The New York Times released its list of 50 best thrillers of the 21st century, voted by nearly 300 authors and experts. Gone Girl dominates consensus while Tana French claims four spots—but what defines a thriller? This episode explores how the genre spans from literary fiction to airport paperbacks, featuring insights from Times thriller columnist Sarah Lyall and acclaimed author Tana French on what makes readers unable to put a book down. Thrillers aren't defined by a single formula; the genre encompasses psychological mysteries, police procedurals, and literary fiction that all create suspense and keep readers desperate to discover what happens next.