Lately, this covid pandemic has really got us feeling numb, especially young adults like us who just want this covid situation to get over. Well, it doesn’t seem like it will end anytime soon right? To go ahead with these tough times, usually, I’d do something which makes me feel alive. The best way to do that is to read some kickass psychological thrillers which will definitely mess with your mind. Be it a murder mystery, drama, crime or even romance, this genre fits every criterion. Movies which releases nowadays usually stick to the psychological thriller to win the cultural zeitgeist. This is a top-class genre because reading these books will question our own brain… now, that is gonna be interesting.
I have done half of the work for you, all you have to do is choose a book to read from the following article. This piece has the top psychological thrillers of all time. It is scrutinized according to Newyork times bestseller, Amazon top charts and personally recommended books which also put the ‘psychology’ in psychological thrillers. So what are we waiting for? Let us dive right in!
1. I Know Where She Is by S.B. Caves
SB Caves, his debut fiction, ‘I Know Where She is’ a psychological thriller that is unsettling and ungripping. This explosive première book has 256 pages and it just costs $12.47. It has been ten years since Francine’s daughter has been abducted. Her life is lonely and depressed. But everything changes in a glimpse when one fine day she received a letter which said, ‘I know where she is. A young woman visits her and tells her she knows where her daughter is, Francine brushed it off thinking it was supposed to be a dark and twisted joke. Well, a stranger knows about her daughter; is it? no one would ever know. Will Francine find out how her daughter was kidnapped? Let’s find out in this heart-stopping fiction.
2. Her Last Breath by Hilary Davidson
Hilary Davidson published her book on Thomas and Mercer recently on July 1, 2021. She is the best selling author previously One small sacrifice was a massive success. The book has 296 pages and it just costs $15.99. Deirdre, a fierce and strong woman moved away from her family a long time ago. She had to visit her home for the unexpected death of her sister, Caroline. The death of her destroyed her but confusion arose when caroline has sent a message 5 days before her demise that her death would be no accident. Curious Deirdre went around investigating which unravelled a lot of disturbing truth about caroline which later, threatened Deirdre’s own life. Is there a killer in the family? let us find out.
3. The Hive by Gregg Olsen
At the cost of just $7.99, The Hive can be bought from Amazon. It is the 2nd best psychological thriller book on New York Bestseller. The 475 pages book is filled with massive suspense which will keep you on the edge of your seats.
It is a story about detective Lindsay finding out mysterious truth in her investigation of a reporter who was writing an expose of a charismatic wellness guru who is considered to be a healer. The guru had plenty of followers across the globe and he is a hard nut to crack. His inner circle is called ‘the Hive’. What will Lindsay do with the deadly mysteries of the hive? Will she survive?
4. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
From the author of Gone Girl, W winner of eight Emmy awards for its movie adaptation, she comes back with a bang with a Sharp, dark and riveting tale for just $6.40 on Amazon. It was published by Broadway Books.
After coming out of the psych hospital, Camille Preaker, a renowned reporter is given a troubling assignment that unravels the psychological puzzle of finding two lost pre-teen girls in her tiny hometown. The story takes a big turn when she identifies both the victims as herself, well a bit too strongly. To save the children, she has to unravel her past in order to solve the puzzle. Will she save the two innocent girls?
5. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
From the author of Nine Perfect Strangers, Truly Madly Guilty, and The Husband’s Secret, Liane has entered into an entirely new genre. The TV show adaptation of the book is the winner of the Golden Globe award show. The paperback of the book is just $6.64 and it is highly recommended.
The story revolves around three women who are happened to crossroads in a mysterious situation. Whether it is murder or a tragic accident or illness, it does not matter, because someone is dead. The story is about how a single lie can turn something very lethal and dangerous. There are three little lies, now who is the murderer?
6. Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood
Alias Grace is a bestselling fiction in Spanish edition. The book is translated into English. It is an ancient book that was published in 1811. The paperback of the book is whooping $60.87 but it is worth every penny. Alias Grace has a TV show adaptation that charts the top series on Netflix. The story revolves around a mild-mannered maid, Grace marks who is accused of grievous double murder. This historical fiction is written from the perspective of the doctor who is understanding the criminal behavior of Grace. Did the innocent maid commit the grievous murders? Find out through the below link.
7. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of the Hill House is a very famous Netflix adapted TV show. It was released back in 1959 which is refurnished and released in 2006 on Amazon. The book has a length of 208 pages.
Mirroring the trauma of the troubled protagonists, the story is about four people renting the house to investigate any supernatural sequences. Dr Montague is an occult scholar looking for solid evidence for the concept of ‘haunting’. The psychological thriller puts us on the edge of our seats. It is considered to be the top ghost house movies till date.
8. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey
Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest has left an indelible mark on the literature of our time. Well, it is a famous and dazzling thriller, now what should we expect? Exactly, there is a Netflix adaptation of the book already. It is called the Ratched.
The story’s theme is about discovering one’s madness and valuing our self-reliance. The plot is from the eyes of Chief bromden, who is a mute half Indian patient witnessing the struggles of Dr McMurphy who is fighting so hard to keep the mental asylum safe and secure. The novel tells the unforgettable story of a mental ward and its inhabitants.
9. Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes
The Hidden Bodies is yet another masterpiece that was adapted on Netflix which goes by the name, ‘you’. The plot is very twisty and scintillating, with a length of 448pages. The paperback of the novel is just $7 on Amazon which is relatively cheap.
Joe Goldberg, a psych lover, has killed and hidden their bodies in places where no one can find them. The motivation for the murders is his quest for love. Leaving his past behind, Joe flees to Los Angeles to start a new life. Has Joe become a normal person? Well, the dark secrets has been eating him alive and he is finding it really hard to keep up with the relationship with his new girlfriend. Will Joe ever find peace from the gruesome murders he committed?
10. Misery by Stephen King
Stephen King is indisputably the best horror novelist in the biz. The price of the book is just $13.69 and it was published by Scribner. The book was officially launched in 2016. From then, the book is living in people’s head.
Paul Sheldon, the best selling author is kidnapped by his number one fan. Annie, the number one fan was the nurse for Paul when he shattered his body while he met with an accident. Why would she kidnap her favourite novelist? Well, Annie got really angry and furious since the author killed her favourite character… okay..wait, now that was terrifying. Will Paul escape from the atrocities of Annie? Mind you, Annie spurs him on with needle, sometimes with Axe.
