What makes an author the best for thriller novels?

A great plot is crucial. A successful author of thriller novels needs to create a story that grabs the reader's attention from the start and keeps them hooked. For example, a plot full of unexpected twists and turns like in Gillian Flynn's 'Gone Girl'.

Well, for starters, the pacing. Thriller novels such as 'The Da Vinci Code' have a fast - paced narrative that keeps you turning the pages. Also, the high - stakes situations. In 'Silence of the Lambs', Clarice is trying to catch a serial killer. If she fails, more lives will be at stake. And the element of mystery, like in 'Rebecca', where the new wife is haunted by the presence of the first wife, makes it really captivating.

The suspense. In the best psychological thriller novels, the authors keep you on the edge of your seat. You're constantly guessing what will happen next. For example, in 'Gone Girl', the twists keep coming and you can't be sure who to trust. Another factor is the complex characters. They often have hidden motives and dark secrets, like in 'Sharp Objects'.

The suspense. They keep readers guessing until the very end.

A good thriller story often has a sense of mystery. For example, in 'The Da Vinci Code', there are a lot of secrets and puzzles that keep readers hooked. It's all about not knowing what's going to happen next.

A great thriller often has a strong sense of suspense. For example, in 'The Silence of the Lambs', the way Harris builds up the mystery around the serial killer Buffalo Bill keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. Also, complex characters are important. In 'Gone Girl', the characters of Nick and Amy are so multi - dimensional that you're constantly re - evaluating your opinion of them as the plot unfolds. And a good thriller usually has unexpected plot twists, like in 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' where the revelations keep coming.

Some of the 2018 best thriller novels include 'The Woman in the Window' by A.J. Finn. It's a gripping psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats with its unreliable narrator and a mystery that unfolds within the confines of a house.

One of the best 2017 thriller novels is 'The Dry' by Jane Harper. It's set in a drought - stricken Australian town and has a great mystery at its core. Another is 'Before the Fall' by Noah Hawley. The story of a plane crash and the subsequent investigation is full of twists and turns. And 'The Girl Before' by JP Delaney is also notable. It's about a woman who moves into a minimalist house with some very strange rules and a dark past.

Some of the best 2019 thriller novels include 'The Silent Patient' by Alex Michaelides. It's a gripping tale about a criminal psychologist trying to get a mute patient to talk about her crime. Another great one is 'The Institute' by Stephen King. It involves a mysterious institute and children with special powers. Also, 'The Chain' by Adrian McKinty is quite good. It has a unique and terrifying concept of a chain of kidnappings.

The 'Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown is a popular thriller that combines mystery and historical elements. 'The Bourne Identity' by Robert Ludlum is also great. It follows a man with amnesia trying to figure out his identity while being chased. And 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie, with its isolated setting and series of murders, is a masterful thriller.