What are the characteristics of good psychological thrillers novels?

One of the best is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. The story is full of twists and turns as it delves into the complex relationship between a husband and wife. Another great one is 'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins. It keeps you on the edge of your seat with its unreliable narrator. And 'Sharp Objects' by Gillian Flynn is also excellent, exploring dark family secrets and psychological trauma.

Well, 'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins is a great classic psychological thriller novel. It's told from the perspective of an unreliable narrator, which adds to the mystery and psychological intrigue. 'Misery' by Stephen King is also a classic. The psychological torment that the main character endures at the hands of his 'number one fan' is truly nerve - wracking. And 'The Talented Mr. Ripley' by Patricia Highsmith is a classic that explores the dark side of envy and identity through the character of Tom Ripley.

Well, 'Psycho' is a classic in the genre. Norman Bates' split personality and the infamous shower scene are staples of horror and psychological thriller. It delves deep into the disturbed mind of a killer. Then there's 'Misery', where the obsessed fan holds the writer captive. The psychological torture she inflicts on him and his attempts to escape are very nerve - wracking.

One great psychological thriller short story is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's about a narrator who is driven mad by an old man's 'vulture - like' eye and ultimately commits murder. Another is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. It takes place in a small town where an annual lottery has a very dark and unexpected outcome. And 'Lamb to the Slaughter' by Roald Dahl is also a classic. In this story, a wife uses a leg of lamb to cover up her crime in a rather clever and chilling way.

Another one is 'The Shining'. The isolation of the family in the haunted hotel, along with the slow descent into madness of the father, is a classic in psychological horror. It plays on themes of family dysfunction, alcoholism, and the power of the supernatural to drive a man to the brink of insanity.

Well, 'We Need to Talk About Kevin' by Lionel Shriver is a powerful psychological thriller. It explores the relationship between a mother and her son who has committed a heinous crime. 'The Kind Worth Killing' by Peter Swanson is a great read too. It involves a chance encounter on a plane that leads to a dark and devious plot. 'You' by Caroline Kepnes is also a very popular psychological thriller. It's about a man who becomes obsessed with a woman and will do anything to be with her, told from his very disturbing point of view.

One of the best is 'Psycho' by Robert Bloch. It's a classic that really gets into the mind of a disturbed character. The story builds an intense sense of unease.

In my opinion, 'We Need to Talk About Kevin' is also very popular. It focuses on the relationship between a mother and her son who has committed a heinous crime. It explores the mother's guilt, denial, and the psychological makeup of the son in a way that makes you think deeply about nature vs. nurture and family relationships.

Good psychological novels often have complex characters. For example, in 'Madame Bovary', Emma Bovary is a multi - faceted character with conflicting desires. They also explore deep emotions. 'Wuthering Heights' shows intense love and hatred between the characters. Another characteristic is the exploration of the human mind's inner workings, like in 'Notes from Underground' where the narrator's self - loathing and his view of society are dissected.

Patricia Highsmith. Her 'The Talented Mr. Ripley' is a classic psychological thriller. Highsmith is masterful at exploring the psyche of her characters, especially the dark and complex nature of Tom Ripley as he weaves his web of lies and deception.