Page Six editors share their best thriller book recommendations for fall 2026

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The leaves are changing and so are our book picks.

As we pull out our fall sweaters and sip on pumpkin-spiced drinks, the Page Six editors are also gearing up to read the best — old and new — thrillers on the shelves.

Whether you’re looking for a psychological read or an action-packed thrill ride, there’s something for everyone on this list as we head into the “ber” months.

“Hooked since picking up the first book I read of hers, ‘Little Secrets,’ Hillier’s thrillers are always engaging page-turners that you can’t put down. Her newest novel, ‘Heart of Glass,’ involving a serial killer, a secret filled seaside town, and an amusement park, has every element to ensure a twisty, creepy read for the fall.” — Nicole Mazza, Deputy Photo Director

“This book is such a sneaky thriller! It has so many twists and turns, I polished it off in two sittings. This is a great, fast-paced read, perfect for a cozy fall day.” — Sarah Berman, Senior Strategist

“My book club read this one recently, and we all absolutely loved it. It follows a former journalist trying to track down what happened to her aunt and several other Black women in the South who disappeared as teenagers. Can’t recommend this one enough!” — Lindsey Kupfer, Deputy Editor

“‘Whidbey’ by T Kira Madden is a riveting psychological thriller anchored by the murder of a child sex abuser. It’s told by three women forever connected by his heinous acts: a now-adult victim who flees to a remote Pacific Northwest island to escape the horrors of her past, another pushed to cash in on them, and the sicko’s fiercely loyal mom who’s determined to solve the murder no one else wants solved. Madden’s beautifully written debut kept me turning every page with bated breath.” — Nikki Mascali Roarty, Deputy Managing Editor

“Agatha Christie is my go-to author for mystery, especially as a faint of heart thriller reader. This book follows newlyweds who move into a dream home on cursed land. However, the picture-perfect scene quickly takes a dark twist as the couple faces ominous threats.” — Vanessa Serna, Reporter

“This is the second book in Karin Slaughter’s North Falls series that came out in August. I loved the first book in the North Falls series — ‘We Are All Guilty Here’ — so I’m looking forward to diving into this one and revisiting the world of Officer Emmy Clifton.” — Antoinette Bueno, Reporter

“This wild romp of a thriller is set on a remote island and follows six struggling authors duking it out for the chance to finish a legendary writer’s manuscript — before they start dying one by one. Fun fact for ‘Invisible Life of Addie LaRue’ fans: Evelyn Clarke is a pen name for V.E. Schwab and Cat Clarke.” — Riley Cardoza, Associate Editor

“‘The Meaning of Night: A Confession’ in its distinctly spooky setting — Victorian England in October 1854. The psychological crime thriller is written as an unsettlingly intimate first-person confession — expertly blending suspense, Gothic literature, and mystery for a spine-chilling narrative of passion, murderous retribution, and deception.” — Audrey Rock, Reporter

“Returning home — especially when you left to escape it — is never easy, and to make matters worse, you’re now the main suspect for your arrogant so-called childhood friend’s death. ‘The Past Purses Us’ is a humorous psychological, feverish read that will run you empty as you weigh what does home actually mean?” — Kyle Schnitzer, Court Reporter

“I saw this book all over the internet and in the windows at bookstores, so I knew it had a lot of hype, but went into it completely blind. Sometimes, when I read thrillers, I can piece together where the story is going about halfway through, but with this book, I truly had no idea until I finished it. Since a lot of people are reading it, analyzing different interpretations of certain key scenes with friends has been fun. If you’re looking for a buzzy book club book that will lead to a great discussion, ‘Yesteryear’ should be your next pick.” — Sarah Berman, Senior Strategist

“Do yourself a favor and read this book instead of watching the new Netflix film. The book is about a father and son who move to a new town haunted by a past serial killer named ‘The Whisper Man.’ When a copycat killer strikes, two detectives are racing the clock to stop the next murder. I really enjoyed this book and thought it was much better than the new movie.” — Lindsey Kupfer, Deputy Editor