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Psychological thrillers that will completely twist your brain

TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Last updated on - May 25, 2021, 13:50 IST

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Psychological thrillers

Crime books, particularly psychological thrillers are one of the most popular genres currently. Crime thrillers topped fiction sales in the UK over a year from December 2017- 2018 according to an analysis of book sales (provided by Nielsen Bookscan). Psychological thrillers are appealing because they usually have characters with certain mental issues which can be intriguing and they have plots that grab the readers' interest in the beginning and keep them hooked with constant twists.

Here are some clever psychological thrillers filled with twists that will keep you hooked:

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'The Woman in the Window' by A. J. Finn

'The Woman in the Window' follows Anna Fox, who has been living in isolation in her house for 10 months in her New York house. Her only interaction with the outside world is through her window, where she sits everyday observing people. When her new neighbours, the Russells, move in-- she is quite fascinated by them. Afterall, the family of three have a perfect life, which was once hers. But one day a scream rips the silence in her neighbourhood and Anna witnesses things that she shouldn't have. She must uncover the truth and inform the police. But will anyone believe her, including herself? A.J. Finn's 2018 novel 'The Woman in the Window' is now adapted into a movie.

Photo: HarperCollins

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'I Let You Go' by Clare Mackintosh

While crossing the road on the way home from school, a single mother loses her young son in what the police deem a simple hit and run case. Distraught she leaves town and isolates herself in a remote part of the Welsh coast. Just as she starts to feel she can move on, her past catches up with her in the most surprising manner. This debut novel by Clare Mackintosh has recived praise from several reviewers and even won the Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award in 2016, the year J K Rowling(who was writing as Robert Galbraith) entered.
Photo: Sphere

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Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Gillian Flynn’s racy bestseller is a suspense thriller that took the world by storm. The book begins by the mysterious disappearance of Nick Dunne’s beloved wife, Amy. It progresses to showcase their dysfunctional marriage and the causes leading up to it. But the second half unfolds realities that will shake the readers thoroughly.
(Image credit: Amazon)

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The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

This psychological thriller by Paula Hawkins reigned at the NYT Bestseller list for 13 weeks. The novel is written in the first-person narrative from the perspective of three women. The shocking uncoiling of facts will leave you hooked to the book till the end.
(Image credit: Amazon)

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The Passenger by Lisa Lutz

This psychological thriller is about a woman who creates and sheds new identities as she criss-crosses the country to escape her past. With exhilarating escapes and devious deceptions, and a white-knuckled plot, The Passenger is one of the most racy thrillers of all time.
(Image credit: Amazon)

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Sharp Objects by Gillain Flynn

Gillian Flynn’s dark and twisted books are unputdownable. Reporter Camille Preaker returns from a psych hospital to her hometown to solve the murder of two young girls. Camille must face her own demons to solve the case, as she is constantly psychologically haunted by the puzzling elements of her past.
(Image credit: Amazon)

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The Silent Wife A.S.A Harrison

Jodi and Todd’s affluent, married life in on the rocks, after Todd commits cheating to Jodi. But Jodi likes to live in denial and loves to settle scores. The book begins with the looming realization of it leading to a catastrophe which will keep the reader racing to finish it.
(Image credit: Amazon)

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We Need to talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver

This gripping thriller is a story about motherhood gone wrong. Eva is the mother of a 16-year-old serial-killer Kevin, who must come to terms with her career, marriage and her extreme dislike for her own son.
(image credit: Amazon)

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Before I Go To Sleep by S J Watson

The novel follows a woman who suffered a terrible accident and now she can’t remember herself or the events that led to her memory loss. Hence, she keeps a journal to try to put the missing pieces together.
(Image credit: Amazon)

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The Shining by Stephen King

Jack Torrance jumps at the opportunity to become the caretaker for the majestic yet unsettling Overlook Hotel, with wife Wendy and son Danny. Things get darker and more horrifying after the hotel comes to life around the family, and turns into a terrorizing nightmare.
(image credit: Amazon)

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The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris

A psychotic killer is on the loose who murders only ‘pretty girls’. A trainee investigator who’s assigned with the job can only be helped by one man locked away in asylum.
(image credit: Amazon)

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Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

This gothic classic is a haunting book that boosts up the adrenaline. Rebecca falls in love with the dashing widower Maxime de Winter and arrives at his huge estate after a quick wedding. But little did she know about the lingering evil left behind by Maxime’s first wife that threatens to destroy their marriage even beyond the grave.
(Image credit: Amazon)

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Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane

Two U.S Marshals arrive at the dreary Shutter Island to investigate the disappearance of a mentally-challenged patient form the Ashecliffe Hospital for the Criminally Insane. The island also hosts a serial killer on the loose, who, under extremely mysterious circumstances, is also locked in a cell and kept under surveillance. The novel seeks to follow the investigations of Teddy Daniels and reveals a secret no one wants to know.
(image credit: Amazon)

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Since We Fell by Dennis Lehane

Journalist Rachel Child enjoys being shut-in virtually with her husband and the ideal married life. But soon, the ideal life fades to swirl Rachel into a pit of conspiracy and deception. This is a book of profound psychological insight and tension, where Rachel must conquer her fears and face mind-altering truths.
(Image credit: Amazon)

Top Comment

Excabar Poseidon

1855 days ago

Missed one , the Jumla PM

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Psychological thrillers that will completely twist your brain