The success of action movie books often depends on their twist endings, and some good additions to the genre have been elevated to greatness by their big revelations. Thrillers aim to keep readers attentive from the opening pages and also have the task of delivering surprises throughout their viewing. Many of them save the biggest revelations for the third act, dropping bombastic twists on readers as soon as they reach the end of the story.
Sometimes twisted endings can really detract from the thriller books they are a part of. Certain revelations are too safe, while others end up being too strange to be believable. It takes a skilled author to strike a proper balance, ensuring their conclusion feels earned and surprising. In some cases, authors handle their twists so well that they catapult a good book to greatness. These stunning revelations ensure these suspenseful books will stick with readers long after they have finished.
10
The Girl on the Train, by Paula Hawkins
There’s a reason for 2015 The girl on the train It’s so popularas it is a well-written story with interesting characters, an atmospheric setting and a realistic approach to alcoholism. The novel works even without taking its big twist into account, as it is an easy, quick read that allows you to instantly sympathize with its main character. However, without its final revelation, The girl on the train doesn’t feel all that different from other domestic thrillers. In fact, even the final twist mirrors many others in the subgenre, though The girl on the train helped the category become so popular.
The girl on the trainThe big reveal may seem predictable in retrospect, but the novel does an impressive job of keeping you guessing throughout its runtime.
At the time of its release, The girl on the trainthe surprise ending proved to be a shocking use of unreliable narration. And that’s part of the reason the book became such a hit. The girl on the trainThe big reveal may seem predictable in retrospect, but the novel does an impressive job of keeping you guessing throughout its runtime. It also lays the groundwork for its final twist well, which may be why it feels so obvious once you finally catch up to it.
9
One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
This brilliant final twist is very difficult to predict
Not all young adult thrillers live up to their more mature counterparts, but One of us is lying by Karen M. McManus is a worthwhile read no matter what age you are. It strikes the right balance between teen drama and murder mystery elements, allowing it to stand on its own with or without its big reveal. It’s a fun story from the start, but its clever final twist is what helps it stand out from similar narratives.
The central mystery of One of us is lying revolves around student Simon, who suddenly drops dead during detention. Since he’s the mastermind behind a gossip app targeting his classmates, there’s no shortage of suspects who might want to kill Simon – and that’s not to mention the other kids detained with him. McManus lays the groundwork for this story to go in several different directionsBut the truth about Simon’s death is more surprising than expected. It’s a unique twist that makes this one of the best YA thrillers out there.
8
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
Not your traditional cliffhanger (or ending) story
Another YA thriller that is popular for good reason, We were liars has one of the most surprising, deserved and tragic endings of any book on this list. We were liars is not set up like a traditional thriller narrative. At first it seems more like a contemporary story with mystery elements, although it ends up being a psychological thriller in the end. The book follows Cady Eastman, who returns to her family’s private island to reunite with her closest friends – the Liars – after a year away.
It gets even better when reread, with the ending taking a long time We were liars from a good story to a great one.
We were liars makes it obvious from the start that Cady is struggling with major trauma, but waits to reveal what it is. The story leading up to this point is an interesting read, filled with great interactions between characters and commentary on class and family dynamics. The book cleverly sprinkles clues throughout its narrativeand its final twist is satisfying and moving. It gets even better when reread, with the ending taking a long time We were liars from a good story to a great one. No wonder Amazon is working on a TV adaptation.
7
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
A shocking twist that brings it all together
The silent patient is a book often recommended in mystery spacesand its premise alone sets readers up for a thrilling ride. It centers on Alicia Berenson, a well-known painter who unexpectedly kills her husband and then stops speaking completely. Criminal psychotherapist Theo Faber becomes determined to find out what really happened between Alicia and her husband. Her obsessive nature makes this story compelling, as do the snippets of Alicia’s perspective we get throughout it. The silent patient is certainly a popular book that deserves its hype.
While The silent patientThe intriguing premise and characters set the book up for success, the big reveal is a huge contributor. It seamlessly connects the book’s characters and threads and is genuinely shocking – though not so much that you can’t go back and understand the clues. The silent patientthe conclusion brings the story to life in a way that makes it a great addition to the suspense genre. It is a must-read for fans of the category.
6
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Like Gone Girl, this strikes an impressive balance
missing girl It gets a lot of attention for being one of the best thrillers of the 21st century, but Gillian Flynn’s other books are equally compelling. This includes Sharp objectsthe author’s first novel. A story about a troubled reporter who returns to her hometown to investigate a recent murder. Sharp objects has all the ingredients of a solid thriller. It feels strange and unsettling as you read it, and its characters are complicated and often unlikeable. There are also doubts about the main character’s trustworthiness, with her prejudices and traumas clouding her judgment.
Flynn strikes the balance that all thriller authors should aspire to and elevates his books from good to great.
All these qualities serve to make Sharp objects It’s a stunning book, and its ending ensures you’ll keep thinking about it long after you’ve finished. Sharp objects’ Killer twist benefits from Flynn’s writing stylewhich often finds the author leaving enough evidence to predict the big reveal – but somehow ensuring it’s surprising nonetheless. Flynn strikes the balance that all thriller authors should aspire to and elevates his books from good to great.
5
Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
The final twist is why the book is famous
Anyone who read Shutter Island I can attest to the fact that it is one of the great within the thriller genre. Set in the mid-1950s, Shutter Island follows Marshal Teddy Daniels and Chuck Aule as they venture to the titular island to help search for an escaped patient at the Ashecliffe Hospital for the Criminally Insane. With Rachel Solando free for the first time since being placed there for multiple murders, this is already a dangerous task. Add an approaching hurricane and it’s doubly so.
As Shutter IslandAs the main duo investigate Rachel’s disappearance, it becomes increasingly obvious that something is wrong at Ashecliffe. And that extends to one of its main characters, who finds himself at the center of a perfectly staged and delivered plot twist. This revelation leaves most readers reeling, and is what Shutter Island is famous for.
4
Truth by Colleen Hoover
An ending that leaves readers speculating
True is considered one of Colleen Hoover’s best books, which is interesting as it leans more into the thriller genre than her usual romance books. Hoover’s 2018 novel is a quick and easy read, full of suspense and well-written characters. As thrillers go, it initially doesn’t seem all that unique – although there are plenty of explicit scenes that you wouldn’t expect from your average thriller novel. Yet, True It’s a fun journey and its ending upends everything readers think they know.
This ending is exactly why True it leaves a lasting impression and elevates the entire novel. The fact that it raises questions and seems somewhat ambiguous can be frustrating, but it also contributes to its greatness. This novel leaves readers thinking and talking about it after it’s finished, something every thriller should strive to do.
3
Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough
There’s a reason this unpredictable twist gets praise
Sarah Pinborough Behind her eyes is another thriller book that is often praised for its endingalthough its entire narrative is engaging. The novel follows Louise as she is unexpectedly drawn into the wedding of a seemingly perfect couple who have more going on beneath the surface. Louise’s involvement only begins after she unknowingly sleeps with her husband, David, who is also her new boss. When she meets Adele, she starts to notice warning signs that signal some serious secret between these two characters.
Behind her eyes‘The TV adaptation is currently available to stream on Netflix.
Behind her eyes has many advantages, from the approach to the unsettling love triangle to the writing. These qualities make it a good domestic thriller. However, its jaw-dropping ending sets it apart from other books in the subgenre. There’s a reason it receives so much enthusiasm in discussions about the book, even if some readers find it a bit overdone.
2
Rock, Paper, Scissors, by Alice Feeney
An unpredictable revelation that rivals the author’s other books
Alice Feeney is a must-read thriller author and it’s hard to choose which of her books is the best. But readers looking for a solid final twist should understand rock paper scissors. This 2021 romance is another domestic thriller that hits the spot and has a unique premise to boot. It follows married couple Adam and Amelia as they journey to Scotland in hopes of rekindling their relationship. Adam has face blindness, which makes this an especially interesting read – especially when you realize that this trip and the couple are not what they seem.
As is the case with many of Feeney’s twist endings, readers probably won’t predict what’s happening next. rock paper scissors until romance reveals it.
As Adam and Amelia exchange birthday gifts, it becomes clear that someone isn’t being completely honest. And as is the case with many of Feeney’s surprise endings, readers probably won’t predict what’s happening next. rock paper scissors until the novel finally reveals it. The book’s big reveal sets it above many other releases in the domestic thriller subgenre, though could be compared in terms of grandeur to other works by Feeney.
1
The It Girl by Ruth Ware
A book that makes good use of red herrings
The girl is probably one of Ruth Ware’s best suspense booksbut it’s definitely a slow burn. Its central mystery unfolds across two distinct timelines. In the latter, Hannah’s Oxford roommate, April, is murdered in her residence. And the present finds Hannah questioning whether she helped arrest the right man 10 years later. The girl It’s an engaging read, not least because its university setting and central cast of characters are incredibly attractive. It’s a great thriller to pick up, although its pacing is a common complaint.
Happily, The girlthe final twist proves it’s worth the wait. After suggesting many directions the story could take, Ware proves he’s skilled at writing red herrings. The author does an impressive job of establishing the real killer throughout the book without making it too obvious. The result is a genuinely surprising conclusion. And the action movieThe slower narrative of In the Beginning makes its ending that much more powerful, as readers will feel more connected to the characters and their struggles.