6+ Psychological Thriller Books (Ordered) For 2025 · To Kill Your Nerves
Psychological Thriller Book List
Are you looking for the best psychological thriller books? It's your list to choose your favorite one!
Most people like reading love stories, and some go for the weird twists of suspense and mystery novels. We all have our preferences, but let’s be honest, we all know that there is nothing more satisfying than grabbing the edge of your seat whenever you are reading a well-written psychological thriller, right?
What Are The Most Important Characteristics of Psychological Thrillers?
Psychological thrillers is a subgenre of thrillers books that focus on the mental and emotional states of its characters. These books often explore the dark side of human nature, and can be quite disturbing. Here are some characteristics that make a great psychological thriller:
A strong sense of unease or foreboding
Characters who are deeply flawed and may even be sociopathic
Dark, often oppressive atmosphere
Elegant, elitist writing style to point out the contrast between words and the story itself
Descriptions of violence or other disturbing scenes that may make readers uncomfortable
Stories with multiple layers, you could easily find yourself routing for the wrong side
A plot that is full of twists and turns, keeping readers guessing until the very end
What Are The Subgenres of Psychological Thriller Books?
Workplace, Existence Psychological Thrillers
Supernatural Psychological Thrillers
Alternative Reality Psychological Thrillers
Mental Health, Loosing Reality Psychological Thrillers
Crime, Serial Killer Psychological Thrillers
Family life, Domestic Life Psychological Thrillers
Getting a bunch of books in this genre can complete your reading list, and whenever you want to start your collection of them, here are the best psychological thriller books from the last years to start it out! The book list is in reverse chronological order.
What Are The Top Psychological Thriller Books? (Ordered)
(Find Further Upcoming Psychological Thriller Books)
Crafting Maira, by Sam Arkot (2025)
Jatin, embittered by his wife’s devastating betrayal, vows never again to open his heart—until a tragic accident makes him caretaker to a young woman suffering from amnesia. Driven by his twisted desire for total devotion, he convinces her that he is a powerful deity, carefully shaping her isolated world so that he becomes her only source of truth and affection. As she matures, Jatin indulges in a forbidden obsession, treading a razor-thin line between fantasy and reality.
But when the prying eyes of the police and Jatin’s suspicious sister threaten to shatter his fragile creation, he scrambles to preserve the life he’s molded with such cunning precision. Set against the vivid backdrop of modern India, Crafting Maira is a disturbing and thought-provoking psychological thriller that delves into the darkest corners of grooming, gaslighting, and obsessive control. Prepare for a chilling exploration of what happens when one man’s thirst for worship crosses every moral boundary—and the haunting question of whether redemption is possible once innocence has been irreparably corrupted.
House of Glass, by Sarah Pekkanen (2024)
On the surface, the Barclays seem like the perfect family living in a gilded, historic Washington D.C. home—but behind the iron gates lies a web of deceit that unravels when their nanny falls to her death (or is she pushed?). Nine-year-old Rose, who has collected sharp objects and refused to speak ever since witnessing the tragedy, becomes the silent key to unlocking the family’s secrets. Enter Stella Hudson, a best interest attorney with her own traumatic past, who reluctantly agrees to take Rose’s case. Stepping into this “plastic house”—where not a single pane of glass is found—Stella quickly realizes every family member might be guilty, and everyone has something to hide.
As Stella inches closer to the truth, the lines between victim and murderer blur, and her own past collides with the Barclays’ dark history in shocking ways. Is Rose the child she’s meant to protect, or is she someone Stella should fear? Twisting psychological tension and haunting revelations make this mystery impossible to put down—cementing it as one of the best psychological thrillers of 2024.
Buried Secrets, by S.F. Baumgartner (2023)
In the realm of psychological and domestic suspense, S. F. Baumgartner's Buried Secrets emerges as a compelling tale, intertwining the nuances of Christian suspense. The novel centers around Dylan Roche, a 25-year-old grappling with the uncertainties of adulthood, further complicated by the recent death of his mother. His unassuming life is upended by the appearance of attorney Charles Townsend, a link to his mother's mysterious past, propelling Dylan on an introspective journey fraught with existential questions about his identity and lineage.
Baumgartner's narrative prowess is evident in the way the story swiftly captures the reader's attention, maintaining a taut grip through an intricate web of family secrets and deceit. The plot, rich with twists and turns, offers a labyrinthine journey through hidden corridors of familial ties and concealed truths.
The blend of suspense, familial intrigue, and spiritual undertones has resonated with a wide audience, establishing Buried Secrets as a promising opener to what could be an enthralling series. This novel not only satisfies the appetite of thriller aficionados but also posits Baumgartner as a notable voice in the genre, adept at weaving complex tales of suspense and human emotion.
The Coworker, by Freida McFadden (2023)
In the gripping narrative set in Vixed, a nutritional supplement company, two women find themselves entangled in a web of secrets leading to a heinous crime. Dawn Schiff, an accountant perceived as odd and friendless, is always punctual, so her unexpected absence one day raises eyebrows, particularly of her coworker Natalie Farrell. Natalie, admired for her beauty and success, receives a disturbing anonymous call that reveals a sinister reality: Dawn, far from just being an awkward loner, was a target of a malicious plot within their office.
As Natalie gets drawn into a dangerous cat-and-mouse game, she grapples with the chilling realization that Dawn was despised enough to be murdered, leaving her to question the true identity of the victim in this twisted scenario.
Strangers We Know, by Elle Marr (2022)
Strangers We Know is one of those trusts no one psychological thriller books with a relatable but horrifying story. Ivy Hon is searching for answers, but she gets caught up in a dangerous investigation.
She was adopted after birth, but she never felt the urge to learn about her biological lineage. However, a genetic test became necessary when a mysterious illness struck Ivy, leading to an FBI attraction that revealed her relationship with a serial killer who horrified the Pacific Northwest for many decades. Ivy became the FBI's only hope to stop the serial killer from further killings.
An online search links with her younger cousin, and that’s when she goes to Rock Island for a meet-up. Her motivation is a hidden desire to expose a murderous relative, and she decides to reach out to contact her remnant stranger relatives.
As she exposes herself to danger in the serial killer’s home, it dawns on her that she could be the next victim of her dangerous ancestry.
The Housemaid, by Freida McFadden (2022)
The housemaid in this book is Millie. She has gotten a housekeeping job at Nina and Andrew Winchester’s house. She has been on parole, and this job is what she needs and her last opportunity to start fresh.
Every day Millie cleans the house, picks up Cecilia from school, and cooks a meal for the family before heading out to her tiny room. Millie ignores how Nina makes a mess just to observe how she will handle it. Nina tells unusual lies about Andrew and their daughter. As every day passes, Andrew seems to become more broken. His eyes are full of pain, but he must play the perfect husband.
Everything will take a twisted turn when Millie tries one of the pristine white dresses that belong to Nina. She only wants to experience what such outfits feel like, and she will find out.
She will discover that her room’s door locks only from outside. The only problem is that it is too late. The Winchester secrets are more dangerous than hers.