top 100 suspense novels

Well, the top 10 suspense novels often have complex characters. In 'In Cold Blood', the killers are not one - dimensional, which adds to the mystery. Unreliable narrators can also be a feature. In 'Rebecca', the new wife's perspective may not be entirely reliable. And the setting plays a role too. In 'The Shining', the isolated hotel setting intensifies the suspense, as there's a sense of being trapped with the unknown threats.

Some of the top suspense novels include 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. It has a complex plot full of twists. Another one is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. The story is dark and filled with mystery. Also, 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris is a classic. It's chilling with the character of Hannibal Lecter being so menacing.

Agatha Christie's 'And Then There Were None' is also a classic in the mystery suspense genre. It's set on an isolated island where guests start dying one by one. Christie masterfully builds the suspense as the survivors try to figure out who the killer is among them. It's a brilliant display of mystery writing with a truly unexpected ending.

The top 10 mystery suspense novels are quite diverse. 'Sherlock Holmes' stories by Arthur Conan Doyle are definitely on the list. Holmes' brilliant deductions in cases like 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' are legendary. 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler is another. It features the detective Philip Marlowe in a noir - ish mystery filled with crime and corruption. Also, 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier has an air of mystery and suspense as a young woman enters a new life in a mansion haunted by the memory of the previous mistress.

Agatha Christie's works are always popular in the suspense genre. For example, 'Murder on the Orient Express'. Her novels are known for their intricate plots, a large cast of suspects, and the brilliant detective work of characters like Hercule Poirot.

Some popular ones could be 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. It's full of mystery and a complex relationship. 'The Girl on the Train' is also great, with a woman's unreliable narration adding to the suspense in the love - related mystery. And 'Dark Places' by the same author also combines suspense and romance elements well.

Well, 'Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris has elements of romantic suspense in a very dark way. The relationship between Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter has a strange allure. 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier is a classic. The mystery surrounding the first wife, Rebecca, and the new bride's relationship with her husband Max is full of suspense and has a touch of romance. And 'The Secret History' by Donna Tartt, with its group of students and a dark secret, has some romantic undertones within the suspenseful plot.

Well, 'Silence of the Lambs' can be considered in a way. While it's mainly a thriller, there is a certain strange connection between Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter that has an element of the romantic in the midst of all the horror and suspense. Then there's 'The Bourne Identity' series. The relationship between Jason Bourne and Marie Kreutz has a romantic aspect as they are on the run together and he is trying to figure out his past, which is full of suspense. Also, 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown has a bit of a romantic sub - plot along with its historical mystery and suspense.

The 'Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson is also a great one. It combines mystery, suspense, and a unique protagonist. 'Shutter Island' by Dennis Lehane is really good too. The story is set in an eerie mental institution and the mystery unfolds in a very engaging way. It makes you question what is real and what isn't.

Well, in top suspense novels, the setting can play a big role in creating suspense. In 'Rebecca', the spooky old mansion adds to the overall sense of unease. Another characteristic is the use of red herrings. In 'The Da Vinci Code', there are many false leads that keep the reader guessing. And a good suspense novel often has a sense of urgency. In 'And Then There Were None', as the characters start to die one by one, there is an urgent need to figure out who the killer is.