Last Updated on November 15, 2024 by Jella Erhard
Explore some of the twistiest new psychological thriller books with shocking twists and chilling stories that leave readers guessing until the very end.
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Best Psychological Thriller Books With Shocking Twists
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If you’re a fellow thrill-seeker and book lover who can’t get enough of psychological thrillers then you’re at the right place. Because we collected some of the most exciting new psychological thriller book releases that will surely make your heart pound faster thanks to mind-bending twists and spine-tingling stories.
These psychological thriller stories try to unravel the dark mysteries of the human psyche while transporting you into chilling worlds filled with mysteries, secrets, and murder.
RELATED: Best Thriller Books To Read
You will not have to worry about getting bored while reading these books because they will surely keep you on the edge of your seat since they’re filled with twists and turns that will leave you guessing until the very end.
They not only provide a spine-tingling experience but also make you question everything you thought you knew about the characters and their motivations, as you’re plunged into a world of deception, fear, and suspense.
These psychological fiction books will also challenge your assumptions about what’s real and what’s not, forcing you to confront your deepest fears and anxieties. But in a fun way, of course.
A good psychological thriller is an ultimate page-turner that will surprise and engage you even if the stories feel somewhat familiar. So if you’re looking for a gripping and pulse-pounding read that will keep you up all night, then check out these brilliant new psychological thriller books.
Middle of the Night by Riley Sager
Disappearance, Secrets, Haunting
Get Your Copy HERE
Publishing Date: June 2024
Genres: Psychological Thriller, Mystery
Synopsis:
Riley Sager’s Middle of the Night isn’t your typical stroll down memory lane. Ethan Marsh heads back to his old neighborhood, Hemlock Circle, and let’s just say it’s not for a nostalgia kick. Thirty years ago, his best bud Billy pulled a Houdini and vanished. Ethan’s homecoming? More eerie than a reunion special.
Now, this cul-de-sac’s got more secrets than your average suburban block. Ethan’s digging up the past, and it’s as messy as a kid’s bedroom. Plus, there’s this creepy forest and a hush-hush institute doing who-knows-what kind of experiments. Talk about adding some spice to the neighborhood watch.
Middle of the Night is a cocktail of suburban suspense and dark forest mystery, shaken not stirred. It’s a psychological deep-dive, threading childhood traumas with the here and now. You’re in for a multi-layered mystery that’s as much about lost memories as it is about lost people.
Why pick up Middle of the Night? For a plot that’s tighter than your jeans after Thanksgiving, characters with more layers than an onion, and a childhood mystery that’s anything but child’s play. It’s not just a thrilling read; it’s a deep look at how the past sticks to us like gum on a shoe.
How to Kill with Kindness by S. R. Masters
Kindness, Morality, Thriller
Get Your Copy HERE
Publishing Day: April 2024
Genres: Psychological Thriller, Mystery
Synopsis:
S. R. Masters’ How to Kill with Kindness takes you to Nether Appleford, a place that could win an award for being ‘England’s Kindest Village’, if there was one. Picture a village where everyone’s super nice, governed by the Kindness Committee – sounds lovely, right? Well, strap in, because this isn’t a cozy bedtime story.
This village’s kindness isn’t your grandma’s version. It’s kindness with a twist – the kind that makes you wonder if you’re being nice or just plain nasty. The villagers find themselves in a pickle, grappling with whether their ‘kind’ acts are actually hurting others. Talk about a moral maze!
The real kicker here is the setting. A picture-perfect village, where the very thing they’re proud of – being kind – starts to unravel their lives. It’s like watching a well-iced cake melt in the sun.
So, why grab a copy of How to Kill with Kindness? It’s not your average psychological thriller. It’s a brain teaser that gets you thinking about kindness gone wrong, and the blurry lines between good and bad. Ideal for those who love their thrillers with a side of deep thoughts and a sprinkle of village secrets.
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
Identity, Deception, Twists
Get Your Copy HERE
Publishing Date: January 2024
Genres: Psychological Thriller, Suspense
Synopsis:
Ashley Elston’s First Lie Wins is like a high-wire act over the world of secrets and lies. Meet Evie Porter, not your average girl-next-door unless your neighborhood is full of people with fake IDs and secret missions.
Evie’s living it up with a made-up life in a Southern town that’s as picturesque as a postcard, all thanks to her boss, the ever-so-mysterious Mr. Smith.
Her latest gig? Getting cozy with Ryan Sumner. But here’s the twist: Evie’s starting to forget where Evie the character ends and Evie the person begins. Just when she’s juggling her fake life like a pro, her real past decides to crash the party – in the same town, no less.
This book’s got more layers than a seven-layer dip. It’s not just about a woman leading a double life; it’s a tangle of who’s who, with a side of emotional rollercoaster. Think of it as a cat-and-mouse game where the cat might not even know it’s a cat.
So, why should you pick up First Lie Wins? If you’re into thrillers that play mind games and keep you guessing till the end, this one’s a home run. It’s the perfect mix of suspense, identity crises, and the quest for something real in a world full of make-believe.
No One Can Know by Kate Alice
Family Secrets, Suspense, Betrayal
Get Your Copy HERE
Publishing Date: Marshall January 2024
Genres: Mystery, Psychological Thriller
Synopsis:
Kate Alice Marshall’s No One Can Know is like a family reunion you can’t miss – but with more secrets and suspense.
The story follows the Palmer sisters, Emma, Juliette, and Daphne, who haven’t exactly been on speaking terms since, well, their parents got murdered fourteen years ago in their hometown, Arden Hills.
Emma, who’s been keeping mum about that night, decides to head back home and let’s just say, she’s not just reopening the front door but a whole can of worms.
As Emma stirs the pot, her sisters get dragged back into the mess, and you bet there are old scores to settle. The story’s not just about finding out who dunnit; it’s a deep dive into trust issues, backstabbings, and family drama that makes Thanksgiving look like a tea party.
If you’re into mysteries where everyone’s a suspect and family ties mean more twists than a pretzel, No One Can Know is your jam. It’s like a rollercoaster of emotions with a side of whodunit. Perfect for those who love their thrillers with a hefty dose of family secrets and psychological mind games.
Where You End by Abbott Kahler
Amnesia, Identity, Manipulation
Get Your Copy HERE
Publishing Date: January 2024
Genres: Psychological Thriller, Mystery
Synopsis:
Abbott Kahler hits the ground running with their debut, Where You End. Imagine waking up with amnesia, like Kat in the story, and the only familiar face is your identical twin, Jude.
Sounds like the beginning of a heartwarming story, right? Wrong. Jude takes this as a chance to spin a new past for them, a bit like a kid with a wild imagination, except it’s your life she’s rewriting.
Kat’s on a mission to piece together her life, but it’s like trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing. And here’s the kicker: she’s got some shadowy figures tailing her and sudden bursts of anger that make no sense. This leads her to wonder if Jude’s ‘storybook’ past is just a fairy tale.
Where You End isn’t your cookie-cutter thriller. It dives deep into the murky waters of identity, memory, and how sometimes the line between truth and lies gets a little fuzzy.
It’s a wild ride that’s not just about finding out ‘whodunit’ but also about the psychological chess game between two sisters. For those who love a story that messes with your head and tugs at your heartstrings, this is your ticket.
The Woman on the Ledge by Ruth Mancin
Obsession, Intrigue, Deception
Get Your Copy HERE
Publishing Date: January 2024
Genres: Psychological Thriller, Mystery
Synopsis:
Ruth Mancini’s The Woman on the Ledge isn’t just your typical thriller. It starts with a bang – or should I say, a fall? A woman takes a fatal dive off a London high-rise, and our guy finds himself smack dab in the middle of a murder accusation. His alibi? Let’s just say it wouldn’t hold up in a game of two truths and a lie.
Now, what makes this book a real gem isn’t just the whodunit. This story is all about trust, or the lack thereof, and the way deception weaves its way through relationships and the legal system.
If you’re into thrillers that make you play detective from your couch, The Woman on the Ledge is your next must-read. It’s a wild ride that doesn’t just tiptoe around the truth – it dances around it in a masquerade ball of lies and secrets.
Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra
Home Invasion, Survival, Maternal Instinct
Get Your Copy HERE
Publishing Date: February 2024
Genres: Psychological Thriller, Suspense
Synopsis:
Tracy Sierra’s Nightwatching is the kind of thriller that has you biting your nails and checking the locks. Imagine this: a mom, two kids, and a snowstorm straight out of a winter horror story.
Just when you think they’re snug and safe, boom – home invasion. But here’s the kicker: the mom knows the intruder. Talk about a bad time to run into an old acquaintance!
Trapped in a snow globe of terror, with no help in sight, she’s got to think fast. Does she play hero or make a break for it with her kids? Every second counts, and every choice is a gamble.
What sets Nightwatching apart is how it cranks up the claustrophobia and dives deep into a mother’s primal urge to protect her cubs. The blizzard outside? That’s just icing on the cake of isolation. It’s a non-stop, heart-racing ride through fear, recognition, and those gut instincts that scream ‘survive.’
For a read that’s as intense as it is emotionally charged, Nightwatching is your ticket.
The Housemaid Is Watching by Freida McFadden
Suburban Suspense, Secrets, Trust
Get Your Copy HERE
Publishing Date: June 2024
Genres: Psychological Thriller, Suspense
Synopsis:
The Housemaid Is Watching by Freida McFadden takes “nosy neighbors” to a whole new level. Picture this: a former housemaid, who’s hustled her way to the suburban dream, thinks she’s hit the jackpot with a new house. But, hold up, things in this ‘quiet’ neighborhood are about to get weird.
Her neighbor, Mrs. Lowell, has this creepy vibe that could chill your coffee, and her maid? Let’s just say she’s not exactly forthcoming. Add in a hubby with more secrets than a spy novel and a neighbor who drops warnings like hot potatoes, and you’ve got a recipe for suburban suspense.
This isn’t your average thriller; it’s a deep dive into the secrets simmering behind those perfect lawns. Trust, secrets, and the past’s stubborn shadow – this book’s got it all.
Dive into The Housemaid Is Watching for a story that turns the everyday into a thrilling ride to an explosive end. It’s like peeking through the curtains at a drama you can’t help but watch.
The Fury by Alex Michaelides
Mystery, Friendship, Deception
Get Your Copy HERE
Publishing Date: January 2024
Genres: Psychological Thriller, Mystery
Synopsis:
The Fury is where a secluded Greek island meets Hollywood drama. Lana Farrar, a former movie star turned hermit, hosts her annual Easter get-together. It’s usually all fun and games until this year, someone ends up dead. Now, that’s a party foul!
The story, dished out by Elliot Chase, feels like playing Clue in a storm – everyone’s a suspect with a motive. Old friends on a gorgeous island, nursing grudges and secret revenge plans? Talk about a vacation gone wrong.
This book weaves a web of fame, friendship, and that blurry line between love and loathing. It’s like a murder mystery had a baby with a psych drama. Dive into The Fury for a wild ride that’s more than just ‘whodunit’; it’s a peek into the shadowy side of close bonds and star-studded pasts.
The Jealous Wife by James Caine
Buy It HERE
Published: July 2023
Synopsis:
Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison
Buy It HERE
Published: September 2023
Synopsis:
In a world where escaping family drama means physically leaving the homestead, Vesper thought she was out for good. That’s until a wedding invite from cousin Rosie lands on her doorstep, pulling her back into the gravitational force of familial weirdness.
Why the sudden change of heart from the religious community she escaped? Is it genuine or just another twist in the family’s saga? And let’s not even get started on her horror-star-turned-ice-queen mom, Constance. What could go wrong?
But Harrison isn’t just taking you on a family reunion. She’s setting the table with dark secrets, deep faith issues, and a main course of spine-chilling revelations.
Pack your bags for a journey where family ties are more like knots, and finding one’s place might involve digging up some buried truths.
The September House by Carissa Orlando
Buy It HERE
Published: September 2023
Synopsis:
Margaret and Hal thought they struck gold with the Hawthorn Street Victorian beauty. A dream house at a dream price, right? But every September, that dream becomes more of a ghastly haunted reel with wall blood décor and some very spooked former residents making an appearance.
While many would slap a “For Sale” sign and skedaddle, Margaret is more of a “I’ve got ghosts, but I’ve also got grit” kind of gal. But when Hal taps out and their clueless daughter Katherine hops in to find him, things get spooktacularly complicated.
Orlando serves up haunted house vibes with a generous side of family drama and marital mysteries.
Dive into a tale where stubbornness meets the supernatural and family secrets are way more chilling than that eerie basement draft.
What Kind of Mother by Clay McLeod Chapman
Buy It HERE
Published: September 2023
Synopsis:
Madi Price, once a teen mom and now a palmist, lands back in Brandywine with her almost-adult daughter. Just when you think she’s setting up shop for some harmless fortune-telling at the farmer’s market, in walks Henry McCabe.
He’s not just any customer; he’s Madi’s old high school love, and he’s still haunted by the unsolved mystery of his son’s disappearance. While most have given up hope, Madi’s palm-reading session unfolds a chilling tapestry of eerie visions.
The more she deciphers, the deeper she spirals into a terrifying narrative that threatens to engulf everything she cherishes.
Chapman merges the spectral with the everyday, creating a tale that’s as much about love and loss as it is about the ghosts of the past.
Dive into a tale where the lines between psychic predictions and grim reality blur. It’s Southern charm meets spine-tingling suspense.
Midnight Is the Darkest Hour by Ashley Winstead
Buy It HERE
Published: October 2023
Synopsis:
Nestled in Bottom Springs, Louisiana is where our librarian heroine, Ruth Cornier, resides. But don’t let the quaint title fool you. She’s not just scanning book barcodes; she’s uncovering tales of moonless-night murders and local legends.
And while Daddy Dearest is preaching about divine wrath, there’s another sinister story unfolding. Enter the Low Man, Louisiana’s own bedtime terror, who likes to blend in a bit of vampy action with his kill-list.
When the swamps start revealing secrets, Ruth and her old bud, Everett, with a shadowy past of his own, are suddenly the town’s last hope.
Winstead masterfully intertwines eerie folklore, fierce femininity, and a dash of spiritual suspense.
Dive into a Southern gothic rollercoaster where bayous and bloodsuckers meet in the most thrilling showdown. Think swamps, secrets, and supernatural showdowns – all in one captivating read.
The Devil’s Playground by Craig Russell
Buy It HERE
Published: June 2023
Synopsis:
The year is 1927. Mary Rourke, the go-to fixer for Hollywood’s elite, gets summoned to the residence of silent movie star Norma Carlton. She’s not here to fix any scandals but a much grimmer scene: Carlton’s demise. With her mysterious death, whispers of a curse linked to her film, “The Devil’s Playground,” come to the forefront. But Mary, in a place where smoke and mirrors are the bread and butter, decides to dig deeper.
Fast forward to 1967, and we’ve got Paul Conway. Silent film enthusiast, he’s following the lore of the infamous cursed movie. Rumor has it, a single copy exists. Journeying into the Mojave Desert, what he finds is more haunting than any film.
Russell paints a vivid picture of old Hollywood, lacing it with suspense and dark twists.
Dive into a cinematic thriller where Hollywood glamour meets cursed mysteries. It’s an Oscar-worthy ride of dark secrets, vintage vibes, and a tale that spans decades.
Everyone Here Is Lying by Shari Lapena
Buy It HERE
Published: July 2023
Synopsis:
William Wooler might look like your average dad-next-door, but the guy’s got more shades than a paint store’s swatch book. So, when his secret fling goes sideways and he discovers his feisty nine-year-old Ella back home unexpectedly, he snaps. And then? Ella disappears. Vanishes. Gone.
This isn’t a magic trick folks; it’s a full-blown crisis. And you’d think the neighbors might rally around, but no. Instead, secrets spill, paranoia spikes and fingers point.
Everyone’s got a story, but who’s spinning tales? In this close-knit community, trust is as rare as a solar eclipse, and deception? It’s the currency.
Dive headfirst into Stanhope’s web of deceit, where every corner holds a secret, every smile hides a lie, and finding the truth is like playing the world’s riskiest game of Clue.
The Bigamist by Rona Halsall – July 2023
Buy It Here
Synopsis:
The Bigamist is a gripping tale about a woman who falls for a handsome architect named Sam but she soon finds out that he’s hiding some pretty big secrets. However, she’s got a few of her own too…
This twisty new psychological thriller novel will play with your mind and make you question who’s really the victim here while also taking you on a dark journey filled with shocking secrets.
The Bigamist is one of the twistiest new thriller books filled with lies, dark love, mysteries, and betrayal, and will keep you guessing till the very end.
The Maid’s Diary by Loreth Anne White – March 2023
Synopsis:
Kit Darling is a maid with a snooping problem. She’s the “invisible girl,” compelled to poke into her wealthy clients’ closely guarded lives. It’s a harmless hobby until Kit sees something she can’t unsee in the home of her brand-new clients: a secret so dark it could destroy the privileged couple expecting their first child. This makes Kit dangerous to the couple. In turn, it makes the couple—who might kill to keep their secret—dangerous to Kit.
When homicide cop Mallory Van Alst is called to a scene at a luxury waterfront home known as the Glass House, she’s confronted with evidence of a violent attack so bloody it’s improbable the victim is alive. But there’s no body. The homeowners are gone. And their maid is missing. The only witness is the elderly woman next door, who woke to screams in the night. The neighbor was also the last person to see Kit Darling alive.
As Mal begins to uncover the secret that has sent the lives of everyone involved on a devious and inescapable collision course, she realizes that nothing is quite as it seems.
And no one escapes their past.
The Maid’s Diary is one of the most thrilling new psychological thriller books with a gripping mystery.
The Night She Vanished by Wendy Dranfield – March 2023
Synopsis:
A missing daughter. A devastated family. A secret they would kill to keep.
Twelve years ago, I escaped my small midwestern hometown and never looked back. Now, sitting on my porch in the sun with my handsome husband, my old life couldn’t feel further away. But my world comes crashing down when I answer the phone to the one person I never thought I’d hear from again: my mother.
And when she utters four little worlds my heart stops in my chest: “Your sister is missing”.
I know everyone will be doing all they can to search for Aimee, sending my perfect parents home-baked cookies and sharing in their grief. Because everyone looks up to Ron and Debbie Chambers: the town sheriff and the dependable midwife. But the neighbors don’t know what I know. And they wouldn’t believe me if I told them…
I’m convinced this isn’t the first time a young girl has gone missing because of them. And it’s why I ran away all those years ago.
So now I have no choice but to return. I’m the only person who knows what they’re capable of. I’m the only one who can find my little sister.
Or so I thought… As the closer I get to discovering the truth, the less sure I become of everything. And by the time I find out, will I be too late to save her? Was returning home the deadliest thing I could have ever done?
The Night She Vanished is one of the most suspenseful new psychological thriller books for adults who love chilling stories.
The Housemaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden – February 2023
Synopsis:
“Don’t go in the guest bedroom.” A shadow falls on Douglas Garrick’s face as he touches the door with his fingertips. “My wife… she’s very ill.” As he continues showing me their incredible penthouse apartment, I have a terrible feeling about the woman behind closed doors. But I can’t risk losing this job—not if I want to keep my darkest secret safe…
It’s hard to find an employer who doesn’t ask too many questions about my past. So I thank my lucky stars that the Garricks miraculously give me a job, cleaning their stunning penthouse with views across the city and preparing fancy meals in their shiny kitchen. I can work here for a while, stay quiet until I get what I want.
It’s almost perfect. But I still haven’t met Mrs Garrick, or seen inside the guest bedroom. I’m sure I hear her crying. I notice spots of blood around the neck of her white nightgowns when I’m doing laundry. And one day I can’t help but knock on the door. When it gently swings open, what I see inside changes everything…
That’s when I make a promise. After all, I’ve done this before. I can protect Mrs Garrick while keeping my own secrets locked up safe.
Douglas Garrick has done wrong. He is going to pay. It’s simply a question of how far I’m willing to go…
The Housemaid’s Secret is one of the most popular psychological thriller books filled with dark secrets.
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Don’t Let Her Stay by Nicola Sanders – February 2023
Synopsis:
Someone inside your house wants you dead, but no one believes you…
Joanne knows how lucky she is. Richard is a wonderful husband, Evie is the most gorgeous baby girl, they live in a beautiful house… Life couldn’t be better.
Until Richard’s twenty-year-old daughter Chloe turns up. Chloe hasn’t spoken to her father since the day he married Joanne two years ago. But Chloe wants to make peace. She’ll even move in for a few weeks to help Joanne with the new baby.
It sounds perfect, but when things happen that make Joanne feel like she’s losing her mind, she begins to wonder: Is Chloe really here to help? Or has Joanne made a terrible mistake by letting her move in?
And is it too late to ask her to leave?
Perfect for fans of Frieda McFadden, Sue Watson and Shalini Boland, Don’t Let Her Stay is a totally addictive psychological thriller with a twist that will shock you!
Don’t Let Her Stay is one of the most exciting new psychological thriller books with a breathtaking twist.
All That Is Mine I Carry with Me by William Landay – March 2023
Synopsis:
A mother vanished. A father presumed guilty. There is no proof. There are no witnesses. For the children, there is only doubt. From the New York Times bestselling author of Defending Jacob. . . .
One afternoon in November 1975, ten-year-old Miranda Larkin comes home from school to find her house eerily quiet. Her mother is missing. Nothing else is out of place. There is no sign of struggle. Her mom’s pocketbook remains in the front hall, in its usual spot.
So begins a mystery that will span a lifetime. What happened to Jane Larkin?
Investigators suspect Jane’s husband. A criminal defense attorney, Dan Larkin would surely be an expert in outfoxing the police.
But no evidence is found linking him to a crime, and the case fades from the public’s memory, a simmering, unresolved riddle. Jane’s three children–Alex, Jeff, and Miranda–are left to be raised by the man who may have murdered their mother.
Two decades later, the remains of Jane Larkin are found. The investigation is awakened. The children, now grown, are forced to choose sides. With their father or against him? Guilty or innocent? And what happens if they are wrong?
A tale about family–family secrets and vengeance, but also family love–All That Is Mine I Carry With Me masterfully grapples with a primal question: When does loyalty reach its limit?
All That Is Mine I Carry with Me is one of the most emotional psychological thriller books with a chilling crime mystery story.
RELATED: Twistiest Historical Thriller Books
The Surgeon by Leslie Wolfe – March 2023
Synopsis:
Trusted surgeon. Loving wife. Murderer?
Before my world came crashing down, I had it all. The successful career I dreamed of. The beautiful red-brick home where I could relax in front of the fire. The handsome, devoted husband whose blue eyes and charming smile always made me feel safe.
As I call time of death, my voice is steady. My colleagues stand hushed around me, their eyes on me, confused, concerned.
I have never lost a patient until today.
My hands tremble inside their gloves. I slide down the cold tiled walls, my heart racing in my chest.
I have never hated a patient until today.
But what choice did I have, once I recognized him?
And what will I do to protect myself, if someone learns the truth?
The Surgeon is one of the twistiest medical psychological thriller books for adults.
The Institution by Helen Sarah Fields – March 2023
Synopsis:
To beat them, she’ll have to join them…
On a locked ward in the world’s highest-security prison hospital for the criminally insane, a nurse has been murdered and her newborn baby kidnapped. A ransom must be paid, and the clock is ticking.
Forensic profiler Dr Connie Woolwine is renowned for her ability to get inside the mind of a murderer. Now she must go deep undercover among the most deranged and dangerous men on earth, and use her unique skills to find the baby – before it’s too late.
She has five days to catch the killer.
But with the walls of The Institution closing in on her, will her sanity last that long?
The Institution is one of the scariest psychological thriller books with a gripping mystery.
All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham – January 2023
Synopsis:
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