woman. The city is cut off from the rest of the world by a relentless snowstorm, leading to a series of tragic events. The novel is a contemplation on love, faith, and the tensions between tradition and modernity.

  5. 5. A Flag For Sunrise by Robert Stone

    Set in a fictional Central American country on the brink of revolution, the narrative weaves together the lives of disparate characters: an anthropologist seeking meaning, a disillusioned missionary, a coast guard officer, and a young American woman entangled with a mysterious, possibly treasonous, poet. Their paths intersect against a backdrop of political turmoil, personal betrayal, and moral ambiguity. As the tension escalates, each character is forced to confront the chaos within the country and within themselves, leading to a climax that questions the price of integrity and the cost of survival in a world fraught with corruption and violence.

  6. 6. Smiley's People by John le Carré

    In this espionage thriller, a retired British intelligence officer, known for his bespectacled and unassuming demeanor, is called back into action when one of his former assets, a Soviet general, is found murdered. The investigation leads him across Europe, rekindling old rivalries and uncovering a complex web of betrayal and deception. As he delves deeper into the case, he must confront his own past and a formidable Soviet spymaster, ultimately leading to a high-stakes game of intelligence and counterintelligence, where the stakes are not just personal, but have far-reaching implications for the security of the West.

  7. 7. The Honorary Consul by Graham Greene

    Set in a remote city on the Parana River in Argentina, the novel follows the story of a British honorary consul who is mistakenly kidnapped by revolutionaries who intended to kidnap the American ambassador. As the consul battles alcoholism and depression, his young wife embarks on an affair with a local doctor, who is drawn into the political drama as he attempts to negotiate the consul's release. The book explores themes of love, political unrest, and moral ambiguity.

  8. 8. Pereira Maintains by Antonio Tabucchi

    "Pereira Maintains" is a novel set in the backdrop of 1938 Portugal during the fascist dictatorship of Antonio de Oliveira Salazar. The narrative follows Pereira, a widowed, overweight editor of the culture section of a second-rate Lisbon newspaper, who becomes politically awakened after meeting a young anti-fascist. As he grapples with his conscience, he risks everything to help his new friend and his pregnant girlfriend escape to safety. The story is a compelling exploration of the struggle for moral integrity in a climate of political oppression.

  9. 9. The Constant Gardener by John le Carré

    "The Constant Gardener" is a gripping tale of corporate corruption and its impact on the world's most vulnerable people. The story follows a British diplomat who embarks on a dangerous journey to find the truth behind his wife's murder. As he uncovers layers of deceit, he discovers that she was close to exposing a conspiracy involving a pharmaceutical company testing a dangerous drug on unsuspecting African villages. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and the lengths one man will go to seek justice.

  10. 10. The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid

    The novel is a monologue by a young Pakistani man, Changez, who tells his life story to an American stranger in a café in Lahore. Changez recounts his journey from a scholarship student at Princeton to a high-flying job in a prestigious New York valuation firm and his subsequent disillusionment with the American Dream post 9/11. The story explores themes of identity, love, and the shifting global power dynamics, as Changez grapples with his feelings towards America, his native Pakistan, and his love interest, Erica. The narrative ends ambiguously, leaving the reader to interpret the true nature of Changez and his American listener's relationship.

  11. 11. The Human Factor by Graham Greene

    The novel delves into the intricate world of espionage, centering on a British intelligence operative who, disillusioned with his nation's foreign policy and personal tragedies, becomes a mole for the Soviet Union. As he navigates the morally ambiguous terrain of loyalty and betrayal, the story explores themes of love, guilt, and the clash between personal ethics and duty. The protagonist's quiet life is disrupted as his superiors begin to suspect a leak within the agency, leading to an introspective and suspenseful narrative that examines the human motivations behind political treachery.

  12. 12. The Emperor Of Ocean Park by Stephen L. Carter

    "The Emperor of Ocean Park" is a gripping novel that combines elements of mystery, legal drama, and family saga. Set in the affluent world of African-American elites in New England, the story follows Talcott Garland, a law professor and former Supreme Court nominee, as he investigates the mysterious death of his father, a prominent conservative judge. As Talcott delves deeper into his father's past, he uncovers a web of secrets, political intrigue, and corruption that threatens to unravel his own life and reputation. With its intricate plot and richly drawn characters, the book explores themes of power, loyalty, and the complexities of race and identity in America.

  13. 13. Equal Danger by Leonardo Sciascia

    In a society where political corruption and disillusionment are rampant, a series of murders targeting high-ranking officials sends shockwaves through the establishment. A detective, known for his intelligence and integrity, is assigned to the case, only to find himself entangled in a web of intrigue that blurs the lines between justice and power. As he delves deeper into the investigation, he confronts the existential absurdity of a system that seems to protect the very forces it should be fighting against, leading to a climactic resolution that questions the very nature of truth and the role of law in a flawed society.

  14. 14. The Honourable Schoolboy by John le Carré

    In this gripping spy thriller, a British intelligence officer named Jerry Westerby is sent on a perilous mission to uncover a complex web of corruption and espionage in Southeast Asia. As he delves deeper into the dangerous world of international politics, Westerby must navigate treacherous alliances and betrayals, risking his life to uncover the truth. With intricate plotting and masterful characterization, this novel explores the moral ambiguity and high stakes of the espionage game.

  15. 15. Consent To Kill by Vince Flynn

    In this high-octane political thriller, a counterterrorism operative finds himself in the crosshairs of an international conspiracy when a wealthy Saudi kingpin, seeking vengeance for the death of his son, puts a bounty on the operative's head. As the protagonist navigates a treacherous path filled with espionage, betrayal, and moral ambiguities, he must also confront personal demons and the complexities of his own past. The narrative unfolds with relentless pacing, delivering a tale of retribution and survival that tests the limits of the operative's skills, loyalty, and the very essence of his character.

  16. 16. Blowback by Brad Thor

    In "Blowback," readers are plunged into a thrilling narrative where the protagonist, a skilled counterterrorism operative, is tasked with preventing a catastrophic attack on the United States. The plot thickens when he discovers that an ancient weapon of mass destruction, thought to be a myth, has been rediscovered and is in the hands of a dangerous enemy. As the clock ticks down, the operative must navigate a treacherous path of deceit and betrayal, racing across the globe to unravel historical secrets and stop the impending doom that threatens to unleash chaos on a massive scale.

  17. 17. The Other Americans by Laila Lalami

    "The Other Americans" by Laila Lalami is a compelling and intricate novel that explores the interconnected lives of a diverse group of characters living in a small California town. When a Moroccan immigrant is killed in a hit-and-run accident, the incident sets off a chain of events that uncover hidden secrets, racial tensions, and the complexities of identity in America. Through multiple perspectives, Lalami skillfully delves into themes of love, loss, and the search for belonging, ultimately painting a vivid portrait of contemporary American life.

  18. 18. The Appeal by John Grisham

    In this gripping legal thriller, a small Mississippi town becomes the battleground for a high-stakes legal fight when a chemical company is accused of dumping toxic waste, leading to a spike in cancer cases among the town's residents. The case attracts the attention of a husband-and-wife legal team who are determined to seek justice for the victims. However, as they prepare for trial, they face an uphill battle against the company's ruthless billionaire owner, who will stop at nothing to secure a verdict in his favor. This includes manipulating the judicial election to ensure a sympathetic judge oversees the case. The novel explores themes of corporate malfeasance, environmental justice, and the corrupting influence of money on the legal system, delivering a suspenseful and thought-provoking narrative.

  19. 19. The Border by Don Winslow

    This gripping novel concludes a powerful trilogy that delves into the complex and brutal world of drug cartels and the war on drugs. It follows the story of Art Keller, a determined DEA agent who has spent decades in the relentless battle against the Mexican drug cartels. As Keller ascends to the top of the DEA, he faces not only the ruthless kingpins of the drug trade but also corruption within his own ranks and the moral ambiguities of his war. Set against the backdrop of contemporary political and social issues, the narrative weaves together a tapestry of characters and stories, from the cartel bosses to the addicts, the politicians to the hitmen, exploring the far-reaching impact of the drug war on both sides of the border.

  20. 20. The Ghost by Robert Harris

    "The Ghost" is a suspenseful political thriller that revolves around a ghostwriter who is hired to finish the memoirs of a former British Prime Minister. As he delves into the politician's life, he uncovers secrets that put his own life in danger. The book explores themes of power, corruption, and the blurred lines between truth and fiction in a world of political spin.

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download