Books
14 new psychological thrillers for 2024
Who doesn’t love a psychological thriller? Whether it’s a strange family house or an idyllic little town hiding dark secrets, few genres can offer such a thrilling journey into the human psyche. If you’re looking for your next fix, here is our list of the most captivating psychological thrillers that have recently been published.
Best psychological thriller books published in 2024
Someone in the Attic by Andrea Mara
Someone in the Attic by Andrea Mara
Andrea Mara’s latest novel follows Julia and her family, who have moved back to Ireland from San Diego. Although they live in a wealthy, gated community, all is not as it seems, and they suspect someone is secretly living in their attic. Someone in the Attic masterfully builds tension and fear, keeping you on edge as the mystery unfolds. Told through a series of reflections and flashbacks, the story explores themes of paranoia, trust, and the hidden dangers lurking within one’s home, highlighting the unsettling aspects of domestic life.
The Woman on the Ledge by Ruth Mancini
The Woman on the Ledge by Ruth Mancini
At her work Christmas party, Tate meets Helen – a woman standing on the ledge of the office building, contemplating jumping. Tate manages to talk her down but, the next day, she is arrested for her murder. The police believe she’s guilty, as does her own lawyer, and everyone can sense that Tate is keeping a secret. So, what really happened that night, and what else is she hiding? Ruth Mancini’s explosive debut is perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Paula Hawkins and Gillian McAllister.
The Wrong Sister by Claire Douglas
The Wrong Sister by Claire Douglas
Tasha and her husband are on holiday, leaving their children in the care of Tasha’s sister Alice and her husband. But while they’re away, Alice and her husband are attacked; Alice is left in intensive care, her husband is killed, but the children are safe. Tasha rushes home, where she finds a note addressed to her: It was supposed to be you. Long-buried secrets threaten to come to light in this pacy psychological thriller that is equal parts creepy and compelling.
Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra
Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra
A woman is home alone with her two young children when she hears a noise: there’s a man in her house. What follows is a tense, claustrophobic game of hide-and-seek as she fights to protect her children from the strange man at all costs. As his sinister intentions become clear, she realises failure is not an option. This thriller from debut author Tracy Sierra has all the tension of a horror film, and we’d highly recommend it for anyone looking for a thought-provoking page-turner.
The Switch by Lily Samson
The Switch by Lily Samson
Elena and Adam are house-sitting in Wimbledon when they meet their enigmatic new neighbours Sophia and Finn. When Sophia proposes to Elena that they secretly swap partners for the night, it seems like harmless fun. But Elena’s sexual awakening soon blossoms into an illicit love affair and Sophia has her own ulterior motive, with fatal consequences… This shocking, seductive thriller escalates quickly, and is guaranteed to keep you hooked.
Message Deleted by K L Slater
Message Deleted by K L Slater
Saffy receives an SOS text from her best friend Leona…and then it’s deleted. When Saffy arrives at Leona’s house, her friend claims she’s fine. But then she goes missing. This gripping psychological thriller delves into the dark side of social media, as Saffy unravels her friend’s web of lies in her search for the truth. If you enjoy propulsive reads, rich with atmosphere and thought-provoking plots, Message Deleted is one for you.
If You Didn't Kill Her by Annie Taylor
If You Didn’t Kill Her by Annie Taylor
Fifteen years ago, Chelsea was found guilty of a murder she didn’t commit. Following her release, she’s determined to prove her innocence in the death of her college roommate, Isabella. As secrets unravel and new revelations come to light, the situation becomes increasingly dangerous. Simmering with suspense and full of unexpected twists, If You Didn’t Kill Her is a must-read for anyone who loves a gripping, fast-paced thriller.
Keep Your Friends Close by Leah Konen
Keep Your Friends Close by Leah Konen
Mary tells her new friend Willa her darkest secret – and then Willa disappears. Heartbroken and confused, Mary doesn’t know what to think. Then, months later, she sees Willa: in a new town, with a new name, and a new family. Mary knows she can’t trust this woman, but since she knows her darkest secret, she has no choice but to keep her close – or risk losing everything. This clever, well-plotted novel is full of suspense and will keep you guessing until the last page.
The Haven by Fiona Neill
The Haven by Fiona Neill
Teenager Cass wake up with a head injury at an off-grid retreat – with no recollection of how she got there, but with a sense that she has done something wrong. Her memories gradually return to her in flashes: her father’s erratic behaviour, her mother’s pleas that they leave, the charismatic leader with a devout following of girls… But where are they now, and how can Cass escape? With thought-provoking themes and intriguing plot twists, The Haven is a tale about the nature of freedom, and the true meaning of paradise.
New thrillers out in paperback in 2024
The Spare Room by Andrea Bartz
The Spare Room by Andrea Bartz
Suddenly single, Kelly needs a place to live. So, when her old school friend Sabrina offers her a spare room in her mansion, Kelly jumps at the chance. But what starts as friendship becomes something more, as Kelly, Sabrina and her husband get closer. It feels like harmless fun, until Kelly learns she’s not the first guest to stay in the spare room. There was another girl who had the room before her – and she disappeared without a trace. This tense, suspenseful thriller will have you hooked from the first page.
No One Saw A Thing by Andrea Mara
No One Saw A Thing by Andrea Mara
Two children get on the train; only one gets off. Nobody saw it happen and no one seems to have any answers, but mum Sive is convinced that no one is telling her truth, and the longer the search continues, the harder her daughter seems to be to find. A number one bestseller when it first came out, the way Mara builds the suspense makes this one roller-coaster of a ride.
None of This is True by Lisa Jewell
None of This is True by Lisa Jewell
Podcast host Alix first meets fellow mum Josie at the school gates, and it isn’t long before the two of them hit it off. It turns out Josie is a fan of her podcast series, and excitedly suggests herself as a guest. Tentatively, Alix agrees, but digging into Josie’s past will reveal truths Alix can’t even begin to imagine… The bestselling author of The Family Upstairs does not disappoint with her latest novel – it’s nail-bitingly addictive.
The Trap by Catherine Ryan Howard
The Trap by Catherine Ryan Howard
In this unpredictable novel of tension-and-release, a young woman takes a calculated risk and accepts a ride home, in the middle of the night, from a perfect stranger. Is he a kind person helping someone in need, or an absolute monster? If it’s the former, she’ll try again tomorrow; she’s looking for the man who took her sister, and she won’t stop until she’s found the right car. . .
Everyone Here is Lying by Shari Lapena
Everyone Here is Lying by Shari Lapena
A small, supposedly idyllic town can make the perfect setting for a psychological thriller, and the latest novel from Shari Lapena is certainly no exception. Stanhope is full of pretty streets and well-to-do families, but when schoolgirl Avery goes missing – after catching her dad having an affair – it is no longer the safe haven everybody thought it was. As the police scramble to find her, it looks as though Avery’s dad isn’t the only one keeping secrets.
Have you read any of the books above? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…
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I have read most of the books above. I loved the Shari Lapena which I thought one of her best, the Lisa Jewell and the Cara Hunter. I love it when authors write books in different formats like podcasts etc.
The Trap is on my TBR so I look forward to reading it next year.