Continuing with my top 5 series, this week I decided to highlight the suspense writers whose books I really enjoy and who help shape my writing, because who better to learn from than those who are successful in one of my genres.
I like could create a list of my top 25 favorite suspense authors, but sometimes my favorite’s change depending on the different books of theirs that I’ve read. With this list of 5, I haven’t yet read a DNF or a book that didn’t live up to my expectations based on other books of theirs.
MARY HIGGINS CLARK
The minute I read my first book by this author, known as the Queen of Suspense, I couldn’t get enough. Where are the Children (1975) gripped me from start to finish, and from then on, I bought every one of her books as soon as they were available for purchase. When I decided to write my first book, I also chose the suspense genre, in particular, a sub-genre called domestic suspense. I analyzed several of her books and learned how to craft from this master in her field. In her lifetime, she wrote over forty fiction books including standalones, two series, and two collections of short stories. Mary Higgins Clark passed away in 2020 at ninety-two years old.
For more on Mary Higgins Clark:
https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Mary-Higgins-Clark/6230
FREIDA MCFADDEN
My current obsession, Freida McFadden is often known as the queen of the plot twist. She writes psychological suspense/thrillers and I’ve yet to guess an ending correctly. I had the same feeling of being instantly hooked once I’d finished one of her books, just as I had so many years earlier reading Mary Higgins Clark. I’ve read all but seven of her over thirty books. I’m anxiously awaiting her newest release, Dear Debbie, coming out January 27, 2026. It’s on its way from Amazon as I write this.
Check out her website:
https://www.freidamcfadden.com/
B. A. PARIS
This author is relatively new to me, but Behind Closed Doors hooked me right away. Reading her work reminds me a lot of what I love about Mary Higgins Clark and Freida McFadden books. I just happened upon a copy of The Guest and can’t wait to devour it. She has a new book coming out in 2026 called When I Kill You. I intend to pre-order it and also catch up on the other titles I haven’t yet read.
Her author website:
https://www.baparis.com/
D. K. HOOD
You might wonder why I would include this author who only has two standalone psychological suspense books, The Liar I Married (2025) and His Next Wife (Jan 2026) and I’ve only read the first one. That’s how much I loved it. Hood has a large detective series and a special agent series, none of which I’ve read, but now am inclined to after enjoying her first suspense book so much.
You can find out more here:
https://www.dkhood.com/
SHARI LAPENA
The final author in my favorite five list is a Canadian author who’s been writing suspense/thrillers since 2007. I’ve read several of them and can’t wait to be able to sit down with She Didn’t See It Coming (2025) and Getting Away With Murder (2026). Like the other authors on my list, her books keep readers turning pages with her ability to create suspense full of twists.
To learn more about her:
https://www.sharilapena.com/
For those who love everything from psychological thrillers to domestic suspense to murder mysteries, there are a ton of amazing authors with exciting books available. Here are a few more:
Mary Kubica
Lisa Unger
Lisa Jewell
Gillian Flynn
Alice Feeney
Ruth Ware
Who’s your favorite suspense/thriller author? Drop them in the comments and I’ll be sure to check them out.