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A non-shit non-ridiculous twist thriller rec please

76 replies

BottomWibblyWob · 26/01/2025 19:45

I have a book token left over from Xmas and normally read thrillers though lately I’ve dabbled in chick lit, but I’d like to read a good thriller again.

I got sick of thrillers because they just got so ridiculous and I’m sick of the twists being bonkers like “It turns out his wife was actually the cat”

Thrillers I enjoyed were things like The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean, Lisa Jewell’s The Family Upstairs and BA Paris Behind Closed Doors. Creep thrillers!

Any recommendations please?

OP posts:
Everythingaches · 26/01/2025 19:49

I’ve just been bingeing Alice Feeney, big twists but totally couldn’t put them down! Recommended Good Bad Girl or Daisy Darker.

RachelGreensHair · 26/01/2025 19:51

I really enjoyed the Serial Killers Sister.

Have also read the Serial Killers Wife and currently reading the Serial Killers Daughter.

GrumpySparkler · 26/01/2025 19:55

Have you read any Liane Moriarty? I've only read Big Little Lies, but it was gripping from start to finish!
I also really enjoyed The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides.

TheCovetedDuchessRose · 26/01/2025 20:02

I love all of Eve Chase’s novels, they have twists annd are beautifully written.
John Marrs “What Lies Between Is” is excellent.
I also enjoy a Harlan Coben.
Alice Feeny is entertaining.

I do read Frieda McFadden every so often. I was reading one a day on holiday and my family were entertained with the totally ridiculous story lines. I gave them a daily rundown over our evening meal.

BottomWibblyWob · 26/01/2025 20:25

GrumpySparkler · 26/01/2025 19:55

Have you read any Liane Moriarty? I've only read Big Little Lies, but it was gripping from start to finish!
I also really enjoyed The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides.

I read the silent patient but can’t remember the twist 🤣 love Lianne Moriarty Apples Never Fall was excellent

OP posts:
BottomWibblyWob · 26/01/2025 20:26

TheCovetedDuchessRose · 26/01/2025 20:02

I love all of Eve Chase’s novels, they have twists annd are beautifully written.
John Marrs “What Lies Between Is” is excellent.
I also enjoy a Harlan Coben.
Alice Feeny is entertaining.

I do read Frieda McFadden every so often. I was reading one a day on holiday and my family were entertained with the totally ridiculous story lines. I gave them a daily rundown over our evening meal.

Edited

I read The Housemaid recently after seeing so much hype and actually howled in parts at how ridiculous it all was

I loved the Glads HOuse by Eve Chase but then forgot about her I’ll look for more thank you!

OP posts:
TheCovetedDuchessRose · 26/01/2025 20:34

BottomWibblyWob · 26/01/2025 20:26

I read The Housemaid recently after seeing so much hype and actually howled in parts at how ridiculous it all was

I loved the Glads HOuse by Eve Chase but then forgot about her I’ll look for more thank you!

I finished “The Boyfriend” today, I was laughing so much at the final few chapters and the twists. Ward D has to be the worst/funniest though.

Bunkbedbunk · 26/01/2025 20:36

"After the Silence" by Louise O Neill. Similar atmosphere to Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

PigInADuvet · 26/01/2025 20:40

Mainly just placemarking but to add to the mix - John Marrs or Mark Edwards are both good options!

GrapefruitFrog · 26/01/2025 20:47

All the ones you’ve listed are favourites of mine, so I know you’ll love these:

The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson

A Stranger In The House by Shari Lapena

NoiseDrama · 26/01/2025 21:27

Everythingaches · 26/01/2025 19:49

I’ve just been bingeing Alice Feeney, big twists but totally couldn’t put them down! Recommended Good Bad Girl or Daisy Darker.

I like Alice feeney, but got the end of daisy darker and just thought “really?!” Hated it 😂

Everythingaches · 26/01/2025 21:33

NoiseDrama · 26/01/2025 21:27

I like Alice feeney, but got the end of daisy darker and just thought “really?!” Hated it 😂

I loved the ending! I did guess it but then had to go back and skim read the rest with the new info! It was daft but so clever.

Theoldcuriosityshop · 27/01/2025 13:56

Lisa Jewell has done a follow on to The Family Upstairs, it's called The Family Remains.,

Hoppy34 · 28/01/2025 23:03

John Marrs - The Good Samaritan or Keep it on the Family
Claire Douglas - The Girls Who Disappeared
Gillian McAllister - Wrong place Wrong time

Liz Nugent - Strange Sally Diamond

tobee · 29/01/2025 00:06

Since we're on the topic I was thinking of trying a Liane Moriarty (Audible rather than reading) and I was put off because they seem to be twice the length of the usual. Idk but it bores me if books like that feel padded out but maybe there's a reason why with Liane Moriarty?

whippleproceedure · 29/01/2025 09:26

I wish someone would read Nightwatching - Tracy Sierra.

It is the best one of these thriller books I've read for ages and so have read most of the ones mentioned.
I also enjoyed Sun Damage although it is a bit silly
And The Push.

JPC123 · 29/01/2025 09:35

I’ve been enjoying Clare Douglas recently.

GrapefruitFrog · 29/01/2025 10:28

whippleproceedure · 29/01/2025 09:26

I wish someone would read Nightwatching - Tracy Sierra.

It is the best one of these thriller books I've read for ages and so have read most of the ones mentioned.
I also enjoyed Sun Damage although it is a bit silly
And The Push.

This was honestly one of the worst books I have ever read! I gave up on it halfway through because I was losing my mind. The protagonist was a total idiot, dragging out scenes for hours in excruciating, dull detail. All I could think to myself was “Jesus, can she stop TALKING?” I bought it because it was so highly rated but I’m clearly one of the minority 🤣

stayathomer · 29/01/2025 10:29

Have you tried C J Tudor? (Just because you like will Dean!)!

GrapefruitFrog · 29/01/2025 10:30

whippleproceedure · 29/01/2025 09:26

I wish someone would read Nightwatching - Tracy Sierra.

It is the best one of these thriller books I've read for ages and so have read most of the ones mentioned.
I also enjoyed Sun Damage although it is a bit silly
And The Push.

I will recommend though - if you did like Nightwatching - you should try Intensity by Dean Koontz as it’s a similar concept and style (but much more exciting and pacy with a less irritating protagonist)

Baguettesandcheeseforever · 29/01/2025 10:32

I enjoyed None of This is True by Lisa Jewell. I liked the Family Upstairs too but thought this was better…so if you liked The Family Upstairs this may be worth a read.

littleblackcat247 · 29/01/2025 10:35

Following- will add Apple tree yard

Nosebooper · 29/01/2025 11:08

I love that sort of book. My favourites are Liane Moriarty - have you read Nine Perfect Strangers? - Eve Chase, Lisa Jewell, Shari Lapena, Nicci French, Sam Blake, Louise Candlish, Jane Corry, T M. Logan, Claire Douglas .. Also Kate Atkinson, not necessarily thrillers but excellent books, especially Behind the scenes at the museum.

Redshoeblueshoe · 29/01/2025 11:16

I've just read The Last Party by Claire MacKintosh, really enjoyed it, her books always have a good twist. Also David Jackson - The Resident.

arcticpandas · 29/01/2025 11:32

Have you read anything by Tana French, Belinda Bauer or Karen Slaughter? My favourites...