For our latest poll question we asked you to name the best psychological thriller you have ever read and you certainly answered loud and clear. For many of you choosing one was impossible and you gave a few, I counted them all and from the books mentioned (almost 50) there were ten books that are clear winners.
I’m sure you’re dying to find out what they all are, so I won’t build the suspense any longer. Here are (in your opinion) the ten psychological thrillers that everyone should read.
We Need to Talk About Kevin – Lionel Shriver
No one should read this book, ever! No one who ever wants children, is bringing up children, wants to spend time with children in the future, or has ever been a child, should ever read this book. It’ll twist your mind and skew your senses and leave you feeling all wrung out, it really is that good and I’m not at all surprised to see it in the top spot.
We Need to Talk About Kevin US
We Need to Talk About Kevin UK
Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn
Gone Girl takes second place in our list and many of you mentioned her other books too. This is a twisty, turny rollercoaster of a book and you’ll love it or you’ll hate it, but you’re guaranteed a thrilling ride along the way.
The Silence of the Lambs – Thomas Harris
This is one of the rare occasions where the movie popularity way outstripped the books, but many of you said the book is far scarier than the movie could ever portray!
Intensity – Dean Koontz
Dean Koontz got so many mentions in this poll with Whispers, Velocity and others mentioned, but it was Intensity that got the most votes and is fourth place in our list.
The Shining – Stephen King
King is another author with many, many mentions. Thinner, The Dark Half and It were just a handful of the King books mentioned, but The Shining got the most votes and comes in fifth place.
The Girl on the Train – Paula Hawkins
Another modern rollercoaster of a thriller is The Girl on the Train. There seems to be a trend for thrillers with dysfunctional female protagonists recently and both Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train fit well into this group.
And Then There Were None – Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie got a couple of mentioned for different books but it was And Then There Were None that made our list. Originally called Ten Little Indians.
Rebecca – Daphne Du Maurier
The classic tale of suspense and intrugue, Rebecca is a classic but holds its own here against contemporary suspense novels.
In Cold Blood – Truman Capote
Another classic for the list is In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, one of the most revered American authors who can still hold his own in the suspense category today.
Child 44 – Tom Rob Smith
This dark and chilling novel set in Soviet Russia was a huge hit in our reading club last year and it sneaks in taking the final slot in our list.
So if you’re looking for something suspenseful to read this might be the perfect reading list for you.
Do you agree with the selections? Is there anything you’d add? Tell us in the comments.
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10 Little Indians was not the original title of the Agatha Christie book.
Some clarification on this – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/And_Then_There_Were_None
I’m inclined to respectfully disagree. I remember seeing the book in my grandmother’s house when I as young with the title Ten Little Indians. Then again, I might be wrong.
I think that WAS the original name. I first read it in the 1970s (in grade school) and that was the title of my paperback; I am sure of that. I don’t know how far back you can recall?
Alienist by Caleb Carr
It disturbs me to see “In Cold Blood” listed among fiction. This book is about real people in a real town, and some of the people directly affected by the murders are still living. Having their horror story downgraded to a “thriller” seems disrespectful.
It surprised me,too . IN COLD BLOOD…a masterpiece of the genre that all true crime authors that followed tried to emulate…it did not belong on this list.
No where do I see in the favorite psychological thrillers blurb saying they were all fiction. Jan 27, 2017. This in reference to In Cold Blood.
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson is one of the most frightening books I have ever read.
In Cold Blood is indeed about real people and events but the publisher (at least in the US) identifies it as Fiction.
I was surprised to not find You by Caroline Kepnes on the list.
In Cold Blood tells the true story of the murder of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas, in 1959. The book is written as if it were a novel, complete with dialog, and is what Truman Capote referred to as “New Journalism” — the nonfiction novel.
In Cold Blood – Book Summary – Cliffs Notes
You, by Caroline Kepnes is one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read in a long time. I agree that it should have been on this list!
I’m surprise there’s no Sebastian Fitzeck on your most suspense psychological thrillers. He’s definitely one of the best. Read “Therapy” in a day and “Splinter” in two! Highly highly recommended!!!
All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda.
I’m very excited for this list. Intensity is my all time favorite thriller and it seemed very underappreciated for a long time. I’m glad others enjoy it.
This is SUCH A GOOD LIST!!!! Intensity was well named. I read it in 8th grade and I couldn’t put it down. I did not pay any attention in school that day – I sneakily kept reading through every class. Man that book was crazy.
Also thrilled to see Rebecca on here. Great book. Best atmosphere ever.
I don’t like We Need to Talk About Kevin. Or Gone Girl. Both of them are just so very dark and awful. They made me empty and depressed after I read them, whereas Rebecca and Intensity charged me up.