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10 Books Like Estranged by Philip Anthony Smith
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If you’ve just turned the final page of Estranged and are still feeling that aftershock of suspense, you’re not alone. There’s something about the blend of dark family secrets, emotional stakes, and relentless twists that lingers long after the last chapter. The best psychological thrillers make us question what we’d do in the face of betrayal, how far we’d go to protect those we love, and whether we can ever truly escape the shadows of the past. Whether you tore through Estranged in a weekend or savoured it slowly, chances are you’re already craving another story that grips you, unsettles you, and leaves you with that delicious sense of unease.
That’s why I’ve curated this list of ten exceptional psychological thrillers—each one packed with the suspense, emotional complexity, and mind-bending reveals that fans of Estranged adore. From missing persons and fractured marriages to sinister neighbourhoods and secrets buried deep, these novels are perfect for anyone who loves losing themselves in dark, twisty fiction. Ready for your next obsession? Start here.
1. Estranged by Philip Anthony Smith
When a long-lost mother returns, a seemingly stable family unravels, revealing hidden resentments, lies, and secrets that could destroy them all. This emotionally charged drama hits hard with its exploration of strained familial bonds and shifting loyalties, all wrapped in a taut, cinematic narrative style. If you’ve been drawn to domestic suspense, broken relationships clawing back to the surface, and a final reveal that makes your heart race, Estranged is the perfect next read.
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2. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
A live-in maid thinks she’s found her escape—until the mansion becomes her prison. Every rule feels like a trap, every shift in tone sends shivers, and Millie’s growing suspicion of those around her will keep you reading past midnight. McFadden, who’s also a doctor, captures the suffocating feeling of powerless paranoia within halls full of secrets. If you love gothic atmospheres, downward spirals, and the unnerving realisation that home might be the scariest place, this is your read.
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3. The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen
This is the kind of psychological puzzle that unfolds in layers: ex-wives, new fiancées, and an obsession that twists perceptions. Just when you think you’ve figured out the story, Hendricks and Pekkanen pull the rug from under your feet. With shifting perspectives and chapters that reframe what came before, this delivers relentless suspense in relationships—prime reading for lovers of emotional manipulation and fractured trust.
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4. The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
Libby inherits a mansion in Chelsea and steps into an unsettling legacy: missing people, cult whispers, and walls that hold memories no one wants revealed. Jewell delivers a haunting ride with parallel timelines peeling back familial trauma and buried truths. You’ll find yourself mesmerised by the house’s hidden past and the broken people tied to it. Ideal for readers who relish eerie settings and secrets that span generations.
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5. Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
In a town where everyone knows everyone, two women vanish—one of them a neighbour—plunging the community into fear. Kubica’s strengths lie in her shifting viewpoints, revealing how suspicion swirls and hidden alliances crumble. Each strand of this multi-perspective tale pulls you deeper into questions of loyalty, guilt, and what people conceal. For readers who loved the emotional puzzle of Estranged, this novel offers a powerful payoff wrapped in a twisty mystery.
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6. The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth
Tensions run high when Diana dies under suspicious circumstances—and everyone close to her carries secrets. Hepworth alternates between past and present, unearthing the simmering resentments festering in a household that looks perfect at first glance. It’s an intimate, character-rich study of loyalty and deception, perfect for readers who savour emotional unraveling and fractured family bonds.
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7. The Girl Across the Street by Vikki Patis
When a suburban friendship blossoms, old wounds resurface—and not everyone is who they appear. This novel explores the emotional aftermath of trauma and how fragile trust can be. With each conversation, Patis injects tension into the everyday, making quiet towns feel anything but innocent. If you’re drawn to domestic suspense and dark secrets living just next door, this one is hauntingly relatable.
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8. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
A celebrated painter shoots her husband, then refuses to speak a word. Her silence becomes a wall, and the psychotherapist obsessed with breaking through it uncovers something sinister. This claustrophobic, intelligent thriller builds tension in every therapy session, twisting quiet revelation into a powerful final blow. If you love mysteries that crack open the psyche, The Silent Patient will linger long after the cover closes.
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9. The Push by Ashley Audrain
Motherhood is at the psychological core of this gripping, emotionally raw novel. When a mother begins to doubt her own instincts—and her child’s behaviour—her fears spiral into something much darker. Audrain deftly explores inherited trauma and self-doubt in haunting prose that refuses to give easy answers. If Estranged hooked you with its emotional pulse, The Push will leave a lingering ache you can’t shake.
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10. The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose
When a respected solicitor finds herself defending her own husband—accused of murdering his mistress—loyalty and truth collide in shocking ways. Rose expertly juggles legal stakes and marital fragility, and her courtroom scenes snap with tension. As secrets unravel, the question becomes: how little do we really know the person we love? If you were gripped by Estranged’s portrayal of a family falling apart, this will completely engross you.
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Have you read any of these? I’d love to know which psychological thriller kept you turning pages late into the night—or if there’s a hidden gem I’ve missed that deserves a spot on this list. Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments: do you have a favourite author, a twist that genuinely shocked you, or a character who stayed with you long after the story ended?
If you’re always on the hunt for your next gripping read, make sure you don’t miss out on Thriller Thursday—my regular newsletter packed with new release news, exclusive author insights, and even more heart-pounding recommendations. For a complete look at my own books and the darkest corners of psychological suspense, you can also explore my full booklist here.
Happy reading—and may your next thriller keep you guessing until the very last page.
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