Some excellent historical thriller novels include 'The Historian' by Elizabeth Kostova. It delves into the legend of Dracula, with the story spanning different historical periods and locations. The historical research in this book is extensive. 'Gates of Fire' by Steven Pressfield is another one. It takes us back to the Battle of Thermopylae in ancient Greece, and through a thrilling narrative, shows the heroism and sacrifice of the Spartans. Also, 'The Dante Club' by Matthew Pearl, which is set in 19th - century Boston and involves a series of murders inspired by Dante's 'Inferno', with the main characters trying to solve the mystery while also dealing with the historical and literary context.
One great historical thriller novel is 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown. It combines historical facts about the Knights Templar and the Holy Grail with a fast - paced thriller plot. Another is 'Umberto Eco's 'The Name of the Rose', which is set in a 14th - century monastery and involves a series of mysterious deaths and a complex web of religious and historical intrigue. 'Ken Follett's 'The Pillars of the Earth' is also a great choice. It tells the story of the building of a cathedral in 12th - century England, with lots of political and personal drama along the way.
A great historical thriller is 'The Alienist' by Caleb Carr. It's set in 1896 New York City and follows a psychologist (the alienist) and a team as they try to catch a serial killer. The historical details of the city at that time, from the slums to the upper - class society, are vividly depicted. 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier can also be considered. While it's more of a gothic mystery, it has historical elements as it shows the life in a large English estate in the past. And 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' by John le Carré is set during the Cold War and is full of political and espionage thrills.
One of the great thriller novels is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It has a complex mystery and a very unique protagonist. Another is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn, which is full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. And 'Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris is also a classic thriller with a terrifying villain.
One of the great 2023 thriller novels is 'The Last Thing He Told Me' by Laura Dave. It has a gripping plot full of mystery and family secrets. Another is 'The Night Agent' by Matthew Quirk. It keeps readers on the edge of their seats with its political intrigue and action-packed scenes. And 'The House in the Pines' by Ana Reyes also stands out. The story is filled with psychological twists that will make you question everything.
I also recommend 'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins. It's a gripping thriller that follows the life of a woman who commutes by train and gets involved in a mystery related to a missing person. The unreliable narrator adds an extra layer of intrigue to the story.
Well, '24 Hours' by Greg Iles is a great action thriller. It's a fast - paced story full of danger and suspense. 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson is another notable one. The main character, Lisbeth Salander, is a complex and fascinating anti - heroine. And then there's 'Red Storm Rising' by Tom Clancy which is set in a fictional World War III scenario, filled with intense military action and strategic maneuvers.
One of the great spy thriller novels is 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' by John le Carré. It's a classic that offers a complex and gritty look at the world of espionage. Another is 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy', also by le Carré, which is full of intrigue and well - developed characters. And 'Casino Royale' by Ian Fleming is a great example too, with its exciting action and the iconic character of James Bond.
One of the great crime thriller novels is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It has a complex mystery involving a journalist and a hacker girl as they investigate a decades - old disappearance. Another is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn, which keeps readers on the edge with its twisted plot about a missing wife. And 'Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris is also a classic, with the terrifying character of Hannibal Lecter.
One great adult thriller novel is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. It has a complex plot full of twists and turns. The characters are well - developed, and the story keeps you on the edge of your seat as it unfolds the mystery of a missing wife and the secrets within the marriage. Another is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It combines elements of mystery, crime, and thriller with a strong female lead character, Lisbeth Salander. The story is dark and gritty, involving a decades - old mystery and a lot of action.
One great short thriller novel is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. It's a disturbing and thought - provoking story set in a small town. Another is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. The unreliable narrator in this story creates a sense of unease as he tries to convince the reader of his sanity while clearly being deranged. Also, 'The Most Dangerous Game' by Richard Connell is excellent. It pits a hunter against a human hunter in a fight for survival on an isolated island.
There are several. 'The Runaway Jury' by John Grisham is a great legal thriller. It delves into the manipulation of a jury in a big tobacco case. Then, there's 'The Case of the Velvet Claws' by Erle Stanley Gardner, an early example of the legal thriller genre. It features the famous lawyer Perry Mason. And 'Camino Island' by John Grisham combines the legal world with the mystery of stolen rare books, making for an exciting read.
Dan Brown's 'The Da Vinci Code' is also a great historical thriller. It takes readers on a fast - paced journey through historical facts, art, and religious conspiracies in modern - day Europe. The book weaves together a story that makes you question long - held beliefs about history and religion.