Best Thriller Novels to Dive Into in 2026

I have found that the best way to read more is to find books that you can’t put down. And what books are harder to put down than thriller novels. That is why we will be sharing the best thriller novels to dive into in 2026!

When done right, thriller novels are some of the best books out there. There is a reason that thrillers and spy novels are constantly made into movies at a high rate. We have a ton of spy franchises based on popular works of fiction.

Some franchises that come to mind are James Bond and The Jason Bourne series. While the movies are great, the books are what paved the way for their success. And there are a lot more amazing thriller novels just as good if not better.

We decided to choose three thriller novels that resonated with us strongly. What better way to start the year then three great works of literature. You won’t be able to put down these thriller novels once you start reading them. And it is a great way to read more books in 2026. You can see the full list below!

Best Thriller Novels to Dive Into in 2026

• Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett
• The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
• Lady Joker by Kaoru Takamura

Eye of the Needle

After seeing Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett on many lists as a must read thriller novel, I finally got around to reading it. And I am glad that I did because it reminded me why I love spy novels and a good thriller. This novel is a page turner and the intriguing plot and the various point of views make this an enjoyable read.

The Needle is a German spy, one of their best agents and he holds the key to winning the war for Germany. But he has to make it back to his homeland to deliver them the information they need.

His journey leads him to a remote island and a young English woman. Her decisions may decide which way the war swings and who ultimately wins World War II.

The Talented Mr. Ripley

A thriller that I recommend everyone to read is The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith. It is a fun novel that follows the descent into madness of Ripley and what he will do to keep his new life going. Highsmith’s characters and her plot make this an exceptional read

Highsmith is a unique character who explores the true nature of a person and what people are capable of. There hasn’t been another author like her and most likely ever won’t be. Her protagonists will terrify you for their wavering morality and self preservation.

Protagonist Tom Ripley is up to his old tricks again, scamming people to survive. His luck has been bad and he is fed up with his life. And he fears that the police are going to arrest his for his scams. But Tom’s luck turns around when he is approached by a shipping magnate named Herbert Greenleaf. He wants Ripley to convince his son to return home from Italy. 

Ripley thus finds himself heading to Italy with Greenleaf funding his trip. But Greenleaf’s son Dickie isn’t fond of Tom and suspects Tom. It is now up to Tom to continue this scam and live the life he always wanted. But his lies are bound to catch up to him.

Lady Joker

With the third selection, I wanted to highlight a thriller novel that most people have not heard of or read. Lady Joker by Kaoru Takamura is a Japanese novel that has been translated to English recently and it is an amazing read.

The novel is a two part series based on a kidnapping case that took place in Japan in 1984. It is beautifully written and it will make you enjoy Japanese literature a lot more. The novel was first published in 1997 in Japan and was translated in 2021.

The president of the Hinode Beer company has been kidnapped from his home and tied up for three days. After the three days, he is released and is told that the kidnappers will contact him later to pay a ransom. If he doesn’t, they will poison the Hinode Beer products.

The two-part novel follows the characters that end up kidnapping Shiroyama and what led them to that moment. We also see what happens afterwards and the consequences of the kidnapping. And if the kidnappers are caught or get away.

Conclusion

These are the best thrillers to read in 2026 in our opinion. We included just three of our favorite thrillers that we know readers will love. All of these novels offer something different that will keep you hooked until the last page.

Thriller novels are one of my favorite genres of books because they are fast paced and action filled. There is never a dull moment and there’s a good chance you might read it in one sitting. Those are the books we love and can’t stop thinking about even several years later.

What books from this list have you read or plan to read? What other thriller novels are you planning to read in 2026? Let us know in the comments below. And if you enjoy this list and want us to share more thriller novels, comment below which ones. Until next time, happy reading!