Looking for your next shadowy binge on the Kindle store? These ten tense, unsettling thrillers dive into the darkest corners of the human mind—from fractured relationships and buried secrets to high-stakes survival. They’re perfect for fans of Estranged who crave suspense that lingers long after the final page. Expect unreliable narrators, twisted emotions, and that thrilling dread that keeps you reading all night.
1. Estranged by Philip Anthony Smith
Estranged hooks you from the very first page and never lets go, weaving a claustrophobic tale of family trauma, trust, and devastating secrets. When a long-absent mother returns, a seemingly stable family is forced to reckon with the lies they’ve built their lives upon. Smith’s characters are raw and real, every interaction loaded with tension and emotional risk. The writing is taut and cinematic, with scenes that pulse with dread yet remain hauntingly relatable. Fans of domestic suspense will appreciate the way the narrative explores the wounds and resentments that bubble just beneath the surface of ordinary life. As relationships fracture and alliances shift, the sense of danger mounts, leading to a final reveal that is as shocking as it is inevitable. If you crave psychological thrillers where every chapter asks you to question who you trust, Estranged is the perfect next read.
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2. The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
Rachel Hawkins delivers a brilliant, Southern gothic twist on the classic Jane Eyre, filled with sly humour and a devilish sense of suspense. The story follows a clever, down-on-her-luck dog walker who finds herself drawn into the glittering world of Thornfield Estates—where the houses are immaculate and every neighbour is hiding something. As she grows closer to the enigmatic, wealthy widower in town, the shadows of the past begin to creep in, and the question of who can be trusted takes centre stage. Hawkins excels at creating tension through unreliable characters, simmering secrets, and a constant sense of danger behind every polite conversation. With its blend of domestic drama, sly social commentary, and heart-stopping plot twists, The Wife Upstairs is an absolute must-read for anyone who loves their thrillers stylish, sharp, and brimming with dark intrigue.
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3. The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy
The Perfect Mother is a gripping, intricately plotted thriller that exposes the hidden fears and fierce loyalties of motherhood. When a baby vanishes from a Brooklyn apartment, a group of new mothers—dubbed the May Mothers—find themselves the focus of a media frenzy and a police investigation. Molloy’s novel masterfully captures the pressure and paranoia that mounts when friendships are tested and secrets start to emerge. Each woman’s perspective brings something new to the table, creating an ensemble cast of vivid, flawed, and utterly compelling characters. The story ratchets up the suspense with every chapter, keeping you guessing about who to trust and what’s really at stake. With its sharp social observations and relentless pace, The Perfect Mother will appeal to anyone who loves psychological suspense that blurs the line between the ordinary and the terrifyingly possible.
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4. The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth
The Good Sister is a powerful, quietly devastating tale about family, trauma, and the blurred lines between love and obligation. Hepworth excels at creating multi-dimensional characters—in this case, Fern and Rose, two sisters bound together by a complicated past. The novel alternates perspectives, drawing readers deep into the world of neurodivergence, secrets, and everyday moral dilemmas. Hepworth’s ability to keep you second-guessing motivations and alliances makes this book a standout in the genre. The story’s emotional weight is matched only by its sense of creeping unease, as the sisters’ bond is tested by external threats and buried memories. If you enjoy character-driven thrillers that still pack a punch of suspense and a genuinely surprising twist, The Good Sister is a must-read that lingers long after the last page.
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5. The Girl in Cabin 13 by A.J. Rivers
Fans of chilling rural mysteries will be utterly gripped by The Girl in Cabin 13. When former FBI agent Emma Griffin retreats to a remote cabin, she hopes to find peace—but instead, she’s drawn into a sinister series of disappearances that force her to confront both her past and a community riddled with secrets. Rivers crafts an immersive setting where nature is both beautiful and terrifying, with every creak in the night raising the stakes. The procedural elements add depth without ever losing sight of the emotional heart of the story. There’s a perfect blend of atmospheric suspense, forensic intrigue, and genuinely shocking twists that make this one hard to put down. If you love thrillers that transport you to isolated places where no one is what they seem, The Girl in Cabin 13 is a haunting, compulsive page-turner.
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6. The Other Daughter by Shari Lapena
Shari Lapena’s The Other Daughter is an intense, emotionally charged thriller that takes the idea of “family secrets” to chilling new heights. When a young woman uncovers the truth about her identity, the revelation sends shockwaves through her family and turns her world upside down. Lapena’s writing is crisp and compulsive, with a masterful control of pacing that keeps the suspense simmering on every page. As the layers of deception peel away, the reader is forced to confront the unsettling question of how much we really know about the people closest to us. The character dynamics are fraught and believable, and Lapena’s talent for psychological tension makes every chapter fly by. If you enjoy books that blend emotional stakes with dark, twisting plots, you’ll be hooked by The Other Daughter from the very first page.
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7. The Girl Across the Street by Vikki Patis
The Girl Across the Street is a powerful exploration of trauma, recovery, and the dangers that can lurk behind even the most ordinary doors. Patis draws the reader into a suburban world where new friendships quickly become complicated and old scars resurface. The emotional stakes are high, and Patis does a brilliant job of showing how quickly trust can fray in the face of suspicion and fear. The pacing is measured yet gripping, gradually revealing secrets that will keep you turning the pages late into the night. With its focus on female friendships, community, and the psychological weight of the past, this is a domestic thriller that feels both relatable and utterly suspenseful. If you’re a fan of slow-burn thrillers that build tension with every chapter, you’ll love The Girl Across the Street.
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8. Lies We Bury by Elle Marr
Lies We Bury is an atmospheric, heart-wrenching psychological thriller that explores the haunting power of memory and the resilience required to confront a traumatic past. Marissa, a survivor of childhood abduction, is trying to build a new life when disturbing events force her to question everything she thought she escaped. Marr’s prose is evocative and richly layered, expertly capturing the protagonist’s anxiety and vulnerability as she navigates between past and present. The book’s dual timelines enhance the suspense, while the slow drip of clues and false leads keeps the reader hooked until the last page. For fans of dark, emotionally charged thrillers with a strong sense of place and a relentless focus on the psychological impact of crime, Lies We Bury is a compelling and deeply satisfying read that lingers in the mind long after you finish.
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9. The Girl Beneath the Sea by Andrew Mayne
Andrew Mayne takes readers on an adrenaline-charged dive into the dark undercurrents of crime and conspiracy in The Girl Beneath the Sea. When police diver Sloan McPherson discovers a body underwater, she’s swept into a vortex of secrets and danger that grows deeper with every clue. Mayne’s expertise in forensics and investigation lends authenticity and richness to the plot, while the Florida setting adds a unique sense of atmosphere. The narrative’s brisk pace and nail-biting action are perfectly balanced with moments of introspection and character growth. If you love thrillers where the setting becomes a character in its own right—and enjoy stories where every new discovery raises the stakes—The Girl Beneath the Sea is a suspenseful, pulse-pounding read that will keep you submerged until the very last page.
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10. The Locked Door by Freida McFadden
Freida McFadden’s The Locked Door is a tense, psychologically rich thriller with a premise that hooks you from the start: a respected surgeon hiding the dark truth that her father was a notorious serial killer. When a copycat murder shakes her world, she’s forced to confront her past and the secrets she thought she’d buried forever. McFadden expertly blends taut plotting with character-driven suspense, ensuring the reader is never quite sure who to trust. The sense of dread and mounting paranoia is palpable, building relentlessly towards a breathless, jaw-dropping climax. If you’re captivated by thrillers that explore inherited darkness, identity, and the danger of secrets left unspoken, The Locked Door deserves a place on your TBR pile. It’s twisty, compulsively readable, and perfect for fans of psychological suspense.
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Have you dipped into a dark psychological thriller lately? Which one kept you up last night—or is there a hidden gem I’ve missed? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. And don’t forget: Thriller Thursday brings fresh suspense, exclusive author insights, and new releases—so do subscribe! If you’re keen to explore more dark fiction, check out my full booklist.
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