Some of the well - known ones could be 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. It's full of twists and turns as it explores a marriage filled with secrets. Another might be 'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins which keeps you guessing about the characters' true natures.
Well, they often create a sense of unease and suspense from the very beginning. In 'Psycho', just the idea of the Bates Motel gives an immediate feeling of dread. Also, many of these novels play with the readers' minds by revealing information gradually. 'Before I Go to Sleep' does this as the main character slowly pieces together her past. And they usually have strong psychological elements, exploring themes like obsession, as seen in 'Misery' where the fan's obsession is the driving force of the horror.
Some of the well - known ones are 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. It's a story full of twists and turns, with a marriage that is far from what it seems on the surface. Another is 'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins. The unreliable narrator keeps you guessing about what really happened. 'Sharp Objects' by Gillian Flynn is also great. It delves deep into a troubled journalist's return to her hometown and the dark secrets she uncovers there.
Thomas Harris' 'The Silence of the Lambs' is also a classic in the psychological thriller genre. The interaction between Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter is both fascinating and terrifying. Lecter's brilliant but deranged mind makes for a truly nerve - wracking read, and the overall atmosphere of the book is thick with psychological intrigue.
Well, off the top of my head, 'Before I Go to Sleep' by S. J. Watson is a great one. The main character has amnesia and the psychological journey she goes through is really thrilling. Then there's 'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins. It's told from multiple perspectives and is full of suspense. Also, 'Misery' by Stephen King, which shows the terrifying relationship between a writer and his deranged fan.
Definitely 'In the Woods' by Tana French. It combines elements of a police procedural with a psychological thriller. The main detective has his own haunted past which becomes intertwined with the case he's investigating. The story is filled with mystery and the slow unravelling of the truth keeps you hooked from start to finish.
Typically, top psychological thriller novels have complex characters. For example, in 'Gone Girl', the main characters have multiple layers to their personalities. There's often a sense of mystery, like in 'The Girl on the Train' where you're constantly trying to figure out what really happened. Suspense is key too, which keeps readers engaged from start to finish.
Some of the well - known ones could be 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris. It's a classic with the terrifying character of Hannibal Lecter. Another is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn, which has a complex plot full of twists and turns. And 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson is also very popular, with its dark and mysterious story.
It's difficult to definitively list the top ten, but we can't forget about books by Daphne du Maurier. Her works often had a touch of the thriller genre. For example, 'Rebecca' has a sense of mystery and unease throughout. And then there were pulp fiction thrillers that were popular at the time too, though many of them are not as well - remembered today as these classic works.
One characteristic is the use of unreliable narrators. In many top - rated ones like 'Gone Girl', the narrators' versions of events can't be fully trusted, which adds to the mystery. Another is the exploration of the human psyche. For example, in 'We Need to Talk About Kevin', it delves into the mind of a mother dealing with a difficult son. Also, a sense of suspense is crucial. These novels keep you on the edge of your seat, like in 'The Girl on the Train' where you're constantly trying to figure out what really happened.