What Makes a Killer Thriller?
The Daily
08/16/26
•42m
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The New York Times Book Review recently released its list of the 50 best thrillers of the 21st century.
To put it together, the team asked almost 300 authors and other experts to vote for the best heart-thumping, page-turning, white knuckle reads published since 2000.
In this episode of “The Sunday Daily,” Natalie Kitroeff talks with the Times thrillers columnist, Sarah Lyall, about how the list came together. Then, Natalie speaks with one of the greatest thriller writers of this century — with four books featured on the list — the author Tana French.
On Today’s Episode:
Sarah Lyall writes a monthly thrillers column for The New York Times.
Tana French is the author of many best-selling books, including “In the Woods,” “The Searcher,” “The Likeness” and “The Witch Elm.”
Background Reading:
The 50 Best Thrillers of the 21st Century
Photo credit: Naila Ruechel
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.
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Previous Episode
The “Widow’s Bay” star on his two Emmy nominations, his penchant for going dark and his wobbly self-esteem.
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- For transcripts and more, visit: nytimes.com/theinterview
Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.
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Next Episode
Luigi Mangione’s High-Risk Legal Strategy
August 17
•24m
In the two years since a masked man shot and killed a health care executive, the national spotlight has turned to the primary suspect, Luigi Mangione. The overwhelming evidence has pointed to his guilt, and the question on most minds has been: What might the defense of one of the most famous murder suspects in America look like?
At a hearing on Friday, we got our first glimpse at an answer, one that appears to include a full-throated embrace of his guilt.
Today, Benjamin Weiser, a reporter covering the justice system for The New York Times, and Hurubie Meko, a criminal justice reporter for The Times, discuss the risky defense strategy and why an admission of guilt might be Mr. Mangione’s best bet.
Guests:
- Benjamin Weiser, a reporter covering the justice system for The New York Times.
- Hurubie Meko, a criminal justice reporter for The New York Times.
Background reading: Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty to federal charges, and still faces a state case.
Photo: Pool photo by David Dee Delgado
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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