10 Must-Read Psychological Thriller Books
Whether you're looking to fill your weekend, pass the time on a long travel day or you're just in the mood for an exhilarating escape, look no further than psychological thrillers. Extremely popular in the literary world right now, this riveting genre is a cousin to mystery books — and it targets a similar crowd. Runaway bestsellers like The Housemaid by Freida McFadden are going viral on BookTok — with more than 22 million posts and counting — thanks to their twisted plots and shocking endings. But why are these books so addicting? According to Lisa Jewell, #1 New York Times bestselling author of None of This is True and The Night She Disappeared, thrillers are beloved because they’re mysterious and satisfying: “Is there anything more tantalizing than not knowing something? And the promise of finding out? That’s why I love mysteries, for the intake of breath that comes with a perfectly timed reveal," she tells us. Here, we gathered up some of the best psychological thrillers that are guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat!
Interested in uncovering why residents from one Brooklyn neighborhood keep vanishing without a trace? Pick up When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole. If you'd rather embark on a backpacking trip that leads to sinister situations, dive into We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz.
Keep scrolling for all of our thriller recommendations — there is something for everyone!
'The Housemaid' by Freida McFadden
Revered for her addicting, pulse-pounding psychological thrillers, Freida McFadden has sold 2 million copies of her bestselling Housemaid series and holds a record-breaking half a billion reads on Amazon's Kindle Unlimited subscription. In book one of the series, Millie is hired as a maid for the Winchesters. Every day she cleans, cooks, picks their daughter up from school and daydreams about having a life like theirs, but she can't help feeling like there’s something terribly wrong with Mrs. Winchester. Then, one day Mrs. Winchester discovers that Millie has tried on one of her dresses … so she locks Millie in her attic bedroom. What follows is a startling series of events with a jaw-dropping twist.
What readers are saying: "Brace yourself, because The Housemaid is a novel that will keep you glued to the pages from start to finish, constantly questioning everything you think you know. Just when you believe you've unraveled the twisted narrative, author Freida McFadden pulls the rug out from under you, leaving you breathless and craving more. This book is a true masterclass in psychological suspense that demands to be devoured in a single, uninterrupted sitting."
'None of This is True' by Lisa Jewell
Bestselling author Lisa Jewell is adored for her captivating, eerie novels, and her latest is a chilling psychological thriller. When popular true-crime podcaster Alix Summer crosses paths with Josie Fair one night, Josie’s strange story piques Alix’s interest. Josie swindles her way into her life but disappears as quickly as she came. Soon, Alix uncovers Josie’s dark and terrifyingly twisted secrets, which threaten Alix’s whole world.
What readers are saying: "I am completely blown away by this novel. It was so good. I listened to it on audiobook whenever I was driving or otherwise busy. The audiobook is amazing. The story builds so much suspense and kept me thinking. Absolutely five stars. I'd give it 10 stars if I could."
'The Silent Patient' by Alex Michaelides
Part psychological thriller, part detective case, this inventive story by Alex Michaelides stuns and startles. From the outside, Alicia and her husband seem to have it all: She’s a famous painter married to a fashion photographer and she lives in a beautiful house with windows overlooking a park in London. But one evening her husband Gabriel returns home late from a fashion shoot and Alicia shoots him five times. Then, she never speaks another word. She’s put into a psychiatric facility until criminal psychotherapist Theo Faber arrives to try to unravel the puzzling murder…which threatens to consume him.
What readers are saying: "For me, it wouldn't be an excellent thriller without a crazy twist at the book's end," says Courtney Shapiro, FIRST Digital Assistant Editor. "And this story shocked me so much! I wasn't expecting for Michaelides to take this route. I highly recommend The Silent Patient if you want to be on the edge of your seat."
'The Couple Next Door' by Shari Lapena
Rife with unputdownable twists, this New York Times bestselling novel by Shari Lapena engrosses readers from the start. Anne and Marco Conti are married and have just welcomed a new baby. But one night while at a dinner party, a terrible crime occurs. Suspicion lands on Anne and Marco, but the truth is much more complicated — and much more sinister.
What readers are saying: “I haven’t read a plot with this many twists in…probably ever!” shares Tara Hans, FIRST Managing Editor. “This book entertained me fully and I found myself flipping pages at lightning speed because I just had to know what would happen next."
'When No One is Watching' by Alyssa Cole
Suspense, secrets, eerie surprises…this page turner by Alyssa Cole has it all. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Sydney Green can’t help but notice when all the neighbors in her community start vanishing. Soon she grows suspicious and confides in her neighbor Theo. The two decide to dig into the history of their neighborhood, but will they be able to uncover the whole truth before they disappear too?
What readers are saying: "This is a fascinating thriller. The reveals in the third part of the book were so shocking! The ending — just whoa! It was overwhelming to a point, but Alyssa Cole clears everything up! Honestly, I really hope this gets made into a movie!"
'My Lovely Wife' by Samantha Downing
Filled with memorable characters and looming twists, this heart-pounding bestseller by Samantha Downing will satisfy any thriller lover. Millicent and her husband are a typical couple, living a suburban life in Florida and raising two teens. But after years of marriage, boredom has slowly crept up on them. To keep the spark alive, they turn to a very unexpected extracurricular activity: murder.
What readers are saying: "I read this from beginning to end in less than 24 hours — I literally couldn’t put it down. The chapters are all short and sweet so for readers that don’t like to stop reading for the night in the middle of a chapter, it’s really easy to 'add just one more chapter' before you put it down. The story is fantastic with lots of twists! I’ll be buying more books from this author for sure."
'First Lie Wins' by Ashley Elston
A smart, fast-paced saga unravels from page one in this New York Times bestselling novel by Ashley Elston. When the tale begins, Evie Porter seems to have a perfect life — a great boyfriend named Ryan, an impressive home and great friends. However, Evie Porter doesn’t really exist. She’s a con artist who works for Mr. Smith. Her job is to get intel from Ryan, but she soon starts falling for him. When her lies start catching up with her, can she get out or is she in too deep
What readers are saying: “I'm not typically a suspense-type reader, but I kept hearing people talk about this book! It didn't disappoint — the cat and mouse storyline kept me on the edge of my seat. Thriller fans will devour this one!”
'We Were Never Here' by Andrea Bartz
This deeply alluring thriller follows forever friends and travel companions Kristen and Emily. When Kristen kills an attacker in self defense while on vacation in a foreign land, it seems the secret cover-up will bond these friends even closer for life. But as the clues and facts unfold, everything they thought about the traumatic incident — and their friendship- — is not what it seems.
What readers are saying: “I couldn’t stop reading this book — what an adrenaline rush from start to finish!” raves Lisa Maxbauer, FIRST Senior Nutrition Writer. “This twisty story was an invigorating ride and reminded me of a modern-day Thelma & Louise.”
'The Only One Left' by Riley Sager
Creepy, bone-chilling suspense fills every page of bestselling author Riley Sager's The Only One Left. In this gothic thriller, the story follows a young caregiver who gets a job working for a woman accused of a grisly massacre decades earlier. In 1929, the Hope family murders shocked every resident along the Maine coast. Most locals assumed 17-year-old Lenora was the one who committed this atrocious act — but she's always denied it, cops weren't able to prove her guilt and she's never talked about the event again. Now it's 1983 and home health aid Kit McDeere is assigned to work for Lenora, who is now in her seventies, confined to a wheelchair and only able to speak by typing on a typewriter after a series of strokes. One night Kit sees Lenora typing a note for her and the message is startling: “I want to tell you everything.” As Kit tries to help Lenora write about the events leading up to the massacre, it is very evident there's much more to this story.
What readers are saying: "The Only One Left by Riley Sager is described aptly by some as being like a corkscrew…twist upon twist upon twist all spiraling downwards into an insane conclusion! What an emotional ride this was. Overall I think this is one of Sager's best (and most complex), masterfully crafted twists and turns. I was blown away at how all these puzzle pieces finally fit together!"
'Behind Closed Doors' by B.A. Paris
Jack and Grace seem like the perfect couple: He’s a lawyer who helps victims of domestic violence; she’s a stay-at-home wife who is extremely close with her disabled sister. But friends start to wonder why Grace never answers the phone or leaves the house without Jack, and why the bedroom windows have bars on them…
What readers are saying: “This book was a page-turner in every sense,” says Patty Bontekoe, FIRST Executive Editor. “From page one, it’s clear that something is terribly wrong, and I didn’t stop reading until I figured it out. Even after I finished, my heart was pounding for what seemed like days!”
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