The Greatest German, British "Thrillers, Fiction" Books Since 2000

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 305 '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. 26. The Sudden Appearance Of Hope by Claire North

    The novel centers around Hope Arden, a woman who is afflicted with a peculiar condition that makes her unmemorable to everyone she encounters, effectively rendering her invisible in society. Despite her unique challenge, Hope becomes a master thief, capitalizing on her ability to slip through the cracks of people's consciousness. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she steals a piece of jewelry that ties her to a sinister technology company with a global influence. As she delves deeper into the company's operations, she uncovers a conspiracy that threatens her anonymity and the very fabric of her existence, leading her on a journey that challenges the nature of identity, memory, and what it means to be truly seen.

    The 10295th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 27. Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan

    This novel is a gripping foray into a future where human consciousness can be stored digitally and transferred between bodies, known as "sleeves." The story follows Takeshi Kovacs, a former elite soldier turned private investigator, who is hired to solve a wealthy man's murder. As Kovacs delves into the case, he navigates a world of corporate intrigue, futuristic technology, and morally ambiguous choices. The narrative explores themes of identity, mortality, and the essence of humanity, set against a backdrop of cyberpunk noir and visceral action.

    The 10421st Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 28. The Appeal by Janice Hallett

    "The Appeal" is a contemporary mystery novel that unfolds through a series of emails, texts, and documents as readers are invited to play detective. The story revolves around a small-town theater group that becomes embroiled in a complex case following a young girl's diagnosis with a rare form of cancer. As the community rallies to raise funds for her treatment, a new couple's arrival in town sets off a chain of events that leads to a murder. The novel challenges the reader to piece together clues and correspondences to uncover the truth behind the façade of charity, revealing the dark undercurrents of ambition, manipulation, and deceit within the seemingly close-knit community.

    The 10447th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 29. Blackwing by Ed McDonald

    In a gritty, post-apocalyptic world ravaged by otherworldly forces and magic, a battle-scarred bounty hunter navigates a landscape of devastation and corruption. Tasked with protecting a powerful noblewoman who may hold the key to turning the tide against the encroaching darkness, the hunter is drawn into a web of political intrigue and ancient powers. As monstrous enemies and twisted magic threaten to overrun humanity, he must confront his own demons and make impossible choices to save the remnants of a world on the brink of collapse.

    The 10619th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 30. Black Man by Richard Morgan

    "Black Man" by Richard Morgan (also published as "Thirteen" in the United States) is a futuristic science fiction novel set in a world where genetically engineered humans, known as "variants," exist alongside regular humans. The story follows Carl Marsalis, a former variant soldier who is now working as a private investigator. As he gets caught up in a series of murders, Carl must confront his own troubled past while navigating a society that fears and discriminates against him. This gripping and thought-provoking novel explores themes of identity, prejudice, and the consequences of scientific advancements.

    The 10683rd Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 31. Osama by Lavie Tidhar

    In this genre-blending novel, a private detective is drawn into a surreal world where pulp fiction and reality intertwine. Tasked with finding a mysterious woman who appears in countless books and films, the detective's journey takes him across a fragmented landscape, where he encounters alternate versions of historical events and figures. As he delves deeper, the boundaries between his own existence and the fictional world of a notorious terrorist begin to blur, leading to a haunting exploration of identity, myth, and the nature of truth.

    The 10714th Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 32. The Ghost by Robert Harris

    "The Ghost" is a suspenseful political thriller that revolves around a ghostwriter who is hired to finish the memoirs of a former British Prime Minister. As he delves into the politician's life, he uncovers secrets that put his own life in danger. The book explores themes of power, corruption, and the blurred lines between truth and fiction in a world of political spin.

    The 10865th Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 33. Full Dark House by Christopher Fowler

    This novel serves as the intriguing opener to a series that delves into the mysterious and often perilous investigations of the Peculiar Crimes Unit in London. The story masterfully intertwines two timelines: the contemporary investigation into the explosion of the unit's headquarters, and a harrowing case from the Blitz-ridden London of 1940 that set the stage for the unit's creation. Through the eyes of the unit's enduring detectives, Arthur Bryant and John May, readers are taken on a suspenseful journey that blends a historical whodunit with the complexities of a modern-day mystery, revealing dark secrets that have simmered beneath the surface for decades.

    The 10962nd Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 34. End Of The World Blues by Jon Courtenay Grimwood

    This novel weaves a complex narrative that straddles the line between a gritty, near-future Tokyo and a fantastical parallel world. The story centers around Kit Nouveau, a British expat running a bar in Tokyo, who finds his life irrevocably changed after saving a mysterious girl from an assassination attempt. As Kit becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue involving yakuza, a missing fortune, and the girl's enigmatic past, the narrative delves into themes of identity, redemption, and the concept of alternate realities. The book masterfully blends elements of cyberpunk, noir, and speculative fiction, creating a richly textured tale that explores the depths of human resilience and the quest for a second chance.

    The 11009th Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 35. The Ritual by Adam Nevill

    This novel is a gripping tale of four old university friends who reunite for a hiking trip in the Scandinavian wilderness, only to find themselves lost and stumbling upon an ancient evil lurking in the forest. As they delve deeper into the woods, they encounter a series of increasingly terrifying phenomena, including pagan symbols and unsettling artifacts, which suggest that they are not alone. Their journey quickly turns into a nightmare as they are hunted by a sinister presence, forcing them to confront not only the dark forces pursuing them but also the personal demons that have driven them apart over the years. This story masterfully blends elements of horror, suspense, and the supernatural, creating a chilling and unforgettable experience.

    The 11035th Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 36. Last Days by Adam Nevill

    This horror novel plunges readers into a chilling narrative centered around Kyle Freeman, a struggling filmmaker commissioned to document the activities of a notorious cult known as The Temple of the Last Days. As Kyle delves deeper into the cult's dark history, marked by gruesome rituals and the mysterious disappearance of its members, he finds himself ensnared in a terrifying web of supernatural forces. The story masterfully intertwines elements of suspense, cult dynamics, and the supernatural, leading to a harrowing exploration of fear and the unknown. The protagonist's journey is not just a quest for footage, but a descent into a nightmarish realm where the past and present collide with dire consequences.

    The 11039th Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 37. No One Gets Out Alive by Adam Nevill

    This horror novel plunges readers into a chilling narrative centered around a young woman's harrowing experience in a dilapidated house she rents in a desperate attempt to start anew. As she navigates her impoverished circumstances, she quickly realizes that the building harbors dark secrets far beyond its decaying walls. Sinister forces and inexplicable occurrences escalate, ensnaring her in a terrifying struggle for survival. The story masterfully intertwines psychological terror with supernatural elements, creating a gripping atmosphere of dread that questions the very nature of reality and the possibility of escape from a malevolent past that haunts the present.

    The 11052nd Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 38. Little Darlings by Melanie Golding

    This psychological thriller delves into the fragile reality of Lauren Tranter, a new mother to twins, who is convinced that her babies are in danger from a supernatural entity intent on stealing them and replacing them with changelings. After a harrowing encounter in the hospital, Lauren's fears are dismissed as the product of exhaustion and mental strain. However, when her twins disappear and are then found seemingly unharmed, Lauren's conviction only deepens, leading her into a desperate struggle to protect her children and prove her sanity. Set against a backdrop of folklore and modern-day anxieties about motherhood, the narrative weaves a chilling tale of paranoia, love, and the lengths to which a mother will go to protect her children.

    The 11311th Greatest Book of All Time

Reading Statistics

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Download

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.

Download