14 Gripping Suspense Novels Full Of Twists and Turns

Spine-Tingling Suspense Novels

1. Storming Heaven by Kyle Mills
2. Her Last Word by Mary Burton
3. Field of Blood by Denise Mina
4. Ill Will by Dan Chaon
5. She's Not There by Joy Fielding
6. The Fear by C.L. Taylor
7. Those Who Wish Me Dead by Michael Koryta
8. Alter Ego by Brian Freeman
9. The Vanishing Year by Kate Moretti
10. Origin by Dan Brown
11. The Litigators by John Grisham
12. The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith
13. Playing With Fire by Tess Gerritsen
14. The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver

Learning How To Write Suspenseful Novels

In Depth

Suspense is one way of capturing a reader's attention, especially if the book also contains thought-provoking questions and unusual plots that defy common knowledge. If you like tales of mystery, crimes, horrors, or thrilling romance, your imagination will run wild with these 14 gripping suspense novels full of twists and turns, listed in no particular order.

At #1 is "Storming Heaven," which delves into the horrifying world of religious cults and end-of-the-world prophecies. It follows an FBI agent's investigation into the murder case of a married couple, with their adopted daughter as the primary suspect. Kyle Mills depicts the lives of religious fanatics and the extent their leaders are willing to go for power, while weaving suspense in with humor and drama.

At #2 is "Her Last Word." This romantic thriller follows the life of Kaitlin as she finds herself in the middle of multiple murder cases because of her podcast investigation. It revolves around her search for her cousin's abductor from years ago, and a detective named John who struggles to protect her from the killer. Mary Burton takes readers on a crime-solving quest as each chapter presents the individual podcast interviews, with the characters either bluffing or telling the truth.

This romantic thriller follows the life of Kaitlin as she finds herself in the middle of multiple murder cases because of her podcast investigation.

Coming in at #3 is "Field of Blood," which tells a story of ambition, childhood innocence, and family. It follows the life of Paddy Meehan, who sees an opportunity to be a journalist when she finds out that one of the suspects in a controversial child murder is related to her fiance. Written by Denise Mina, the narrative is set in 1981 and presents the conservative culture, religious discrimination, and prejudices in Glasgow.

What we have at #4 is "Ill Will." This literary thriller revolves around the life of a 40-year-old psychologist as he struggles to separate fact from fantasy in his childhood memories. After his adoptive brother is released from prison due to the murder of their parents, aunt, and uncle, the protagonist finds himself revisiting his trauma on satanic cults and rituals. Dan Chaon gives us a terrifying novel that tackles self-deception and mental agony in family relationships.

At #5 is "She's Not There," which follows a case of a two-year-old girl that has been missing for fifteen years. It tells the story of Caroline, whose youngest daughter is abducted at a luxury resort in Mexico on the night of her wedding anniversary. Inspired by the true story of the Madeleine McCann case in 2007, Joy Fielding gives us the different possible scenarios and outcomes of the crisis.

Inspired by the true story of the Madeleine McCann case in 2007, Joy Fielding gives us the different possible scenarios and outcomes of the crisis.

At #6 is "The Fear." C.L. Taylor's novel focuses on the horrific issue of predators grooming young girls for sex. It follows the life of Lou, who is groomed and taken abroad as a teenager by her karate teacher, Mike. Now an adult, Lou learns that Mike is victimizing another young girl, so she does everything she can to stop history from repeating itself. Taylor also presents the reality of mental illness, suicide, and physical, emotional, and sexual abuse in this eye-opening narrative.

Coming in at #7 is "Those Who Wish Me Dead." It tells the story of a teenage boy named Jace who witnesses a murder and struggles to get away from the wrath of the killer brothers. With the help of an Air Force veteran, the protagonist hides in the mountains of Montana and learns about wilderness survival in order to face the trouble that is coming for him. Written by Michael Koryta, the novel features a thrilling ride of survival, both in the forest and at the hands of those who want Jace dead.

At #8 is "Alter Ego," which follows the life of Detective Jonathan Stride as he finds himself in the middle of seemingly connected murder cases. His investigation leads him to a film set, where the son of a killer he convicted years ago is making a movie about his father's case. There, Stride meets a famous actor taking his role, and begins to uncover the truth of these mysteries. Written by Brian Freeman, the novel features multiple storylines that are fused together, keeping readers in anticipation of the answers.

Written by Brian Freeman, the novel features multiple storylines that are fused together, keeping readers in anticipation of the answers.

At #9 is "The Vanishing Year." This psychological thriller follows the viewpoint of Zoe Whittaker, who lives a seemingly perfect life with her wealthy husband and aims to get away from the dark secrets of her past. As the protagonist is haunted by multiple unfortunate incidents, she decides to confront the mysteries she's trying to escape from. Kate Moretti presents a heart-pounding plot with a set of complex characters, making readers wonder who is good, who is evil, and who is the victim.

At #10 is "Origin," the fifth installment in the Robert Langdon series by Dan Brown. The story begins with Professor Langdon's former student Edmond Kirsch as he is about to present a scientific breakthrough at a museum in Italy. According to him, this research will change the face of science forever, and not only shake but shatter the very foundations of modern day religions. With conspiracy theories and secrets hidden in historical art pieces, the novel explores two of the most controversial questions about mankind's existence: our origin and destination.

Coming in at #11 is "The Litigators." This legal fiction follows the lives of Oscar Finley and Wally Figg, who own a law firm, and Harvard Law graduate David Zinc, who joins their company. It tells the story of these bottom-feeder lawyers as they scrape their way to make a living and stumble into a potentially massive lawsuit against a pharmaceutical manufacturer. John Grisham gives readers a set of realistic and multi-layered characters in a novel full of hilarious banter and quirky scenarios.

It tells the story of these bottom-feeder lawyers as they scrape their way to make a living and stumble into a potentially massive lawsuit against a pharmaceutical manufacturer.

At #12 is "The Cuckoo's Calling," which is written by J.K. Rowling under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. It follows detective Cormoran Strike's investigation into the apparent suicide of a famous supermodel named Lula Landry. As Strike dives into the glamorous world of models, designers, and actors, he finds himself in a series of unexpected incidents that lead to the shocking truth.

At #13 is "Playing with Fire." The novel revolves around a musical piece called the "Incendio waltz," an unusual, mournful melody. As violinist Julia Ansdell stumbles upon the composition in Rome and plays it back in her hometown, the music sparks violent behavior in her three-year-old daughter. She then decides to return to Italy and search for its strange origin. Tess Gerritsen gives readers a flashback to another story of a young Jewish violinist in the cruel era of World War 2, and weaves it with Julia's pursuit of the piece's disturbing roots.

Finally, at #14 is "The Bone Collector." It follows a forensic specialist named Lincoln Rhyme who is suffering from a spinal cord injury he got in the course of duty. Confined to a special bed, Rhyme uses a young female officer as his eyes and ears to solve an unusual serial killer case. The story features an intelligent male protagonist who can only solve mysteries using his mind, and a plot that explores love and death. Written by Jeffery Deaver, the narrative had a film adaptation in 1999 starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie.