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, '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 '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.
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.
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.