Each year, the International Thriller Writers (ITW) organization honors excellence in thriller writing through the prestigious ITW Thriller Awards. Presented during ThrillerFest, an annual gathering of authors, fans and industry professionals, the awards spotlight the best the genre has to offer across a range of categories. Now in its twentieth year, ThrillerFest has become a cornerstone event for readers and writers alike, celebrating the evolving art of suspense and storytelling that keeps us turning pages late into the night.
At the 2025 ITW Thriller Awards this weekend, a stellar lineup of authors was recognized for pushing the boundaries of thrillers and deepening the genre with innovation, emotional resonance and social insight. This year’s winners reflect a compelling diversity of voices, settings and structures. Whether you’re a fan of twisted plots, deep character dives or stories that challenge the status quo, this list of award-winning books offers a thrilling journey through some of the genre’s finest recent achievements.
The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak
Best Standalone Thriller Novel
Frank Szatowski, a widower and UPS driver from rural Pennsylvania, hasn’t heard from his daughter Maggie in three years. When Maggie suddenly invites him to her wedding to tech heir Aidan Gardner, Frank jumps at the chance to reconnect with her. But at the opulent estate where the wedding is to take place, Frank senses something sinister: Aidan and his family harbor secrets, and Maggie seems to be avoiding him. As tragedy strikes during the ceremony, Frank races to unravel the Gardners’ dark past to protect his daughter. Blending family drama, class conflict and a twisted thriller plot, this novel explores parental love, wealth’s corruption and the consequences of hiding the truth.
Missing White Woman by Kellye Garrett
Best Standalone Mystery Novel
Breanna (“Bree”), a Black woman on a romantic getaway, wakes up in a luxury Airbnb to find her boyfriend Ty missing and a murdered white woman in the foyer. With Ty the prime suspect and the police assuming her guilt, Bree must clear his name while confronting her own fears and racial bias in the criminal justice system. A viral influencer fans the public’s fascination with the crime, highlighting the era of social‑media‑driven policing and “missing white woman” syndrome. As Bree investigates on her own, Garrett skillfully blends suspense with sharp commentary on race, internet justice and the vulnerability of a woman of color entangled in a sensational case.
To Die For by David Baldacci
Best Series Novel
In this third “6:20 Man” thriller, former Army Ranger turned investigator Travis Devine is tasked with escorting 12-year-old Betsy Odom, orphaned under mysterious circumstances, across the country to meet an uncle in Seattle who has put in a bid for guardianship. What begins as a seemingly straightforward protection detail quickly spirals into a perilous mission. Betsy’s uncle is under investigation for RICO, and the family business is more than a bit shady. As Devine tries to shield Betsy from hidden dangers surrounding her family’s past, he must also confront a more immediate and personal threat: a skilled predator relentlessly hunting him. With nonstop action, political intrigue and moral complexity, To Die For is a high-stakes race against time that explores the price of justice and the burden of loyalty. Read Jodé Millman’s review here.
Deadly Animals by Marie Tierney
Best First Novel
Thirteen‑year‑old Ava Bonney is a lonely, brilliant teen obsessed with death and decay — she studies roadkill on her own secret “body farm.” Late one night, she stumbles upon the body of her classmate, Mickey Grant. After Ava leaves an anonymous tip for the police, an investigation ensues, led by Detective Sergeant Seth Delahaye. Then another boy is found dead in much the same manner. Applying her unusual expertise and deadly curiosity, Ava teams up with Seth and becomes key in unraveling the crime. This debut is a slow‑burn, character‑driven mystery with an unorthodox heroine — her macabre fascination and fragile empathy drive the investigation. Tierney crafts a compelling psychological portrait of a teen probing darkness within and without, heralding a memorable new voice in crime fiction. Read Neil Nyren’s article, which includes an interview with the author, here.
No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall
Best Audiobook
Website designer Emma Palmer, pregnant and financially strained, returns to her family homestead with her husband after he loses his job. The sprawling home has been shuttered since her parents’ unsolved murders 15 years earlier, a crime that cast suspicion on Emma. Reunited with estranged sisters Juliette and Daphne, buried secrets surface and Emma fears what they are capable of doing to keep the truth hidden. As Karissa Vacker’s narration heightens the tension, the emotionally complex thriller examines trauma, sisterhood and buried guilt. Marshall builds a suspenseful, claustrophobic atmosphere that keeps listeners riveted until the shocking final revelations.
Darkly by Marisha Pessl
Best Young Adult Novel
Sixteen‑year‑old Dia Gannon, a teenage loner, lands a coveted summer internship at Darkly Games, founded by the now‑deceased board-game legend Louisiana Veda. Alongside six other teens from around the world, she finds herself navigating elaborate puzzles and riddles at the former Darkly factory, uncovering cryptic symbols and chilling clues. As the line between myth and reality blurs, Dia must unmask motives hidden for decades amid manipulative power plays. Pessl’s writing is atmospheric and twist‑filled — each secret room and board-game trap deepens the mystery. Darkly is a dazzling, gothic‑tinged YA thriller that tests loyalty and survival in a labyrinth of mind games.
Jackrabbit Skin by Ivy Pochoda
Best Short Story
In this Amazon Original story, Tattoo artist Swan relocates to a sleepy California desert town, seeking a fresh start. She’s commissioned by Kurt, a mourning local, to tattoo a tribute to his deceased wife — despite warnings from the locals to let the past rest. As Swan inks deeper into Kurt’s grief, she uncovers unsettling truths about the death of his wife. Pochoda delivers a chilling, atmospheric short story that blends mystery, emotional trauma and the desert’s eerie isolation. Taut and haunting, “Jackrabbit Skin” explores how pain etched in memory can surface in living art — and why some secrets never should.
Curious about the runner-ups in these categories? Check out the full list of ITW Thriller Award nominees here.
Also receiving special recognition during the ThrillerFest Awards Banquet:
- 2025 ThrillerMaster, John Grisham
- 2025 Silver Bullet Award, James Patterson
- 2025 Spotlight Guest, Oyinkan Braithwaite
- 2025 Spotlight Guest, Jennifer Hillier
- 2025 Thriller Legend (and BookTrib contributor!), Neil Nyren
- 2025 ThrillerFan, McKenna Jordan
Congratulations to all!
