The best thrillers are spine-tinglingly creepy, mind-bogglingly twisty, and nail-bitingly suspenseful. And we’ve got ten that fit the bill right here.
Whether you’re looking for M. Night Shyamalan-style twists or to lose yourself in a gripping mystery, here are the ten best thriller audiobooks to download now. Get ready to be shocked to your very core…
1) The Institute
Stephen King is the, well, king of the Epic Thriller genre. And 2019’s The Institute is the master of suspense at his very best. Narrated by Tony-winning actor Santino Fontana, this sensational audiobook invites listeners into a dark, twisting narrative they’ll never forget.
Here’s what you need to know: Following the death of his parents, 12-year-old Luke finds himself imprisoned in a mysterious facility in the depths of the Maine woodlands known only as the Institute. But Luke is just one of many exceptionally gifted children captured — and tested — within its walls. Listen in as Luke and his peers plot their escape and try to get to the bottom of the malevolent forces behind the facility’s operations.
2) The Family Upstairs
Lisa Jewell is a prolific writer of thrillers; if you’ve never read anything by this author before, The Family Upstairs will change that fast.
This tale follows Libby Jones as she inherits a London mansion on her twenty-fifth birthday. The problem? The building comes with a dark past, one that involves three shocking deaths, missing children, and a mysterious baby. Expect atmospheric writing, incredible performances from the book’s narrators, and an intricate plot that’ll keep you guessing until the last page.
3) The Paris Apartment
Lucy Foley has perfected the art of crafting books told from multiple-perspective. And The Paris Apartment is one of her best.
Set on the beautiful streets of Paris, this book quickly throws the reader and main character, Jess, into a web of lies and manipulations. After arriving at her brother’s apartment to find him missing, Jess is the only one who can discover the truth of what happened. But is she being thwarted at every turn by the apartment building’s residents, or is she simply paranoid? Multiple voices bring each character’s perspective to life, weaving a story that will stay with you long after you leave the city of love.
4) Along Came a Spider
Looking for a new series to binge-read or binge-listen to? Well, Along Came a Spider is the first installment of James Patterson’s long-running Alex Cross series, which has over 30 entries as of 2024.
First published in 1993, this twisting title introduces readers to forensic psychologist Alex Cross in a thrilling chase to capture the man responsible for kidnapping two children from an elite Washington, D.C. private school. Listen in as Cross discovers the truth runs so much deeper than anyone could have imagined.
5) The Silent Patient
A gripping psychological thriller that has captivated readers worldwide, it’s hard to believe that The Silent Patient is Alex Michaelides' debut novel.
This inventive story follows psychotherapist Theo Faber as he attempts to answer an impossible question: Why did renowned painter Alicia Berenson shoot her husband in the head five times? And why won’t she speak to anyone, even in an attempt to clear her name?
6) Close to Death
Few do it quite like Anthony Horowitz. The most recent addition to his Detective Hawthorne series, Close to Death, sees this master of mystery at the top of his game.
When Giles Kenworthy is found dead with a crossbow bolt through his neck, everyone suspects his neighbors finally did him. After all, death is the only fitting punishment for ruining the peace of their gated community in London’s Richmond Upon Thames.
But when everyone has the same motive, what are the police to do but call in former detective Daniel Hawthorne?
7) My Sister, The Serial Killer
Oyinkan Braithwaite’s My Sister, The Serial Killer, will make a witty, campy, and utterly enthralling addition to your collection.
Set in Lagos, this page-turner follows two sisters: one with a talent for covering up murders and one — you guessed it — with a sociopathic knack for killing. When Korede’s murderous sister turns her attention to Korede’s workplace crush, she realizes she must take action. But how? Narrated by British-Nigerian actress Weruche Opia, this book is fun and more than a little bit frightening.
8) Shutter Island
You’ve likely heard of Martin Scorsese’s 2010 blockbuster Shutter Island, but did you know it’s based on a book?
Dennis Lehane’s novel immerses the reader in the sinister world of Shutter Island, home of Ashecliffe Hospital for the Criminally Insane. Follow along as Marshal Teddy Daniels’ hunt for escaped murderer Rachel Solando sends him down an unexpected path… And potentially towards insanity.
9) Dark Places
Gillian Flynn’s Dark Places will stick with you for years to come. Often overshadowed by Flynn’s best-seller Gone Girl, this 2009 release is not to be missed.
20 years after her older brother massacred their entire family, sole survivor Libby’s money is running out. Her only option is to return to the case that changed her life forever, forcing her to confront a question she’d rather leave unanswered: was her brother truly capable of murder?
Listeners can expect evocative prose, complex characters, and a haunting story of family, the occult, and betrayal.
10) The Night Shift
Two brutal attacks on night shift workers, 15 years apart, each with one survivor. Coincidence? Investigators think not.
Alex Finlay’s The Night Shift sees three lives intersect in unexpected ways as the sole survivor of the 1999 massacre, the brother of the fugitive accused, and FBI agent Sarah Keller team up to hunt down the killer — before they have the chance to attack again.
A suspenseful plot, fast-paced storytelling, and a tightly woven web of mysteries — what more could you want from a thriller?
