Below are my list of Top 7 Mystery/Suspense writers of the 21st century. Starting from the bottom to the top.
7. LISA GARDNER
Lisa Gardner is an American author of fiction, and also a self-described research junkie, who parlayed her interest in police procedure, cutting edge forensics and twisted plots into a streak of several heart thumping thrillers.
Her notable works include: The Killing Hour, Touch and Go and The Next Accident.
6. HARLAN COBEN
Harlan Coben deals mainly on mystery novels and thrillers. The plots of his novels often rotate around the resurfacing of unresolved or misinterpreted events in the past, murders, fatal accidents, etc and often have multiple plot twists. He is the bestselling author of sixteen previous novels, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers “Long Lost” and “Hold Tight.” He’s a Winner of the Edgar Award, the Shamus Award, and the Anthony Award. More than 60million of his books are in print worldwide.
Some of his popular books includes: Back Spin, Caught, Live Wire, Long Lost, Missing You, Play Dead, Seconds Away, Shelter. The Innocent, Hold Tight.
5. MARY HIGGINS CLARK
As of 2016 her books had sold more than 100 million copies in the United States alone.
If you like books with courageous & fiesty heroines in jeopardy, engrossing stories and lots of suspense but minimal violence, then I’ll recommend you read her book. Some of her popular books include: All Dressed In White, I’ll Walk Alone, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Death Wears A Beautiful Mask, The Cinderella Murder, and my personal favourite, Daddy’s Gone A Hunting.
4. SIDNEY SHELDON
Sidney Sheldon is an American author that specializes in mystery novels and thrillers, The plots of his novels often revolves around revenge, family etc and often have multiple plot twists e.g Master of The Game.
He came to prominence in the 1930s, first working on Broadway plays and then in motion pictures. He became more famous after he turned 50 and began writing best-selling romantic suspense novels, such as The Other Side of Midnight (1973) and Rage of Angels (1980) and my favourite, Master of the Game (1982). He has more than 300 million books in print.
Some of his notable works: Master of the game, Mistress of The Game, Relentless, Chasing Tomorrow.
3. JOHN GRISHAM
John Grisham is an American bestselling writer, attorney, politician, and activist best known for his popular legal thrillers. His books have been translated into 42 languages and published worldwide. There are currently over 225 million John Grisham books in print worldwide, which have been translated into 29 languages. Nine of his novels have been turned into films (The Firm, The Pelican Brief, The Client, A Time to Kill, The Rainmaker, The Chamber, A Painted House, The Runaway Jury, and Skipping Christmas).
Here are Some of his bestsellers; The Firm, The Pelican Brief, The Client, The Chamber, The Rainmaker, The Runaway Jury, The Partner, The Street Lawyer, The Testament, The Brethren, A Painted House, Skipping Christmas, The Summons, The King of Torts, Bleachers, The Last Juror, The Broker, Playing for Pizza, and The Appeal.
2. DEAN KOONTZ
Dean koontz is an American author. Whose novels can be generally described as suspense thrillers, his books also frequently incorporate elements of horror, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and satire.
“He is a master of the edge-of-your-seat, paranoid thriller and perhaps the leading American practitioner of the form.”- Newark Star-Ledger. Several of his books have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List, with 14 hardcovers and 14 paperbacks reaching the number one position.
His novels has sold over 450 million copies as reported on his official site.
Some of his bestsellers include; The Vision, Winter Moon, Relentless.
1. JAMES PATTERSON
James Patterson is an american author just like the others on this list. He Is considered as one of the most successful writer of the 21st century. He wrote his first novel ‘The Thomas Berryman Number’ in 1976, the book gave him his first Edgar Award. The first of many novels. Today, his prolific body of work spans multiple genres, including The Women’s Murder Club series (a natural, he says, since he grew up surrounded by women), Alex Cross series – featuring Deputy Chief of Detectives Alex Cross (the most popular fictional detective), the Detective Michael Bennett books (co-authored with Michael Ledwidge), two young-adult series (Daniel X and Maximum Ride), the occasional historical novel (such as The Jester, which he calls “history on adrenalin”) and even romance (including Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas, one of his favorites).
James Patterson holds the Guinness World Record for the most #1 New York Times bestsellers, and his books have sold more than 325 million copies worldwide. A tireless champion of the power of books and reading. Some of his notable works include; The Alex Cross series, the Women’s Murder Club series, the Maximum Ride series, the Michael Bennett series, and the Middle School series, The Beach House, The Second Honeymoon, and The Lifeguard, Private series.
