10 Psychological Thriller Books With A Twist You Won’t See Coming

There’s something about thriller books that makes you want to read them even if they’re dark and scary. Or maybe we like them because they’re dark and scary. And when there’s a psychological element to it, the reading becomes more intense and personal. Add to that the gripping plots, the emotionally stressed characters, the inner battles, and an apprehensive atmosphere and we have the recipe for an unforgettable novel.

So If you’re in the mood for highly suspenseful psychological thriller books with a twist or two that will have you battling your own fears, you’ve come to the right place. These 10 books below need to be on your wishlist.

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What To Expect From Psychological Thrillers

What is a psychological thriller and what should you expect from the book list below? Here are the main characteristics:

• keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat being-afraid-for-the-characters-lives type of suspense
• descriptive scenes that create vivid pictures in your head
• keep you guessing and anticipating
• characters who make you question their reliability and doubt yourself
• gruesome killers with twisted motivations
• psychological factor, emotional turmoil of the protagonists and antagonists
• dark, apprehensive atmosphere
• mystery, drama, and paranoia

Where The Blame Lies by Mia Sheridan

In Where The Blame Lies, 19 years after college student Josie Stratton was kidnapped, tortured, and raped, another young woman is found dead in circumstances that remind Cincinnati Police Detective Zach Copeland of the Stratton case. The problem is that Josie’s attacker killed himself after being caught. Or did he?

This is a psychological thriller with interesting bits of romance in it. It’s dark, twisted, unpredictable, and heartbreaking.

Where The Truth Lives by Mia Sheridan

New York Times Bestselling author Mia Sheridan comes with another chilling thriller. In Where The Truth Lives, a gruesome serial killer murders and mutilates the victims’ bodies to send a message and satisfy a personal agenda. Keep in mind that this book follows Where The Blame Lies (see above) and some characters from that one appear here as well. So, to fully enjoy the plots and endings, READ THEM IN THE APPROPRIATE ORDER!! You won’t regret it.

Now, if you also happen to like dark romance, you should check my reviews of these 5 really dark romance novels! Plus, I have a full list of all Karen Rose books, in case romantic thrillers are your thing.

Find Her by Lisa Gardner

This fascinating yet disturbing psychological thriller tells the story of Flora Dane, a young woman who survives being locked in a wooden box for 472 days and then becomes obsessed with solving missing girls’ cases. Lisa Gardner does such a good job diving into a victim’s mind and capturing the healing process.

The Torment Of Others by Val McDermid

In The Torment of Others, Dr. Tony Hill and Detective Chief Inspector Carol Jordan try to catch a serial killer who violently murders sex workers. It’s just that two years ago, Derek Tyler was undoubtedly convicted for crimes committed in the exact same way. And Tyler is still locked away, barely speaking a word.

Girl, Forgotten by Karin Slaughter

In this nail-biting thriller by New York Times bestselling author Karin Slaughter, US Marshal Andrea Oliver has to protect a judge in Longbill Beach while also trying to solve the forty-year-old mysterious murder of a high school student named Emily Vaughn.

Ward D by Freida McFadden

Ward D is a psychological thriller and horror novel that follows the creepy events that take place inside the psychiatric ward of a hospital. When medical student Amy Brenner is assigned the night sift at the psychiatric ward, patients and staff members mysteriously vanish without a trace. Who will survive the dangers behind these walls?

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

With this one, the blurb is so intriguing and mysterious that I don’t want to say anything more. Just read below.

“When you read this book, you will make many assumptions.
You will assume you are reading about a jealous ex-wife.
You will assume she is obsessed with her replacement – a beautiful, younger woman who is about to marry the man they both love.
You will assume you know the anatomy of this tangled love triangle.
Assume nothing.”

Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough

In this page-turner, single mom Louise becomes obsessed with her boss David and his wife Adele, a couple that, on the surface, appears perfect. But behind the curtains, things couldn’t be more different. Just what secrets are they hiding and how far will they go to keep them hidden?

Also, for movie and series lovers, you may want to know that Behind Her Eyes is now a Netflix original series featuring Eve Hewson, Tom Bateman, and Simona Brown.

The Push by Ashley Audrain

In her debut novel that quickly became an international bestseller, Ashley Audrain tells the story of Blythe Connor, a young woman whose motherhood journey is nothing like she could’ve imagined. Because either she is truly insane or something is indeed wrong with her daughter.

A Flicker In The Dark by Stacy Willingham

In A Flicker In The Dark, teenage girls go missing one after another, determining psychologist Chloe Davis to see similarities with something that happened 20 years ago when her father was convicted for the murders of six teenage girls in Louisiana.

Now go on Amazon or Goodreads if you want to read more reviews and don’t forget to add them to your wishlist. Also, if you’re a book lover who likes to use reading journals and checklists, check out my bookish freebies and download your favorites.