Best Serial Killer Thrillers Books of 2026

The 23rd Midnight is a thrilling addition to the Women's Murder Club series by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. The book follows Detective Lindsay Boxer and the Murder Club as they track a copycat killer who is recreating murders from the past with horrifying new twists. The story is fast-paced, with plenty of suspense and unexpected turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. This book is a great starting point for anyone who hasn't read the Women's Murder Club series before. Overall, The 23rd Midnight is a gripping and entertaining read that fans of police procedural novels won't want to miss.

A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham is a gripping psychological thriller that tells the story of Chloe Davis, a psychologist in Baton Rouge who is haunted by the unsolved disappearance of six teenage girls in her hometown. When another girl goes missing, Chloe is forced to confront her past and face the possibility that the killer may still be out there. Willingham's debut novel is a smart and suspenseful page-turner that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. The book's unique blend of domestic suspense and police procedural makes it a standout in the crowded psychological thriller genre.

Cross Out: An Alex Cross Thriller is a psychological thriller book that follows detective Alex Cross and his partner, John Sampson, as they try to track down the Dead Hours Killer. The killer has been ambushing young men, and time is running out as the detectives race to prevent another mass murder. The book is filled with intense action and suspense, as Cross and Sampson try to stop their fearsome opponent. Overall, Cross Out is an engaging and thrilling read that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Stone Maidens, the debut novel from Lloyd Devereux Richards, is a heart-pounding suspense thriller that follows FBI agent Christine Prusik as she investigates a serial killer who leaves a calling card with a connection to her past. The killer is strangling young women and leaving behind stone figurines that resemble the ones Prusik encountered during her field research in Papua New Guinea. As the case progresses, Prusik is forced to confront her own trauma and question whether the connection is real or a figment of her imagination. Richards' writing is gripping and the plot is full of twists and turns that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

"And Then There Were None" is a classic detective mystery by Agatha Christie. Ten strangers are invited to an isolated island by a mysterious host who fails to appear. The guests are cut off from the world, and one by one, they die. The survivors must figure out which one of them is the killer. The novel is a masterpiece of the genre, with a clever plot that keeps the reader guessing until the end. Agatha Christie's writing is superb, and her characters are well-drawn and intriguing. This book is a must-read for fans of detective fiction and anyone who loves a good mystery."

Run on Red is a heart-pounding psychological thriller that follows Laura and Olivia, who find themselves in a terrifying game of cat-and-mouse with a truck driver on a rural country road. As they try to outrun and outsmart their pursuers, the girls soon realize that their situation is more perilous than they could have ever imagined. This book has received rave reviews from readers who praised its fast-paced plot, exhilarating chase scenes, and unexpected twists. Overall, Run on Red is a must-read for fans of the genre, and Noelle Ihli is an author to watch out for.

Close Her Eyes is a heart-racing crime thriller and mystery novel featuring Detective Josie Quinn. When a young woman is found dead with no clues and no apparent enemies, Josie is called to investigate. As the case takes a sinister turn, another body is found with a tell-tale horseshoe mark on her hip. Josie must race against time to solve the puzzle before the killer strikes again. This gripping page-turner is perfect for fans of police procedural books and is sure to keep readers up all night. Lisa Regan delivers another unputdownable novel that is both heart-breaking and thrilling.

The Good Lie by A.R. Torre is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The book tells the story of Dr. Gwen Moore, a psychiatrist who is asked to create a psych profile of a local high school teacher accused of being the Bloody Heart serial killer. As she delves deeper into the case, she begins to suspect that the accused may be innocent and that there is more to the story than meets the eye. With its blend of serial killer story, court cases, and even romance, The Good Lie is a must-read for fans of the genre.

Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter is a psychological thriller that tells the story of two sisters who haven't spoken in over 20 years, but are brought together again by a shared tragedy. When Claire's husband is murdered, she and her sister Lydia form a truce to find the truth behind their sister's disappearance and the murder. Packed with unforgettable twists and indelible characters, this book is a masterful novel that shows why Karin Slaughter is one of the finest writers working today. Overall, Pretty Girls is an extraordinary book that combines complex plots with character studies, making it a standout in the psychological thriller genre.

The Butcher and the Wren by Michaela Urquhart is a thrilling police procedural novel that follows a forensic pathologist, Dr. Wren Muller, as she tries to solve a series of murders in the Louisiana bayou. The killer is methodical and taunts the authorities with his medical experimentation on his victims. The novel is told from the perspectives of both the killer and Dr. Wren Muller, providing a gripping cat-and-mouse chase that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The book's straight-from-the-morgue details and sharp connections between the pathologist and the killer make it a standout in the genre. Overall, The Butcher and the Wren is a must-read for fans of police procedurals and true crime.