7 Gripping Psychological Thrillers You Won’t Be Able to Put Down

I’m rounding up my top 7 favorite psychological thrillers that you won’t be able to put down. If you love reading books that keep you guessing and make you think, you won’t be disappointed with this list!

I have always loved to read.

When I was little, it was ‘The Babysitters Club’ books, R.L. Stine (the horror, young adult series), and a smattering of others. And as I grew up, I continued that passion and was enamored with Nicholas Sparks, Jodi Picoult, and Liane Moriarty. Although I haven’t read a Nicholas Sparks novel in a while, I do love Liane Moriarty, Emily Giffin, and a lot of other authors.

After receiving my first kindle as a Christmas gift three years ago, I started flying through books. And one of my favorite features on my kindle is that when I finish a book, it brings me to another page filled with similar books, author recommendations, etc. I literally could spend hours reading descriptions of books and reader reviews. And sometimes, I do.

And this led me to discover psychological thrillers. Well, if I’m being honest, it was probably The Girl on the Train. I’m sure you’ve heard of this book by now, and might have even seen the movie. This was one of my first books that I bought on my kindle and it led me down a rabbit hole of similar reads. But, I blame my kindle on widening my eyes on this genre.

Psychological thrillers. Do you read them? I am hooked. I love the eeriness and the fact that most good ones make you think. Really think. Some of my favorites stick with me for days, making me go over the plot, the characters, and the ending again and again.

So, because I love psychological thrillers, I’m rounding up my top 7 favorite ones to date.

These are books that I’ve flown through, you know, the kind that you want to read in one sitting. I’ve read several thrillers from each author and have decided that these are ones that I want to read over again.

Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris

This was one of the first psychological thrillers that I read, and I couldn’t stop thinking about this one. I’ve read two other books by this author, but this one is by far my favorite. It’s about a married couple who look like they’re picture perfect in every way, but looks can obviously be deceiving. The couple is inseparable, almost in an odd way, and when the doors are closed, you get the real story…

A Stranger in the House by Shari Lapena

This is the same author of The Couple Next Door. I’ve read that book, but liked this one just a little better. This domestic thriller features Karen and Tom, a seemingly idyllic couple in a comfortable life. One day, Karen vanishes and ends up in the hospital with a concussion and no memory of where she was or what she was doing when she crashed her car in the worst part of town. After Karen is back in her house, she realizes things are off and gets the sense that someone has been in their house.

Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine

This book drew me in from the very first page. I absolutely love the author’s style of writing and the well-developed characters. I flew threw this book and was thrilled to learn that there is a sequel to it. Not as good as this one, but still, worth reading, which is why I included it on this list. Gina Royal thinks she has the perfect life, until a car accident reveals that her husband has a secret life as a serial killer. Gina assumes a new identify and continues to run and hide to keep her kids safe. When she finally settles down, strange things begin to happen. With plot twists and turns, this book will keep you guessing in every way. A must-read if you like thrillers!

Killman Creek by Rachel Caine

This is the sequel to Stillhouse Lake and definitely worth the read. I will admit that most sequels aren’t as good as the first, but this one kept my attention. I won’t go into the description so that I don’t give away the ending of Stillhouse Lake, but if you like the author’s writing style, you need to add this thriller to the list. The characters are developed well and the plot keeps you guessing.

Her Last Secret by Barbara Copperthwaite

This psychological thrillers holds many secrets, twists and turns. I’ve read two other books by this author and love her writing style. The plot makes you think and you’ll never guess the ending. All about secrets, everyone thinks the Thomases are the perfect family, but all four of them harbor secrets, some worse than others. If you read Behind Closed Doors or Gone Girl, you’ll fall in love with this book, too.

The Mistake by K.L. Slater

Another great read that had me guessing until the end. Rose and her younger brother, Billy, go out to fly a kite and then Billy goes missing. Two days later, he is found dead and no one knows why. Fast forward sixteen years later, and Rose still blames herself for her brother’s death. Rose never fully recovered from the trauma and doesn’t trust many people. Her neighbor, Ronnie, is the exception, and what she finds in his attic one day turns her world upside down. This book is a gripping thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Silent Child by Sarah A. Denzil

This dark thriller kept me thinking long after I put the book down. Emma Price’s six-year-old son’s red coat was fished out of the river in 2006 due to a flood. Everyone assumed he fell in and drowned, though his body was never recovered. Ten years later, Emma’s son, Aiden, returns and is too traumatized to speak. This book will keep you guessing and wondering what really happened to Aiden?

What are your favorite psychological thrillers? Comment below, I’d love to check them out!