When I have the time, there’s nothing more satisfying than losing myself in a propulsive psychological thriller that I simply can’t put down. Here are 10 psychological thrillers that hooked me from page one and that I couldn’t put down. These are listed in no particular order.
The Only One Left explores the mystery surrounding Lenora Hope, the sole survivor who was always suspected of horrible crimes decades earlier. Her caregiver, Kit, is drawn into the past when she’s charged with caring for Lenora, now paralyzed and mute, she must unravel the secrets of the past to piece together the truth.
I’m always drawn to twisty thrillers with unreliable narrators and an unexpected ending. Having grown up in New England, I could vividly picture myself immersed in the decaying, foreboding mansion on the edge of a cliff, where this story took place. Kit’s constant struggle to overcome the stigma of her past mistake paints her in a very sympathetic light, and I found myself quietly rooting for her as she repeatedly tries to redeem herself. The parallels and similarities that Riley Sager is able create between Kit and her patient, Lenora creates a unique dynamic that left me wanting to know more. I never knew who I could trust, and was guessing at what really happened until the very end.
1. The Only One Left by Riley Sager
2. Zero Days by Ruth Ware
Zero Days follows Jacintha (Jack), an ethical hacker who is on the run after discovering her husband Gabe has been murdered, and she’s the prime suspect. Jack goes on the run, trying to uncover the truth about Gabe’s death and to clear her name. With law enforcement closing in on her, she must navigate the dark web, evade capture, and discover who really killed her husband and why.
Fasten your seatbelt, this one was an adrenaline rush! A high-stakes thriller that hooked me from the first chapter and never let go. What really made this book stand out was the raw and emotional depth of the main character Jack. She isn’t some infallible superwomen with superpowers. She’s clever and resourceful, but also human and vulnerable. She’s a real person grieving her husband’s murder while trying to survive, and her inner struggles add real weight to the fast-paced suspense.
3. Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister
Famous Last Words centers around Camilla, a new mother who discovers her husband Luke is the lone gunman in a deadly hostage situation. Camilla subsequently grapples with the fallout and continues to search for answers years later and the truth about her husband and the life she believed they had together.
What really set this one apart was the lengths and depth of Camilla’s love and unwavering belief in her husband, Luke. Even when all evidence pointed to Luke’s overwhelming guilt, Camilla refused still refuses to give up on him, digging deeper into the past on her unrelenting search for answers about what really happened. I was never sure whether Camilla was simply blinded love for her husband, or if she might be onto something and greater forces were actually at play.
4. House On Fire by Bonnie Kistler
House on Fire centers on Leigh and Pete, a blended family whose lives are shattered when Pete’s son Kip is involved in a car accident that results in the death of Leigh’s daughter and Kip’s stepsister, Chrissy. After Kip is charged with manslaughter, the family grapples with grief, loyalty, and the search for truth.
My husband’s family on both sides is a blended family and we have multiple step-siblings, so this one hit close to home. The entire time this novel was unfolding, my mind was going to worst-case scenarios and thinking about how my own family would react in the wake of such tragedy. As an attorney and also having been married and divorced once before, I could deeply relate to Leigh’s character as she navigated the challenges of her divorce, her new husband and his family, her career, and trying to keep everything in the balance. Leigh’s inner thoughts and responses toward her step-son Kip felt authentic and how most moms would react if they found themselves facing such a heartbreaking and impossible situation.
5. The Truth About the Devlins by Lisa Scottoline
The Truth About the Devlins follows TJ Devlin, the black sheep of a prominent family of lawyers, who is unexpectedly pulled into a troubling situation involving his seemingly perfect brother. As TJ digs for answers, he uncovers buried family secrets that could destroy everything the family has worked so hard to build.
I will always have a soft spot for legal thrillers and this book is no different. What really drew me into this story was the idea that perfection is an illusion, and oftentimes the picture-perfect life portrayed to the outside world is just a skillfully crafted façade. TJ’s character is smart but misguided, and he keeps things real in a family who otherwise views everything through rose colored glasses.
6. You Shoudn’t Have Come Here by Jeneva Rose
You Shouldn’t Have Come Here is about Grace, a woman who books a stay at a remote Wyoming ranch and becomes entangled with the charming yet mysterious owner, Calvin. But as Grace’s time there progresses, unsettling events make her question whether she’s actually safe at the ranch, or if she ever truly was.
We all could use a vacation to unplug and get away from the daily dose of reality, so right off the bat, I found Grace relatable. What really engaged me was the tension between the undeniable chemistry between Grace and Calvin and the growing sense of unease, as if something darker was unfolding at the ranch. Until the end, I wasn’t entirely sure of the direction the story was going in, whether this was love story, or something more disturbing.
7. None of This is True by Lisa Jewell
None of This Is True is the story of Alix, a podcaster who becomes fascinated by Josie, a woman she encounters on their shared 45th birthday. Intrigued by Josie, Alix invites her onto her podcast to tell her life’s story. As Alix digs deeper into Josie’s life, she discovers a dark web of secrets and a disturbing connection between them, revealing a terrifying truth that places Alix and her entire family in danger.
Obsession dynamics have always fascinated me in stories whether it’s romantic or platonic. I’m particularly intrigued when an author shows us what’s going on inside the mind of an unhinged, unstable character and provides their own justifications and excuses for their unforgivable, oftentimes violent actions. Both Alix and Josie are compelling, unreliable, and unpredictable narrators, making it impossible to trust anything or anyone. I never knew who was lying or who was telling the truth, and the constant misdirection kept me on my toes.
8. A Talent for Murder by Peter Swanson
A Talent for Murder is about a woman named Martha Ratliff, a librarian who suspects her husband, Alan, might be a serial killer. To uncover the truth, Martha enlists the help of her old friend Lily, who is drawn into a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a mysterious killer.
When reading this book, I placed myself in Martha’s shoes and asked myself: What would I do if I suspected my husband was a serial killer? My mind would probably go to a similar place that Martha’s did. While I certainly wouldn’t want to believe that my husband, someone I love and care about, was capable of committing such atrocity, like Martha, I would be compelled to do my own investigating to discover the truth one way or the other.
9. The New Couple in 5B by Lisa Unger
The New Couple in 5B follows Rosie and Chad Lowan after they inherit a luxury apartment in the mysterious Windermere building, offering a fresh start from their struggling past. As they settle in, Rosie begins to notice strange and disturbing happenings within the building, leading her to question the true nature of Windermere and their new home.
We’ve all fantasized about winning the lottery or inheriting a home, I know I certainly have. A sense of optimism can be felt as Rosie and Chad first move into the Windemere building and I was silently rooting for them, hopeful this was the lucky break they needed to turn over a new leaf. But through the author’s unique and ominous tone, I quickly knew things wouldn’t be all sunshine and roses, and things at the Windermere were much more sinister than met the eye. As a big fan of horror movies, I couldn’t help but notice the strong parallels between this book and Rosemary’s Baby, something fellow horror lovers will also pick up on right away.
10. First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
First Lie Wins follows Evie Porter, a young woman living a carefully constructed life under a false identity, working for a mysterious employer known only as Mr. Smith. Her mission is to insert herself into the life of Ryan Sumner, who she soon becomes romantically involved with. As secrets from her checkered past begin to resurface, Evie must navigate a dangerous web of lies to protect herself and those she cares most about.
I’ve often romanticized the idea of stepping into someone else’s life for a day and shedding my own skin, even if only temporary. What drew me in most about this book was Evie’s character. She is deeply flawed, with a past filled with mistakes and regrets. But despite it all, she’s a complex and vulnerable character you can’t help but root for. The book left me thinking about how one seemingly small, inconsequential mistake has the potential to change the entire course of one’s life path.
Jesse Palmer 