Nothing compares to a good thriller to hook you in for a few days. But when it also brings some politics in, all kinds of theories come to your head. Most of these stories are the result of pure imagination, but deep down inside you, you know there is a bit of reality involved too. Now, what are the best political thrillers in 2020?
Near Dark, by Brad Thor
USA’s top rated spy has just been “awarded” the largest bounty in the world. He only has a few options left – hide and run until he discovers the truth. However, enemies come closer and closer to Scot Harvath and even manage to kill his new wife. Not trusting anyone around him, the hero finds help in a Norwegian spy – Sølvi Kolstad. She is skilled and efficient at what she does, but she is just as broken as he is, so they make a wonderful team.
One Minute Out, by Mark Greaney
One Minute Out tells the story of one of the greatest assassins of all times – the so called Gray Man. Court Gentry discovers an impressive network of human traffickers while on a mission in Croatia. But the network seems to go further than the Balkans – all way to the USA. It has links to Hollywood as well. Court tries his best to put it out, but the CIA has different plans. With no intel, no one will do anything at all to help Court.
Savage Son, by Jack Carr
The book is part of the Terminal List series, but you do not have to read previous volumes, as they are not related. This time, James Reece has to infiltrate the rough Russian mafia. His experience as a former Navy SEAL does help in the process, but will he succeed in a completely different environment? The story follows a woman on the run in Siberia – chased by a man who wants to kill her. It looks like you go through two separate stories at some point, but everything will make sense when they clash.
Camino Winds, by John Grisham
Anything is possible on the Camino Island. Prior to a book related event, Hurricane Lee threatens to hit the island. The local governor orders everyone to be evacuated, as the hurricane heads towards the island. Everything seems to be ruined in front of it, as well as a few lives. Nelson Kerr is dead and his friend Bruce realizes the storm was not the actual cause of his death. Another question pops up now – who would want Nelson out of the scenario?
Dragonfire, by Ted Bell
Alex Hawke is a British lord who also operates as a spy. He is in hospital recovering after a previous mission when he gets a sudden call from the Queen. Her grandson is gone – somewhere in the Bahamas. The mission is quite sensitive and the Queen can only trust someone like Lord Hawke. The last thing she knows is he was seen at a nightclub known as Dragonfire. There are a few historical connections involved in this thriller as well.
To Kill A Man, by Sam Bourne
A woman is attacked in her own home, but she manages to kill the attacker. Natasha Winthrop is a prolific politician who is tipped to become the next president of the USA. Initially, she is tagged as a #MeToo hero, as she was able to fight back. However, there are a few things in her story that do not really make sense. Some clues simply do not come up together, so inconsistency leaves room for interpretation. What is she trying to hide?
The Paladin, by David Ignatius
This is one of the best political thrillers in 2020 if you love American spying stories. CIA officer Michael Dunne has to infiltrate an Italian news company. It seems to be more than just a news agency, as those people manage to find secrets that CIA could never get. Moreover, they expose one thing after another – hard to understand how. Michael gets in, but his cover is blown away and the CIA leaves him on his own. After spending time in jail, he goes out to seek revenge.
The Mountain, by Steven Konkoly
Someone disappears on Murder Mountain – nothing unusual so far, as it happens all the time. The mountain is lawless – lots of illegal drug harvests and deaths. However, the missing person is Senator Steele’s friend, so investigator Ryan Decker has to complete the mission. One thing leads to another and mysteries start unveiling, only for the investigator and his partner to discover some of the country’s best puppet masters.
The Warsaw Protocol, by Steve Berry
This story will take you to some of the most beautiful places in the world. Relics of the Arma Christi – the weapons of Jesus Christ – keep disappearing from museums and sanctuaries. Agent Cotton Malone is the unfortunate witness of such an event. He learns about a private auction that will bring in incriminating information on the Polish president, but the entry price is one of the relics. In other words, he will have to steal the Holy Lance in order to join the action.
Three Hours, by Rosamund Lupton
The story takes you to the rural areas of Somerset, where a school is under siege. The headmaster is injured, while the police will have to establish contact with the gunmen. Everyone else is barricaded inside classrooms. The whole action spreads over three hours and everyone must do what they can to save their loved ones. But the story is not just an action scenario, as things get an unusual turn at some point. Nothing seems to be real after all, as the action unveils.
As a short final conclusion, these are some of the most intense and best political thrillers in 2020. The list could be longer, but these names can definitely hook you in, keep you busy for a few days and leave you craving for more.