Good psychological thriller or murder mystery

LucyLancaster · 2026-04-23T21:31:04+00:00

Hello all - I’m looking for a good psychological thriller or murder mystery. I didn’t rate The Housemaid (nothing particularly wrong, just a bit…’meh’ and predictable), I loved the Silent Patient. I am looking for: Short chapters, page turner, good twist, no children harmed or heart strings pulled. If it’s a murder mystery then no procedural stuff as I find it boring. too marks if it’s on kindle unlimited but I’ve been disappointed recently.

Morepositivemum · 25/04/2026 22:37

Kathryn Croft or Jo Spain books are brilliant but can’t remember chapter length!

purpleme12 · 25/04/2026 22:37

I remember reading Ralph's Party too all those years ago! Also loved her since then

Original poster

LucyLancaster · 25/04/2026 22:36

Thank you all! Some great recommendations- I will get reading a report back

OP posts:

Original poster

LucyLancaster · 25/04/2026 22:35

Oneearringlost · 24/04/2026 13:26

Also, OP, i liked "People like Her" by Ellery Lloyd ( I think!), a pseudonym for a husband and wife team).
I think it was Richard and Judy recommendation, which I usually run a mile from, but I remember it being a fascinating, compelling page turner. ( If I remember rightly, the authors are American, but the plot was firmly based in London).
It's about an influencer, whose child goes missing.

Just to reiterate, I don't think you'll be disappointed by Lisa Jewell. She writes well, and one of the things that makes me put a book down, to discard it, is poor writing.

Love the sound of this and I like UK-based books. I wish Lisa Jewell would write more. I was living in London when her first book (Ralph’s Party) came out and have been hooked since.

OP posts:

Original poster

LucyLancaster · 25/04/2026 22:32

Violetparis · 24/04/2026 09:16

Wrong Place Wrong Time - Gillian McAllister is very good.

Have read this and really enjoyed it!

OP posts:

Oneearringlost · 25/04/2026 08:11

purpleme12 · 24/04/2026 13:38

I think she knows she won't be disappointed by Lisa Jewell because she said she loves her and that she's read most of hers

Whoops, yes, you're right! Sorry.

Blackcountryexile · 24/04/2026 19:40

You might like The Skeleton Tree by Erin Kelly
Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister
Dead Mile by Jo Furniss
The Mother by T M Logan
The Doorman by Chris Pavone

purpleme12 · 24/04/2026 13:38

I think she knows she won't be disappointed by Lisa Jewell because she said she loves her and that she's read most of hers

Oneearringlost · 24/04/2026 13:26

Also, OP, i liked "People like Her" by Ellery Lloyd ( I think!), a pseudonym for a husband and wife team).
I think it was Richard and Judy recommendation, which I usually run a mile from, but I remember it being a fascinating, compelling page turner. ( If I remember rightly, the authors are American, but the plot was firmly based in London).
It's about an influencer, whose child goes missing.

Just to reiterate, I don't think you'll be disappointed by Lisa Jewell. She writes well, and one of the things that makes me put a book down, to discard it, is poor writing.

DreamingOfGeneHunt · 24/04/2026 10:11

@ageingdisgracefully A Dark Adapted Eye is one of my favourite books! There was a dramatisation of it years ago with Celia Imrie I think.

GiveMeWordGames · 24/04/2026 10:07

I'm currently enjoying I Think We Should Kill Other People by L M Chilton.

Also Chris Brookmyre had a go at a psychological thriller/murder mystery a few years back and it's rather good, as you'd expect : "The Cliff House"

Sapphireandsteel2 · 24/04/2026 10:02

Violetparis · 24/04/2026 09:16

Wrong Place Wrong Time - Gillian McAllister is very good.

I was about to say this book!

ageingdisgracefully · 24/04/2026 09:31

Another Lisa Jewell fan here. I particularly liked The House We Grew Up In. I've liked all the ones I've read so far though.

I'm also discovering Margaret Yorke rather late in the day. And rediscovering Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine (not the Wexford ones - not so keen on those). Dark Adapted Eye is excellent. For me, no-one does dark psychological mystery better than Vine/Rendell.

DreamingOfGeneHunt · 24/04/2026 09:21

I've just finished Luther- The Calling by Neil Cross, it's the prequel story to the first series. Very good if you like Luther!

VERY GRAPHIC VIOLENCE. Seriously. But good.

Violetparis · 24/04/2026 09:16

Wrong Place Wrong Time - Gillian McAllister is very good.

TheBeaTgoeson1 · 24/04/2026 09:13

Nicki french

killing me softly
catch me when I fall
secret smile

Scoose · 24/04/2026 08:55

I recently enjoyed don't let him in, the family upstairs and the family remains by Lisa Jewell and behind closed doors by b a Paris

purpleme12 · 24/04/2026 08:25

Here are some from last year that I enjoyed. Haven't read any of those kinds of books this year for some reason

The Couple Next Door - Shari Lapena

Local Girl Missing - Claire Douglas

Girl Unknown - Karen Perry

Only Child - Rhiannon Navin

mumof5five · 24/04/2026 07:53

Following for recommendations. I am currently reading 'Ask For Andrea' by Noelle W. Ilhi. I was very dubious at first as it's a supernatural theme. The murdered girls are ghosts. But its thrilling and heartwrenching at the same time. I am really enjoying it. I am a massive Lisa Jewell fan. Alice Feeney is great too. I am invariably impressed by their books.

Silverbirchleaf · 24/04/2026 07:48

Another vote for John Marrs. Superb author.

FMc208 · 24/04/2026 07:44

John Marrs is great.

Kill For Me Kill For You by SteveCavanagh was brilliant.

FrogsWormsandButterflies · 24/04/2026 07:42

BeanMeUp · 24/04/2026 07:39

Anything by John Marrs. His books are either standalone psychological thrillers, or speculative thrillers which, although are standalone books, they are within the same world and reading in order builds character development.

Some describe them as a slow burn, but that's because of the character development - in his own words, you have to build a village before you can burn it down.

If you like crime alongside psych thriller, Her Last Move would be a good one

Edited

LOVE John Marrs. He’s from near to where I live which makes his books even more enjoyable, as I recognise a lot of the places he mentions.

BeanMeUp · 24/04/2026 07:39

Anything by John Marrs. His books are either standalone psychological thrillers, or speculative thrillers which, although are standalone books, they are within the same world and reading in order builds character development.

Some describe them as a slow burn, but that's because of the character development - in his own words, you have to build a village before you can burn it down.

If you like crime alongside psych thriller, Her Last Move would be a good one

FrogsWormsandButterflies · 24/04/2026 07:35

This is a snapshot of my recent listens (I prefer audiobooks as have a baby and do lots of walking)

Good psychological thriller or murder mystery

Tiredforfive45 · 24/04/2026 07:03

I recently discovered Steve Cavanagh and love his books. Try Kill for Me, Kill for you.

The Echo Man by Sam Holland is also fab.