Linear is easy when you follow one character's perspective. When you start switching heads from chapter to chapter, you have to decide: backtrack? Pick up where the last character left off?

But, also, for the record, jumping around in time is an important element in a suspense/thriller/mystery, especially when you're trying to plant red herrings. Many authors do it with a lot of success, and without confusing their readers, which is just frustrating, but still making the reader think hard and analyze. The trick (not to imply that it's easy) is to make it crystal clear to your reader when in time we are right now, because confusing them doesn't help anyone.

Cheers,
Michelle