In 1981, Thomas Harris penned Red Dragon, the first dark thriller of the series that would become known as the Hannibal Lecter novels. But the series didn’t explode in popularity until 1991 when the movie adaptation of Silence of the Lambs, starring Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins, hit theaters. With the 2006 release of Hannibal rising, the Hannibal Lecter novel series stands at four books.
The books’ successes spawned two television series, multiple movies, and a throng of wildly popular “serial killer thrillers” available on Amazon Kindle.
It’s no wonder so many readers search for similar crime thrillers. If you’re one of them, you’re in luck!
Today we’ll look at five serial killer thriller series that do justice to the Hannibal Lecter novels. And here’s some good news. Many of these novels are free to read if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited.
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The Violet Darger Series
Inspired by Harris’ Manhunter novel, LT Vargus and Tim McBain released Dead End Girl, the first novel in the Violet Darger serial killer thriller series in the spring of 2017.
Violet Darger, a profiler with the FBI’s Behavior Analysis Unit, investigates a series of brutal murders in a backwoods Ohio town. But the killer is a phantom hiding in plain sight, and Darger’s partner, a grizzled profiler named Victor Loshak, seems to be hiding a dark secret.
Combining dark psychological thriller elements into a police procedural (well, an FBI procedural), Dead End Girl gives readers the goosebumps in tense scenes and keeps the pages turning at a ferocious rate.
How good is it? Dead End Girl shot up the charts and became an Amazon bestseller, leading to five sequels, multiple novellas, and a Victor Loshak spin-off series.
The Stillhouse Lake Series
Fans of the Hannibal Lecter novels will relish Rachel Caine’s Stillhouse Lake series.
Gina Royal is your average Midwestern soccer mom and loving wife. Until a vehicle crashes through her garage and reveals her husband’s horrible secret. He’s a serial killer.
Gina’s husband goes to prison, but her nightmare is just beginning. The entire world believes Gina and her children were complicit in the gory murders. Violent threats cause Gina to gather her children and flee under assumed names.
They settle in Stillhouse Lake. Life if finally peaceful and safe.
Then a body surfaces in the lake, and Gina Royal’s nightmare begins anew. With few allies, she must discover the killer’s identity while staying one step ahead of the people who want her punished for crimes she didn’t commit.
I almost burned out my Kindle, I turned the pages so fast. The Stillhouse Lake series is up to four published novels with a fifth announced. Everyone who loved Stillhouse Lake should check out The Darkwater Cove books, available on Amazon and through Kindle Unlimited.
The Prey Series
John Sandford’s Prey series begins with Rules of Prey, the book Stephen King calls, “Sleek and nasty.”
Officer Lucas Davenport is part good cop, part bad cop, a throwback to Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry.
Every serial killer thriller needs a frightening villain, and Sandford delivers a helluva bad guy in The Mad Dog, but Davenport is The Mad Dog’s perfect foil.
Sandford, known for his masterful storytelling and intricate plotlines, delivers yet another thrilling masterpiece in this book.
The story follows the life of Lucas Davenport, a brilliant and unconventional detective who becomes entangled in a cat-and-mouse game with a sadistic serial killer. As the body count rises, Davenport must navigate through a web of clues and dark secrets to bring justice to the victims and stop the ruthless murderer.
Sandford’s writing style is impeccable, seamlessly blending suspense, action, and psychological depth. His attention to detail creates vivid imagery that transports readers into the gritty world of crime investigation. The characters are well-developed and multi-dimensional, making it easy for readers to become emotionally invested in their journey.
DARKWATER COVE
A killer is watching . . .
She’s running from a psychopath. And he knows what frightens her.
After she’s stabbed in the line of duty, FBI Agent Darcy Gellar moves her family to a sleepy seaside community. Living beside the ocean, she finds tranquility…until the police discover the body of a murdered woman on the beach. The village blames her son, a misunderstood boy with anger issues.
Is a serial killer stalking Darkwater Cove?
Darcy knows the boy is innocent. But how does she convince an aggressive police detective? If she fails, her son will go to prison, and the murderer will strike again.
Can Darcy save her child from the police and a bloodthirsty killer?
One of the standout aspects of “Rules of Prey” is Sandford’s ability to keep readers guessing until the very end. The twists and turns throughout the narrative keep the suspense high and ensure that there is never a dull moment. Each chapter unravels new layers of complexity, leaving readers yearning for more.
Furthermore, Sandford’s knowledge of police procedures and investigative techniques adds an authentic touch to the story. It is evident that he has done thorough research into law enforcement practices, enhancing both the realism and credibility of his narrative.
Chock full of interesting characters and an extra helping of police procedural scenes, Sandford delivers a series fans of Thomas Harris can sink their teeth into.
And if you want more Lucas Davenport after you finish Rules of Prey (and you will), rest assured John Sandford is a writing machine. The Prey series currently stands at thirty (yes, thirty!) novels, and it’s still growing.
Clair Fletcher Mysteries
I’m a huge Lisa Regan fan.
Few authors are so adept at weaving stunning prose into a dark thriller. And yes, this is a dark serial killer thriller. Don’t let the name fool you into thinking it’s a cozy mystery.
A deranged man kidnapped Clair Fletcher ten years ago. Everyone assumes Clair is dead except for her mother, who refuses to give up hope. Then a detective on the brink of alcoholism ends up in the arms of a beautiful woman and takes her home. When he awakens, she’s gone.
And he swears the woman was Clair Fletcher.
The Clair Fletcher series is up to two books. Unlike most of Lisa Regan’s books, you can read this series for free in Kindle Unlimited.
Morgan Dane Thrillers
Melinda Leigh’s “Say You’re Sorry” was Prime Reading’s most read book in 2018.
And for good reason. This is the way a crime thriller should be written.
After losing her husband in the Iraq war, prosecutor Morgan Dane returns home to piece her life back together. But when someone murders Tessa, Morgan’s teenage babysitter, the police accuse Nick, the neighborhood boy Morgan thinks highly of.
The town and police turn against Morgan when she decides to defend Nick. But Morgan can’t save the boy unless she discovers who the real killer is.
One little problem. The killer targets Morgan next.
One of the standout features of “Say You’re Sorry” is Leigh’s meticulous attention to detail. Her vivid descriptions bring each scene to life, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the story. From gritty crime scenes to heart-pounding action sequences, every moment feels authentic and realistic.
The characters in this novel are well-developed and relatable. The protagonist is strong-willed and determined, making her an engaging lead character that readers will root for throughout the book. Supporting characters are equally well-crafted, adding depth and complexity to the overall storyline.
In addition to its thrilling plot and compelling characters, “Say You’re Sorry” also explores thought-provoking themes such as justice, redemption, and personal growth. This adds an extra layer of depth to an already captivating story.
The Morgan Dane series is six books long, and hopefully it keeps growing. If you love Thomas Harris, you’ll enjoy anything Leigh writes. Any fan of the Hannibal Lecter novels will enjoy Melinda Leigh’s Morgan Dane series.
If you enjoy the authors on our list, we recommend you download a free thriller from bestselling thriller and mystery author Dan Padavona before this offer ends.