Books
8 of the most twisted couples in fiction
Who wants to read about a couple who not only has everything, but they’re in a relationship that’s so healthy and functional it makes you want to gag?
No one wants to read about that couple. Not unless it’s all an act, of course. I want to read about couples who are so twisted that I can’t look away and I certainly can’t stop reading.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Our Kind of Cruelty by Araminta Hall
The title is apt – Mike and Verity do have their own brand of cruelty, a game called Crave. It’s fascinating, it’s depraved, and trust me, you don’t want to play. But reading it is so much fun.
Not That I Could Tell by Jessica Strawser
Paul and Kristen have that kind of marriage you envy, or at least you don’t make fun of, right up until Kristen disappears. And that’s just the beginning of this intriguing, thoughtful novel about friendship, neighborhoods, and one very disturbing relationship. Or is there more than one?
Behind Closed Doors by B A Paris
Who doesn’t love Jack and Grace? And just how twisted can a relationship be? B A Paris does a great job answering both of these questions in this terrifying, amazing book.
The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle
Iris and Will are doing just great (!) right up until a plane crashes. Will wasn’t supposed to be on the plane, and yet he is on the flight manifest. So why was Will on that plane? Furthermore, who is Will? Those are questions for Iris to answer, and boy does she.
Tony and Susan by Austin Wright
There’s a lot going on in this novel, which was the basis for the movie Nocturnal Animals with Jake Gyllenhaal, Amy Adams, and Isla Fisher. There’s Susan, who is contacted by her ex-husband, Edward. He has written a novel and Susan reads throughout the book. The story within the story stars Tony, the other title character of the book. Sound confusing? It’s not. It’s riveting.
The Last Mrs Parrish by Liv Constantine
Let’s see, there’s Daphne and Jackson Parrish and there’s also Amber. This book has so many twisted elements, and twisted couples, that you won’t be able to stop reading until you find out how they all end up.
Endless Love by Scott Spencer
This one is a throwback to 1979 and it’s a twisted-relationship classic. David and Jade are the teenage lovers, their relationship is as intense as it gets—but that’s just the first problem. The second is when Jade’s father bans David from his home. Nothing good ever comes from an angry, scorned teenage boy.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Amy and Nick Dunne are the zenith of twisted relationships; this one set a new bar. Enough said.
Who are your favourite twisted couples from fiction? Let us know in the comments below…
Samantha Downing was born in the Bay Area, and currently lives in New Orleans, where she is furiously typing away on her next psychological thriller. My Lovely Wife is her first novel.
Follow Samantha on Twitter.
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You should check out Will Carver’s Good Samaritan, it’s about as twisted as it gets