BookTok: The best thriller and mystery reads

From classic whodunits to mind-bending psychological thrillers, BookTok is the best place to look for good recommendations for mystery and thriller reads.

We have compiled a list of the best of BookTok's mystery and thriller recommendations.
We have compiled a list of the best of BookTok's mystery and thriller recommendations.  © Unsplash/@jkkantakbailey

The reader community on TikTok has grown into an influential collective that has brought its ruling down on books of all genres.

While romance and fantasy tend to reign supreme, there are plenty of worthy picks for fans of darker genres like horror, mystery, and thriller.

We've narrowed down their picks to the best of the best.

These thrilling reads will have you hooked from the very first page to the final plot twist.

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

Holly Jackson has released three novels as part of the Good Girl's Guide to Murder series.
Holly Jackson has released three novels as part of the Good Girl's Guide to Murder series.  © screenshot/Instagram/@gillianreads_

Holly Jackson's A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series is a popular BookTok favorite in the mystery genre.

The first installment follows Pip, a high school student who decides to investigate a murder case in her town from five years prior.

Though the case is closed and the suspect dead, Pip believes that there is more to the story. As she keeps digging, she realizes she just might be right.

This book is impossible to put down. Be sure to check out the sequels once you've finished!

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton is a BookTok favorite.
The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton is a BookTok favorite.  © screenshot/Instagram/@alireadsbooks

Often mistaken for BookTok's darling The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, this mystery stands on its own as another worthy favorite.

Fans of Agatha Christie will adore this twist on the classic murder mystery novel.

When an elegant ball ends in horror after a young woman named Evelyn Hardcastle is killed, ball guest Aiden learns that he must solve her murder in order to escape.

Until he does, the day will continue to repeat.

This thrilling mystery is unlike any other spin on the genre and will have you enthralled until the very last page.

In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

In a Dark, Dark Wood was an incredibly strong debut novel for Ruth Ware.
In a Dark, Dark Wood was an incredibly strong debut novel for Ruth Ware.  © screenshot/Instagram/@booksnbeachgal

Ruth Ware just may be the queen of the modern mystery novel. While she has several iconic reads, her debut, In a Dark, Dark Wood, is most worthy of a shoutout.

Set in the English countryside, this mystery includes alternating timelines during and after a bachelorette party that takes a dark turn.

In a Dark, Dark Wood puts Ware's deft ability to craft a pitch-perfect mystery that will have you questioning the motives of every character in the ensemble.

This is the perfect read for fall, so get on it ASAP!

Sadie by Courtney Summers

Sadie alternates between the titular character's point of view and transcripts from a podcast created to help find her.
Sadie alternates between the titular character's point of view and transcripts from a podcast created to help find her.  © screenshot/Instagram/@sashareadss

Perfect for any fan of true crime podcasts, Sadie tells the story of the titular character after she disappears while hunting for her sister's killer.

Her perspective is intertwined with portions of a podcast created by West McCray, a radio personality who sets out to solve Sadie's disappearance.

The story of Sadie and her sister is absolutely heartbreaking and profoundly moving.

This thriller is one you won't soon forget.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

The Silent Patient is a popular mystery recommendation on BookTok.
The Silent Patient is a popular mystery recommendation on BookTok.  © screenshot/Instagram/@mimis.librarycafe

The Silent Patient is a chilling psychological thriller that tells the story of Alicia Berenson, a famous painter who has just killed her husband.

Alicia refuses to say anything about the murder, causing the case unfurl into a perplexing mystery of motive that will have you on the edge of your seat.

The twists and turns of Michaelides' debut novel will make even the most seasoned mystery fans gasp.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Gone Girl is a modern-day classic thriller.
Gone Girl is a modern-day classic thriller.  © screenshot/Instagram/@readwith_bree

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn has become something of a modern classic, especially after its critically-acclaimed 2014 movie adaptation.

No one does mystery quite like Flynn, and Gone Girl is worth all of the hype and more.

After Amy Dunne vanishes on the morning of her fifth wedding anniversary, her husband finds himself the prime suspect in her disappearance.

This mystery goes in directions you'll never expect.

Even if you've already seen the movie, this rollercoaster of a book is still worth picking up.

Good luck guessing the endings to these unforgettable reads!

Cover photo: Unsplash/@jkkantakbailey

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