best psychological suspense thriller novels

Some top psychological suspense thriller novels include 'We Need to Talk About Kevin' by Lionel Shriver. It explores the relationship between a mother and her son in a very disturbing way. 'The Talented Mr. Ripley' by Patricia Highsmith is also great. The character of Tom Ripley is so complex and his actions are full of psychological intrigue. 'In a Dark, Dark Wood' by Ruth Ware is another good one, with a story that unfolds in a creepy and suspenseful manner.

I'd recommend 'Gone Girl' for beginners. It's widely popular and has a lot of elements that are typical of the psychological suspense thriller genre. The characters are well - developed, and the plot twists will keep you guessing. Also, 'In a Dark, Dark Wood' is a good choice. It has a relatively straightforward story with a good amount of suspense and mystery.

They often use unreliable narrators. For example, in 'The Girl on the Train', the narrator's alcohol - addled memories make you question what's real. This creates doubt and suspense.

One great example is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. It keeps you on the edge of your seat with its complex characters and mind - boggling plot twists. Another is 'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins, which builds suspense through the unreliable narrator. And 'Sharp Objects' by Gillian Flynn as well, it dives deep into the dark psyche of the characters.

Some of the well - known ones could be 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. It has a complex plot full of twists regarding a missing wife and a husband who becomes the prime suspect. Another great one is 'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins. It tells the story from the perspective of an unreliable narrator who witnesses something strange while on her daily commute. Also, 'Sharp Objects' by Gillian Flynn is excellent. It dives deep into a journalist's return to her hometown to cover a murder case and her own dark past.

Well, 'Psycho' by Robert Bloch is a classic. It's terrifying as it explores the disturbed mind of Norman Bates. 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris is also excellent. The cat - and - mouse game between Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter is both chilling and fascinating. Then there's 'Misery' by Stephen King. The situation where the obsessed fan holds the writer captive is truly nerve - wracking.

They often use unreliable narrators. For example, in 'The Girl on the Train', the narrator's memory and perception are distorted, making the reader question what's real. This creates a lot of tension as the truth is hard to figure out.

Modern psychological thriller novels create suspense in several ways. For one, they often use unreliable narrators. This makes the readers question what they're being told, like in 'The Girl on the Train'. The narrator's memory and perception are faulty, so you're constantly trying to figure out what's real. Another way is through slow - burning plots that gradually reveal secrets and mysteries. In 'Gone Girl', the secrets about the couple's relationship are slowly peeled back, keeping you hooked.

I would recommend 'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins. It's a great psychological thriller. The unreliable narrator adds an extra layer of intrigue as you try to figure out what really happened. The setting and the atmosphere of the story are also very well - created, making it a page - turner.

I think 'Sharp Objects' by Gillian Flynn also belongs to the best psychological thriller novels. It has a dark and disturbing atmosphere. The protagonist, a journalist, returns to her hometown to cover a story about the murders of two young girls. As she investigates, she has to confront her own troubled past and the secrets of her family. It really gets into the mind of the main character and makes the readers feel her internal struggles.