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Original poster

AIBU to have had a gut full of "psychological thrillers"

108 replies

Notradespeopleareavailable · 07/09/2021 14:07

Having just read yet another one with a totally ridiculous and implausible ending, I don't think I can take any more. One of my favourite authors has a kindle book at £0.00 on offer at Amazon and I don't think I can even be bothered to download it.

I think "psychological thrillers" is just another name for chick-lit, and it does amuse me to read all the redacted reviews (back-slapping and puff pieces) from other authors of the same genre eg:

"The most gripping read of 2021"
" I could not put this book down!" fast enough
" Twisty and keeps you guessing through to the end".

I can't believe these other authors really have the time and inclination to read all this similar stuff being churned out in droves. About 15 years ago, this type of book was a novelty and tightly plotted and well-written. But since then, what has happened, why is the world suddenly being taken over with this genre of books?

OP posts:
MuchasSmoochas · 07/09/2021 22:21

Anything with the word “twisty” and I’m out. I love my Kindle but the ability to self publish has ruined books, so much shite compared to, say 15 years ago.

SailYourShips · 07/09/2021 22:16

I hope Richard Osman isn't the next big thing. I rushed out and bought, in hardback, The Thursday Club Murders and it was cringingly, squelchingly bad.

Barry from Acacia Avenue couldn't have written anything worse after attending one Creative Writing Session in Coketown Village Hall.

magicstar1 · 07/09/2021 21:22

I’ve gone off them too, but I do love Steve Cavanagh.

BrozTito · 07/09/2021 21:11

Horowitz's sherlock holmes was good although i worked it out bloody immediately

Kindlingwood · 07/09/2021 21:06

If you like crime fiction, try m arlidge, or mw craven. Both excellent crime writers.

Also for quirkier crime/thrillers, try Anthony horrowitz.

IHateFlies · 07/09/2021 20:56

I don’t read many so love them when I get a good one. I always read one after I’ve not had time to read and want to get back into books and off my phone! They’re very good for that.

StealthPolarBear · 07/09/2021 20:40

And I've started reading rom coms/chick lit because at least it doesn't pretend to be anything it's not.
Funny though. Nothing with a naked male torso on the cover.

StealthPolarBear · 07/09/2021 20:37

Yes Steve kavanagh has been good recently. I also enjoy medical thrillers, Michael palmer, Robin Cook etc.

Kanaloa · 07/09/2021 20:36

I bet all those people quoted on the back cover don’t bother reading the dross. They always say the same stuff ‘has you on the edge of your seat’ or ‘a real page turner!’

dementedma · 07/09/2021 20:36

Rarely read thrillers but recently really enjoyed 50/50 by Steve Kavanagh. Really had no idea how it was going to turn out. V good.

BrozTito · 07/09/2021 20:35

Yeah im on about hardbacks

WheelieBinPrincess · 07/09/2021 20:33

Yes and full of women ‘padding’ across the floor.

‘Mia woke with a start. She couldn’t have just heard the front door click open- could she?! She swung her tanned legs out of the bed, and softly padded across the bedroom carpet’

HollowTalk · 07/09/2021 20:33

They certainly don't buy ebooks, @BrozTito. You can't buy more than one per account.

StealthPolarBear · 07/09/2021 20:32

I'm starting to enjoy disaster novels, planes falling out of the sky etc

BrozTito · 07/09/2021 20:31

I reckon hilary mantel's career is now just offering quotes

BrozTito · 07/09/2021 20:30

They buy up books themselves (ie publishers etc.) so they get on those lists

StealthPolarBear · 07/09/2021 20:30

So glad to see this thread as I'm increasingly feeling like this.
"She has the perfect life but it all starts to unravel, how long can her secrets stay hidden?"
And the ones where the synopsis is written in the second person
"you're asleep, the phone is ringing. You answer it... You grab your glasses and peer at the clock, 3am. When you hear your daughter's voice you know things will never be the same!"
All good when it was new but now overdone.
I'm ready for the next thing.

GravityFalls · 07/09/2021 20:24

I think quirky murder mysteries might be coming up after the Richard Osman novels. Which again can be very good but also pretty dire!

Or, god help us, Covid novels…

SailYourShips · 07/09/2021 19:44

Well said! I totally agree. If I read about one more neighbour, friend, nanny or lodger who wants to worm their way into a perfect, Sunday Supplement lifestyle, I'll yelp.

Yes, @Wavypurple, agree about, The Maidens...predictable tripe.

I no longer believe any more old guff that other authors write about the latest rubbish.

This genre has surely now had its day.

What do posters think will be the next big thing?

GravityFalls · 07/09/2021 17:44

Yep, they’re such tripe now, which is annoying as there must be some good ones but how do you know? Reviews and blurb are no use as all gamed to sound good…! Agree that Belinda Bauer are excellent though.

Original poster
Notradespeopleareavailable · 07/09/2021 17:29

Yes! Every book that comes out seems to have been written by a "Sunday Times best-selling author".

OP posts:
Standrewsschool · 07/09/2021 17:00

We have an ongoing joke in our bookclub that all books are ‘Sunday Time bestsellers’ or ‘New York top ten’.

Original poster
Notradespeopleareavailable · 07/09/2021 16:55

I think it's also all the abuse of women portrayed in these novels - paedophilia, rape, coercion, capture and imprisonment, gaslighting .... urgh I feel I have fed myself a diet of misery and misogyny as a form of entertainment and escapism.

OP posts:
HumdrumGuga · 07/09/2021 14:36

Yes

It was the therapist OH was it really

It was a minor character mentioned once halfway through

It was a completely new character that came out of nowhere

Also gone off them!

FizzyPink · 07/09/2021 14:34

I downloaded Exit for holiday reading but never got through my list so will make that my next read.

Not psychological thrillers but 3 holiday reads I loved were Daisy Jones & The Six, Small Pleasures and The Idea of You