8 Thrillers With Relatable Heroines You'll Love to Root For

Laura Dave’s gripping book, The Last Thing He Told Me, is a fantastic mystery that redefines family dynamics with its unexpected plot twists and thrilling pace. The narrative centers around Hannah Hall, a woman forced to unravel her husband's mysterious disappearance after receiving a cryptic note that pleads for her to protect his daughter Bailey. This best-selling novel will have you questioning loyalty, trust, and the hidden pasts of those closest to us.

Staging a thrilling dance between danger and humanity, Marie Rutkoski’s Real Easy explores the lives of dancers at the Lovely Lady strip club. Samantha, a seasoned performer, embarks on a life-threatening journey when a simple decision—giving a colleague a ride home—leads to a tangled web of murder and mystery. As detective Holly delves into the case, the story expands into a multifaceted thriller highlighting the strength and resilience of women navigating perilous terrains.

In Ava Glass's Alias Emma, espionage and gritty action combine as Emma Makepeace, a gutsy new hero likened to a mix of James Bond and Eve Polastri, navigates a bustling London under the pervasive watch of Russian spies. Tasked with escorting a reluctant target to safety, Emma’s skills are tested in a thrilling race against time amidst a city teeming with surveillance.

Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan Is Killing It brilliantly juggles domestic chaos and thrilling hilarity. When aspiring novelist Finlay Donovan is mistakenly identified as a hitwoman, the wild ride that follows is as jaw-droppingly funny as it is suspenseful. Plunge into a story that makes the otherwise mundane struggles of motherhood unexpectedly entertaining.

In Ramona Emerson’s Shutter, experience a unique blend of supernatural horror and crime thriller set against the backdrop of New Mexico’s Navajo Nation. When forensic photographer Rita Todacheene’s visions of crime victims lead her into danger, she must confront her own heritage and abilities to solve a murder mystery that threatens her very existence.

The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews brings sunshine and suspense together in a captivating beach read. After her sister's sudden death, Letty Carnahan flees to Florida with her niece and an ominous shadow tailing her, finding solace amidst the skeptical residents of a seaside motel. As Letty unravels the mystery left by her sister, love entangles her in its own mystery with all its twists and dangers.

Compelling and atmospheric, Northern Spy by Flynn Berry presents dark family ties and the heart-pounding intricacies of the contemporary IRA. Follow Tessa, a broadcasting mother, caught between protecting her child and uncovering the espionage involving her sister. Berry’s expressive writing paints a vivid picture of life and conflict in divided Belfast.

Chris Pavone’s The Expats explores themes of identity and deception in the lavish sphere of expatriate life. Follow Kate, a woman with secrets as intricate as the life she leads, through the charming yet sinister locales of Europe as she navigates the illusion of safety and seeks the truth behind veils of secrecy.