My Favorite Psychological Thriller/Suspense Books (so far)

If there is one major characteristic trait of mine I would be mostly known for it is, my love for reading (of course). However, if I had to choose just one genre of books to read for the rest of my days, I would choose psychological thriller/suspense/mystery/true crime books.

Books that fall into that genre keep me on my toes and that is what I enjoy the most about reading said books. I am most likely never bored, my mind is always on overdrive using my critical-thinking skills, overanalyzing absolutely every paragraph and chapter, trying to foreshadow what will happen in the future chapters based on comments characters make, their actions, etc. etc. everybody is a suspect in my eyes when I’m reading, basically.

For this post, I have gathered my favorite psychological thriller/suspense books I have read so far. These books I will mention are books I read in high school and now as a 23-year-old. I will talk about these books nonstop if given the opportunity to do so.

Starting with my ultimate favorite:

Local Girl Missing - Claire Douglas (Mystery, Thriller)

This book is set in a small, seaside town named Oldcliffe. This book follows MC Francesca aka Frankie. Frankie used to have a childhood best friend named Sophie. 18 years ago, however, Sophie disappeared without a trace. For the past twenty years, there has been no word on Sophie’s whereabouts, nor any suspects have ever been found or questioned. However, one day, Frankie receives a phone call from Sophie’s older brother, whom she used to be infatuated with, informing her that a body has been found and they suspect it is Sophie’s. With her heart in her throat, Frankie frantically drives back to her old town of Oldcliffe in order to help with the investigation of Sophie’s questionable disappearance. Frankie is one to believe that the past should remain in the past and is not one to dig up secrets from said past, but they will, eventually, catch up to her in a way she never expected.

You Are Not Alone - Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen (Mystery, Thriller)

This book follows MC Shay Miller. Shay is lonely, she strives to be more extroverted, step out of her comfort zone, make new friends, fall in love, change her looks, etc. Ultimately, she wants to belong in a world she doesn’t feel she is a part of. One day, however, she meets the Moore sisters aka Cassandra and Jane Moore. Both Moore sisters live a lavish life full of expensive, luxurious artifacts and seem to be the picture perfect twins in the public’s eye. Shay, being naive and wanting to belong, gets invited to be in the Moore sister’s circle, and it seems like things begin falling into place for once. Shay gradually begins to copy the Moore sisters: look just like them, act just like them, but at what cost? Looks can be deceiving and not everything is what it seems.

Nearly Gone series - Elle Cosimano (YA, Mystery)

The main character, Nearly Boswell, lives in a trailer part outside of Washington, DC and her mom works as an exotic dancer. Nearly keeps to herself most of the time, except for when she’s with her best friend, Jeremy. They share a very, deep secret nobody by Nearly and those closest to her are aware of. 5 years ago, Nearly’s father disappeared and never returned. He left his wallets and a gold wedding band inside his car, abandoned in the airport. Nothing has been heard of since. Nearly becomes obsessed with finding her father and she believes he sends her clues through their local newspaper, in which they used to read together. Nearly’s obsession with trying to find her father, having a very strange physical trait, and being an intelligent student competing for a scholarship causes her to gradually begin an investigation of her known - which could ultimately cost her her life and the life of those she loves (and those who want to do her harm).

The Wife Between Us - Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen (Thriller)

This book is an absolute rollercoaster ride that will keep you hooked until the last page. Main character, Vanessa, is living with her aunt in NYC. She begins to stalk her ex-husband, Richard’s, new fiance, Nellie. Richard and Vanessa are an odd couple or, at least, were an old couple. However, this picture-perfect image Vanessa portrays of her marriage and her love for Richard, is not what it seems. Lies, betrayal, and denial conjure up a raw picture of Vanessa’s true intentions and how her memory has been tainted by her own lies.

The Agathas - Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson (YA, Mystery)

The Agathas follows two young self-proclaimed detectives, Alice O. and Iris A. At the beginning of the book, Alice has returned to school after 'disappearing' for 5 days in the summer - which was the talk of the town - and which caused her to be on house arrest. That same day she returns to school, on Halloween, something happens to her ex-best friend, Brooke D. The book follows Iris and Alice as they try to uncover who caused harm to Brooke D. and it is a whirlwind of drama, emotions, nail-biting, page-turning moments. If you are into mystery, true crime, suspense, thriller - type of books, I recommend you give this one a read!

Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn (Mystery)

If you haven’t read this book or watched this movie, what are you doing?

This book follows Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. In the span of a few days/weeks leading up to their anniversary, Amy goes missing. Amy left behind a diary which presents an unusual, eerie picture of her perfectionist-self as well as her evasive, lying husband. An investigation begins in search of Amy’s whereabouts and who is the first suspect on the investigation’s list? Nick, of course. Nick’s behavior leading to Amy’s disappearance and after her disappearance isn’t doing him any favors. Uncovering lies, deceits, and betrayal in their marriage causes their town to wonder how well they actually knew the couple. Clues left behind by Amy start pointing to Nick being the first, and only, suspect of her disappearance. But maybe there is more? Maybe there is a puzzle piece missing that nobody has yet found?

Then She Was Gone - Lisa Jewell (Mystery, Thriller)

At fifteen years old, Ellie had her whole life ahead of her, until she didn’t. Ten years later, after Ellie’s disappearance, her mother, Laurel, has done absolutely everything in her power to search (and hopefully) find her daughter. It isn’t until one day, a strange man named Floyd bumps into Laurel at a cafe and a love affair begins. One day, however, Laurel meets Floyd’s daughter, Poppy, who has such an acute resemblance to her very own daughter, Ellie. That is when Laurel begins to ask herself questions that haunt her every waking second. Is there a connection between Floyd, Poppy, and Ellie? How strange was it that Floyd ‘bumped’ into Laurel at a random cafe and swept her off her feet? Is there something more that isn’t adding up?