The Greatest British "Thrillers, Fiction" Books Since 1980

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 300 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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Thrillers

Thrillers are a genre of books that are designed to keep readers on the edge of their seats. These books typically feature high-stakes plots, intense action, and suspenseful twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. Thrillers can encompass a wide range of sub-genres, including crime, mystery, espionage, and horror, but they all share a common goal of keeping readers engaged and entertained through heart-pounding action and unexpected plot twists. Whether you're a fan of psychological thrillers or action-packed adventure stories, the thriller genre offers something for everyone who loves a good page-turner.

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  1. 1. The Wasp Factory: A Novel by Iain Banks

    The novel is a dark and disturbing tale of a 16-year-old boy named Frank who lives on a secluded island with his eccentric father. Frank, who has killed three children in his past, spends his time engaging in violent rituals and maintaining his "Wasp Factory," a barbaric contraption he uses for divination. The narrative takes a turn when his older brother, who is institutionalized, escapes and heads home, leading to shocking revelations about their family's past and Frank's identity.

  2. 2. Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

    The novel is a gripping tale set in Victorian England, revolving around two young women, a petty thief and a rich heiress, whose lives intertwine in unforeseen ways. The thief is part of a con to defraud the heiress of her fortune, but as the plot thickens, the lines between deception and truth, loyalty and betrayal, love and manipulation get blurred. The narrative is filled with unexpected twists and turns, exploring themes of gender, sexuality, and class, and keeps the readers on the edge till the end.

  3. 3. The Children of Men by P. D. James

    Set in a dystopian future where mankind has become infertile, the novel centers on a history professor who becomes involved with a group of revolutionaries seeking to overthrow the oppressive government. As the world descends into chaos due to the impending extinction of the human race, a miraculous pregnancy offers a glimmer of hope. The professor must protect the pregnant woman and navigate the dangerous political landscape, while grappling with the implications of a world without children.

  4. 4. Sandman by Neil Gaiman

    "Sandman" is a dark and fantastical series that follows the character Dream, also known as Morpheus, one of the seven Endless who personify certain universal concepts that transcend beyond gods. The narrative explores Dream's realm and responsibilities, his interactions with humans, gods, and his own family, as well as the consequences when he is captured and subsequently escapes after 70 years. The series is renowned for its blending of myth, history, and contemporary issues, creating a richly nuanced universe that delves into the nature of storytelling itself.

  5. 5. A Perfect Spy by John le Carré

    This espionage novel follows the life of Magnus Pym, a high-ranking British intelligence officer who disappears after attending his father's funeral, causing a massive manhunt. As the intelligence service scrambles to find him, the narrative dives into Pym's past, revealing his complex relationship with his conman father and his recruitment into the world of espionage. The story is a complex exploration of betrayal, identity, and the blurry line between loyalty and deception.

  6. 6. A Dark Adapted Eye by Barbara Vine

    "A Dark Adapted Eye" is a psychological thriller that delves into the complex dynamics of a family haunted by a dark secret. The story follows the life of Faith, who is drawn into investigating her aunt's execution for murder years ago. As she unravels the truth, she uncovers a web of deceit, jealousy, and obsession that has plagued her family for generations. With richly developed characters and a gripping narrative, the novel explores themes of family loyalty, the destructive power of secrets, and the lengths people will go to protect their own.

  7. 7. Fatherland by Robert Harris

    Set in an alternate history where Nazi Germany won World War II, the novel follows a German detective who uncovers a vast conspiracy while investigating a murder. As he delves deeper into the case, he realizes that the government is hiding a monumental secret that could shake the very foundations of the Reich. His pursuit of the truth leads him into a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the state's oppressive security forces, challenging his loyalty to the regime and forcing him to confront the moral complexities of a world dominated by fascism.

  8. 8. A Taste For Death by P. D. James

    In this gripping crime novel, two bodies are discovered with their throats slashed in a London church, setting off a complex investigation led by Commander Adam Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard. As Dalgliesh and his team delve into the lives of the victims—a controversial Member of Parliament and a homeless man—it becomes clear that the case is as much about the intricacies of human relationships as it is about the murders themselves. The narrative weaves through the murky world of politics, the struggles of the underprivileged, and the personal demons of the investigators, revealing a web of motives and secrets that challenges the detective's psychological acumen and sense of justice.

  9. 9. A Place Of Execution by Val McDermid

    In a small and close-knit English village, a young girl mysteriously disappears in 1963, leaving the community in shock and despair. Decades later, a journalist becomes fascinated with the case and begins to unravel the truth behind the girl's disappearance, uncovering dark secrets and hidden motives that have haunted the village for years. As the journalist digs deeper, she uncovers a web of deceit, betrayal, and tragedy, ultimately leading to a shocking revelation that will leave readers questioning the nature of justice and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets.

  10. 10. Under the Skin by Michel Faber

    "Under the Skin" is a novel that follows the story of a woman named Isserley who picks up male hitchhikers in Scotland. However, Isserley is not what she seems - she's actually an alien sent from another planet to capture unsuspecting men, who are then sent back to her home planet to be used as meat. The book explores themes of humanity, morality, and the ethics of the meat industry.

  11. 11. The City & the City by China Miéville

    In a unique blend of noir detective fiction and speculative fantasy, the book explores the coexistence of two distinct cities occupying the same geographical space, yet remaining invisible to each other due to a strict set of societal rules and the mysterious force of "Breach" that enforces them. When a young woman is found murdered, a seasoned inspector must navigate the complex and often perilous overlap of these two cities to solve the crime. His investigation challenges the rigid separation of the cities, uncovering a conspiracy that blurs the lines between the two and threatens the very fabric of their existence.

  12. 12. The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins

    In this psychological thriller, the story revolves around a troubled woman who becomes entangled in a missing persons investigation that promises to send shockwaves throughout her life. As she rides the train every day, she fantasizes about the seemingly perfect couple she sees from her window, until one day she witnesses something shocking in their backyard. Her decision to report it to the authorities leads her down a dark path of intrigue, as she struggles to piece together her fragmented memories and the tangled web of lies, deceit, and complicated relationships that surround the case. Her involvement becomes increasingly dangerous as she tries to prove not only what she saw, but also her own worth and sanity.

  13. 13. The Woman In Black by Susan Hill

    The novel is a chilling ghost story set in the remote English countryside, where a young solicitor is sent to settle the estate of a recently deceased client. Upon his arrival at the eerie and isolated Eel Marsh House, he encounters unnerving supernatural occurrences and the repeated sightings of a mysterious woman dressed in black. As he delves deeper into the town's tragic history, he uncovers a tale of a vengeful spirit whose appearance foretells the death of children. The solicitor's skepticism turns to horror as he becomes entangled in the spectral web of the woman in black, and he must confront the haunting secrets that lie within the house and the town.

  14. 14. Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz

    A 14-year-old boy named Alex Rider is suddenly thrust into the world of espionage after his uncle's mysterious death. Trained by MI6, he is sent on a dangerous mission to investigate a billionaire businessman who plans to distribute lethal viruses through computers. Using his wits and skills, Alex must stop this nefarious plan and save the world.

  15. 15. Case Histories by Kate Atkinson

    "Case Histories" is a gripping mystery novel that follows the story of a private investigator who is hired to solve three seemingly unrelated cold cases that took place decades ago. As he delves deeper into the mysteries, he uncovers dark secrets and hidden connections between the cases. The narrative is a complex web of intrigue, suspense, and drama, filled with well-crafted characters and unexpected plot twists that keep the reader hooked till the end.

  16. 16. The Constant Gardener by John le Carré

    "The Constant Gardener" is a gripping tale of corporate corruption and its impact on the world's most vulnerable people. The story follows a British diplomat who embarks on a dangerous journey to find the truth behind his wife's murder. As he uncovers layers of deceit, he discovers that she was close to exposing a conspiracy involving a pharmaceutical company testing a dangerous drug on unsuspecting African villages. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and the lengths one man will go to seek justice.

  17. 17. The Damnation Game by Clive Barker

    "The Damnation Game" by Clive Barker is a dark and twisted tale that follows the life of a professional thief named Marty Strauss, who is hired by a wealthy and mysterious man named Joseph Whitehead. As Marty delves deeper into his assignment, he becomes entangled in a deadly game of supernatural forces, where he must confront his own inner demons and face the consequences of his actions. With its haunting atmosphere and complex characters, this novel explores themes of desire, redemption, and the price one is willing to pay for ultimate power.

  18. 18. The Key To Rebecca by Ken Follett

    The novel is a gripping World War II espionage thriller set in North Africa, where an elusive German spy, armed with a powerful secret code named after a classic novel, is transmitting critical information to Rommel's Afrika Korps in their campaign against the British. The British intelligence is in a desperate race against time to intercept and decode the messages, and they deploy a resourceful and determined young officer to track down the spy. Amidst the backdrop of war-torn cities and treacherous desert landscapes, a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues, with the fate of the North African campaign hanging in the balance.

  19. 19. Kolymsky Heights by Lionel Davidson

    The novel is a gripping espionage thriller set in the frigid, remote reaches of Siberia, where a secret scientific research facility, hidden deep within the vast and treacherous Kolyma region, draws the interest of Western intelligence. The protagonist, a brilliant and linguistically gifted Englishman, is recruited for an almost impossible mission: to infiltrate the top-secret installation, Kolymsky Heights, and uncover its mysteries. Disguised as a native Siberian truck driver, he embarks on a perilous journey through the icy wilderness, facing extreme weather, treacherous terrain, and the ever-present risk of discovery by Soviet authorities. His quest for knowledge becomes a harrowing adventure of survival and espionage, as he delves into the enigmatic purpose of the facility and attempts to relay its secrets to the outside world.

  20. 20. Game, Set & Match by Len Deighton

    "Game, Set & Match" is a trilogy of espionage novels that follows the story of Bernard Samson, a middle-aged and somewhat jaded intelligence officer working for the British Secret Service. Set during the Cold War, Samson becomes embroiled in a complex web of intrigue, betrayal, and personal drama as he navigates the treacherous waters of intelligence operations between London and Berlin. The narrative delves into the gritty realities of fieldwork, office politics, and the emotional toll of a life spent in the shadows, while Samson confronts challenges to his professional loyalties and his personal life, uncovering startling revelations about his colleagues and loved ones along the way.

  21. 21. The Little Drummer Girl by John le Carré

    The novel revolves around a young English actress who is recruited by Israeli intelligence to infiltrate a Palestinian terrorist organization. As she becomes more deeply involved in her role, she is torn between her sympathies for the Palestinians' cause and her loyalty to the Israelis who have manipulated her into the dangerous assignment. The story explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the moral complexities of espionage, set against the backdrop of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The protagonist's journey is fraught with emotional and ethical dilemmas, leading to a gripping narrative that blurs the lines between love, betrayal, and the harsh realities of international espionage.

  22. 22. Killing Floor by Lee Child

    In this gripping thriller, a former military policeman drifting through a small town is arrested for a murder he didn't commit. Upon his release, he finds himself embroiled in a dangerous conspiracy involving counterfeit money, a vast criminal enterprise, and the mysterious death of his brother. Determined to uncover the truth and exact revenge, he must use his skills to outwit the local police, FBI agents, and the mastermind behind the town's dark secrets, all while navigating a complex web of corruption and violence.

  23. 23. Past Caring by Robert Goddard

    In "Past Caring" by Robert Goddard, a mysterious painting leads Martin Radford on a quest to uncover the truth about his family's past. As he delves into the secrets and scandals of his ancestors, Martin becomes entangled in a dangerous web of deceit, betrayal, and murder. With each revelation, he is forced to confront his own identity and question the motives of those around him. This gripping thriller takes readers on a thrilling journey through the dark underbelly of the past, exploring themes of love, loss, and the relentless pursuit of the truth.

  24. 24. The Killings At Badger's Drift by Caroline Graham

    In this engrossing murder mystery, the tranquil English village of Badger's Drift becomes the backdrop for a sinister crime when a beloved elderly resident is found dead under suspicious circumstances. Initially ruled as an accidental death, the case is reopened as a murder investigation when a diligent detective with a keen eye for detail uncovers inconsistencies in the evidence. As the detective delves deeper into the village's seemingly idyllic facade, he encounters a web of deceit, hidden relationships, and dark secrets among the residents, all of which lead him to confront the unsettling truth behind the killing. The narrative weaves a tale of intrigue and betrayal, challenging the notion that rural life is as simple and innocent as it appears.

  25. 25. King Solomon's Carpet by Barbara Vine

    This novel weaves a complex tapestry of lives intersecting in the atmospheric underground of London's Tube system. Centered around a dilapidated house near a Tube station, inherited by Jarvis, a reclusive music composer fascinated by the subway's dark allure, the narrative delves into the secrets and obsessions of its diverse inhabitants. These characters, drawn together by their fascination with the underground, navigate their interconnected stories of love, loss, and the pursuit of passion. The book masterfully explores themes of isolation and connection, creating a suspenseful and psychological exploration of human nature set against the backdrop of one of London's most iconic and labyrinthine landscapes.

Reading Statistics

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If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

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