Thrillers have so far been my most exciting new genre that I have dived into.
I have started exploring a wide range of stories. However, I find thrillers fascinating, though I’ve yet to come across one that completely throws me for a loop. So far, a few have left me a little shocked, even mildly flabbergasted, but as I dive deeper, I’m becoming increasingly satisfied with what I’m discovering. This list features some entry-level thriller recommendations: stories that are accessible, exciting, and sufficiently suspenseful. Some are more predictable, while others offer a few unexpected twists, but all are enjoyable reads and a great starting point for anyone new to the genre.
A majority of these stories were recommendations or books that I read through my book club. They aren’t all 5-star reads, but they will get the job done and intrigue you enough to continue your exploration deeper.
Disclaimer: I’m recommending these stories purely based on plot and entertainment value. This isn’t a deep dive into writing style or literary merit, I’ll leave that for you to decide. These are simply accessible, engaging reads that are great for beginners.
Next of Kin – Kia Abdullah
This legal thriller revolves around Leila Syed, a successful businesswoman who agrees to drop her young nephew off at school as a favour to her sister. But a devastating mistake leads to the child’s death, triggering a criminal trial and a media frenzy. As secrets unravel in court, the novel explores themes of guilt, family loyalty, and the fine line between negligence and criminality.
Next of Kin starts a bit slow, but by the time we get to the court scenes, it picks up. The tension around whether she gets convicted is palpable, and the almost insidious way her life and relationships are picked apart is such sharp, compelling writing. The twists at the end completely caught me off guard, I genuinely didn’t see either of them coming. End-of-book surprises can sometimes feel frustrating, leaving me wondering what could have happened instead. But in this case, I think that uncertainty is part of what makes it such effective storytelling.
All Her Little Secrets – Wanda M Morriss
Ellice Littlejohn, a Black attorney in Atlanta, keeps her personal life tightly controlled. But when she finds her boss dead and doesn’t report it, she becomes entangled in a dangerous web of corporate secrets, racism, and power plays. As the mystery unfolds, Ellice is forced to confront her own painful past while fighting for justice and survival.
All Her Little Secrets was part of my list of 10 reads by Black women, and I’m recommending it again—something I usually try not to do, simply because I genuinely enjoyed it. Ellice is morally ambiguous and, honestly, makes some questionable decisions given her role and profession. Still, those flaws are integral to the story and how it unfolds. While I found myself frustrated at times, I was also fully intrigued. That said, I can understand why some readers might find her character hard to root for.
The Family Upstairs – Lisa Jewell
In this suspenseful family saga, Libby Jones inherits a mansion in London only to uncover a dark history of cult-like behaviour, mysterious deaths, and missing people tied to her birth family. Told through multiple perspectives, the novel weaves past and present to unravel chilling secrets about identity, manipulation, and survival.
The Family Upstairs is weird as hell—in the best way. The intertwining narratives at the beginning were a bit hard to follow, but once you get a handle on who’s speaking and how the stories connect, it starts to flow. I genuinely enjoyed it. I think it was the first thriller I read in my “new age” of reading, before I even started the blog, and I still consider it a solid, memorable read. Though there is a second book, and this story finishes a little open-ended, I still consider it a standalone that can be enjoyed as such.
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The Housemaid – Freida McFadden
Millie, recently released from prison and desperate for a fresh start, is hired as a live-in maid by the wealthy Winchester family. The job seems perfect—until she starts noticing disturbing behaviour and secrets within the household. The psychological thriller escalates as Millie discovers that she’s not the only one with a dark past, and survival may depend on outwitting those around her.
I have a full review of The Housemaid, which you should definitely read. While I wouldn’t call this the epitome of thrillers, I think it is one of the best books to start with. It is fast-paced and enjoyable with sufficient twists, though predictable,e still fairly satisfying.
I hope this serves as a good starting point if you’re looking into exploring the thriller genre and don’t know where to begin. As I read more, I’m sure I’ll be back to update this list or even go further for seasoned readers.
Let me know if you have read any of these or if you plan to. Follow me on Fable for my day-to-day posts!
Signed,
