I decided it’s time I start doing things a little differently moving forward. I want to offer my readers curated lists of books that might be of interest to you. Not everyone is a fan of large books, so I thought of a few shorter thrillers I can recommend for those of you who fall under this category. The following 12 short thrillers you should definitely read. Not only do they offer lots of entertainment value, but they will also aid in getting you acquainted with the genre. Especially if larger books intimidate you.
These following 12 thrillers are all around 300 pages, therefore you can read them very fast. You can finish them in one sitting if you have the time and aren’t surrounded by a million distractions. But the purpose of this post is not to encourage you to read faster, although that is up to you, but rather to get you to give thrillers a try.
Without further ado, let’s get down to today’s topic: 12 short thrillers I think you should read.
Snow Blind by Ragnar Jonasson
This is the first book I ever read by Jonasson, and it was a nice introduction to the Dark Island series. Taking place in an isolated fishing village in the North of Iceland, it is a dark, atmospheric read that can be considered a locked room mystery. More like a stranded village, but you get the gist. It sets the stage for many books to come from the Icelandic author.
The Darkness by Ragnar Jonasson
The first book in the Hidden Island series, The Darkness is a quick Scandinavian thriller you should read. One of the authors’ most beloved series, the Darkness offers lots of chilly vibes you should expect from a Nordic Noir thriller. The series is told in reverse chronological order, with a first engaging installment you can breeze through.
The Quiet Tenant by Clemence Michallon
One of the newest thrillers on this list, this one is just over three hundred pages. You can binge-read it in a couple of days, no problem. If you like serial killer thrillers that contain some psychological aspects and power dynamics in relationships, you should keep this one in mind. I think it’s a decent debut novel from Michallon, a new author who shows promise.
Death Angels by Ake Edwardson
This is the first book in the Detective Winter series. With a great plot and enough action to keep you engaged, the characters are also intriguing. If you’re looking for a short Nordic Noir police procedural, this is one to consider. While it isn’t as popular as other series by Scandinavian authors, Death Angels comes in at just over 300 pages, so it should be a fast read.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
And Then There Were None is one of the most popular books from the Queen of mystery, Agatha Christie. A little over 250 pages, this short novel can be easily read in one sitting. With excellent writing throughout and a surprising ending, this short book is definitely one to keep on your list if you want to rekindle your love for reading.
Local Girl Missing by Claire Douglas
Known for her storytelling talent, Douglas brings us another short thriller that can read pretty fast. While it starts off a bit slower, the ending makes it worth sticking it out. Depending on the edition you can get your hands on it may surpass the ‘short’ category, but I still felt I should include it. It contains spooky and atmospheric vibes and its small town setting is an ideal location for this mystery/thriller.
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
Before she became a household name for the psychological thriller Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn had a couple of books to her name. Sharp Objects was her first book, published in 2007, followed by Dark Places in 2009. Although it isn’t as short as a few others on this list, it can be read in a couple of days. Flynn’s writing is easy, and her narrating style flows. That is the reason I included this book on this list of 12 short thrillers everyone should read.
The Truth About Melody Browne by Lisa Jewel
If you’re familiar with the author, you know she writes great thrillers that can get you out of reading slumps. She just has a way of weaving the story to keep you wanting more. This older book is one of her first ones, and it was published in 2009. While it is not among her most popular ones, it still deserves mentioning. Written with the same style Jewel became known for, it can entertain you for a weekend.
The Princess of Burundi by Kjell Erikson
Just over 300 pages, this fourth book in the Ann Lindell series makes a very atmospheric read that is perfect for the holidays. Well, if you’re like me, and love serial killer stories. By no means a comfort read, its action takes place around Christmas time. Although it is the fourth in the series, it reads well as a standalone. If you’re looking for a quick thriller to get into this winter, this short one might just do the trick.
Blood on Snow by Jo Nesbo
If you’re a regular to my blog you know I am pretty well versed in Scandinavian authors, and Jo Nesbo is no different. I didn’t love this book, but many readers seemed to; that is the reason I decided to include it on my list. It is a fast read, but my issue is that I was comparing it to the Harry Hole series. Which, as far as I’m concerned, is still his best work to date. With over two hundred pages, you can easily get through it in one sitting. And it offers the same Nordic Noir vibes as most Scandinavian crime fiction does.
In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware
Another fast, easy read from a great thriller writer, In a Dark, Dark Wood can be read in one sitting. At the very least, over a cozy weekend that you’re planning to spend indoors. With an intriguing unreliable narrator a la Ware, In a Dark, Dark Wood has all the elements we can expect from the author: unlikable characters, a creepy yet atmospheric setting, and a way of developing the plot that keeps you speed throughout to get to the end. While it hasn’t received as much praise as some of her other books, I think this is one of her best works.
Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison
Short but filled with lots of gore, this thriller is addictive. The first in the Collector series, the Butterfly Garden is one of the best, twisted thrillers you can find. It can easily fall under the horror category as well. And it’s also short, like the other installments that follow. With under 300 pages and an engaging writing style, this is a definite must-read short thriller. An older book, it was published in 2016, but it is still very sought-after today.
Concluding Words
This concludes my list of 12 short thrillers you should read. If you’re familiar with other titles that fit this category, please send them my way. From experience, I know thrillers are generally longer than 350-400 pages, but these are great for someone who is newer to the genre.
Until next time, keep reading fellow bookworms!
