Meg Gardiner writes thrillers that just pull you right in. Her books are known for having really strong female characters and plots that move at a breakneck pace. She’s a master of suspense, always building tension and exploring the darker parts of human nature.
If you enjoy authors who write stories with a similar level of suspense and intensity, here are some you might want to read.
Books by Lisa Gardner often blend a fast-paced plot with intriguing, suspenseful mysteries. Readers who enjoy Meg Gardiner’s thrilling style might find Lisa Gardner an exciting new author to explore.
One of Lisa Gardner’s popular novels, “The Perfect Husband,” introduces readers to Tess Beckett, a woman on the run from her abusive, killer husband. She turns to an ex-Marine named J.T. Dillon for survival training, aware that confronting her past is inevitable.
The book combines action with suspense, and it keeps readers guessing until the final chapter.
Karin Slaughter is an author known for crime thrillers filled with suspense and intense human drama. Readers who enjoy Meg Gardiner’s fast-paced plots and deep character development will find familiar territory in Slaughter’s books.
In “Pretty Girls,” she brings readers into a chilling story of two sisters, Claire and Lydia, who haven’t spoken in years. When Claire’s husband is murdered, the sisters reunite and discover disturbing connections to the disappearance of their other sister decades before.
The plot reveals shocking secrets, dark twists, and emotional depth that never stop driving the suspense forward. Fans of complex, thrilling narratives that explore dark family secrets will quickly find themselves drawn to Slaughter’s compelling storytelling.
Readers who enjoy Meg Gardiner’s sharp plots and complex characters will enjoy Tess Gerritsen’s thrilling medical suspense. Gerritsen, a former doctor turned novelist, writes stories that blend medical intrigue with criminal investigation.
Her novel “The Surgeon” kicks off the popular Rizzoli and Isles series. In this book, detective Jane Rizzoli pursues a ruthless killer who targets women in horrifically precise ways.
As clues emerge, Rizzoli realizes the murderer has medical knowledge, hinting at a chilling background. Gerritsen weaves medical detail seamlessly with tense detective work, creating a suspenseful story that keeps you guessing until the final pages.
Harlan Coben is an author known for suspenseful thrillers that blend sharp dialogue, intriguing mysteries, and captivating characters. If you enjoy Meg Gardiner’s style, give Coben’s “Tell No One” a try.
It centers on Dr. David Beck, whose wife Elizabeth was believed to have been murdered eight years ago. When he receives an anonymous message hinting she might still be alive, Beck is thrown into dangerous territory.
He must uncover layers of secrets and lies, with law enforcement and shadowy figures closing in. The fast-paced storytelling and unexpected twists make this mystery memorable.
Readers who enjoy Meg Gardiner’s suspenseful thrillers might also appreciate Gillian Flynn. Flynn’s thriller “Gone Girl” revolves around Nick Dunne, whose wife Amy mysteriously disappears on their fifth wedding anniversary.
At first, Nick appears to be the concerned husband worried for his wife’s safety. But as the investigation unfolds, secrets surface and doubts arise about Nick himself.
Flynn crafts a story filled with psychological tension, unexpected turns, and characters who defy expectations. Fans of intricate plots and deep psychological suspense may find “Gone Girl” impossible to put down.
Michael Connelly is an author known for fast-paced thrillers with unforgettable characters. If you enjoy Meg Gardiner’s suspenseful stories, Connelly’s series featuring LAPD detective Harry Bosch could capture your interest.
In “The Black Echo,” Bosch investigates the death of a man he knows from his past, a fellow Vietnam War veteran. Initially appearing as an overdose, the case quickly reveals a dark path of bank robberies, hidden secrets, and betrayal.
Bosch battles the tough and gritty streets of Los Angeles while facing some personal demons along the way. Connelly crafts intelligent puzzles and carefully plotted twists, keeping readers hooked until the final page.
Jeffery Deaver is a thriller author known for stories filled with intricate plotting and psychological suspense. If you’re a fan of Meg Gardiner, you might enjoy Deaver’s “The Bone Collector.”
In this novel, we meet Lincoln Rhyme, a former criminalist who became paralyzed after an accident. Pulled out of retirement by a surprising new case, Rhyme teams with the sharp detective Amelia Sachs.
Together they race against time to track down a killer obsessed with leaving coded clues and disturbing trophies behind. The tension doesn’t ease up, and the twists will keep you guessing until the very end.
Lisa Unger writes psychological thrillers where suspense builds from complicated characters and dark secrets. Readers who enjoy Meg Gardiner’s novels filled with tension and twists may find a similar appeal in Unger’s “Confessions on the 7:45.”
Selena Murphy is commuting home late one night when a chance encounter with a stranger leads her to reveal unsettling suspicions about her husband.
But soon, after the stranger shares her own startling confession, Selena’s life unravels into confusion and danger as secrets surface and trust breaks apart.
This story moves quickly through deceit, betrayal, and suspenseful revelations that keep readers eagerly turning pages to uncover the truth.
Books by Sandra Brown often blend suspense, intricate plots, and vibrant characters, which makes them appealing to readers who enjoy Meg Gardiner’s thrillers.
One good example is “Mean Streak,” a story about Dr. Emory Charbonneau, a successful pediatrician and marathon runner whose life takes a dark turn during a mountain run in North Carolina.
After an unexpected blow to her head, Emory wakes up injured in a remote cabin, in the company of a mysterious stranger who refuses to give his name.
As she tries to uncover his secrets and her own situation becomes increasingly dangerous, the twists pile up, offering a satisfying mix of suspense, drama, and strong character moments.
If tense thrillers with strong leads and unexpected turns appeal to you, Sandra Brown’s work may very well become a new favorite.
Linwood Barclay is a master at crafting suspenseful thrillers filled with twists and family secrets, qualities readers of Meg Gardiner will find familiar.
In his novel “No Time for Goodbye,” Cynthia Archer wakes up one morning at fourteen years old to find her entire family has vanished without a trace. Twenty-five years later, the mystery resurfaces with disturbing clues, forcing Cynthia to question everything about her past.
Barclay keeps readers hooked with tense pacing and relatable characters pulled into dangerous discoveries hidden behind ordinary suburban facades. If you enjoy Meg Gardiner’s talent for suspense and complex family dynamics, “No Time for Goodbye” offers a captivating read.
Books by James Patterson offer fast-paced thrillers full of twists, suspense, and characters readers remember. If you’re a fan of Meg Gardiner’s tense plots and vivid characters, Patterson’s style could easily become a new favorite.
In “Along Came a Spider,” detective Alex Cross investigates a chilling kidnapping. The investigation quickly escalates into a deadly psychological game with a criminal mastermind determined to stay ahead at every turn.
The action is swift, the chapters concise, and readers get pulled deep into Cross’s relentless pursuit of justice. Patterson keeps readers guessing until the very end.
Mary Kubica is an author who crafts psychological thrillers filled with suspense and unexpected twists. Readers who appreciate Meg Gardiner’s tightly woven plots will find a similar appeal in Kubica’s engaging storytelling.
Her novel “The Good Girl” begins with the mysterious disappearance of Mia Dennett, a young teacher from a wealthy family. When Mia returns home after a terrifying ordeal, nothing is as straightforward as it seems.
Chapter by chapter, the story shifts between different characters and timelines, piecing together the puzzle of what really happened to Mia. The narrative builds tension layer by layer, keeping readers guessing until the final page.
Tami Hoag is an author readers of Meg Gardiner might quickly connect with. Hoag specializes in thrillers filled with tense plots, sharp characters, and twists that will leave you guessing.
In her book “Night Sins,” a quiet Minnesota town is shocked when a young boy suddenly disappears.
Investigator Megan O’Malley and police chief Mitch Holt face mounting pressure from a scared community, clues that don’t quite add up, and a stranger whose secrets might be key—but could also mean greater danger.
The suspense builds tightly, page after page, as mysteries around the case and the town start to surface.
Readers who enjoy Meg Gardiner’s tense thrillers may find Ruth Ware equally captivating. Ruth Ware is known for writing suspenseful psychological thrillers with complex characters and mysterious plots.
In her book “The Woman in Cabin 10,” journalist Lo Blacklock boards an exclusive luxury cruise for work. Shortly after departure, Lo witnesses a terrifying incident—a woman being thrown overboard—but the crew insists no passengers are missing.
Faced with disbelief and her own doubts, Lo tries to unravel the truth behind the passenger who supposedly never existed. The novel moves quickly through twists and turns, keeping readers guessing until the very end.
Books by Gregg Hurwitz are fast-paced thrillers with vivid characters and tense, twist-filled plots. If you enjoy Meg Gardiner’s suspenseful novels, Hurwitz’s Evan Smoak series may catch your interest.
In “Orphan X,” Evan Smoak is a man trained as a secret operative since childhood. After leaving the program, he uses his formidable skills to help those who desperately need justice.
But Evan’s carefully hidden past resurfaces, putting him in the crosshairs of powerful enemies determined to silence him forever. Hurwitz creates an exciting narrative loaded with action, smart dialogue, and unpredictable surprises.