PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER – A psychological thriller novel is a subgenre of thriller fiction that focuses on the mental and emotional states of its characters, often exploring the complexities of their minds and motivations. Many of these novels can be read in a sitting or two and typically involve intense psychological suspense, with elements of mystery, drama, and sometimes horror. Psychological thrillers often explore themes such as paranoia, obsession, manipulation, and the blurred lines between sanity and madness. They are known for their intricate plots, unreliable narrators, and twist endings that keep readers on the edge of their seats . . . in the world of psychological thrillers, every twist and turn is best savored with a cup of coffee.
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I Have Some Questions For You
Read more: I Have Some Questions For YouMy rating: 3/5 stars. I Have Some Questions For You by Rebecca Makkai is a character-forward literary novel, and one I really wanted to love. Makkai’s writing is excellent, and I was immediately drawn in by her narrative style. It’s clear throughout the novel that she’s trying to say something meaningful: offering a critique of…
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Penance
Read more: PenanceMy rating: 4.5/5 stars. Penance by Eliza Clark is a brilliantly written, addictive work of crime fiction with a dark and unsettling core. Clark packs an extraordinary amount into the novel without ever making it feel dense or overloaded. Beneath the gripping, expertly told story lies a sharp critique of true-crime obsession, toxic internet culture,…
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Pretty Things
Read more: Pretty ThingsMy rating: 4/5 stars. Pretty Things by Janelle Brown is a psychological drama built around a clever con-game cat-and-mouse story. While it’s often marketed as a thriller, I found it to be more of a slow-burn, character-forward psychological duel. It’s a sharp character study built around deception, power, and shifting identities, and I was never…
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When I Kill You
Read more: When I Kill YouMy rating: 3/5 stars. When I Kill You by B.A. Paris is a quick, entertaining read that’s perfect for an afternoon escape. At just over 300 pages, it’s easy to finish in one sitting, and the straightforward writing and simple plot make it ideal for travel or a relaxed day at your favorite coffee shop.…
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I’m Traveling Alone
Read more: I’m Traveling AloneMy rating: 4/5 stars. I’m Traveling Alone by Samuel Bjørk has been sitting on my TBR shelf for ages, and I’m glad I finally picked it up over the weekend. This dark, atmospheric Nordic Noir police procedural hooked me right from the start. Set in Norway, the story follows members of a special police unit…
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Long Bright River
Read more: Long Bright RiverMy rating: 4/5 stars. Long Bright River by Liz Moore is a character-driven, emotional crime thriller that transcends its genre label. While it’s framed as a mystery, at its core is a story about family, sisterhood, and the ties that bind and break communities. Moore crafts a dark, gritty, and deeply believable portrait of Philadelphia’s…
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The Midnight King
Read more: The Midnight KingMy rating: 3.5/5 stars. The Midnight King by Tariq Ashkanani is a dark and unsettling serial killer thriller with a unique twist on the genre. Rather than focusing on the gruesome details of murder, Ashkanani dives deep into the psychological fallout by exploring the lingering effects of trauma and the slow, inevitable descent into madness.…
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Wolf Hour
Read more: Wolf HourMy rating: 4/5 stars. Wolf Hour is a solid, hard-hitting police procedural and crime thriller from Jo Nesbø. Best known for his Harry Hole series (which I’ve read in full), Nesbø crafts a twisty tale as only he can, and I was eager to dive into this standalone thriller over the weekend. His signature taut,…
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To Love A Liar
Read more: To Love A LiarMy rating: 5/5 stars. To Love A Liar by L. V. Matthews is a terrific thriller that’s hard to pin down to just one genre. It’s part psychological thriller, part crime story, part love story, with a touch of police procedural thrown in. Matthews blends these elements seamlessly, creating a layered and emotionally charged read…
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Served Him Right
Read more: Served Him RightMy rating: 4/5 stars. Served Him Right is a dynamic, women-centered psychological thriller that hooked me from the first page. This was my first time reading Unger, and I was immediately drawn in by her smooth, engaging writing style. For me, strong storytelling and well-built characters always come first, and I was pleased to find…
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Nightwatching
Read more: NightwatchingMy rating: 3/5 stars. Nightwatching is Tracy Sierra’s debut thriller, and it kicks off with a chilling premise. From the first page, the tension is palpable – you could cut it with a knife. A mother, snowed in with her two children during a blizzard, hears footsteps on the stairs. After countless sleepless nights, she…
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The Collective
Read more: The CollectiveMy rating: 3.5/5 stars. The Collective by Alison Gaylin is a fast-paced, highly entertaining psychological thriller. While it doesn’t deliver on character depth or believability, it more than compensates with pure, page-turning fun.
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Caller Unknown
Read more: Caller UnknownMy rating: 3/5 stars. Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister is a psychological thriller with a promising setup but, for me, a frustrating execution. I really enjoyed McAllister’s Wrong Place Wrong Time and Famous Last Words, so I was excited to pick up this advanced copy. She usually delivers creative, fast-paced thrillers with protagonists I can…
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Eye For An Eye
Read more: Eye For An EyeMy rating: 4.5/5 stars. Eye For An Eye by M. J. Arlidge is a dark, thought-provoking standalone thriller from the author best known for the Helen Grace police procedurals. I’ve read most of that series, so I was eager to see what Arlidge would do outside of it, and this one definitely didn’t disappoint.
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It Should Have Been You
Read more: It Should Have Been YouMy rating: 3.75/5 stars. It Should Have Been You by Andrea Mara is a fun, fast-paced psychological thriller that’s tailor-made for an afternoon binge read. With snappy chapters and a relentless pace, it delivers just enough twists that kept me hooked from start to finish. Beneath the high drama lies an all-too-recognizable premise: one tiny…
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The Wasp Trap
Read more: The Wasp TrapMy rating: 3/5 stars. The Wasp Trap is a snappy, character-driven psychological thriller from Mark Edwards that makes for a entertaining afternoon read. With its short chapters and fast pace, this one reads more like domestic suspense than a dark, gritty thriller, which was exactly what I was in the mood for.
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The Day I Lost You
Read more: The Day I Lost YouMy rating: 3/5 stars. The Day I Lost You is a psychological thriller by Ruth Mancini. Right from the start, I was pulled in, curious about who was telling the truth, who was hiding something, and what exactly was going on. It had all the ingredients for a twisty, binge-worthy read. Unfortunately, after the first…
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Watching You
Read more: Watching YouMy rating: 5/5 stars. Watching You is another gripping addition to Helen Fields’ impressive catalogue of crime fiction. Part of the Connie Woolwine series, this novel pulled me in from page one and didn’t let go. As a longtime fan of Fields and someone who’s read most of her backlist, I was excited to dive…
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The Crow Girl
Read more: The Crow GirlMy rating: 5/5 stars. The Crow Girl is a dark and disturbing Nordic Noir crime fiction/psychological thriller novel by Erik Axl Sund, the pen name of Swedish author duo Jerker Eriksson and Hakan Axlander Sundquist. Originally published in Sweden as a trilogy (The Crow Girl in 2010, Hunger Fire in 2011, and Pythia’s Instructions in…
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The Family Experiment
Read more: The Family ExperimentMy rating: 4/5 stars. The Family Experiment is another fast-paced, thought-provoking thriller from John Marrs that blends speculative fiction with his signature twisty plotting. Set in the same near-future universe as The One and The Passengers, this story explores the dark edges of technological advancement, where AI appears to be improving lives, but beneath the…
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The Death Watcher – Robert Hunter Series #13
Read more: The Death Watcher – Robert Hunter Series #13My rating: 4/5 stars. The Death Watcher by Chris Carter marks the 13th entry in the Robert Hunter series, and once again, Carter proves he’s a master of dark, graphic, and psychologically intense serial killer thrillers. I tend to reach for these books when I want something chilling yet oddly comforting thanks to Carter’s reliably…
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The Ghostwriter
Read more: The GhostwriterMy rating: 5/5 stars. The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark is an emotional, character-driven mystery that lingers long after you turn the last page. Clark’s storytelling shines, bringing deeply human characters to life in a haunting and twisty tale. This book isn’t just about the mystery. It weaves in a powerful, dysfunctional family drama that adds…
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The Lies I Tell
Read more: The Lies I TellMy rating: 4/5 stars. The Lies I Tell is a twisty, fast-paced thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. If you’ve read The Last Flight, you know Clark has a knack for writing strong, complex female protagonists – flawed yet fierce, intelligent, and determined no matter what life throws at them. This novel…
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Guess Again
Read more: Guess AgainMy rating: 4/5 stars. Guess Again by Charlie Donlea is a wild, twisty ride from start to finish! With a large cast of characters and plenty of misdirection, it delivers all the suspense and intrigue you’d expect from Donlea. While it’s not a traditional, true-to-life police procedural, it’s a well-crafted, highly entertaining read that’s packed…
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The Last Flight
Read more: The Last FlightMy rating: 5/5 stars. The Last Flight by Julie Clark is more than a mystery or thriller. The narrative is an emotional, thought provoking, and moving story that blends suspense with powerful women’s fiction. What really made this one stand out for me was the way Clark brought the characters to life. They are believable…
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You Killed Me First
Read more: You Killed Me FirstMy rating: 5/5 stars. You Killed Me First is a psychological thriller by John Marrs that immediately caught my attention with its intriguing title and striking cover. After reading the blurb, I knew I had to dive in over the weekend. And wow, this was one of those “just one more chapter” reads that kept…
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Spider To The Fly
Read more: Spider To The FlyMy rating: 3.5/5 stars. Spider To The Fly is a psychological thriller by J. H. Markert that immediately caught my attention with its intriguing title and striking cover. After reading the blurb, I couldn’t wait to dive in over the weekend. I’m a sucker for stories featuring amateur sleuths and true crime authors, and this…
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The Plot
Read more: The PlotMy rating: 3/5 stars. The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz is a psychological thriller with a clever setup. When I heard it had a story-within-a-story framework, I was immediately intrigued. I’d seen so many great reviews and was excited to dive in over the weekend. While the concept is fascinating, I found the first part…
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Night Will Find You
Read more: Night Will Find YouMy rating: 4/5 stars. Night Will Find You is the second Julia Heaberlin novel I’ve read, and I’m officially hooked on her dark, complex, and emotional storytelling. She has an incredible way of creating flawed, deeply human characters that linger in my mind long after I’ve finished the book. This one’s another slow-burn suspense that…
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We Are All The Same In The Dark
Read more: We Are All The Same In The DarkMy rating: 4.5/5 stars. We Are All The Same In The Dark by Julia Heaberlin is an unforgettable crime fiction novel that completely pulled me in. It’s a chilling, slow-burn mystery centered around three women – one who’s been missing for a decade, one who’s found on the side of the road, mute, and surrounded…
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The Innocent One
Read more: The Innocent OneMy rating: 3/5 stars. The Innocent One is a crime/suspense novel by Lisa Ballantyne. I was surprised to learn that it is a sequel to The Guilty One, Ballantyne’s debut novel published in 2012. The two books are interconnected, and Ballantyne skillfully provides sufficient backstory from the first book, making The Innocent One easy to…
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The Unquiet Bones
Read more: The Unquiet BonesMy rating: 3/5 stars. The Unquiet Bones is a crime fiction/mystery novel by Loreth Anne White. The true highlight of the story lies in its intricate forensic anthropology details, centered around the discovery of a body during the excavation of a site in a small community near Vancouver, British Columbia. From the moment the body…
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The Patient’s Secret
Read more: The Patient’s SecretMy rating: 4.5/5 stars. The Patient’s Secret by Loreth Anne White is a crime fiction/psychological thriller inspired by a shocking true crime that occurred in a quiet neighborhood in the Canadian prairies. Skillfully written, this chilling novel captivates from the very first page and maintains its intensity throughout. White expertly crafts an intricate web of…
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Two Nights In Lisbon
Read more: Two Nights In LisbonMy rating: 4/5 stars. Two Nights In Lisbon by Chris Pavone is a smart, rollercoaster ride of a thriller that held my attention from start to finish. Pavone excels in character development, and while I had my suspicions about the direction of the story, a few twists near the end genuinely surprised me. The Lisbon…
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Genesis – Robert Hunter Series #12
Read more: Genesis – Robert Hunter Series #12My rating: 3.5/5 stars. Genesis by Chris Carter is the 12th installment in the Robert Hunter series. I reach for these novels when I’m in the mood for a dark, intense, and graphically detailed serial killer story—one that’s oddly comforting thanks to Carter’s distinctive style. While the narrative structure tends to follow a familiar pattern,…
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Who To Believe
Read more: Who To BelieveMy rating: 3.5/5 stars. Who To Believe is an entertaining and fun psychological thriller. At just 320 pages, it’s a quick and engrossing read that’s easy to finish in one sitting. The story unfolds through multiple points of view, including a unique perspective from a dog in the final chapter. But who among them is…
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This Is Why We Lied- Will Trent Series #12
Read more: This Is Why We Lied- Will Trent Series #12My rating: 4.5/5 stars. This Is Why We Lied is the 12th installment in the Will Trent series from Karin Slaughter. Reading it was a bittersweet experience—I was thrilled to immerse myself in another story, yet a bit wistful knowing it’s the latest novel in the series. Give me a story set in a remote…
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After That Night – Will Trent Series #11
Read more: After That Night – Will Trent Series #11My rating: 4/5 stars. After That Night is the 11th installment in the Will Trent series from Karin Slaughter. Slaughter is undeniably a fantastic storyteller and her novels are intense, dark, and gripping. While this wasn’t my favorite in the series, it’s still a hard-hitting police procedural and advances the overarching character backstories. It took…
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The Silent Wife – Will Trent Series #10
Read more: The Silent Wife – Will Trent Series #10My rating: 4/5 stars. The Silent Wife is the 10th installment in the Will Trent series and is yet another impressive addition. Over the years, I’ve followed the series, and each new book feels like reconnecting with old friends, uncovering more about their lives. Although I haven’t read the Grant County series, I found it…
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The Last House on Needless Street
Read more: The Last House on Needless StreetMy rating: 4.5/5 stars. The Last House On Needless Street, a chilling psychological thriller by Catriona Ward, is a uniquely strange, gripping, and engrossing read. Early on, I developed a theory about where it was going—soon to realize I only had part of the picture. I’ll refrain from sharing too much of the plot since…
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The Best Lies
Read more: The Best LiesMy rating: 4/5 stars.The Best Lies by David Ellis is an engaging and entertaining psychological thriller. If you enjoy stories about spies, undercover agents, corporate espionage, national security, the black market, and characters with questionable ethics yet unwavering loyalty, this twist-filled novel will be right up your alley. Though the plot has its imperfections, it…
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Lies He Told Me
Read more: Lies He Told MeMy rating: 4/5 stars. Lies He Told Me is a psychological thriller by David Ellis and James Patterson. I haven’t read many of Patterson’s books, but Ellis is on my list of must-read authors. I was excited to dive into this book over the weekend and it absolutely did not disappoint. Ellis and Patterson are…
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The Return Of Ellie Black
Read more: The Return Of Ellie BlackMy rating: 3.5/5 stars. The Return Of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean is a blend of police procedural and psychological thriller. This character-driven story explores themes of exploitation and victimization of women. Although the plot didn’t align entirely with my expectations based on the synopsis, it was a compelling read and Jean’s writing is straightforward…
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Nuclear War
Read more: Nuclear WarMy rating: 5/5 stars. Nuclear War is absolutely terrifying! Jacobsen makes it clear—there’s no such thing as a limited or winnable nuclear war. Just one misunderstanding, one malfunction, one madman, or one mistake could trigger the end. While I’m glad I read it, this is a story that will haunt me for a long time.
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This Book Will Bury Me
Read more: This Book Will Bury MeMy rating: 4.5/5 stars. This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead is an incredible, multi-layered story about a young woman who becomes entangled in true crime after the loss of her father. Following his death, Jane joins a true crime community and finds herself deeply involved in several cases. As her small group of…
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Famous Last Words
Read more: Famous Last WordsMy rating: 4/5 stars. Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister is an intriguing and engaging psychological thriller. Though it may not be the best I’ve read, it’s certainly entertaining and earns a solid four-star rating. This novel blends elements of a domestic thriller with touches of police procedural, and the storyline delivers the expected tension,…
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Written in Blood
Read more: Written in BloodMy rating: 4/5 stars. Written In Blood by Chris Carter by Chris Carter is a dark, intense, and heart-pounding thriller that delivers a frantic adrenaline rush from start to finish. I was hooked from the beginning, drawn into a story centered on what initially seems to be a mentally unstable serial killer—someone who has operated…
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Look Closer
Read more: Look CloserMy rating: 4/5 stars. The psychological thriller, Look Closer, is the first book I’ve read by David Ellis. It was a wickedly entertaining read! The story is packed with unreliable, scheming, and backstabbing characters, all caught in a web of deceit. Ellis’s sharp writing and cleverly executed twists, paired with scandalous moments, made for an…
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Criminal (Will Trent Series #6)
Read more: Criminal (Will Trent Series #6)My rating: 4.5/5 stars. Criminal is the sixth book in Karin Slaughter’s Will Trent series. I’m gradually making my way through the series and this installment is exceptional! The story unfolds across two timelines, showcasing the elements that make Slaughter’s novels so captivating: gripping, suspense-filled mysteries and deeply compelling characters you can’t help but care…
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Girl, Forgotten
Read more: Girl, ForgottenMy rating: 4/5 stars. Girl, Forgotten is the second installment in the Andrea Oliver series and another strong psychological thriller from Karin Slaughter. One of the reasons I consistently return to Slaughter’s work is her exceptional storytelling and her talent for crafting realistic, relatable characters. Girl, Forgotten delivers on that front, making it a solid…
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Wrong Place Wrong Time
Read more: Wrong Place Wrong TimeMy rating: 4/5 stars. Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister is an intriguing and original psychological thriller. While it may not be the best thriller I’ve ever read, it’s definitely entertaining and deserves a solid four-star rating. The premise is particularly noteworthy—a fresh twist on the mystery/thriller genre, incorporating time loops in a clever…
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We Used To Live Here
Read more: We Used To Live HereMy rating: 3.75/5 stars. We Used To Live Here is Marcus Kliewer’s debut psychological horror thriller. Since horror isn’t my usual genre, keep that in mind as you read my review. The premise intrigued me, so I was eager to dive into it over the weekend. It’s a short read, and Kliewer’s straightforward, accessible writing…
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A Flicker In The Dark
Read more: A Flicker In The DarkMy rating: 3/5 stars. A Flicker In The Dark by Stacy Willingham is a psychological thriller with an interesting premise. I had heard good things about this novel so was excited to pick up this book and while away a rainy afternoon in my favorite chair. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite meet my expectations. I’ve read…
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The Good Samaritan
Read more: The Good SamaritanMy rating: 3/5 stars. The Good Samaritan by John Marrs is a dark and intense psychological thriller. This was my first time reading a book by Marrs, and after seeing the description, I knew it would be a gripping experience. I wasn’t wrong—it was definitely intense, disturbingly dark, and hard to put down.
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Witness 8 – Eddie Flynn Series #8
Read more: Witness 8 – Eddie Flynn Series #8My rating: 4/5 stars. Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh is an engaging addition to the Eddie Flynn series! The plot is packed with action, as Flynn and his team juggle defending their client, solving a murder, and dodging hitmen at every turn due to the contract on Flynn’s life. This series is perfect to keep…
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Razorblade Tears
Read more: Razorblade TearsMy rating: 5/5 stars. Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby is an exceptional crime thriller that stands out as one of the top five books I’ve read this year. Cosby crafts a powerful, high-octane Southern thriller that shouldn’t be missed. Set in Virginia, the novel explores themes of fatherhood, family, race, and homophobia, while also exploring…
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The Executioner
Read more: The ExecutionerMy rating: 3.5/5 stars. The Executioner by Chris Carter is a dark, intense, and graphic serial killer thriller that is not for the faint of heart. Carter’s strength lies in crafting intricate crimes with unflinching detail, exploring deeply disturbing scenarios with skill. His writing doesn’t hold back, delivering a vivid and sometimes stomach-churning narrative that…
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The Crucifix Killer
Read more: The Crucifix KillerMy rating: 3.5/5 stars. The Crucifix Killer by Chris Carter is a dark, graphic, and thoroughly gripping serial killer crime thriller. I’ve heard about this series for a while, and I’m glad I finally picked up the first book. In this debut novel, Carter created a strong foundation for the series by skillfully weaving in…
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The Last Housewife
Read more: The Last HousewifeMy rating: 4/5 stars. The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead is a very dark and gripping psychological thriller. From the outset, I want to emphasize that this book was challenging to read and just as difficult to rate. If you’re sensitive to certain topics, I strongly recommend paying attention to Winstead’s trigger warnings at the…
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Listen for The Lie
Read more: Listen for The LieMy rating: 4/5 stars. Listen For The Lie by Amy Tintera is an incredibly entertaining psychological thriller! While I usually gravitate toward dark crime fiction, there are times when I crave something lighter, and this book was just the right choice. It’s a straightforward, engaging, and delightfully fun read, with enough human elements to keep…
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Thirteen – Eddie Flynn Series #4
Read more: Thirteen – Eddie Flynn Series #4My rating: 3.5/5 stars. Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh is the fourth book in the Eddie Flynn series, but the first for me. It can definitely be read as standalone, and while I might have missed some nuances of Flynn’s backstory, Cavanagh did a commendable job of weaving in enough history to keep me from feeling…
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All The Sinners Bleed
Read more: All The Sinners BleedMy rating: 5/5 stars. All The Sinners Bleed by S. A. Cosby is a fantastic crime thriller! This novel is a provocative and riveting journey, showcasing Cosby’s talent for storytelling right from the first page. With powerful writing, an intriguing plot, and compelling characters, All The Sinners Bleed delivers a gritty and intense story that…
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The Kill List – Inspector Anjelica Henley Series #3
Read more: The Kill List – Inspector Anjelica Henley Series #3My rating: 4/5 stars. The Kill List is a fantastic police procedural crime thriller from an author I’ve eagerly recommended to my friends. The three books in the series are complex, featuring dark and compelling crimes. Matheson’s attention to detail adds depth and authenticity to the investigative process, making her books both engaging and thrilling.…
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The Binding Room – Inspector Anjelica Henley Series #2
Read more: The Binding Room – Inspector Anjelica Henley Series #2My rating: 4/5 stars. The Binding Room by Nadine Matheson is the second book in the Anjelica Henley crime fiction series. Having thoroughly enjoyed Matheson’s debut novel, The Jigsaw Man, I found The Binding Room equally impressive. This dark and chilling crime novel kept me engaged from the very beginning. The crimes are gory, unique,…
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The Butterfly Garden
Read more: The Butterfly GardenMy rating: 3/5 stars. The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison is a dark and deeply unsettling serial killer thriller and I was completely captivated from the start. The story is about a sexual predator who imprisons girls in his personal greenhouse garden and transforms them into “butterflies”. There is something disturbingly alluring about watching the…
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Pretty Girls
Read more: Pretty GirlsMy rating: 4/5 stars. Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter is a shocking, graphically violent, and totally engrossing novel! As a fan of gritty serial killer stories, I must admit this one pushed the boundaries for me. The book features extremely graphic scenes of torture and abuse, making it a challenging read at times. Despite this,…
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The Jigsaw Man – Inspector Anjelica Henley Series #1
Read more: The Jigsaw Man – Inspector Anjelica Henley Series #1My rating: 4/5 stars. The Jigsaw Man by Nadine Matheson was a surprisingly good crime thriller! And, for a debut novel, it was excellent. Though the storyline wasn’t entirely original, Matheson added her own twist to the serial killer, cat and mouse theme, so the story kept me engaged and interested for 500 pages.
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Kill For Me Kill For You
Read more: Kill For Me Kill For YouMy rating: 4/5 stars. Kill For Me, Kill For You by Steve Cavanagh is a rollercoaster ride of a book! This psychological thriller starts strong and never lets up. Initially, I wasn’t sure if I’d like the story, but I was captivated from the beginning and couldn’t put this book down. I easily finished it…
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The Night Bird – Frost Easton Series Book #1
Read more: The Night Bird – Frost Easton Series Book #1My rating: 4/5 stars. The Night Bird by Brian Freeman is quite a ride! This psychological thriller focuses on the psychological trauma of the main characters and the inner demons each must struggle with while racing to solve the main mystery of the story. This isn’t dark, gritty crime fiction, but it does offer a…
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One Perfect Couple
Read more: One Perfect CoupleMy rating: 3/5 stars. One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware was a fast and entertaining book! It’s not what I was expecting after reading the plot summary – I would describe this as part survival, part reality show, rather than a psychological thriller, but it was entertaining and a nice change of pace for me.…
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The Woman on the Ledge
Read more: The Woman on the LedgeMy rating: 3.5/5 stars. The Woman on the Ledge by Ruth Mancini was a quick and enjoyable read! The novel presents a creative and captivating plot propelled by suspense and a quest for answers, intertwining themes of obsession and revenge. I thoroughly enjoy thrillers when I’m challenged to solve the mystery, and The Woman on…
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Murder Road
Read more: Murder RoadMy rating: 3/5 stars. Murder Road by Simone St. James falls somewhere in the middle for me. This was my first experience with St. James’ work, and I had high hopes after reading numerous reviews suggesting a chilling, supernatural element. Unfortunately, for me the story failed to deliver on that front. While the premise showed…
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The Profiler
Read more: The ProfilerMy rating: 4/5 stars. I’ve been a devoted fan of Helen Fields’ work since I devoured all seven books in the DI Callanach/DCI Ava Turner series. Naturally, I was eagerly anticipating Profile K, and it did not disappoint! This thrilling, dark, and intense novel delivers with its horrific, violent, and gruesome murders, presenting a gripping…
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First Lie Wins
Read more: First Lie WinsMy rating: 2.5/5 stars. First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston was a mediocre read for me. It started slow, but I was interested enough in the premise, I stayed with it. I’m sure my review will be in the minority since most readers rated this book much higher, but for me it ultimately falls short…
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None of This Is True
Read more: None of This Is TrueMy rating: 4/5 stars. None of This is True by Lisa Jewell is a captivating psychological thriller. The novel begins when celebrating her forty-fifth birthday at her local pub, popular podcaster Alix Summer crosses paths with an unassuming woman called Josie Fair. Josie, it turns out, is also celebrating her forty-fifth birthday. They are, in…
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Then She Was Gone
Read more: Then She Was GoneMy rating: 4/5 stars. Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell is a haunting and emotionally charged thriller that left me completely captivated from beginning to end. The novel’s gripping narrative, complex characters, and shocking twists kept me on the edge of my seat, unable to put it down until I had unraveled every last…
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The Family Remains
Read more: The Family RemainsMy rating: 3.5/5 stars. This was a solid thriller from Lisa Jewell. The Family Remains is the gripping sequel to The Family Upstairs. The story begins early one morning on the shore of the Thames when DCI Samuel Owusu is called to the scene of a gruesome discovery. When Owusu sends the evidence for examination,…
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The Family Upstairs
Read more: The Family UpstairsMy rating: 4/5 stars. This was a solid thriller from Lisa Jewell. The novel follows the intertwined lives of three main characters: Libby, Lucy, and Henry, whose fates are connected by a mysterious and tragic event from the past.
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The Guest List
Read more: The Guest ListMy rating: 3/5 stars. I really wanted to love this book but couldn’t quite get there. The Guest List by Lucy Foley is a mystery thriller set on a remote island off the coast of Ireland. The novel unfolds over the course of a weekend wedding celebration, where a group of friends and family gather…
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His & Hers
Read more: His & HersMy rating: 4/5 stars. His & Hers is a thoroughly entertaining thriller that delivers on all fronts. With its compelling characters, cleverly constructed plot, and atmospheric setting, it’s a must-read for fans of lighter psychological suspense. Alice Feeney’s talent for crafting gripping and unpredictable narratives shines through in this novel, making it a standout addition…
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The Wife Between Us
Read more: The Wife Between UsMy rating: 3.5/5 stars. The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen is a psychological thriller that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The story is told from the perspectives of two women: Vanessa, the ex-wife of the charming and wealthy Richard, and Nellie, Richard’s new fiancée.
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The Kind Worth Killing
Read more: The Kind Worth KillingMy rating: 3.5/5 stars. The story begins with a chance encounter between Ted Severson, a wealthy businessman, and Lily Kintner, a mysterious woman he meets at an airport bar. Over drinks, Ted confesses to Lily that he wants to kill his unfaithful wife, Miranda. To his surprise, Lily offers to help him carry out the…
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The Housemaid
Read more: The HousemaidMy rating: 2/5 stars. This book received solid reviews, so I decided to give it a read. Overall, I was very disappointed with the plot and character development. It felt more like a mediocre Lifetime Movie than a thriller novel. Despite the initial buildup, the story quickly becomes predictable and clichéd.
Mugs & Manuscripts 