best 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.

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.

Isolated locations are great. Think of a big, old, creaky mansion in the middle of nowhere. It adds an air of mystery and unease, like in 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier. The large, empty rooms and the sense of being cut off from the outside world heighten the psychological tension.

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.

Stephen King also dabbles in psychological thrillers. He has a unique ability to create an atmosphere of dread and suspense. For example, in 'Misery', he delves into the psyche of both the captor and the captive, making it a gripping read. His writing style is so vivid that you can almost feel the characters' emotions.

For beginners, 'The Girl on the Train' is a great start. It has a simple enough plot to follow, but still has that element of psychological mystery. The main character's unreliable narration makes it exciting. Another good one is 'Before I Go to Sleep'. It's easy to get into and the concept of the main character losing her memory every day is very engaging.

Good psychological thrillers often have unreliable narrators. For example, in 'The Girl on the Train', the narrator's memory and perception are so unreliable that it keeps the reader constantly guessing. Another characteristic is a sense of unease. In 'Gone Girl', the deteriorating relationship between the two main characters creates a very uneasy atmosphere. They also usually have complex characters with deep - seated issues, like in 'Sharp Objects' where the protagonist has her own set of traumas.

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.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn is a great choice. It's a psychological rollercoaster. The story of a missing wife and the husband who becomes the prime suspect is full of mind - games. Flynn does an amazing job of making you question the characters' motives and sanity.

Patricia Highsmith's 'Strangers on a Train' is also a classic psychological thriller. The idea of the two strangers swapping murders is both fascinating and disturbing. Highsmith is excellent at exploring the dark corners of the human psyche through this story.