Thriller Books for Teens

Last updated: July 13, 2026

There's nothing like a book you just can't put down. These suspenseful, thrilling stories for young adults will grab your teens' attention until the final pages. They might even keep your kids up past their bedtime trying to finish one more chapter. From dystopian novels to mysteries to "suburban noir," there's sure to be something your thrill-seeking teen will love on this list. And many of these novels have a twist at the end, so fight off spoilers and start reading one today. For other exciting reads, check out our Science Fiction Books and Thrilling Fantasy Books for Teens.

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Two Degrees book cover

BOOK

Two Degrees

age 9+

Teens battle to survive in gripping climate change thriller.

Alan Gratz Adventure (2022)

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Eyes of the Forest Book Jacket

BOOK

Eyes of the Forest

age 12+

Suspenseful kidnapping tale that fantasy fans will love.

April Henry Mystery (2021)

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I Am Still Alive Poster Image

BOOK

I Am Still Alive

age 12+

Teen survives alone in the wilderness in gripping thriller.

Kate Alice Marshall Adventure (2018)

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Kill Her Twice book cover: Photo of a Chinese American teen with diamond necklace and earrings that’s been ripped in half.

BOOK

Kill Her Twice

age 12+

Terrific whodunit set in the Chinatown of 1932 LA.

Stacey Lee Mystery (2024)

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Legend, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Legend, Book 1

age 12+

Stylish dystopian thriller in a not-so-future Los Angeles.

Marie Lu Science Fiction (2011)

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NEED Poster Image

BOOK

NEED

age 12+

Fresh cyberthriller explores dark side of social media.

Joelle Charbonneau Technology (2015)

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Origin Poster Image

BOOK

Origin

age 12+

Self-contained sci-fi thriller adds emotion to immortality.

Jessica Khoury Science Fiction (2012)

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Scorpion Shards: The Star Shards Chronicles, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Scorpion Shards: The Star Shards Chronicles, Book 1

age 12+

Kids use psychic powers in exciting, X-Men-like thriller.

Neal Shusterman Science Fiction (2013)

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Scythe: Arc of a Scythe, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Scythe: Arc of a Scythe, Book 1

age 12+

Chilling concept fuels sci-fi thriller about life and death.

Neal Shusterman Science Fiction (2016)

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The Obsession book cover: Illustration of the front of a large house; it’s night and the only lights on in the house are from two upstairs windows

BOOK

The Obsession

age 12+

Uneven thriller with thought provoking social media twist.

Natasha Preston Mystery (2025)

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The Oracle Code Poster Image

BOOK

The Oracle Code

age 12+

Commissioner Gordon's daughter rebels in twisty origin tale.

Marieke Nijkamp Graphic Novel (2020)

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This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein Poster Image

BOOK

This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein

age 12+

Gripping, fascinating story of one soon-to-be-mad scientist.

Kenneth Oppel Horror (2011)

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Time Zero Poster Image

BOOK

Time Zero

age 12+

Girls struggle against extremism in taut sci-fi thriller.

Carolyn Cohagan Coming of Age (2016)

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Unison Spark Poster Image

BOOK

Unison Spark

age 12+

Sci-fi thriller puts a futuristic spin on social networking.

Andy Marino Science Fiction (2011)

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All of This Is True Poster Image

BOOK

All of This Is True

age 13+

Writer uses teens' secrets for stories in riveting thriller.

Lygia Day Peñaflor Contemporary Fiction (2018)

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The bright pink jacket of Beth Is Dead is designed to look like a book cover. The word Beth has blood flowing down from underneath it.

BOOK

Beth Is Dead

age 13+

Beloved classic becomes a super twisty modern mystery.

Katie Bernet Mystery (2026)

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City of Saints & Thieves Poster Image

BOOK

City of Saints & Thieves

age 13+

Captivating trio fuels thought-provoking Africa thriller.

Natalie C. Anderson Mystery (2017)

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Defy the Stars Poster Image

BOOK

Defy the Stars

age 13+

Sci-fi space thriller is a thought-provoking page-turner.

Claudia Gray Science Fiction (2017)

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Divergent, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Divergent, Book 1

age 13+

Exciting, violent dystopian thriller is original, addictive.

Veronica Roth Science Fiction (2011)

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Don't Turn Around Poster Image

BOOK

Don't Turn Around

age 13+

Exciting, nonstop techno-thriller raises big issues.

Michelle Gagnon Mystery (2012)

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