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Original poster

Psychological thrillers with a twist - recommendations please

82 replies

Hftgl · 06/07/2019 13:55

That’s it really, anyone got any recommendations?

OP posts:
ScreamingValenta · 08/07/2019 23:08

Yes, I completely agree - I love Sophie Hannah's clever plots. Her early novel, Cordial and Corrosive, is one of my favourite books - not exactly a psychological thriller, but full of puzzles. About 80% of thrillers I find don't stand up to a re-read - they're only page-turners until I find out what has happened - but I'll re-read SH again and again to appreciate the quality of the plotting and the humour in the prose.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 08/07/2019 22:54

valenta I actually quite like a police procedural, but Sophie Hannah’s are just so much more than that - really clever. I felt like the last couple of Culver Valley ones were a wee bit daft, but the earlier are ones are so, so well done. If anyone hasn’t read them and fancies them, I would say start in order because the police characters really develop as they go along.

ScreamingValenta · 08/07/2019 22:47

I second Sophie Hannah. I don't usually read anything which includes a police point of view, because I find police procedural stuff really dull, but I make an exception for Sophie Hannah.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 08/07/2019 22:46

sorry, me again - I loved Blood Oranges by Harriet Tyce earlier in the year. A bit Appletree Yard-ish.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 08/07/2019 22:42

A bit more detective-y, but the early Sophie Hannah books are very good. Erin Kelly’s early stuff (The Poison Tree, The Sick Rose) is fantastic. I’ve read a lot of the books mentioned up thread and really loved The Hunting Party. It’s not the time of year for it, and it possibly isn’t a true psychological thriller in the sense most of the books on the thread are, but The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield is a book that stayed with me long after reading it.

ElspethFlashman · 08/07/2019 21:41

The LC one. It was like one of those histrionic ITV dramas about middle class people being naughty amongst the wisteria, except even more far fetched. Not for me.

ScreamingValenta · 08/07/2019 14:05

Elspeth was that the Louise Candlish novel or the one Stealth mentioned?

ElspethFlashman · 08/07/2019 13:24

Just blew through Our House on the basis of this on the Kindle.

I didn't like it! I just thought it was preposterous. Sorry. Sad

Cheesymonster · 08/07/2019 13:08

I absolutely loved The Perfect Child too, couldn't put it down.

StealthPolarBear · 08/07/2019 08:24

carolannduffycheerup I am saving that for when I've finished my dissertation. I've loved ecerytging she's written

HunterHearstHelmsley · 08/07/2019 06:50

The One is good. Can't remember who wrote it though!

I need some recommendations. All the ones I have read lately have been 'meh'.

carolannduffycheerup · 08/07/2019 06:46

The Wych Elm - Tana French

StealthPolarBear · 07/07/2019 22:50

No it was called our house I think but differeent author-I've screesnhotted the chapters earlier on this thread. Will look out for the one you mention

ChilliScallops · 07/07/2019 22:42

Are you thinking of The Silent Wife, stealth? If so, good easy read.

Fruittreeorchard · 07/07/2019 22:29

The Perfect Child

Backintime4breakfast · 07/07/2019 19:36

He said she said - Erin Kelly

rosegoldwatcher · 07/07/2019 18:56

Ooh what a lovely thread! I could do a PHD in contemporary psychological thrillers and have read most of what posters have mentioned.
Recently have read and loved John Marrs collection and can thoroughly recommend both The One and The Good Samaritan.
Also have re-read some of Emily Barr's older books - The Sleeper, Plan B and Stranded.
Currently reading Alice Feeney's I Know Who You Are. Has anyone out there read this? Is it as good as her Sometimes I Lie?

Toohotformyliking · 07/07/2019 16:26

I second Barbara Vine. The early ones, at least. I find that her later books tend to centre on massively contrived - but also obvious - twists.

Drac18 · 07/07/2019 16:21

Some really great suggestions here! I recently finished and enjoyed The Girl Across the Street by Vikki Patis. Those People by Louise Candlish was excellent too.

DancelikeEmmaGoldman · 07/07/2019 03:28

I enjoy Lisa Unger. Her first book Beautiful Lies and its sequel, are gripping and very unexpected.

HappydaysArehere · 06/07/2019 20:42

Belinda Bauer books. Blacklands is the first of a trilogy which I really enjoyed. Then there is Rubberneck, Snap and others. I have read them all and would recommend.

imsorryiasked · 06/07/2019 18:41

Jeffrey Deaver's always have twist

checkoutchick22 · 06/07/2019 18:40

I've enjoyed a couple of John Mars, and I agree with Our House by Louise Candlish

EmmaJR1 · 06/07/2019 18:38

Joy Ellis is s good author for crime thrillers with twists.

Sharpkat · 06/07/2019 18:35

Lucy Dawson. I have just listened to a few when I have been walking. There is one with "tear us apart" in the title. And "white lies". Loved them both.