So I’m introducing a new series to my IGTV and my blog which is called My Top 5. Every month or so, I will introduce my top 5 books in a certain genre and talk about why they sit proudly on my favourites shelf.
First up is my top five thrillers of all time. These are some thrillers that have completely blown my mind and kept me on the edge of my seat whenever I read them. There are some on here that have become so hyped up that they fail to have that ‘shocking’ effect on readers because they go in expecting so much more from the story which is typical with hyped up books. But for me, these books have been some of the best I’ve read and here is why:
Before I Go To Sleep – SJ Watson
No I didn’t just pick this book because the author has the same last name as me…
When I read this book, I didn’t expect it to be anything like it was. My best friend and book friend recommended it to me and it is probably the best plot twist to date that I have read. I don’t think I’ll ever be as shocked as I was when reading this book.
Now a major film starring Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth, Before I Go To Sleep, follows a women who, after waking up one day, loses all her memories and is forced to piece together segments of information to find out who she is but not everyone is telling her the truth.
My description of this book doesn’t do it any justice to what sort of surprise the book has in store for you but I would highly recommend this debut novel!
The Girl On The Train – Paula Hawkins
Now I’m aware that now this book isn’t considered one of the greatest but when this first burst onto the scene it was BRILLIANT!
I think the reason why so many people loved it is because we’ve all been sat on a train and have, at some point, looked out to some beautiful houses on the journey and imagined what it was like to live there.
Paula Hawkins took this concept and completely turned it on its head and made it a fantastic thriller that took the world by storm. I remember being obsessed with it when it came out and I think we even picked it for our university book club pick!
The book follows a series of events narrated by a number of unreliable characters and makes you question the people you sit next to on a train…
Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn
Another thriller that took the world by storm and is also a major film starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike.
Gone Girl for me and for many others was unlike any other book I had read before. It was gripping and one of those books that makes you forget that the read world exists.
It is now cast as a ‘global phenomenon’ basically because of its shocking story and unreliable protagonist. It follows the story of a husband searching for his missing wife, whilst being the main suspect in her disappearance.
It is one that has stayed with me for years after reading and the film is just as creepy…
I See You – Clare Mackintosh
This is one that I read quite recently for Beth’s Book Club and I have to admit, I went into it not believing the hype.
It took me a while to understand the narrator change but once you get your head around that, it does not take long for you to become obsessed. I think I read it in one day because I needed to know who the culprit was…
With more twists and turns that the Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, I See You follows a women who found her picture in a classified section of the local newspaper. She is determined to find out who is responsible nut along the way finds out the disturbing reason why…
The Whisper Man – Alex North
Another recent read, The Whisper Man helped me kick-start my year and helped me out of a deep reading rut.
I was absolutely terrified when reading this book but I loved it. It has everything a horror/thriller read should have in my opinion and I couldn’t sleep with my door open for weeks.
This debut book by Alex North is a psychological thriller that explores father-son relationships, betrayal, abduction, murder and loss. With plots twists and supernatural elements that will shock you to your core, The Whisper Man is the perfect crime thriller.
AND THERE WE HAVE IT…MY TOP 5 THRILLERS!
Let me know if there are any on here that feature on your list of favourite thrillers or if you decide to read any of my recommendations!
See you next time for some more of my top 5!
Great top tips . I started when I see you and put it down again. I might try again now 😄
Yes! Give it another go it is hard to read at first but it gets better, believe me!
I’ve read all of these and loved them. Great picks!
Aw fabulous! Glad you enjoyed them all too!
I was a huge fan of Gone Girl and Before I Go To Sleep, but like you I enjoyed all these thrillers. Great choices.
Aw I’m glad you enjoyed them too! Gone Girl and Before I Go To Sleep are fantastically
I’ve only read two of them so far, Whisper Man and Girl on the Train. I want to read a few more by the end of the year.
~ Corina | The Brown Eyed Bookworm
Oooo yes I’d definitely recommend the others because they are the perfect thrillers!
Great list, Jessica! I have read all of them except Before I Go To Sleep, although I have seen the film adaptation. Gone Girl and The Whisper Man are both unique, and Clare Mackintosh is one of my favourite authors. I See You is good, but I loved I Let You Go even more!
Everyone keeps saying I Let You go is even better so I HAVE to read this book 😂
I also really loved Before I go to Sleep and the girl on the train
They are amazing aren’t they!!!!
Thank you so so much for the shoutout!
Great picks! I loved The Whisper Man and can definitely see why you added it to your list!