If you ask me what is my favorite book genre, I’d say “If you like Gone Girl, you’d love _______.” Sure it’s not a genre, but it’s a bonafide way for you to get me to read a book. I first encountered Gone Girl in my online book club and I was captivated from beginning to end. Unlike most, I found myself sympathizing with the main character the entire time. After all, he was cheating so he most definitely had to pay. And that was what you could say began my sordid love affair with psychological thrillers. If you are like me and love reading about messed up people and places in your spare time, whip out your Goodreads app and add these to your to-read list. You’ll thank me later.
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital, reporter Camille Preaker faces a troubling assignment: she must return to her tiny hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls. For years, Camille has hardly spoken to her neurotic, hypochondriac mother or to the half-sister she barely knows: a beautiful thirteen-year-old with an eerie grip on the town. Now, installed in her old bedroom in her family’s Victorian mansion, Camille finds herself identifying with the young victims—a bit too strongly. Dogged by her own demons, she must unravel the psychological puzzle of her own past if she wants to get the story—and survive this homecoming. — Amazon (Starting at $8.99)
This was my second Gillian Flynn read and she got me again. Her gift for dark but intricate storytelling not only keeps captivated but also makes me wonder how many dead people are in her backyard. And the twist at the very end? Worth every bit. If you loved Gone Girl, I recommend you read more of Gillian’s books. She won’t disappoint.
The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson
On a night flight from London to Boston, Ted Severson meets the stunning and mysterious Lily Kintner. Sharing one too many martinis, the strangers begin to play a game of truth, revealing very intimate details about themselves. Ted talks about his marriage that’s going stale and his wife Miranda, who he’s sure is cheating on him. Ted and his wife were a mismatch from the start—he the rich businessman, she the artistic free spirit—a contrast that once inflamed their passion, but has now become a cliché.
But their game turns a little darker when Ted jokes that he could kill Miranda for what she’s done. Lily, without missing a beat, says calmly, “I’d like to help.” After all, some people are the kind worth killing, like a lying, stinking, cheating spouse. . . .
Back in Boston, Ted and Lily’s twisted bond grows stronger as they begin to plot Miranda’s demise. But there are a few things about Lily’s past that she hasn’t shared with Ted, namely her experience in the art and craft of murder, a journey that began in her very precocious youth.
Suddenly these co-conspirators are embroiled in a chilling game of cat-and-mouse, one they both cannot survive . . . with a shrewd and very determined detective on their tail. — Amazon (Starting at $9.27)
Contrary to the synopsis, this is not the classic “boy meets girl and they decide to do a murdle” story. From beginning to end, the story delivers twists and turns to keep the reader on their toes and up til 2am on a school night reading (or maybe just me, I digress.) The character development is also A1 in my opinion.
Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens. She’s even started to feel like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. ‘Jess and Jason’, she calls them. Their life – as she sees it – is perfect. If only Rachel could be that happy. And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Now Rachel has a chance to become a part of the lives she’s only watched from afar. Now they’ll see; she’s much more than just the girl on the train… — Goodreads (Starting at $7.57)
I’m a sucker for a character, and poor, sweet, alcoholic Rachel had my heart. The great thing about this book is when you finish with it, there’s a movie that does a decent job of captivating the essence of the story. There are times in the plot line that gets a little slow, but if you stay the course you’ll be rewarded with an enjoyable literary experience.
The Girl Before by JP Delaney
The request seems odd, even intrusive–and for the two women who answer, the consequences are devastating.
EMMA
Reeling from a traumatic break-in, Emma wants a new place to live. But none of the apartments she sees are affordable or feel safe. Until One Folgate Street. The house is an architectural masterpiece: a minimalist design of pale stone, plate glass and soaring ceilings. But there are rules. The enigmatic architect who designed the house retains full control: no books, no throw pillows, no photos or clutter or personal effects of any kind. The space is intended to transform its occupant–and it does.
JANE
After a personal tragedy, Jane needs a fresh start. When she finds One Folgate Street she is instantly drawn to the space–and to its aloof but seductive creator. Moving in, Jane soon learns about the untimely death of the home’s previous tenant, a woman similar to Jane in age and appearance. As Jane tries to untangle truth from lies, she unwittingly follows the same patterns, makes the same choices, crosses paths with the same people and experiences the same terror, as the girl before. — Amazon (Starting at $5.99)
This was a fun little story. The author wrote it in a somewhat parallel form, switching POVs between Emma and Jane. The architect was definitely not who you made him out to be, and he ended up being one of my favorite people in the book. It was an easy read, too. Not very murder-y at all.
The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison
Jodi and Todd are at a bad place in their marriage. Much is at stake, including the affluent life they lead in their beautiful waterfront condo in Chicago, as she, the killer, and he, the victim, rush haplessly toward the main event. He is a committed cheater. She lives and breathes denial. He exists in dual worlds. She likes to settle scores. He decides to play for keeps. She has nothing left to lose. Told in alternating voices, The Silent Wife is about a marriage in the throes of dissolution, a couple headed for catastrophe, concessions that can’t be made, and promises that won’t be kept. Expertly plotted and reminiscent of Gone Girl and These Things Hidden, The Silent Wife ensnares the reader from page one and does not let go. — Amazon (Starting at $9.12)
I found this book at Barnes and Nobles — in the “If you like Gone Girl” section to be exact. It makes a little sad, since this book was the author’s debut into fiction before her untimely passing. I selfishly wish she would’ve lived to write more books because this is one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve ever read. I think the author has a background in clinical psychology, so she gets kinda deep in the woods on psych-speak sometimes. I usually just scanned past that and kept it moving. Also, what that synopsis doesn’t tell you was that Jodi was his common-law wife and had everything to lose with Todd leaving and forcing an end to her cushy stay at home wife lifestyle.
The Good Girl by Mary Kubica
“I’ve been following her for the past few days. I know where she buys her groceries, where she has her dry cleaning done, where she works. I don’t know the color of her eyes or what they look like when she’s scared. But I will.”
One night, Mia Dennett enters a bar to meet her on-again, off-again boyfriend. But when he doesn’t show, she unwisely leaves with an enigmatic stranger. At first Colin Thatcher seems like a safe one-night stand. But following Colin home will turn out to be the worst mistake of Mia’s life.
When Colin decides to hide Mia in a secluded cabin in rural Minnesota instead of delivering her to his employers, Mia’s mother, Eve, and detective Gabe Hoffman will stop at nothing to find them. But no one could have predicted the emotional entanglements that eventually cause this family’s world to shatter.
An addictively suspenseful and tautly written thriller, The Good Girl is a propulsive debut that reveals how even in the perfect family, nothing is as it seems. — Amazon (Starting at $9.79)
I will preface this by saying I loved this book until the very end. The last chapter was so trash. But, if you disregard that (which I do), you’ll find this story extremely riveting. Character development was extremely well done too.
Behind Closed Doors by B A Paris
Everyone knows a couple like Jack and Grace. He has looks and wealth, she has charm and elegance. You might not want to like them, but you do. You’d like to get to know Grace better. But it’s difficult, because you realise Jack and Grace are never apart. Some might call this true love. Others might ask why Grace never answers the phone. Or how she can never meet for coffee, even though she doesn’t work. How she can cook such elaborate meals but remain so slim. And why there are bars on one of the bedroom windows. Sometimes, the perfect marriage is the perfect lie. — Amazon (Starting at $8.54)
All is well that ends well. This is my promise to you before you start one of the darkest books you’ll probably read. I wanted to quit a few times, but looked to my friend, Liz, for assurance that this book would not leave me in tears. With that said, it’s an amazing read and I still recommend it.
The .5 – Stranger in the Window by A J Finn
Anna Fox lives alone—a recluse in her New York City home, unable to venture outside. She spends her day drinking wine (maybe too much), watching old movies, recalling happier times . . . and spying on her neighbors.
Then the Russells move into the house across the way: a father, a mother, their teenage son. The perfect family. But when Anna, gazing out her window one night, sees something she shouldn’t, her world begins to crumble—and its shocking secrets are laid bare.
What is real? What is imagined? Who is in danger? Who is in control? In this diabolically gripping thriller, no one—and nothing—is what it seems. — Amazon (Starting at $13.99)
The reason why I gave this a .5 is that I’m still reading it. So far, the author does an amazing job of developing the character of Anna Fox and the world around her through her limited window. And to boot, Anna is actually a clinical psychologist who falls victim to a condition that she probably learned in her studies. She even consults other agoraphobics in an online forum, all the while not taking the advice she doles out. I’m excited to see how this story progresses. Oh and she’s just super funny to me in a dry humor way.
If you can, I’d suggest you patronize your local library for any of these awesome books. You’re paying for it anyway, why not have some good, free-ish reading fun?
Are there any psychological thrillers you’ve read and loved lately? Be sure to share with me in the comments. I’m always looking for a good, lightly murdery read.
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