There’s a reason thrillers never go out of style. Whether you love gripping crime dramas, heart-stopping psychological twists, or high-speed chases, the thriller genre offers something for every reader. But not all thrillers are created equal.
From courtroom battles to haunted minds, understanding the different types of thrillers can help you find your next favorite book—or write one that hooks readers from the first page.
In this guide, we’ll explore the major thriller subgenres, what makes each one tick, and why this adrenaline-packed category continues to dominate bestsellers and streaming platforms alike.
What Is a Thriller, Exactly?
A thriller is a suspense-driven story that puts characters in high-stakes situations. It’s not just about what happens—it’s about how it makes you feel. The tension is constant. The danger is imminent. The pace is fast.
But within the genre, thrillers take many forms. Some are grounded in political intrigue or legal battles. Others dive into the dark corners of the human mind. And some bring in elements of science, history, or the supernatural.
That’s where understanding the types of thrillers comes in.
1. Psychological Thriller
Key Traits:
- Focus on the human psyche
- Unreliable narrators
- Manipulation, obsession, and mental breakdowns
In psychological thrillers, the real threat often lies within. These stories explore mind games, emotional trauma, and distorted realities, making readers question what’s true and who to trust.
Popular Examples:
- Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
- The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
- Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson
Appeal:
Perfect for readers who enjoy deep character analysis, complex emotions, and surprise twists that make you reevaluate everything you’ve read.
2. Crime Thriller
Key Traits:
- A crime (often murder) at the center
- Cat-and-mouse tension
- Gritty realism and moral complexity
Crime thrillers blur the line between thriller and detective fiction. The stakes are often personal or legal, and justice is rarely black and white. These stories feature detectives, journalists, or civilians tangled in criminal webs.
Popular Examples:
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
- The Reversal by Michael Connelly
- I Am Watching You by Teresa Driscoll
Appeal:
Ideal for fans of gritty suspense, whodunits with an edge, and explorations of criminal psychology.
3. Legal Thriller
Key Traits:
- Lawyers, judges, and courtroom drama
- Legal battles with hidden agendas
- Ethical dilemmas and explosive secrets
Legal thrillers bring the suspense into the courtroom, combining law, strategy, and high-stakes revelations. The main character is often a defense attorney or prosecutor working to win a case while navigating danger outside the courtroom.
Popular Examples:
- The Firm by John Grisham
- Defending Jacob by William Landay
- Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh
Appeal:
Great for readers fascinated by justice, legal tension, and the personal cost of truth and deception.
4. Action Thriller
Key Traits:
- Explosions, chases, and fight scenes
- Hero vs. villain narratives
- Fast pace with little downtime
Action thrillers deliver nonstop adrenaline. The protagonists are often operatives, ex-military, or average people thrust into wild situations. Think global conspiracies, rogue assassins, or ticking bombs.
Popular Examples:
- The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum
- Without Remorse by Tom Clancy
- The Terminal List by Jack Carr
Appeal:
Perfect for readers who want cinematic storytelling and a breakneck pace that never lets up.
5. Techno-Thriller
Key Traits:
- Advanced technology or science at the center
- Ethical or existential threats
- Expert-level realism
Techno-thrillers often deal with cutting-edge science, AI, cyberwarfare, or biotechnology. These stories explore how technology can be both a tool and a weapon—and what happens when it spins out of control.
Popular Examples:
- Prey by Michael Crichton
- Daemon by Daniel Suarez
- Ghost Fleet by P.W. Singer and August Cole
Appeal:
Appeals to readers who love science, strategy, and realistic “what-if” scenarios that hit close to home.
6. Political Thriller
Key Traits:
- Power struggles and conspiracies
- Espionage, corruption, and backdoor deals
- National or global stakes
Political thrillers take readers into the halls of power, where decisions can cost lives and trust is a rare commodity. These stories often feature intelligence agents, journalists, or whistleblowers uncovering dangerous secrets.
Popular Examples:
- The Manchurian Candidate by Richard Condon
- The President Is Missing by James Patterson and Bill Clinton
- Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews
Appeal:
Great for readers who enjoy complex plots, real-world relevance, and behind-the-scenes looks at how governments work—or don’t.
7. Supernatural Thriller
Key Traits:
- Paranormal elements (ghosts, curses, visions)
- Real-world characters in surreal scenarios
- Often overlaps with horror
Supernatural thrillers blend mystery with the unexplained. Unlike fantasy, these stories are grounded in a realistic world but incorporate otherworldly forces that defy logic—usually to terrifying effect.
Popular Examples:
- The Shining by Stephen King
- The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
- The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon
Appeal:
Ideal for readers who love a chill up their spine, emotional depth, and ambiguous lines between reality and illusion.
8. Domestic Thriller
Key Traits:
- Family, marriage, or community secrets
- Often set in suburban environments
- Hidden lies and emotional betrayals
Domestic thrillers are some of the most popular types of thrillers today. They center on people who should be trustworthy—spouses, neighbors, parents—but who may be hiding something sinister.
Popular Examples:
- Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
- The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
- Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
Appeal:
Great for fans of intimate suspense, shocking secrets, and drama that hits close to home.
9. Historical Thriller
Key Traits:
- Set in a real historical era
- Blends historical accuracy with thriller pacing
- Secrets, spies, or sabotage in a bygone setting
Historical thrillers transport readers to the past, using the tension of real-world conflicts—wars, political upheaval, revolutions—to create riveting plots with high emotional stakes.
Popular Examples:
- Fatherland by Robert Harris
- The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
- The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
Appeal:
Perfect for readers who love history but want their facts wrapped in a pulse-pounding plot.
Tips for Writers: Choosing the Right Thriller Subgenre
If you’re writing your own thriller and unsure which direction to take, ask yourself:
- Do you want the threat to be physical, emotional, or existential?
- Will your protagonist face danger from the outside world (e.g., crime, war) or their own mind?
- Is your setting modern, futuristic, historical, or completely unique?
Understanding the different types of thrillers can help shape your plot, tone, and pacing—ultimately helping your book stand out in a crowded market.
There’s a Thriller for Everyone
Whether you’re into legal drama, spy games, haunted houses, or suburban secrets, the world of thrillers is vast, diverse, and endlessly engaging. Each subgenre brings something different to the table—but they all share one goal: to make you keep reading.
So if you’ve ever said, “I don’t like thrillers,” chances are you just haven’t found the right kind. Now that you know the different types of thrillers, your perfect page-turner might be one click—or one chapter—away.
