The best psychological thriller books with a jaw-dropping twist

The Last House on Needless Street

By Catriona Ward,

Why this book?

This is a “hard to describe without giving it away” book! I think it’s one of the most uniquely told stories I’ve read. It opens on the eleventh anniversary of a missing girl, and we learn that Ted, who lives with his daughter and his cat in the last house on Needless Street, had been questioned when it first happened. Slowly, in a clever and intriguing way, we come to realise things aren’t how they seem. There are secrets buried in the forest at the end of the street, waiting to be unearthed. I really enjoyed trying to figure out what was going on and the big twist floored me.

• If you can’t buy local:
• Bookshop.org
• Amazon

I Let You Go

By Clare Mackintosh,

Why this book?

The novel opens with a tragic hit-and-run. Jacob’s mother lets go of his hand for a few seconds – and in that moment, her little boy’s life is cruelly taken. Jenna, reeling from Jacob’s death, moves away for a fresh start, but her past soon catches up with her. This story completely turns on its head following the big twist halfway through the book and it made me go back to the beginning to re-read! At times harrowing, at times uplifting, this story will stay with me.

• If you can’t buy local:
• Bookshop.org
• Amazon

Behind Her Eyes: A Suspenseful Psychological Thriller

By Sarah Pinborough,

Why this book?

A love triangle with a difference – this novel follows a married couple and the husband’s mistress but with added manipulation games unlike anything you’ve imagined. The fact there was a huge twist ending wasn’t a surprise as that’s how the book was marketed, but the twist itself was certainly an eye-opener and I didn’t guess what it was until I reached the shocking conclusion. This novel has since been adapted and is a Netflix series. (Also worth a watch – but I’d recommend reading the book first).

• If you can’t buy local:
• Bookshop.org
• Amazon

The Silent Patient

By Alex Michaelides,

Why this book?

Right from its brilliant hook in the opening pages, this book had me firmly in its clutches. We’re told that world-renowned artist, Alicia Berenson, killed her husband in cold blood and from that moment on, never spoke again. It’s down to psychotherapist, Theo Faber, to seek answers from the silent patient. The story is filled with suspense and surprises along the way, but it’s the jaw-dropping final revelation that made this one of my favourite reads. 

• If you can’t buy local:
• Bookshop.org
• Amazon

99 Red Balloons

By Elisabeth Carpenter,

Why this book?

A beautifully written, cleverly constructed dual-narrative story that follows the abduction of a child and the aftermath experienced by the family, interwoven with the story of a widow whose grandchild also went missing. It’s packed with family secrets and lies and I found it enjoyable trying to untangle it all! This book is emotive and suspenseful and the killer twist at the end is just brilliant.

• If you can’t buy local:
• Bookshop.org
• Amazon