Of course, the top thriller books of 2024 weren’t only by big-name authors.

This year boasted impressive debuts, including a few that landed among the strongest additions to the genre.

From popcorn thrillers to literary mysteries, there was something for every preference.

A collage featuring the covers of The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda, The It Girl by Ruth Ware, and Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister

It effectively explores the dangers women face in the modern dating world.

It succeeds in that endeavor, proving a standout new thriller.

Stella’s investigation leads to dark places, andHouse of Glassbalances that with the lawyer’s backstory well.

Book-Cover-of-Invasion-of-the-Body-Snatchers-1955—By-Jack-Finney-The-Strangler-2007—By-William-Landay-and-Life-or-Death-2014–By-Michael-Robotham-book-cover

The worst possible one is unsettling, and it drives the story and tensions expertly.

Unfortunately,this thriller book’s off-the-rails endingmight not work for everyone, but the journey is worthwhile.

It does a great job of misleading readers but eventually bringing everything together during its satisfying conclusion.

The covers of The 7 1-2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, The Grownup, & The Guest

The novel’s small-town atmosphere and nostalgic summer vibes contribute to it being an immersive and gripping story.

Meanwhile, the focus on male friendship and grief adds a powerful emotional layer that sells the central mystery.

It also has an impressive 4.02Goodreadsscore, with reviewers confirming how powerful and riveting it is.

The covers of First Lie Wins and Middle of the Night

Custom Image by Yeider Chacon

The author drops plenty of hints leading up to its resolution and quite a few red herrings as well.

There are a few new releases that top it in terms of intensity, however.

Despite its dark setup,Listen for the Lieleans into comedy and sarcasm to tell its story.

The cropped cover of The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden featuring a red tie on top of white bed sheets

Custom Image by Simone Ashmoore

Combined with solid pacing and some surprising turns, this makesListen for the Lienearly impossible to put down.

This means it won’t be for every thriller fan, but it’s well worth checking out.

But there’s no denying the book’s success.

The covers of The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins and One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus

House of Glass Cover Sarah Pekkanen

Society of Lies cover featuring a building with people in the windows and purple-tinted light

The cover of Middle of the Night by Riley Sager with his other book covers as the background

Custom Image by Simone Ashmoore

The Return of Ellie Black Cover featuring the orange silhouette of a woman and a flower

We Solve Murders cover featuring a black cat sitting on a rolled up red carpet and the title text in red

Listen for the Lie cover featuring a red background, white title text, and blurbs from Stephen King, Liane Moriarty, and Alice Feeney

The Colors of the Dark cover featuring the title text in white, a red paint streak across it, and a starry night sky

The God of the Woods Book Title Page

First Lie Wins cover featuring the word “Lie” in green and a house with a woman’s shadow in it

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