The psychological thriller has always been a fan favorite amongst readers, but in recent years it seems to have had an explosion in popularity, in large part due to how easily these books transition to TV and Film which naturally brings new awareness and audiences to the original works.
One of the best of this genre in recent years is Verity by Colleen Hoover. Released in 2018 this twisted tale of secrets, suspense and unexpected twists was a New York Times bestseller as are various of her other works.
As is naturally the case, once a reader comes across a book they are a fan of, not only are they keen to read the other books in the author’s oeuvre, but tend to scour bookshelves for similar titles.
This article is designed to help, with a list of 23 similar titles that will provide hours upon hours of reading pleasure.
This list of 23 Books like Verity by Colleen Hoover contains:
- Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
- The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
- The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
- Behind Closed Doors by B A Paris
- The Woman in the Window by A J Finn
- Before I Go to Sleep by S J Watson
- The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
- The Good Girl by Mary Kubica
- You by Caroline Kepnes
- The Last Mrs Parish by Liv Constantine
- The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
- The Lying Game by Ruth Ware
- The Other Woman by Sandie Jones
- Into the Water by Paula Hawkins
- The Girl Before by J P Delaney
- Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney
- I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh
- The Perfect Nanny by Leila Slimani
- The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson
- The Memory Watcher by Minka Kent
- The Secrets You Keep by Kate White
- The Perfect Girlfriend by Karen Hamilton
- Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough
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Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
A gripping psychological thriller, Gone Girl explores the dark complexities of a marriage gone awry. When Amy Dunne disappears on her fifth wedding anniversary, suspicion falls on her husband Nick. As the media frenzy escalates, secrets unravel, leading to shocking revelations that explore themes of love and deception.
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
The Girl on the Train follows Rachel, a troubled woman who becomes entangled in the lives of a seemingly perfect couple she observes during her daily train commute. When the woman goes missing, Rachel’s obsession with the mystery reveals unexpected connections and a web of lies that threatens her sanity.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
The Silent Patient is about Alicia Berenson, a famous painter who hasn’t spoken since she allegedly murdered her husband. Theo Faber, a psychotherapist, is determined to uncover the truth behind her silence. As he delves deeper, he uncovers shocking revelations that challenge everything he thought he knew about her.
Behind Closed Doors by B A Paris
Behind Closed Doors portrays a seemingly perfect couple, Jack and Grace. But in private, their marriage is a chilling nightmare. Grace’s fight for survival against her controlling husband’s sinister plans creates a tense psychological thriller that reveals the horrors lurking beneath a facade of domestic bliss.
The Woman in the Window by A J Finn
The Woman in the Window tells the tale of agoraphobic Anna Fox, who spies on her neighbors from her window. When she witnesses a shocking event in a neighbor’s house, her world collapses. As she struggles to prove what she saw, the line between truth and lies begins to blur in this tale of mystery.
Before I Go to Sleep by S J Watson
Before I Go to Sleep introduces Christine, who wakes up every day with no memory due to a rare amnesia condition. Through her journal, she pieces together her life, uncovering unsettling truths. As the gaps in her memory close, a disturbing reality emerges.
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
The Couple Next Door revolves around Anne and Marco, who leave their baby alone to attend a party next door. When they return, the baby is missing. As secrets unfold and suspicion mounts, the couple’s seemingly normal lives are shattered in this riveting tale of deception, guilt and betrayal.
The Good Girl by Mary Kubica
The Good Girl starts with the kidnapping of Mia, the daughter of a prominent family. But as her captor takes her away, their lives intertwine in unexpected ways. With shifting perspectives and complex characters, the novel peels back layers of mystery, exploring the blurry lines between victim and perpetrator.
You by Caroline Kepnes
Joe Goldberg, a seemingly charming bookstore manager with a dark obsession is the main character in You. He becomes infatuated with Guinevere Beck and uses social media and modern technology to artificially insert himself into her life. This chilling exploration of modern-day stalking takes a deep dive into the mind of a sociopath and the dangers of the social media age we live in.
The Last Mrs Parrish by Liv Constantine
Amber, who befriends the glamorous Daphne in order to steal her wealthy husband, Jackson is the focus of The Last Mrs Parrish. As Amber’s deception deepens, shocking revelations about both women emerge.
The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
The Wife Between Us is seemingly a tale of a failed marriage. Vanessa, the ex-wife, becomes obsessed with Nellie, her husband’s new fiancée. But nothing is as it seems, and the novel’s intricate web of secrets, lies and unexpected connections keeps readers on the edge of their seat throughout.
The Lying Game by Ruth Ware
A tale about four friends reunited yet haunted by a shared secret from their boarding school days. When a body is discovered, their past threatens to resurface. The Lying Game is an exploration of the ripple effects a lie can create.
The Other Woman by Sandie Jones
Emily, who falls in love with Adam and plans to marry him is the focal point of The Other Woman. However, she soon realizes that her future mother-in-law, Pammie, will stop at nothing to keep her son’s affections all to herself. With chilling manipulation and a tense mother-in-law dynamic, a psychological battle unfolds.
Into the Water by Paula Hawkins
Into the Water unravels the mystery behind a series of drowning deaths in a small town. As secrets emerge from the murky waters, the interconnected lives of the townspeople reveal the complexity of relationships, betrayals and long-held grudges, making for an engrossing read.
The Girl Before by J P Delaney
The Girl Before intertwines the lives of two women, Emma and Jane, who inhabit a minimalist architectural masterpiece. As they become entangled with its enigmatic creator and face eerie similarities in their experiences, the novel unearths dark secrets, blurring the line between past and present.
Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney
Amber lies in a coma but can hear everything around her. She pieces together her past through fractured memories and journal entries. Readers’ perceptions of what is true are constantly challenged in Sometimes I Lie, resulting in an uneasy and unsettling tale.
I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh
Jenna seeks refuge in a remote Welsh town after a tragic accident in I Let You Go. As she tries to rebuild her life, the past catches up with her, leading to shocking revelations that redefine her understanding of guilt and challenge her understanding of human nature.
The Perfect Nanny by Leila Slimani
The Perfect Nanny portrays the life of what appears to be the perfect nanny but instead who turns to violence, leaving a family shattered. This chilling tale of power dynamics, social pressures and hidden darkness dives deep into every parent’s worst nightmare.
The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson
The Kind Worth Killing centers on Ted, who meets a stranger named Lily on a flight and casually discusses killing his unfaithful wife. Their dark connection sparks a series of twisted events, exposing secrets and leading to shocking outcomes.
The Memory Watcher by Minka Kent
Autumn rents her guesthouse to the enigmatic Ginny in The Memory Watcher. However, Autumn’s carefully constructed life begins to fall apart as she uncovers disturbing connections between Ginny and her own painful past.
The Secrets You Keep by Kate White
In The Secrets You Keep, Bryn is a successful crime novelist, whose life takes a dark turn when a disturbing incident shatters her reality. As she grapples with paranoia and trust issues, she uncovers buried secrets that threaten her sanity and safety.
The Perfect Girlfriend by Karen Hamilton
The Perfect Girlfriend takes a deep dive into the obsessive mind of Juliette, who is determined to win back her ex-boyfriend, Nate. As she manipulates both situations and identities, her disturbing pursuit escalates into a dangerous game of control and deceit.
Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough
In Behind Her Eyes, Louise becomes entangled in an affair with her boss, David. When she befriends his wife Adele, secrets surface, leading to a twisted relationship triangle. The novel’s shocking conclusion is as big a twist as readers will find anywhere.
Check out this article if you’re interested in writing a psychological thriller of your own. We’ve also included some prompts below if you need a place to start.
Save This Resource NOW for Quick Reference Later…
200+ Fiction Writing Prompts In the Most Profitable Genres
Come up with your NEXT great book idea with over 200 unique writing prompts spanning 8 different genres. Use for a story, scene, character inspo, and more!