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Who Are the Most Popular Crime Thriller Authors?

The crime thriller genre has one of the longest and most complex histories of any fiction genre in the literary world. It dates back to the late 19th century and continues to develop into the present day. The list of popular crime thriller authors is extensive with many names immediately recognizable to even casual readers. However, some authors stand out from their peers. And these writers tend to rise to the top of every most popular list in this genre, no matter what criteria you use to rank them.

Agatha Christie

Christie is one of the most popular and well-known authors in the crime thriller genre. She is known for her novels, And Then There Were None and Murder on the Orient Express, and her short story collections. Christie’s work often features puzzle-like plots and clever twists, making her a favorite among mystery fans. Agatha was born into an affluent family and grew up with mostly women because she had four older brothers. After finishing school, she received no formal education but took various jobs in management, arts and social sciences. She was an avid reader from an early age who always dreamed about writing books. Her first book was published in 1920 when she was 51 years old; it became one of the best-selling books ever written by a female author.

David Baldacci

Baldacci is a prolific writer with more than 30 novels to his name. His books have sold over 110 million copies worldwide, and he has been translated into 45 languages. He’s a popular choice for readers who want a fast-paced, action-packed read. Because David Baldacci has written so many suspense novels, both in series and as stand alone, it might be difficult to decide where to begin reading his work. There isn’t a Baldacci novel you can’t like if you’re looking for a decent thriller or suspense read. The Innocent (2013) was adapted into a television series on CBS starring David Lyons as Sean King. Other popular works by Baldacci include Memory Man and The Camel Club.

Gillian Flynn

Gillian Flynn is one of the most popular crime thriller authors of all time. She is best known for her novel, Gone Girl, published in 2012. Gone Girl was a New York Times Bestseller and has been adapted into a major motion picture starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike. Flynn’s other novels include Sharp Objects, Dark Places and The Grownup. All three books have been on The New York Times Best-seller list and Amazon’s Best-sellers list.

James Patterson

An American author and philanthropist, James Patterson is largely known for his suspenseful crime thrillers. He has written over 150 novels, many of which have been adapted into films and television shows. Patterson’s work often features recurring characters like Alex Cross and Michael Bennett. Other books by Patterson include Women’s Murder Club and Maximum Ride. His books have sold more than 300 million copies worldwide, making him one of the best-selling authors of all time.

Dan Brown

Dan Brown is the author of  The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons. His books are a mixture of fiction. He is widely known for his unique writing style that blends codes, puzzles, history, art, religion and current events to tell an intricate story. One thing he has in common with other crime thriller authors is his ability to weave different elements into one cohesive plot line.

Val McDermid

She is a Scottish crime writer, best known for her Tony Hill/Carol Jordan series and several stand alone novels, all of which have been adapted for television. She has won many awards, including the Gold Dagger and the Edgar. In 2009, she was inducted into the ITV3 Crime Thriller Awards Hall of Fame. She studied law at the University of Glasgow, gaining an LLB in 1982 and a Ph.D. in 1985. Her thesis on artificial intelligence became her first novel: The Mermaids Singing (1994).

Dorothy L. Sayers

Sayers is one of the most popular crime thriller authors of all time. Born in England in 1893, she was educated at Oxford University and worked as a copywriter before turning to writing full-time. Sayers is best known for her series of mysteries featuring amateur sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey. The first book in the series Whose Body? was published in 1923. Another famous work by Sayers is Murder Must Advertise (1933), a novel that deals with the advertising industry in London during the early 1930s. The number of books that Dorothy L. Sayers wrote varies depending on how you count them. Still, it’s generally agreed that there are around 56 novels and numerous short stories, including translations into French, German, Italian and Spanish.

Karin Slaughter

Karin Slaughter has written 12 books. Her most popular book is Beyond Reach. She wrote it in 2006 and published it in 2007. The third book in her Georgia series, Indelible, was released in 2008. She also has two stand alone novels: Blindsighted and Kisscut.

Stieg Larsson

Stieg Larsson is considered one of the most popular crime thriller authors. He wrote three novels in his trilogy, starting with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Larsson died before he could finish his third novel, which David Lagercrantz then completed. His first two books have been translated into English, and more than 60 million copies have been sold worldwide.

Harlan Coben

American author Harlan Coben is one of the most popular crime thriller authors today. His novels are known for their complex plot twists and interesting characters. Coben has won numerous awards for his writing; his books have been translated into over 40 languages. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, suspenseful read, you should check out one of Coben’s novels.

Patricia Cornwell

Best known for her character Dr. Kay Scarpetta, Patricia Cornwell is a popular crime thriller author. She has written over 30 books, many of which have been best-sellers. Her work often features medical examiner Scarpetta as she solves crimes. Cornwell’s books have been translated into over 36 languages and have sold over 100 million copies worldwide. She was awarded The 2003 Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America, who noted that Patricia Cornwell is one of those unique authors who have successfully straddled different genres – mystery, suspense, true crime and even literary fiction. 

As well as novels, she also writes children’s books such as Postmortem: An Amanda Cross Mystery (2001), which received two awards – an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers Association of America and an Anthony Award from The American Academy of Arts and Letters.

Closing Thoughts

With hundreds of crime thriller authors, knowing who’s worth your time and who isn’t is a bit tricky. But this list of the most popular crime thriller authors can help you decide where to start reading. Whether you prefer an author with great dialogue or one who crafts intriguing plot twists, there’s something for you. While the mystery genre was popularized by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories, modern authors like Jeffery Deaver, John Grisham, and Jodi Picoult have made their names in crime thrillers. Other popular crime fiction authors include Greg Iles, Lisa Gardner, and Michael Connelly.