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Tell Me Your Dreams by Sidney Sheldon was my very first thriller book, and I remember being completely hooked.
But after a while, I realized that, as much as I loved the thrill, my heart was more into romance.
So, I spent a good chunk of time reading mostly romance books, with historical romance being my absolute favorite.
It wasn’t until 2019 that I decided to get back into thrillers, and that’s when I picked up Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson.
Let me tell you, it completely blew me away.
I was glued from the first page and knew right away that I needed to read more thrillers.
Fast forward to today, and the books in this post are some of the best thrillers by Black authors that I’ve read.
Trust me when I say I’ve read every single one of them, and they are all SO good.
If you’re looking for an amazing thriller to read, this list is for you.
1. The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Delila Harris
Nella’s just trying to make it in the world of publishing as the only Black employee at her company, but things take a twist when Hazel joins the team.
At first, Nella’s relieved to have someone to share the experience with, but soon, Hazel becomes the new office darling, and Nella’s left feeling even more isolated.
Then strange notes start appearing, warning her to leave her job. What’s going on?
This gripping book is full of suspense and shows just how tense things can get when you feel like you don’t belong.
2. Jackal: A Novel by Erin E. Adams
Liz has always been hesitant to return to her small town, but when a wedding brings her back, she’s soon faced with a chilling mystery.
A young girl goes missing, and Liz realizes there’s a terrifying pattern: Black girls disappearing in the woods.
As Liz digs deeper, she uncovers dark secrets about her town and finds herself in a race against time to stop the evil that lurks in the forest.
Chilling and fast-paced, this amazing small town thriller book will absolutely keep you on your toes.
3. Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb
Bern Hendricks is an expert on a famous composer, but when he finds out a secret about the music being stolen from a Black composer, things get complicated.
The mystery unravels across time, with Bern trying to right history’s wrongs while facing powerful people who want to keep the truth hidden.
4. August Snow by Stephen Mack Jones
August Snow is a former detective returning to his hometown of Detroit, and he quickly gets pulled into a dangerous investigation.
He’s trying to settle back into life, but when a business magnate’s suspicious death becomes his case, August has to face Detroit’s toughest criminals.
This one is an action-packed mystery that’ll give you chills all over and keep you up for hours.
5. As The Wicked Watch by Tamron Hall
Jordan Manning, a crime reporter in Chicago, is investigating the murders of Black women, and when a young girl’s body is found, she suspects a serial killer is at work.
Jordan’s sharp and passionate, and her determination to reveal the truth takes her down a dangerous path where she must survive both her career and her personal life.
This one is perfect for fans of thrillers with strong, brave women at the center.
6. A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Collette
Bronwyn has just taken over her family’s ice cream shop, but things take a frosty turn when she finds a body outside the shop on opening day.
As if starting a new business wasn’t hard enough, now she’s caught up in a mystery involving her family and a deadly secret.
With the help of her quirky friends and family, Bronwyn is determined to solve the crime before things melt down.
Read this one if you’re in the mood for the sweetest, coziest mystery book by a black author and you’ll love every second of it.
7. Bad Men and Wicked Women by Eric Jerome Dickey
Ken Swift’s life is full of drama – he’s juggling his romantic relationships and dealing with his troubled daughter.
When a mysterious situation escalates into a dangerous conflict, emotions run high, and things get even more complicated.
This is simply the most thrilling, character-driven story full of tension that you can afford to miss.
8. Charcoal Joe by Walter Mosley
Easy Rawlins is back, and he’s got a new detective agency, but his next case is a tough one.
When a young man is accused of murder in a racially charged case, Easy gets involved in a dangerous investigation. I
Set in the gritty backdrop of 1960s L.A, this one is a classic detective story with twists and turns so hard you’d never be able to predict them.
9. The Black Queen by Jumata Emil
Nova Albright, the first Black homecoming queen at her high school, is found dead the night of her coronation.
Her best friend, Duchess, is determined to find out who killed her, especially when she suspects the privileged white girl who was supposed to win might be behind it.
10. My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Korede loves her sister, Ayoola, but Ayoola has a deadly habit of killing her boyfriends in “self-defense.”
When Ayoola starts dating a man Korede has feelings for, things take a dark turn.
This is a darkly comic and suspenseful story about family, loyalty, and the lengths we’ll go to for the people we love.
11. All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris
Ellice Littlejohn has a lot of secrets, including one about the sudden death of her boss.
When she walks away from the scene, she finds herself caught in a web of lies and conspiracies.
As Ellice digs into the truth, the danger grows, and she’s forced to make tough choices.
12. And Now She’s Gone by Rachel Howzell Hall
Grayson Sykes is hired to find Isabel Lincoln, a woman who’s gone missing, but things aren’t as simple as they seem.
As Grayson uncovers Isabel’s dark secrets, she realizes the case might be more dangerous than she imagined.
This is a suspenseful, psychological thriller full of mystery and intrigue.
13. The Shadow by Melanie Raabe
Norah moves to Vienna to escape her past, but when a homeless woman warns her she will kill a man named Arthur Grimm, she can’t shake the feeling that the warning is tied to something that happened years ago.
As she gets closer to Arthur, Norah must decide whether to take revenge or walk away.
Also a tense, psychological thriller, this book will make you question what’s real and what’s not.
14. Invisible Son by Kim Johnson
Andre Jackson is wrongfully accused of a crime, and as he tries to reclaim his life, he finds out secrets about the people he trusts, including his crush’s family.
This amazing story tackles issues of race, justice, and the complications of growing up in a system stacked against you.
It’s a powerful, thought-provoking thriller that I gobbled up in a day and I’m certain you’ll enjoy it as well.
15. Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
Ray Carney leads a double life – on the outside, he’s a respectable furniture salesman, but his family’s past is filled with crime.
When he gets involved in a heist gone wrong, he’s forced to confront his shady connections.
This book mixes crime, history, and great characters, all set in the vibrant 1960s Harlem.
If you’ve read any of these books or have other thrillers you love, drop a comment below.
I’d love to chat about them.
And while you’re here, check out my other related posts for even more awesome book ideas.
