If you’re a fan of heart-pounding suspense, jaw-dropping twists, and relentless excitement, action thriller novels will engage your sense of adventure. These novels will not only keep you on the edge of your seat but also immerse you in adrenaline-fueled adventures where danger lurks at every turn. From high-stakes confrontations, malicious traps, and unexpected betrayals, these action thrillers combine fast-paced plots with intricate storytelling from our favorite authors and deliver an unforgettable reading experience!
In this blog, we’re diving into our top three action thriller books of all time—that have kept readers engrossed from the start and set the standard for this genre. Whether you’re a seasoned reader or new to the world of thrillers, these picks promise to offer the ultimate blend of real adventure and intrigue that will keep you hooked from the first page to the last.
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The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
“The Silent Patient” is a fascinating psychological thriller centered on Alicia Berenson, a well-known painter, who has not uttered a word since allegedly murdering her husband by shooting him in the face five times. Michaelides masterfully connects Greek mythology into the narrative when Alicia, after her husband’s death, paints a painting called “Alceste,” where Alicia is the woman in the painting, exhibiting a shocked expression as if she doesn’t know how her husband died.
What makes the painting so intriguing and mysterious is the myth of Alceste. The myth tells the story of a woman who sacrifices herself to save her husband from the underworld because the only way her husband can get out of his situation is if someone volunteers to go in his place. Alceste, expressing her love, volunteers, and he doesn’t stop her. Alceste is brought to the underworld in her husband’s place until one day, Hades, the man who accompanies her to the underworld, decides that he is going to take her back to the mortal world. Her husband waits for her and brings her home, but Alceste comes back silent, leaving her fate shrouded in mystery.
Enter Theo Faber, a new psychotherapist who joins Alicia’s treatment team with a single goal: to unravel the truth behind her silence and the tragic events of that night. He is determined to search for all the clues in her paintings and old apartment and is willing to do anything to help her. Theo, however, like everyone else, has his own secrets that add layers to the unfolding drama.
The Silent Patient is a brilliantly written action thriller, told through three different perspectives: Alicia’s perspective, told through her diary; Theo’s perspective in the present; and Theo’s point of view in his past. A real page-turner, this narrative will keep you invested and guessing until the final page!
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Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
The plot centers on Jack and Grace, a seemingly perfect married couple. On the surface, Grace’s life appears idyllic—she enjoys a stunning home and a devoted, successful husband.
This facade eventually shows the readers that it conceals a dark reality. But, by the time Grace finds out what Jack’s true intentions are, she is trapped in a monstrous situation where Jack is at the advantage where he can exploit Millie, Grace’s sister, as a powerful tool to ensure her compliance. With Millie’s safety at stake, Grace’s window for escape narrows, and her protectiveness for her sister, who is struggling with Down Syndrome, deepens.
B.A. Paris proficiently deepens not just the protagonists’ characters but also that of Millie, despite her limited dialogue in the early chapters. Millie’s character is portrayed with such intelligence that she adds that extra layer to the narrative. Each character, from the antagonist to the supporting figures we are introduced to, is so intricately developed that it makes it easy for the readers to be effortlessly drawn into the story.
Behind Closed Doors is the epitome of the saying that things are not as they seem. The novel’s title perfectly encapsulates this theme, setting the stage for a heart-pounding psychological thriller. Right from the very start, an intense sense of dread grips the reader, maintaining a relentless tension until the final page and reminding us why we love action thrillers so much!
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The Boss: Success Has Its Price by Jack Allen
Jack Allen takes us on an exhilarating journey in The Boss: Success Has Its Price, where we follow Tom Kelly, a savvy Wall Street lawyer who finds himself navigating the high-stakes arenas of New York, Macau, and Moscow. This electrifying business thriller drives Kelly into a dangerous and unfaithful world dominated by ruthless tycoons and cunning Russian gangsters, revealing a dark side of greed, murder, and mystery. We are introduced to the concept that the rich are never as lucrative as they might seem.
The narrative shifts when Tom falls for the daughter of a formidable Russian oligarch, newly settled in New York City. But this isn’t just another high-powered family business—it is a world where secrets fester behind closed doors, and trust is a luxury few can afford.
As the danger escalates, Tom turns to his old comrades from his days as a Navy SEAL, embarking on a pulse-pounding mission to protect his newfound family. Along the way, he’s forced to question the values he once held dear, the principles that guided him, and the seductive allure of limitless wealth—all while confronting the cost that comes with it.
The Boss: Success Has Its Price is a captivating suspense thriller packed with action, adventure, and drama that will keep you hooked with every twist. If you’re a fan of fast-paced mysteries where trust is elusive, and the stakes have never been higher, this book is a must-read!
Grab your copy now!
