My Top 10 THRILLER Novels Of All Time! TOP TEN THRILLERS!!

[@ManCarryingThing]

Been watching your top 10 videos lately and I gotta say you give fantastic recommendations!

[@liamschulzrules]

This list had me on edge the whole time. I never knew what was going to come up next, every number built on the suspence of the preceding entry.

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

Ha!! Nice

[@josephspratling3511]

I love that you show us authors that have been around and have dozens of books that a lot of modern book tubers probably have never heard of. Your videos give a VAST set of recommendations i could probably find books and authors to read from your videos for the rest of my life. Hope you’re feeling better!

[@dugonman8360]

Whenever you do a top 10 list I always get my notepad and pen out because I know you'll have a ton of books outside of just ten and you have such good taste in books that I know I'll find one book I'll like that I didn't check out before.

[@sciencefictionreads]

You're Thumbnails are the best part of my mornings lol.

[@NikhilKoparkarmusic]

You read so many books pretty soon you’re going to have to do your top 10 of your top 10 lists! Can’t wait to check some of these out

[@GlitterPoolParty]

OMG, your recommendations (even before you got to your top 10) has just prompted me to want to start a thriller shelf! Had you added amazon links to the books linked to your own rewards account, I would have been clicking like a mad dog. (Suggest including links to favorite series).

[@lindac6060]

I knew you’d say theDaVinci code !! I think it was a great thriller! Yes everyone tried to duplicate it .. love your reviews, thank you 😊 🙏

[@therealbroga]

All his remarks about this novel are on point. Sadly our internet culture breeds those whose desire to be contrary outweighs reality.

[@eymerichinquisitore9022]

Fascinating subject but ridiculous story.

[@chevalierdulys]

Being copy is no doubt true but that doesn't it make the better because sometimes copies are better. And to me Dan brown is not the best thrillers..hey that's why is "my list" and by the way there are older writers than him writing thrillers. Religion thriller yes maybe.. I don't know

[@captainnolan5062]

Dan Brown has even tried to duplicate it!

[@chanceotter8121]

I was a boy in the ‘70s and the first grown-up books I read were Michael Crichton’s The Andromeda Strain and The Terminal Man at age 10 or 11. I loved reading the movie tie-in paperbacks for The Marathon Man, The Odessa File, Six Days of the Condor, The Boys from Brazil, The Eagle Has Landed-all those novels would make my Hall of Fame.

[@raymanelia9574]

I totally agree with you with the Da Vinci Code. Dan Brown has also Inception that could easy be in a top ten, and is a politic thriller. Have you read it?

[@ruhafla8326]

Any news on when might potentially be released, Brian? Thoughts are with you as you fight this battle. Hang in there and keep fighting the fight!

[@joel5962]

Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp series would make my top 10 Thriller list. I think Kyle Mills is doing a damn fine job with this series.

[@jussiesmollet4137]

I can’t get into them. The fact that Rapp was never in the military yet possesses the same experience and training as James Reece, Scot Harvath, or Matt Redd isn’t possible. The CIA is not gonna find some random guy and train him up. That’s a waste of time and money. They take someone who was some variety of SOCOM and then invest in them as an agent.

[@BookishChas]

Woohoo! The Da Vinci Code! I wholeheartedly agree with you, my man. Dan Brown is actually one of my all time favorites, and this book was brilliant. There’s so many on your list I haven’t read. Daniel Silva and John Le Carre stand out to me though. I need to check them out. I was actually surprised the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo wasn’t on here, though I know technically it’s not a globe spanning story. Have you read it? It’s absolutely brilliant.

[@BookishChas]

@@antiquenotdead7 yes it stayed with me too. Have you read the whole series?

[@michaelfeeney6108]

Given your definition of this video, my current thriller authors whose books I buy with each new release are Barry Eisler and Mark Greaney. I think Eisler is my current #1. Someone I plan to try soon is Charles Cumming with his latest, ‘Box 88’

[@randamnlee6259]

Love the Gray Man series

[@jdsantibanez]

What about Eric Van Lustbader's The Ninja? Matthew Reilly's Ice Station? Alistair McLean's Where Eagles Dare?

[@ReadBecca]

My neighbor saw that I have a lot of books and told me how amazing I Am Pilgrim is! I plan to get to it this year.

[@triadbass9752]

Mark Greaney's The Gray Man series is missing here..I don't know if you have read them or not mr Durfee. If you didn't , give it a try, you'll like it!

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

I am reading the first Gray Man right now. Its so fucking good

[@CavediverRN]

Great list! I've read a few of these and plan on checking out some others you recommend.

[@drewproductions1358]

James Reece. Jack Reacher. Jack Ryan, what's with the JR initials and thriller novels. Agree with your #1 choice. Read it in 1 day which is fast for a slow reader like me.

[@ShalomYal]

Nice list - But how about the Grey Man series or the John Rain series?

[@travisfretwell3302]

Love Dan Brown. All his books actually. So glad he was added to this list. I actually think he’s not talked about enough for an author that was so popular and has had enormous success!

[@HezzaGamer]

I totally agree with your top pick. Back in high school, it was THE book that got me into reading. Years later, I now thought back at how much I enjoyed that book specifically, and that is what brought me back into reading.

[@chrisconrod6265]

Just added a bunch of new books to the wish list....Thanks Brian

[@lizc.214]

Recently I read The Gray Man by Mark Greany and loved it!! It's non-stop action and suspense! I've also read Shutter Island and I Am Pilgrim and think that they are terrific thrillers! Great list as always Brian!

[@flashgordon6510]

I also love the Gray Man books! The audiobooks are also excellent.

[@Gaudet2shoes]

The Gray Man is fantastic!

[@nancyegee2804]

Because of your recommendation, I just checked out of my digital library Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

[@michaelfeeney6108]

Hey Brian, do you ever find thrillers form different authors blurring together? Sometimes I find them to be all hitting the same beats. Maybe I notice if I read too many in a row.

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

A little bit yes

[@Ericaclimbthestacks]

What’s your favorite Stephen King? I’ve been drawn to The Da Vinci Code and never read it, I will soon. Thank you for sharing your list.

[@DAGDRUM53]

The danger of reading Da Vinci Code is you will soon find yourself buying the other four in the Robert Langdon series, all fun reads.

[@iliana.m]

He has a Stephen King top ten or something in another video! Great entertainment!! 💓💓

[@jasonbailey9139]

I didn’t see it coming, but I can’t argue with you on your number 1 pick. I enjoy many of the authors you listed, but hadn’t heard of many and will have to give them a try. My two favorite thriller authors right now who you haven’t listed are Marc Cameron (Jericho Quinn meets your criteria, but Arliss Cutter doesn’t) and Greg Hurwitz (Orphan X is a retired spy, but has to confront international intrigue on many assignments). I also enjoy Baldacci, though most of his series deal more with police work than spy craft.

[@mikesanders9267]

Personally, I’d put Without Remorse as Clancy’s best, but Patriot Games was excellent as well. I’d probably put Memorial Day by Vince Flynn in my top 5. Now to extend my TBR with soke of these you mentioned.

[@StElna]

The Silence of the Lambs is one of the best books I've read, never mind just the Thriller genre. I also like Intensity by Dean Koontz. Kept me on the edge of my seat.

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

I thought about putting Intensity on the list but it was already on my top 10 horror list

[@PAlex-us4ov]

True "Silence of the Lambs" is an incredible book.

[@Nasser851000]

Has Brian done a top 10 fantasy/ sci-fi novels of all time?

[@moonbot7613]

Yep he did top 10 sci-f, fantasy, classic fantasy and all time novels

[@therealbroga]

The Top 30 GREATEST Science Fiction Novels EVER Written: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zp3alIRrpLOfmc0 The Top 40 GREATEST Fantasy Series EVER Written: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHmvkoKCZcqih9E

[@marionmagos410]

Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith..Panic by Jeff Abbot..Intensity by Dean Koontz..Trapped by Greg Iles..

[@tommonk7651]

Tinker, Tailor is brilliant! And I happen to love the Da Vinci Code. I loved the page turning writing style.

[@myfirstnovel]

I called number one, who woulda thunk. I have to defend every time I give this book its due props, people just can’t see beyond blasé to lightning in a bottle

[@myfirstnovel]

Btw have you read Richard Ben Sapir, feels like no one knows him anymore? You might like The Quest and The far arena.

[@glenguldbeckmusic3410]

Great list! A top three thriller for me is one of the most highly underrated, IMO. It's The Day After Tomorrow by Allan Folsom. The last two words of this 500+ page book summarize the story. It's brilliant. It's an international thriller that stands shoulder to shoulder with Haye's I Am Pilgrim. I also rank several David Morrell novels high up my list. Extreme Denial, Brotherhood of the Rose, First Blood, and Desperate Measures are just a few of Morrell's masterpieces. I'm enjoying your channel.

[@binglamb2176]

The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsythe would make my top ten. Great book!

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

Man I tried that one 20 years ago and didn't like it. Perhaps I should try again

[@binglamb2176]

@@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS I just thought of another series I read and loved years ago-Len Deighton's Bernard Samsom novels starting with Berlin Game, the first of 8.

[@captainnolan5062]

@@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWSThe Day of the Jackal is excellent!

[@misanthropos6211]

I have no problem with Dan Brown taking the top spot. Love the Robert Langdon novels. Actually like The Lost Symbol and Inferno better - but I know you have to go with the OG...after all that book was HUGE for awhile.

[@wizzle4439]

Ok, very entertaining/fun to watch video. Some very good choices, some that I will pick up. Thanks!

[@epiphoney]

That was a thrilling video. Oh yeah where was The Gray Man? Would have been cool if The Stars My Destination were included; that would really mess with people. Divinci Code got me through a long car trip to North Carolina and back for a guitar camp.

[@scottfeld3235]

Yes! Thanks for another Durfee classic top “10” list. I had completely forgotten about Nelson DeMilie. I had read a few of his books 10-15 years ago. You have inspired to dig back into his catalog, starting with Cathedral. Should be a nice change of pace after I finish up my first read of To Green Angel Tower (currently 65% through).

[@Theiliteritesbian]

This was actually super entertaining to watch - i was writing them down as u went as im looking for knew books - that was kinda thrilling but disappointing at the end - though you have very thick skin for being honest about ur #1

[@buzzselous3757]

Hey man, You must read "Day of the Jackal" by Forsyth and "Black Sunday" by Harris. I know that you tried to read "Day of the Jackal" years earlier, but you should really give it another try. And "Black Sunday" is very good. I think both should be in the top ten.

[@AllenFreemanMediaGuru]

Great episode! I’ve read a batch of these and agree. (A Simple Plan, 11/22/63, Borne Identity and The Firm are in my top 20) I have not read The Divici Code (yet) but I read Angels and Demons which I really liked.

[@captainnolan5062]

The Da Vinci Code actually kept me up late at night turning the pages when I should have gone to bed. Read the illustrated version, it is excellent! Only $4.00 on eBay.

[@AllenFreemanMediaGuru]

@@captainnolan5062I have now read Angels & Demons, The Da Vinci Code, The Lost Symbol, and Inferno. Eager to read Origins. Rumor is a new John Langdon book should be out 2025.

[@captainnolan5062]

@@AllenFreemanMediaGuru Wunderbar!

[@Sauveguy]

You missed The Day After Tomorrow by Allan Folsom

[@wahtusy3519]

I hope in the future you'll make a content about your craft. Like are you a plotter or a pantser? At what time do you write . Stuff like that. Thanks for this video. Gonna look for them on kindle & hi from the Philippines

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

Just type in DURFEE WRITING ADVICE and about two dozen of my writing advice videos will come up

[@ToddsBookTube91]

Great video Brian!

[@EdRabyJr]

Love the number 1!!! Great pick!

[@MrBendybruce]

I'm going to recommend Marcel Montecino's Big Time. This is not even really my genre, but man, this books stuck in my memory, it was just a great ride from start to end.

[@johnturiano]

Glad you broke the rules to add King's 11/22/63. One of my favorite's.

[@tgwtom]

Some books I remember I loved: Little Drummer Girl, The Fourth Protocol Forsythe, , Airport by Hailey

[@ksarkar13]

What about Alistair MacLean and Frederick Forsythe? No mention of their books like day of the jackal, Odessa file, night without end, guns of navarone and where eagles dare.

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

Have not read them

[@RhinoViper]

No Vince Flynn, Mitch Rapp stuff, huh?

[@whowili7289]

I love everything on your list. My only suggestion would be Day of the Jackal.

[@martinkelly1856]

You forgot the Name of the Rose. No Country for Old Men and The Spy Who Came in From the Cold ...that is the most atmospheric of Le Carre's thirllers.

[@PAlex-us4ov]

Hey Brian. I agree with 80% of your selections - and having 22.11.63 on your list is quite OK with me. The only one I didn't enjoy was the "Power of the Dog", perhaps I was not in the right mood. The remaining 20% I haven't read yet, and will add them to my list. Cheers

[@DAGDRUM53]

Polar Star is great, as are all the Arkady Renko novels, i.e. Wolves Eat Dogs (in Chernobyl). Have you read Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth? Unbelievably suspenseful.

[@captainnolan5062]

@@justdon6288 The Odessa File is good too.

[@DAGDRUM53]

@@justdon6288 All four are good, it ain't fair one guy should write so well, but I'm glad he's on the job.

[@captainnolan5062]

@@DAGDRUM53 Let's not forget the Dogs of War either.

[@chevalierdulys]

My problem with thrillers is that you mention, unrealistic people, perfect beings and you can't really connect. Glad you mentioned that abou the power of the dog, being different. Gonna buy it

[@NamasteBbooktube]

Great list. I haven't read any of this apart from Da Vinci Code. 🤔

[@goatman3358]

clive cussler's dirk pitt series i like, so far in reading order i like Treasure the most :)

[@bland-g154]

you should read blood of the spear it's inspired by the wheel of time, but also blends classic with modern fantasy

[@KingRockettADR]

I jus started rreading Gregg Hurwitz and i was instantly hooked he has a series called orphan x and orphan x name is evan smoak . His charaxter is like alex cross john corey and lucas davenport all together

[@rumncoke_]

No Pike Logan series by Brad Taylor? Mitch Rapp series by Vince Flynn/Kyle Mills? Rizzoli/Isles series by Tess Gerritsen?

[@mrgauth]

Eye of the Needle. Totally agree.

[@chynakat]

Thanks for the list. There are so many great thrillers. The Tears Of Autumn by Charles McCarry is one of the best I've read. Also, the novels by David Downing are excellent.

[@ramo4911]

No Frederick Forsythe?? The fist of god. Icon. Pretty good thrillers in my opinion.

[@desertwitch9608]

Vince Flynn all the way. Always enjoyed them. I would vote for Mitch Rapp for president

[@cathycannon3081]

Have you read Umberto Eco? He will rival Dan Brown in intrigue, historical adventure, and thorough mystery twisted yarn ball. The Name of the Rose, Foucault's Pendulum. READ HIM!!! You'll thank me our I'll buy you dinner.

[@johnnythepillpopper1974]

My #1 Day of the Jackal

[@nancybryant4325]

Shutter Island is amazing. You’ve just made my “to read” pile larger. Have you read The One Man by Andrew Gross? Very good.

[@jussiesmollet4137]

Carr’s Terminal List series is nothing short of phenomenal. I’ve never read a series where each book is better than the last. It is the rawest series I’ve ever read bar none.

[@mattamant915]

That is a FANTASTIC choice for #1. I should have strapped my arms down instead of putting on my seat belt because I just tried to punch a whole in my ceiling with how fast my fists went up in celebration as you revealed it.

[@eanayac]

I couldn't agree more with your Number 1 spot!

[@robtheisen5844]

+1 for “The Firm”. Why don’t you do a book review on that one? Grisham actually tried to get the firm published, but nobody wanted to publish it either. It sat collecting dust on a publishers desk. Someone bootlegged a 500 page copy and got it in front of a few movie producers. Grisham’s agent called him and said, “We just sold the rights to “The Firm” to Paramount. That is what got his first two books published. The director called Grisham and asked him what he thought, Grisham’s only request was that the movie be filmed in Memphis. Then he got Doubleday to publish his book. It makes you wonder how many other great unknown authors there are out there, because publishers don’t want to make a move. (Facepalm).

[@AllenFreemanMediaGuru]

The Firm is an excellent book (and movie). I cannot understand why publishers would not have jumped on it right away.

[@donnara8379]

I love this KZbin channel so much. And I’m dying to read your books. I am in low vision and I’ve been long to see an IV and I have suggested your books to please put them in our library. Keeping my fingers crossed. Keep up the good work .

[@Bigwave3K]

Your thumbnails are amazing

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

Thanks

[@davidpacheco5764]

All books by James Ellroy but specially his underworld USA trilogy- you would love American tabloid

[@OCD_MAN]

i am disappointed where is david morrels rambo first blood😞

[@flashgordon6510]

I love Tom Wood's Victor the Assassin series. Victor is such a complex character, and the stories are always thrilling. Highly recommended!

[@Sauveguy]

I Am Pilgrim, The Day After Tomorrow and Vertical Run were all great thrillers

[@RyanLisbon]

Great to see Polar Star on Here. You need to try The Silent Patient, never a better thriller/page-turner has there been.

[@randamnlee6259]

Cool little fact. Cotton Malone (Steve Berry) and Scot Harvath (Brad Thor) have appeared in the Sigma Force series by James Rollins. I’m still working my way through Berry and Thor to see if Gray Pierce appears in their books. I’ve heard they have. 😁😁😁

[@randamnlee6259]

Wow. Gone Girl also made your top 10 mystery books 🤔🤔🤔

[@smalltown2223]

You left out Ian Flemings Dickington Chronicles. He was a detective that wore a fez and had a pet Tuscan that shot lasers out of its eyes.

[@lsauthor]

My favorite thriller of all time may not meet the criteria of this list, but it is First Blood by David Morrell. I read it at least once a year. I love how it is real time and splits the narrative.

[@AllenFreemanMediaGuru]

Read “First Blood” recently and I’d say it’s a good action thriller.

[@TheJFGB93]

Great list! A couple of these will definitely enter my ever-growing TBR. Out of your list I've read the following: HM: _The Constant Gardener_ by John Le Carré. Read it after I watched the movie. Very different beasts, the book being more about the intrigue, while the movie is more about loss. Both excellent. I have _The Night Manager_ , but have not read it yet. 17) _Killing Floor_ by Lee Child. Great first novel, and it's interesting to contrast this book's Reacher with, say, the Reacher from _One Shot_ . The latter is much more economical in the way he deals with his problems, and more of a stoic, so to speak. But I've liked every one of the Reacher books I've read (I still haven't read any of the ones written by Lee with his brother Andrew, though). 06) _The Firm_ by John Grisham. First Grisham novel I ever read (but in 2017). What a swift read (the Spanish translation is quite good). I love the hardback's cover, and want to get it someday to complement my Spanish copy and MMP (like I've done with _The Pelican Brief_ ). Really want to get _The Exchange_ because I like this book so much (it's a bit hard to get where I live). 02) _Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy_ by John le Carré. This one was a challenge for me because of the way le Carré used language (English is not my first language). Maybe I should re-read it sometime in the future. 01) _The Da Vinci Code_ by Dan Brown. I did not like this one, sadly. Read it while it was a big deal (early 2006, I think), but I found it underwhelming. I think Brown's best Langdon book is _Angels and Demons_ , followed closely by _Inferno_

[@rafiqhmachiavelli3514]

lol, dan browne?!!!im not a fan. however the best i've read is definitely " the day after tomorrow" by Allan Folsom.

[@johnkeenan1829]

Sam Raimi directed A Simple Plan back in the 90's I believe (yep, the Evil Dead and Spiderman guy). It is fantastic. The book is terrific, much much better than The Ruins.

[@JC-px3we]

I loved John Connolly’s Charlie Parker books. ♥️

[@easttexassplendor9670]

Ghost Platoon by Campbell is not on the list?

[@pageluvva]

Ludlum, the best of the best of the best. I also loved the EVL Bourne books (most of them anyway.

[@ParthapratimsChannel]

can I get your books here in India?

[@civoreb]

Gregg Hurwitz is an exceptional and underrated thriller writer. Check him out if you ever get a chance. His stand alones are 👌🏼

[@captainnolan5062]

Which would you say is his best (If you were to recommend that a person read only ONE of this books, which would it be)?

[@civoreb]

@@captainnolan5062 either You’re Next or Trust No One are a good start then you can check out the other 5-6 thrillers in any order if you like those

[@captainnolan5062]

@@civoreb Thank you. I just ordered Trust No One.

[@civoreb]

@@captainnolan5062 Hope you like it!

[@ParthapratimsChannel]

I very much respect your recs cause you r a writer yourself. And the fact that u r too funny, is CoT.

[@al1976-v7m]

Check out "His Bloody Project", an unusual and interesting book that would make my list. Won the British Man Booker price a few years ago!

[@casey7113]

Disappointed that there is no Vince Flynn novels on here. Mitch Rapp is one of the best characters in thriller novels. My other favorite is Scot Harvath and glad to see him represented.

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

I just haven't read any Vince Flynn yet

[@casey7113]

@@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS that makes sense. You need to jump in. American Assassin and Kill Shot are two great novels to start the series. They were written after he was a ways into the series but even the early Rapp novels are so good. He is every bit of Bourne or Grey Man and more.

[@timschulte1248]

You are missing some new guys... Nick Petrie with his Peter Ash series and Gregg Hurwitz Orphan X series... Both better than a lot of what is currently coming out.. But maybe for another list eh?

[@siisch46]

love this list. I also love 11/22/63 - best Stephen King book i've read so far (but many still to go)

[@denniscarnahan7670]

WTF No# 1 REALLY APPRECIATE! GREAT JOB.

[@thebookishelephant1667]

lets go brian did the thing he told ten and gave twenty thank you very much love yu brian and your book

[@2025Mindfulness]

I loved The DaVinci Code.

[@Plantlady70]

Tinker, Tailor is soooo good. I have read it many times. Am always amazed at just how good it is.

[@JohnSmith-x8s5g]

Concentrating on a quick plot line would have been more helpful.

[@rsedan]

Mr. Durfee, my main man, it isn't like you to spoil! I was bummed to hear your description of Shutter Island (knowing that something isn't as it seems kinda ruins it for me). Otherwise, really enjoy your videos.