The Greatest British, American "Suspense, Fiction" Books Since 2010

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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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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.

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  1. 1. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

    This thrilling novel revolves around the sudden disappearance of a woman on her fifth wedding anniversary. As the investigation unfolds, all evidence points to her husband as the prime suspect. However, the story takes a twist as the wife's diary entries reveal a darker side to their seemingly perfect marriage. The narrative alternates between the husband's present-day perspective and the wife's diary entries, leaving readers in suspense about what truly happened. The book explores themes of deceit, media influence, and the complexities of marriage.

  2. 2. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

    The book follows the life of a young boy who survives a terrorist bombing at an art museum, which kills his mother. In the confusion following the explosion, he steals a priceless Dutch painting, The Goldfinch, which becomes his secret treasure and eventually draws him into the criminal underworld. The narrative explores themes of loss, survival, and the power of art to shape human destiny.

  3. 3. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson

    "Life After Life" follows the story of Ursula Todd who is born and dies repeatedly in February 1910. Each time Ursula dies, her life restarts, with each successive life bringing different circumstances and decisions. The novel explores themes of fate, free will, and the infinite possibilities of existence. Through Ursula's many lives, the narrative provides different perspectives on significant historical events, including both World Wars.

  4. 4. The Round House by Louise Erdrich

    A teenage boy navigates the complexities of life after his mother is brutally attacked on their reservation in North Dakota. As the legal system fails to bring justice due to jurisdictional issues, the boy takes matters into his own hands. The novel explores themes of tribal law, justice, and the transition into adulthood, all set against the backdrop of Native American culture and history.

  5. 5. 11 22 63 by Stephen King

    "11/22/63" is a science fiction novel by Stephen King that follows the story of Jake Epping, a high school English teacher who discovers a portal that leads to 1958. After being convinced by his friend Al to use the portal to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Jake embarks on a journey through time to change the course of history. Along the way, he falls in love with a woman named Sadie and faces various obstacles that threaten to alter the timeline he is trying to change. The book explores themes of love, loss, and the consequences of trying to change the past.

  6. 6. The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins

    In this psychological thriller, the story revolves around a troubled woman who becomes entangled in a missing persons investigation that promises to send shockwaves throughout her life. As she rides the train every day, she fantasizes about the seemingly perfect couple she sees from her window, until one day she witnesses something shocking in their backyard. Her decision to report it to the authorities leads her down a dark path of intrigue, as she struggles to piece together her fragmented memories and the tangled web of lies, deceit, and complicated relationships that surround the case. Her involvement becomes increasingly dangerous as she tries to prove not only what she saw, but also her own worth and sanity.

  7. 7. Six Of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

    In a gritty and dangerous city, a notorious gang leader named Kaz Brekker is offered a life-changing heist that could make him unimaginably rich. He assembles a team of skilled outcasts, each with their own unique talents, to pull off an impossible mission. As they navigate through treacherous streets and face deadly enemies, the group must rely on their wits and trust each other to survive. Along the way, secrets are revealed, loyalties are tested, and unexpected alliances are formed, all while the fate of their world hangs in the balance.

  8. 8. Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke

    "Bluebird, Bluebird" follows the story of Darren Mathews, a black Texas Ranger who finds himself caught in a small East Texas town plagued by racial tensions and unsolved murders. When two bodies are discovered, one black and one white, Darren is determined to uncover the truth behind these racially charged crimes. As he delves deeper into the investigation, he uncovers a web of secrets, corruption, and long-buried truths that threaten to tear the town apart. In a gripping and atmospheric narrative, the book explores themes of race, justice, and identity while unraveling a complex mystery.

  9. 9. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

    The protagonist, a middle-aged man, returns to his childhood home for a funeral and is drawn to the farm at the end of the road where he encounters a pond that was once an ocean in his childhood memories. He recalls a series of strange and terrifying events that occurred when he was seven, involving the mystical Hempstock women who live on the farm and their battle against malevolent supernatural entities that threatened his existence. The book explores themes of memory, magic, and the darkness that lies beneath the surface of everyday life.

  10. 10. Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer

    In the novel, a team of four women—an anthropologist, a surveyor, a psychologist, and a biologist—embark on an expedition into Area X, a mysterious and remote region cut off from civilization. The area is known for its strange occurrences and the disappearance of previous expedition members. As the team delves deeper into the wild and enigmatic landscape, they encounter bizarre creatures, cryptic signs, and the remnants of a lost civilization. The biologist, serving as the narrator, documents their discoveries and her own personal transformations, driven by the unseen forces of Area X. The novel explores themes of nature, mutation, and the unknown, as the expedition's members confront the limits of knowledge and the consequences of seeking to uncover the inexplicable.

  11. 11. Nemesis by Philip Roth

    Set in Newark, New Jersey, during a polio outbreak in the 1940s, the book follows a dedicated playground director, Bucky Cantor, who remains on duty while many others flee the city. Despite his efforts to keep the children safe, polio begins to affect those around him. As fear and panic spread through the community, Bucky also becomes infected and loses his eyesight. The story is a profound exploration of personal responsibility, duty, and the random, tragic nature of life.

  12. 12. Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey

    In a future where humanity has colonized the solar system, tensions rise between Earth, Mars, and the Belt, a region of space where resources are mined. The story follows a weary detective and an idealistic ship's officer who become embroiled in a vast conspiracy after a distress signal from a missing young woman leads them to a derelict spaceship and a potentially lethal alien life form. As the political situation deteriorates, they must navigate through the intricacies of interplanetary intrigue, terrorism, and an impending war, all while trying to prevent the spread of an extraterrestrial virus that threatens all of human civilization.

  13. 13. The Orphan Master's Son: A Novel by Adam Johnson

    This novel follows the life of Pak Jun Do, a man who rises from humble beginnings as an orphan in North Korea to a high-ranking official in Kim Jong-Il's government. The narrative provides a glimpse into the harsh realities of living under a totalitarian regime, as Jun Do navigates a world of propaganda, forced labor, and political prison camps. His journey takes a turn when he becomes involved in a diplomatic mission, falls in love with a famous actress, and is forced to assume the identity of a rival commander. This leads him into a dangerous game of deception and survival, providing a chilling and engrossing exploration of identity, love, and the human spirit in the face of extreme adversity.

  14. 14. The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley by Hannah Tinti

    "The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley" is a gripping novel that explores the life of a rugged, hardened criminal named Samuel Hawley, who attempts to protect his daughter Loo from his violent past. The narrative alternates between the present, where Hawley and Loo are trying to settle down in Massachusetts, and the past, where the circumstances surrounding Hawley's twelve bullet wounds (each representing a "life") are revealed. Through their journey, the book delves into themes of love, sacrifice, and survival.

  15. 15. Nos4 A2 by Joe Hill

    In this chilling novel, a sinister and immortal being named Charlie Manx kidnaps children and takes them to a twisted Christmasland, a place where every day is Christmas and unhappiness is forbidden. But when a resourceful young girl named Victoria escapes his clutches, she grows up haunted by the memories of her ordeal. Years later, she must confront Manx once again to protect her own son from falling victim to his malevolent plans. With a blend of horror, fantasy, and suspense, this gripping tale explores the darkness that lurks within the human soul and the power of love and resilience to overcome it.

  16. 16. Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan

    Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and World War II, the novel follows the life of a young woman who becomes the first female diver to repair ships at the Brooklyn Naval Yard, where her father once worked before his mysterious disappearance. As she grows into her new role, she is drawn into a complex web of underworld figures, sailors, and her father's past, all of which converge to reveal profound truths about her family and the larger world around her. The story is a rich tapestry of a bygone New York, exploring themes of resilience, the impact of war, and the quest for self-discovery amidst the tides of history.

  17. 17. The Changeling by Victor LaValle

    The novel is a dark fairy tale that explores themes of parenthood, identity, and the impact of technology on modern life. It follows Apollo Kagwa, an antiquarian book dealer from New York City, whose life is turned upside down when his wife, Emma, commits a horrific act and then disappears. As Apollo searches for answers, he is drawn into a world filled with mythical creatures, secretive societies, and ancient folklore. Along his journey, he must confront his own past and the dark history of his family while navigating a city that seems to harbor magical secrets. The story blends the fantastical with the everyday to create a narrative that examines the fears and anxieties of being a parent in the 21st century.

  18. 18. Land Of Shadows by Rachel Howzell Hall

    In this gripping thriller, a homicide detective named Elouise "Lou" Norton is determined to solve the mysterious murder of a teenage girl in South Los Angeles. As she delves deeper into the case, Lou uncovers a web of secrets and corruption that reaches far beyond the crime scene. With her own troubled past haunting her, Lou must navigate through the dangerous underbelly of the city to uncover the truth and bring the killer to justice.

  19. 19. The Invisible Life Of Addie La Rue by V. E. Schwab

    The book follows the story of a young woman in 18th-century France who, desperate to escape an arranged marriage and yearning for freedom, makes a Faustian bargain with a mysterious god-like figure to live forever without being remembered by anyone she meets. Her immortality becomes a curse as she moves through the centuries, leaving no mark on the world until, 300 years later, she stumbles upon a young man in a bookstore who, to her shock, remembers her name. This encounter unfolds into a tale of love, memory, and the intrinsic value of leaving one's mark on the world.

  20. 20. Hollywood Homicide by Kellye Garrett

    In "Hollywood Homicide," a former actress turned amateur sleuth finds herself embroiled in a murder investigation when her friend, a rising starlet, is found dead. With her dreams of becoming a detective reignited, she navigates the glitz and glamour of Hollywood to uncover the truth, facing off against a cast of eccentric characters and discovering that fame can be deadly.

  21. 21. The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker

    In this psychological thriller, an FBI agent with a troubled past is on the hunt for a serial killer who believes he is on a divine mission to collect brides for God, leaving his victims posed as if in a serene marital bliss after their deaths. The killer's twisted theology and the agent's own personal demons intertwine as the investigation leads to a group of mentally ill patients who may hold the key to stopping the murderer. As the body count rises, the race against time intensifies, pushing the boundaries of sanity and redemption in a chilling game of cat and mouse.

  22. 22. 61 Hours by Lee Child

    In this gripping thriller, a retired military policeman turned drifter finds himself stranded in a small South Dakota town after a bus accident during a brutal winter storm. As the hours tick down, he becomes embroiled in a desperate defense of a key witness in a forthcoming drug trial, facing off against an enigmatic assassin and local corruption. With the clock ticking, he must use his skills and resourcefulness to protect the witness, navigate the icy conditions, and uncover the truth, all while a countdown to an unknown catastrophe looms, promising an explosive confrontation.

  23. 23. Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson

    The book centers on a teenage girl with a traumatic past, who was convicted of a heinous crime at a very young age—the murder of a baby. Now living in a group home and dealing with the complex dynamics within, she struggles with the weight of her past and the challenges of her present. As she contends with a society quick to label her as irredeemable, she seeks to uncover the truth and fight for a future that seems increasingly out of reach. Her journey is one of resilience and the quest for redemption, as she navigates a system that is often more interested in judgment than justice.

  24. 24. The North Water by Ian McGuire

    "The North Water" by Ian McGuire is a dark historical fiction novel set in the 19th century that follows the journey of a whaling ship called the Volunteer and its crew as they embark on a dangerous voyage to the Arctic. The protagonist, Patrick Sumner, a disgraced surgeon, joins the crew as they set out on the perilous journey. However, the voyage takes a disturbing turn when they encounter a psychopathic harpooner named Henry Drax, who is capable of unspeakable acts of violence. The novel explores themes of morality, survival, and the human condition in a harsh and unforgiving environment.

  25. 25. The Turn Of The Key by Ruth Ware

    In "The Turn of the Key" by Ruth Ware, a young woman named Rowan Caine takes a job as a live-in nanny at a luxurious smart home in the Scottish Highlands. However, the seemingly perfect opportunity quickly turns into a nightmare as Rowan discovers the dark secrets hidden within the house and the tragic events that have unfolded in the past. As strange occurrences escalate and tensions rise, Rowan becomes the prime suspect in a murder investigation, desperately trying to prove her innocence and uncover the truth before it's too late.

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