Good psychological thriller or murder mystery

[LucyLancaster]

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.

I liked "The Push", Audrey Audrain. Its American, but well written and suspenseful.
Any Lisa Jewell, (almost)...will be v good.
These are psychological thrillers rather than 'murder mysteries'.
I didn't like The Housemaid' either, poorly written, imo, rather lazy characterisation and, as you say, predictable plot.

I have read most Lisa Jewell and love her (a couple were hit or miss like “the Girls”)

I will give The Push a go - sounds like we like similar books. Thank you!

And lazy characterisation is a brilliant description. The sexy Italian gardener who barely speaks English…..yawn

Shari lapena
Mark edwards
Steve Cavanagh
M J arlidge

These are some of my fave authors

Lucinda Berry’s books are great

Also love Lisa Jewell

And also I loved The Push!

(It's a quick read though I read it in 2 days and I wouldn't describe myself as a quick reader)

The Hide - Nell Patterson - really enjoyed this book. One of my favourites books I read last year.

The death of Mrs westerway Ruth ware
Follow you home mark edwards
An unwanted guest Shari Lapena
rock paper scissors Alice Feeney
Hostage Clare Mackintosh
Just like the other girls Claire Douglas

Alone in Berlin by Hans Fallada

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.

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

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

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.

John Marrs is great.

Kill For Me Kill For You by SteveCavanagh was brilliant.

Another vote for John Marrs. Superb author.

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.

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

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

Nicki french

killing me softly
catch me when I fall
secret smile

Wrong Place Wrong Time - Gillian McAllister is very good.

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.

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.

I was about to say this book!

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"

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