Psychological thrillers are suspenseful narratives that plunge the depths of the human psyche. In these books, the characters own distorted perceptions of reality form a core aspect of the plot. Literary devices utilized in psychological thrillers often include the unreliable narrator and red herrings. Throughout psychological thrillers, the audience is left wondering what is truly going on. Take Shudder Island by Dennis Lehane, in which the arc of the story is distorted by the protagonist’s delusions. Or consider the classic short story "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, in which the narrator herself is not able to discern between reality and her own inescapable descent into madness.
One of the reasons why psychological thrillers are so popular is because it’s so easy to become entangled and engrossed within the story. You keep turning the pages because you want to finally have answers—and your own sense of reality becomes a little warped along the way. The satisfaction really comes with the ending, when all the pieces finally fall into place and you realize how many little clues you missed along the way.
If you’re a fan of this intoxicating sub-genre, here are some enticing stories to start with:
And when you’ve finished those, peruse the stories below to discover the best the psychological thriller world has to offer.
One lucky winner will add some heat to the coming winter.
You'll never know what's coming next...
By Kimmy Kelly
Read an excerpt of The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose.
Read an excerpt of Winterscroft by Anita Waller.
By Lisa Quigley
Bradeigh Godfrey’s debut novel Imposter is a must-read for suspense junkies.
By Kimmy Kelly
This riveting package includes one Advanced Reader Copy!
Enter LeHane's psychologically riveting world.
By Jena Brown
You could be the lucky winner of five of Penguin's most exciting mysteries!
These books by dark and twisted thrillers are perfect for Gillian Flynn fans!
By Jena Brown
These women are shaking things up, bringing a fresh perspective to the political thriller genre.
By Jena Brown
These thrilling flicks will mess with your head.
You never know what's happening behind closed doors.
Brace yourself: These books are not for the faint of heart.
Sometimes vows really do bind you "for worse...".
By Lisa Holmes
A psychological thriller you won't be able to put down.
We celebrate a classic by one of the late greats.
Warmer temps mean more time to read outside.
It's time for a little payback.