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Suspense novels are my absolute favorite, but it wasn’t always that way. 

It took me a long time to get into thrillers, but now I’m so obsessed that I reread my absolute favorites annually. 

That said, I know not everyone has the time or patience to plow through a 400-page book. 

If you’re new to the genre or just looking for a fast, exciting read you can finish quickly, you should definitely look into short thrillers.

​Don’t let the page count fool you – these shorter books don’t cut any corners. 

They pack in all the dark atmosphere, shocking reveals, and heart-pounding moments of a full-length book, just in a much tighter package. 

Short Thriller Books You Should Read

1. The Grownup by Gillian Flynn

This quick story is about a young woman who pretends to be a fake psychic to make money. 

She thinks it is all a big game until she visits a creepy, old house called Carterhook Manor. 

The woman who owns it thinks an evil spirit lives there. 

Our main character does not believe in ghosts, but the moment she steps inside, she feels the house watching her. 

I absolutely loved this one! It is so clever, funny, and perfect if you want a fast scare.

2. The House That Held Her by Ellis Hart

Margot moves to a lovely old house in Florida for a fresh start. 

But her peace is ruined when she finds something scary hidden right under the floorboards.

She starts digging into the past of the old owners and gets caught up in a dark mystery. Soon, she realizes someone is constantly watching her. 

I really enjoyed how spooky this felt. It is the perfect little book to read with the lights on.

3. Home Is Where the Bodies Are by Jeneva Rose

When their mother passes away, three siblings return home to clean out her house. 

While looking through old things, they find a dusty home video from 1999. 

They expect happy memories, but instead, they see their father covered in blood next to a dead body and their parents made a secret pact to hide it.

I could not put this down. It is a great choice if you love family secrets.

4. The Darkness by Ragnar Jonasson

Meet Hulda, a detective who is just days away from retiring. 

Before she leaves, she gets one last case: a young girl found dead on the freezing rocks of Iceland. 

No one is telling the truth, and Hulda has to search through cold, lonely places to find the killer. 

To be honest, I did not enjoy this one as much because the vibe was a bit too cold and sad for me, but it is still a great, quick mystery.

5. The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson

Ashley is an American student who gets a last-minute invitation to spend Christmas at a beautiful English manor. 

It feels like a dream come true, and she even falls for the handsome son of the family. 

But the police are looking at him for a terrible crime in the village.

I loved the cozy yet creepy feeling of this one. It is a fantastic holiday mystery.

6. The 7 She Saw by Elle Gray

Blake is an FBI agent who went through a terrible tragedy when she was a kid.

Now, she goes to a beautiful seaside town to solve a very dark case involving three victims. 

The town looks safe, but dangerous people are hiding in the dark. 

I highly recommend this if you like strong main characters who catch bad guys. You will fly through it.

7. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Ten strangers are invited to a private island by a mysterious host who is nowhere to be found. 

Soon, they realize they all have dark pasts. Then, guests start dying one by one, matching a creepy nursery rhyme hanging on the wall.

This is an absolute classic. I loved every single page, and the ending will totally shock you.

8. In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

Leonora is a writer who likes to be alone, but she agrees to go to a weekend party in a glass house deep in the woods. 

Things go wrong very fast. Secrets come out, and she gets a terrible feeling that someone else is out there in the trees. 

I really enjoyed the trapped, spooky feeling of this book. It keeps you guessing until the very end.

9. The Collective by Alison Gaylin

Camille is a heartbroken mother who wants justice after losing her daughter. 

She joins a secret group of moms who help each other get revenge on bad people who got away with their crimes. It is a very intense and wild ride. 

I did not love all the choices the characters made, but it is definitely a fast, exciting book that makes you think.

10. The Truth About Melody Browne by Lisa Jewell

When Melody was nine, her house burned down and she lost all her memories of her childhood.

 Years later, she goes to a magic show, faints, and suddenly starts remembering pieces of her past. She goes on a big journey to find out who she really is. 

I found this story so sweet and touching. It is perfect if you want a mystery with a lot of heart.

Finding a book that gives you all the chills and twists of a massive thriller in half the time is a total game-changer. 

These short books are the perfect proof that a story doesn’t need to be long to be completely unforgettable.

​Take a look at the full list above, choose your next quick escape, and get ready for a wild ride. 

Before you click away to start reading, drop a comment below and let me know: do you prefer short novellas or long, thick books?