Best Investigation Thriller Books- Experience the Thrill

Whether you’re a seasoned mystery reader or new to the world of investigation thrillers, finding the perfect book can be a daunting task. The ocean of choices makes it challenging to uncover a gripping story with the right balance of suspense and intrigue. Fear not! Our guide is here to help you navigate through the realm of investigation thrillers and discover the perfect read for your taste.

Dive into the world of detectives, unmask hidden secrets, and unravel mysteries that will keep you eagerly turning the pages. Join us on a thrilling journey where every plot twist and revelation adds a layer of excitement. Immerse yourself in the art of investigation with our guide to the best in the genre.

Books

1. Gone Girl

Author: Gillian Flynn

One-Liner: A psychological thriller about a marriage unraveling into deceit, manipulation, and shocking twists.

Summary: In Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn weaves a dark, twisting thriller that follows Nick and Amy Dunne’s marriage . On their fifth wedding anniversary, Amy goes missing, and Nick quickly becomes a prime suspect. As the narrative alternates between Nick’s perspective and Amy’s diary entries, readers are drawn into a suspenseful web of secrets, betrayal, and shocking revelations. The story’s complex structure and unreliable narrators keep readers questioning the truth until the chilling finale. he novel’s success led to a film adaptation directed by David Fincher in 2014.The film received critical acclaim for its faithful adaptation of the source material.

2. Girl On The Train

Author: Paula Hawkins

One-Liner: A tense psychological thriller about a woman whose daily train ride leads her into a dark web of secrets, obsession, and lies.

Summary: The novel follows the life of Rachel Watson, a woman who travels by train to London every day. During her daily journey, Rachel becomes intrigued by a seemingly perfect couple, Megan and Scott Hipwell, whom she observes from the train window. However Rachel’s life takes a dark turn on Megan’s disappearance .The story moves further with investigation of Racheal on Megan’s missing. As the story unfolds, the reader discovers  complex relationship and hidden secretes of the characters. Betrayal, deception are explored in the book. The book was made into a successful film in 2016. The Girl On Train is absolute page turner that builds tension , making it a must read for fans of mysterious psychology.

3. The Da Vinci Code

Author: Dan Brown

One-Liner: A thrilling journey through art, history, and religion that unravels a gripping conspiracy.

Summary: “The Da Vinci Code” follows Professor Robert Langdon, a symbologist, and cryptologist, as he becomes entangled in a complex mystery. When the curator of the Louvre is found dead, Langdon discovers a series of cryptic codes left at the crime scene. Teaming up with cryptologist Sophie Neveu, they embark on a journey to unravel hidden messages in famous artworks and landmarks, exposing a conspiracy involving secret societies, religious secrets, and a hidden truth. “The Da Vinci Code” became a worldwide phenomenon, topping bestseller lists and sparking discussions and debates about its historical and religious themes. It was later adapted into a film.

4. Before I Go To Sleep

Author: S.J. Watson

One-Liner: A gripping story about a woman who loses her memory every day and tries to uncover the truth about her life.

Summary: The protagonist, Christine Lucas, wakes up every morning with no memory of who she is, where she is, or the people around her.Each day, Christine’s memories are erased, and she relies on a journal of her that she hides from her husband Ben. As she reads the entries in her journal, she discovers some discrepancies between her recollections and the information provided by Ben. She becomes increasingly suspicious of Ben’s motivations and the events surrounding her memory loss. Watson’s skillful storytelling and the relentless pursuit of truth make this psychological thriller a must-read for fans of the genre. The movie was later adopted into movie in 2014.

5. The Cuckoo’s Calling

Author: Robert Galbraith

One-Liner: A thrilling mystery about a private detective investigating the suspicious death of a supermodel.

The story follows Cormoran Strike, a war veteran turned private detective, is hired to investigate the death of Lula Landry, a famous supermodel whose fall from her apartment is framed as a suicide. But her brother John Bristow believed  that his sister was murdered. As Strike delves into Lula Landry’s life, he discovers a complex world of celebrity, glamour, and secrets. Lula, known for her troubled past, had connections to influential people, making the investigation challenging and filled with potential motives. “The Cuckoo’s Calling” was well-received for its engaging plot, well-developed characters, and the skillful blending of mystery and social commentary. Due to its success the author continues to publish series of novels with the same detective character Cormoron Strike.

6. The Bone Collector

Author: Jeffery Deaver

One-Liner: A suspenseful thriller about a paralyzed detective and his partner tracking down a ruthless serial killer.

Summary: Lincoln Rhyme, a former NYPD detective and forensic expert, is left paralyzed after an accident on the job. However, his expertise is urgently needed when a serial killer called Bone Collector begins terrorizing New York City. Rhyme is called back into action to help solve the case. Unable to physically investigate the crime scenes, Rhyme relies on his  assistant  Amelia Sachs, a patrol officer who becomes his eyes and ears in the field. They both uncover a complex series of clues that lead them to the heart of the killer’s motives and methods. The novel explores themes of resilience, teamwork, and the psychological aspects of criminal investigation. The Bone Collector” received critical acclaim for its clever plot , well-developed characters, and the unique dynamic between its lead characters. The novel was later adapted into a film in 1999.

7. Secret History

Author: Donna Tartt

One-Liner: A haunting story about a group of college students whose obsession with ancient ideas leads to betrayal and murder.

Summary: The novel follows  Richard Papen, a transfer student to elite library arts college  in Vermont. Soon Richard becomes fascinated by a small group of odd students studying under a mysterious professor  Julian Marrow. They are dedicated to study ancient culture and practices. Soon Richard discovers the dark students of students as they are involved in commission of murders. The novel unfolds as Richard reflects on the events  leading to the murder and its aftermath “The secret History” is praised for it complex character and its exploration of psychological and moral consequences of character’s action.

8. Red Dragon

Author: Thomas Harris

One-Liner: A chilling psychological thriller about a former FBI agent’s hunt for a brutal serial killer, with the aid of the infamous Hannibal Lecter.

Summary: Will Graham, a former FBI profiler who retired after capturing the serial killer, psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter. He is brought back into his actions when a new serial killer , named “Tooth Fairy” for his brutal and ritualistic murders arrives. Graham seeks the help of Dr. Hannibal Lecter, who is now imprisoned. As the story unfolds, Graham faces personal and psychological challenges, including the ongoing influence of Hannibal Lecter. The cat-and-mouse game between Graham and the Tooth Fairy builds tension, leading to a gripping climax. “Red Dragon” is known for its intense psychological portrayal of the characters, particularly the complex dynamics between Graham and Lecter. The success of “Red Dragon” paved the way for Thomas Harris’s subsequent novels

9. The Alienist

Author: Caleb Carr

One-Liner: A gripping historical thriller about a team using early forensic techniques to track down a brutal serial killer in 19th-century New York City.

Summary: Set against the backdrop of 1890s New York, Dr.Laszlo Kreizler, an alienist (psychologist), assembles a team including a crime reporter, a police commissioner, and forensic scientists to investigate a series of gruesome murders. The victims, young male prostitutes, are brutally killed, leading the team on a relentless pursuit to reveal the killer’s motives. As the team delves into the twisted mind of a serial killer, “The Alienist” becomes a captivating exploration of crime-solving, mental health, and the societal challenges of the Gilded Age. Throughout the story, Carr weaves historical details and real-life figures into the fictional narrative. “The Alienist” received critical acclaim for its historical accuracy, atmospheric setting, and the integration of psychological profiling into the crime-solving process.  The novel was followed by a sequel, “The Angel of Darkness”

10. Dark Places

Author: Gillian Flynn

One-Liner: A dark and twisted thriller about a woman revisiting her family’s brutal murder to uncover shocking truths.

Summary: The novel revolves around Libby Day, the sole survivor of her family’s massacre , when she was just seven years old. Libby’s mother and two sisters were brutally murdered, and her brother, Ben, was convicted of the crime. Now an adult, Libby is approached by a group of  investigators known as the Kill Club.. Libby agrees to revisit the events of that fateful night. The Kill Club is convinced that Ben was wrongly convicted and hopes to uncover the truth. As the investigation continues, Libby encounters various characters from her childhood each with their own secrets perspectives on murders . The investigation takes dark and unexpected turns as Libby discovers hidden truths about her family and confronts the trauma of her past.

Comparison Table

Our Top Picks

Gone Girl

Amazon

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The Da Vinci Code

Amazon

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Before I Go To Sleep

Amazon

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Red Dragon

Amazon

Flipkart

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The Alienist

Amazon

Flipkart

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