18 Best Thriller Authors of This Decade (Women!)

Discover the Ladies behind the best suspense thriller novels of the past 10 years.

Hey there bookworms, bloggers, and writers!

It seems like anyone who is somehow related to books, has a “best list.” 📚 They probably even have more than one, which usually contradicts the last one, of the best suspense thriller books and/or authors. I saw that a lot while doing research for this list. This is a curated list from many different resources and with a little bit of help from this thing called AI.

I found that most of the lists already out there are men and women authors. And, most of the lists include authors from the entire century. Which means they include classic author’s like Agatha Christie, Alfred Hitchcock, and Patricia Highsmith. I have no problem with authors who are men or the classic authors who paved the way for our authors of today. In fact, I have quite a few favorite authors that are men. Riley Sager, Peter Swanson, Alex Michaelides, and Charlie Donlea all come to mind. And, Agatha Christie’s books got me hooked on mystery and suspense when I was a teenager. Plus a lot of the lists available are about the best books themselves, not the best authors.

I apologize for the rambling, but now that I said my piece let’s get to this great list. I've also included 2 book recommendations from each author.

This is a curated list of the 18 Best Women Authors of Thriller and Suspense from the Last 10 Years.

1. Gillian Flynn

Dark Places (2006)

Gone Girl (2012)

Flynn’s knack for dark storytelling and unpredictable twists has made her a household name among thriller enthusiasts. Her bestseller award winning Gone Girl turned the psychological and domestic suspense genre in a new direction. It reached a whole new audience and readers were addicted to this genre new to them, and also starting the growing trend of movie adaptations from novels. People Style Watch said of Gillian “first-time novelist Flynn is a natural-born thriller.” This was in reaction to her first brilliant novel, Sharp Objects in 2006. Accordingly, Gillian tops most of the Best Suspense and Thriller lists available.

2. Paula Hawkins

The Girl on the Train (2015)

A Slow Fire Burning (2021)

Hawkins’ atmospheric narratives and complex characters have solidified her as a master of psychological suspense. This is another book that gained even more attention when the movie with Amy Adams was released. (The Girl On The Train) Paula is another author that is consistently on the Best Suspense and Thriller lists.

3. B.A. Paris

Behind Closed Doors (2016)

The Prisoner (2022)

B.A. Paris, the pen name for Bernadette MacDougall, is a Franco British writer of fiction thrillers. Paris excels in crafting domestic and psychological thrillers that delve into darker lives and chilling secrets that are well hidden. Her 2016 debut novel “Behind Closed Doors” was a NY Times and Sunday Times bestseller. Since then she has had 6 more published novels.

4. Tana French

In The Woods (2007)

The Searcher (2020)

Known for her atmospheric prose and intricate mysteries, French is a maestro of psychological crime fiction. She is a compelling writer with a great talent for developing complex characters and relationships.

5. Ruth Ware

In A Dark, Dark Wood (2016)

Zero Days (2023)

Ware’s novels are a rollercoaster of suspense, exploring the darker facets of human nature in confined fiction. Her breakout debut, In A Dark, Dark Wood made her an International success. She was a giant new talent and her book was called “chilling, compulsive and amazing.”

6. Shari Lapena

The Couple Next Door (2016)

Everyone Here is Lying (2023)

Lapena crafts domestic thrillers that unravel the secrets hidden beneath seemingly ordinary lives. The Couple Next Door is one of my most memorable thriller reads and what made me a Shari Lapena fan.

My Thoughts

Let’s take a quick break so I can tell you what inspired me to create this list. I really wanted to see a final best author list of women authors since I was having a tough time finding the information with my set criteria. There are a number of reasons why it was so important. Number one being that I want to read as many books from the best of the best that I can. You all know I can’t get enough of a well written psychological thriller, so I want to know that I am getting exposure to those phenomenal writers. Number two is that I wanted to recommend the best authors based on other criteria than “I read it and it’s good.”

Now, back to the best women writers of the decade.

7. Lisa Jewell

Then She Was Gone (2018)

None Of This Is True (2023)

Jewell’s suspenseful tales often revolve around the complexities of human relationships and the mysteries lurking within them. She has written books going all the way back to 1999 with Ralph’s Party. I became a fan after reading “Then She Was Gone” in 2018 and she never disappoints.

8. Karin Slaughter

Pieces Of Her (2021)

Girl, Forgotten (2023)

Slaughter’s gritty and intense crime novels showcase her mastery in blending suspense with raw emotion. Her Will Trent series is very popular with her readers. I just recently started reading Karin’s books after watching “Pieces of Her” The series on Netflix. I loved it so much I had to read Karin Slaughters book. Of course it was better than the movie by leaps and bounds. After that, I read the sequel “Girl Forgotten “ which was amazing!

9. Clare Mackintosh

I Let You Go (2014)

The Last Party (2022)

Mackintosh’s emotionally charged thrillers are known for their unexpected twists and heart-wrenching narratives. She writes mostly crime thrillers and her years in a police career influence that.

10. Megan Miranda

Fracture (2012)

The Only Survivors (2023)

Megan Miranda is an American writer of mystery and suspense novels for young adult and adult readers. “All the Missing Girls” and “The Last House Guest” were NY Times bestsellers. Miranda’s intricate storytelling and intricate plots make her novels a must-read for suspense enthusiasts. She combines character and narrative for a chilling thriller.

11. Jessica Knoll

The Favorite Sister (2018)

Bright Young Women (2023)

Jessica Knoll is an American writer who came on the scene with her first published novel and NY Times bestseller “Luckiest Girl Alive.” The movie adaptation starring Mila Kunis was released in October 2022 on Netflix. Knoll’s narratives are a compelling blend of psychological insight and gripping storytelling. Her personal experience inspired “Luckiest Girl Alive.”

12. Wendy Walker

Don’t Look For Me (2017)

American Girl (2023)

Wendy Walker is a bestselling author of 6 novels. Wendy draws from her knowledge of trauma and psychology to write compelling and complex characters and stories. Her novels often explore family dynamics amidst a backdrop of psychological suspense and mystery.

13. Lisa Gardner

The Neighbor (2009)

One Step Too Far (2022)

Lisa is an American NY Times bestselling author. She began her career writing romantic suspense under the pseudonym Alicia Scott, before the publication of her 1997 breakout domestic thriller, The Perfect Husband. She has over 20 thrillers plus her romantic suspense books under her pseudonym Alicia Scott first published in 1992. Gardner’s detective-driven thrillers are characterized by their relentless pace and intricate plotting. Criminal investigations and cutting edge technology are all exciting parts of her stories.

14. Lisa Unger

Under My Skin (2018)

Secluded Cabin Sleeps 6 (2022)

Lisa is an American author that primarily writes psychological thrillers. The first book under her married name was in 2006 with Beautiful Lies. It became a NY Times bestseller the week that it was published. Unger’s thrillers are known for their intricate plots and exploration of the human psyche. They are riveting with dark secrets with relationships between parents and children often a thread.

15. Jennifer Hillier

Jar of Hearts (2018)

Things We Do In The Dark (2022)

Jennifer is a bestselling Canadian author. She became an author when she spent 8 years in Seattle, Washington where most of her novels are set. She says that “I imagine the worst about people, and then write about it.” Hillier’s gripping narratives delve into the darker aspects of human relationships, making her a standout in the thriller genre. Her first books were a Serial Killer File series starting with Creep in 2011. Her novel “Jar of Hearts” was the Winner of the ITW Award for Best Hardcover Novel. Her last novel “Things We Do In The Dark” was a USA Today, Toronto Star, and The Globe and Mail bestseller.

We're down to the remaining 3! By the way, the names are not in any significant order.

16. Simone St. James

The Broken Girls (2018)

The Book of Cold Cases (2022)

Simone St. James is a Canadian author who writes mystery, thriller, historical fiction and romance novels. Simone weaves atmospheric tales with a supernatural touch, adding a unique flavor to the world of psychological thrillers. Her novels usually include ghosts, crime and an investigation.

17. Camilla Läckberg

The Ice Princess (2003)

Cult (2023)

Camilla is a Swedish crime writer. She has been called "the rock star of Nordic noir." Läckberg's books have received special praise for detail and "in-depth characterization.” They are known for the atmospheric depiction of the Swedish coast, well-drawn characters and (at its best) complex and psychologically nuanced plots.

18. Lucy Foley

The Hunting Party (2018)

The Paris Apartment (2022)

Lucy is a British bestselling author of 6 novels with her first one being “The Book of Lost and Found” in 2015. “The Guest List” in 2020 is a NY Times and Washington Post bestseller. It received positive and starred reviews and a number of other accolades. Foley writes ensemble mystery thrillers set in different locations with an Agatha Christie-esque vibe. Her books are known for their highly atmospheric settings, properly developed characters and well-paced plots building toward a dramatic conclusion.

So there you have it – a well-rounded list featuring some phenomenal women authors who have made significant contributions to the suspense thriller genre. Their ability to keep us guessing until the final page is what makes them in my opinion the undisputed Queens of Suspense of this past decade.

Here are my thoughts about these writers. First, Jennifer Hillier is my favorite author. She was in my Top 5 but I moved her to #1 while I was doing this deep dive into authors for this article. I have read every book she’s published and each one was a “more than” 5-star rating.

B.A. Paris and Lisa Jewell are in my top 5 favorites. I have read enough of their books to know that they always deliver in giving me what I look for in a thriller. (more on that below)

Gillian Flynn, Ruth Ware, Shari Lapena and Karin Slaughter’s stand alone novels are also favorite authors of mine and on my “must-read” list. I totally recommend them when you want a compelling, solid thriller that checks all the boxes.📦

I haven’t had the pleasure of reading the other authors, but I have books by most of them on my TBR List. 📖

What I Look For In A Suspense Thriller

The main things are fast pacing, twists and turns, conflict, red herrings and cliffhangers throughout and most importantly, a shocking, unexpected ending. Oh! One more: Well developed complex Characters. I will write more on this in the near future in my article about book reviews.

I hope you enjoyed this introduction to the “best of the best” women thriller authors today. Why not choose one that you’ve never read before and try a new author? You might just discover a new favorite.

Happy Holidays 🎄🎅 ❄️ 🎁

Shari 📚

Do you have a favorite woman author not on this list? 🤔 I would love to hear from you!