If you are a fan of psychological thrillers, you know the excitement of an intricately woven plot that keeps you guessing until the very end. As a criminology student, I have come to appreciate the complexity of human behaviour, and psychological thrillers often explore the darker sides of the mind in ways that resonate deeply with real-world criminal psychology. Here are my top three picks for psychological thrillers that will leave you questioning everything.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
This novel is what first got me into the genre of psychological thrillers! It revolves around a famous painter, Alicia Berenson, who shoots her husband and then goes completely silent, refusing to utter a single word. She’s placed in a psychiatric facility, where Theo Faber, a psychotherapist, becomes determined to uncover why she committed the crime and why she has chosen to remain mute since. As Theo digs deeper into Alicia’s past, the lines between patient and therapist begin to blur. With its layered storytelling and jaw-dropping twist, The Silent Patient explores aspects of trauma, mental illness and the lengths to which people will go to protect their darkest secrets.
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
This novel is a masterclass in suspense. It follows a young woman named Millie, who takes up a job as a live-in housemaid for a wealthy family. While the opportunity seems far too perfect at first, things quickly begin to spiral into something sinister. As Millie navigates her new life, she becomes increasingly suspicious of the family’s hidden secrets and the events that begin to unfold. The book explores power dynamics, manipulation, and deceit with a protagonist who is both resourceful and flawed in her own ways. The Housemaid hooks you instantly with its dark and twisted steady build-up of tension, making you question the intentions of everyone involved.
Never Lie by Freida McFadden
You can never go wrong with another Freida McFadden book (my favourite author)! In Never Lie, newlyweds Tricia and Ethan are on the hunt for their dream home when they stumble upon an isolated mansion in the woods. The former owner, a renowned psychiatrist, mysteriously vanished, leaving behind an unsettling legacy. When Tricia discovers a hidden room filled with the psychiatrist’s case files, she begins to unravel shocking truths about her patients and her own husband. This fast-paced thriller combines psychological suspense with unexpected twists, keeping readers on edge.
Each of these books offers a unique psychological journey, offering more than just suspense. They provide insight into key criminological concepts such as mental illness, manipulation, and criminal profiling. As criminology students, we often look at crime through the lens of behaviour, motive, and psychology – and these books glimpse into those very elements while keeping you hooked until the very last page. Whether you are looking for your next read or want to dive into the intricate workings of the criminal mind, these thrillers will not disappoint!
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