Are you a fan of Agatha Christie-style mystery novels with intricate plots and unexpected twists? If you loved “The Guest List” by Lucy Foley, here are 20 more books like it that you’ll find yourself unable to put down. From psychological thrillers to classic whodunits, these page-turners will have you guessing the perpetrator’s identity until the very end.
“The Silent Patient” is a popular psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the end.
When renowned artist Alicia Berenson is accused of murdering her husband, she refuses to speak a word. Enter psychotherapist Theo Faber, who is determined to unravel the mystery of what happened on the night of the murder.
Readers will realize just how important perspective is as they travel through Alicia Berenson’s life, where even the most unassuming people threaten to turn her world upside-down.
The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley
If you loved “The Guest List,” you’ll definitely want to check out Lucy Foley’s other book,“The Hunting Party.” In this atmospheric thriller, a group of seven friends gather in a remote hunting lodge for New Year’s Eve. But as tensions rise and secrets are revealed, one of them unexpectedly ends up dead on New Year’s Eve.
This page-turning thriller is sure to keep you on the toes; with now six lives remaining and five of them at risk from the concealed cold-blooded murderer, the group struggles to discover: who’s the killer.
The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
“The Family Upstairs“ is a gripping novel about a wealthy family with a dark past, with a binge-able writing style, three alternating narrators, and a sociopath added to the chaotic brew.
All is not as it seems, and when a young woman inherits a dilapidated mansion, she discovers the shocking truth about her own family history and the terrible secrets that have been buried for decades.
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
The novel, “The Girl on the Train,” is a thrilling story about a recovering alcoholic woman named Rachel who unwittingly becomes entangled in a missing persons case.
As she becomes more obsessed with the case, she begins to uncover dangerous secrets about those involved.
Will Rachel be able to overcome her past grudges and unreliable memory to discover what truly lies at the heart of the mystery?
This book garnered rave reviews when it came out, and although many critics sing its praises, some do not award it with favorable analyses. There’s only one way to know, and it’s undeniable that this book is worth a read.
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
In “The Woman in Cabin 10,” travel journalist Lo Blacklock is on assignment on a luxury cruise ship when she witnesses a woman being thrown overboard. But when she reports the incident, no one believes her. As she strives to uncover the truth, she realizes that her own life is in danger.
Will Lo follow her conscience and strive to see justice delivered? Or will she step back from the threshold, fearing her life is on the line?
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
“The Couple Next Door“ is a psychological thriller about a young couple whose baby goes missing while they’re attending a dinner party next door. As they struggle to unravel the mystery of what happened, they discover that everyone has secrets – including themselves.
This rollercoaster ride of hidden betrayals, nerve-racking realities and skeletons in the closet is sure to have you turning pages till you unravel the heart of the mystery.
The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison
“The Silent Wife is a dark and twisted novel about a couple whose seemingly perfect life begins to unravel. As their marriage disintegrates, secrets are revealed, and the stakes get higher and higher.
When the cracks in their relationship run deeper and deeper, Jodie’s driven to the worst last resort to fix her relationship with her husband: murder.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
“The Secret History is a prominent modern classic about a clique of college students who become embroiled in a murder. As they try to cover up their involvement, their guilt and paranoia threaten to consume them and turn their world upside down.
If you’re looking for an intellectually stimulating novel that stands out from the crowd with its unconventional themes, this book will surely pique your interest.
The Snowman by Jo Nesbø
“The Snowman is a chilling thriller about a serial killer who leaves a snowman at each crime scene. As detective Harry Hole investigates the case, he begins to realize that the killer is always one step ahead of him.
The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
“The Talented Mr Ripley” is a classic psychological thriller about a charming and sociopathic con artist. When he is sent to Italy to retrieve a wealthy man’s son, things turn awry as he becomes obsessed with the man’s life and sets out to steal it for himself.
Will Tom be able to suppress his inferiority complex and adolescent traumas and resist committing the most heinous act possible?
The Death of Mrs Westaway by Ruth Ware
“The Death of Mrs Westaway” is a fascinating read. A young woman named Hal receives a letter informing her of a large inheritance from a grandmother she never even knew she had. But as she travels to the family estate to claim her fortune, she realizes that something isn’t quite right.
The Whisper Man by Alex North
“The Whisper Man” is a dark, chilling, and haunting novel guaranteed to leave its mark on you about a small town plagued by a serial killer who whispers to his victims.
“Magpie Murders is a cleverly crafted whodunit about a detective who must solve a murder mystery embedded within a murder mystery.
As he reads the manuscript of a bestselling author’s latest novel, he’s shocked to stumble upon the revelation that the clues to a real-life murder are hidden right within its pages. And they very well may lead him to the killer.
The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain
“The Silent Sister” is a gripping novel about a woman named Riley who returns to her childhood home to uncover the truth about her family’s past. As she digs deeper, she discovers shocking secrets that have been buried for years.
The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith (a.k.a. J.K. Rowling)
“The Cuckoo’s Calling”is a detective novel about a war veteran turned private investigator named Cormoran Strike, who is hired to investigate the death of a supermodel.
As he delves deeper and deeper into the case, he realizes that there are many people who would benefit from her death, and what previously appeared to be suicide now looks to be a cold-blooded murder.
Will Strike be able to entangle himself with the dark and dangerous world of modeling and come out of it unscathed?
The novel has found immense success and is now available as a popular series, following the chronicles of the private investigator, Strike,
The Lying Game by Ruth Ware
“The Lying Game” is a classic suspenseful novel about a group of friends who reunite after years of being apart to confront an ugly secret from their past that has not ceased to haunt them.
As they try to keep their lies from unraveling, they become embroiled in a dangerous game of deceit and betrayal where the stakes are ever-high.
The Lying Game has garnered much praise with a powerful plot that’s guaranteed to keep you reading long after the lights are out!
Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson
In “Before I Go to Sleep,” the author presents a fascinating story of a troubled woman who, despite her unique challenges, is forced to grapple with a dark reality of her life.
This thrilling novel follows the main protagonist named, Christine, who wakes up every morning with no memory of her past.
As she attempts to piece together her life, she realizes that her husband may not be telling her the whole truth. Will she be able to survive the choppy waters she’s forced to navigate, or will she drown in the secrets of the past?
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
“Gone Girl, now a critically acclaimed film starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike, is a psychological thriller about a woman named Amy who goes missing on her fifth wedding anniversary.
As her husband becomes the prime suspect, he makes startling discoveries about their relationship. The saying ‘nothing is ever as it seems’ rings true as Nick Dunne struggles to escape the media’s spotlight as he uncovers sinister truths and concealed betrayals.
The story takes unexpected twists and turns that are guaranteed to leave you on the edge of your seat.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” — a bestselling novel and highly acclaimed work in its own right about a journalist named Mikael Blomkvist who teams up with a troubled young hacker named Lisbeth Salander to solve a decades-old mystery.
This novel is well-decorated and has established the late Stieg Larsson as a master of weaving suspenseful, intricate stories with celebrated protagonists Mikael and Lisbeth.
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
In “Dark Places,”a troubled woman named Libby Day is forced to confront the traumatic events of her childhood when she is contacted by a group of amateur investigators who believe her brother is innocent of the murders he was convicted of.
Will Libby be able to persevere through the dark realities of life without breaking apart? Or will the contagious miseries of the past drag her under?
Final Thoughts
We hope this list helps you decide on what your next pick should be for a good crime thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Whichever genre of fiction you prefer, we’re optimistic any book out of this list will provide you with a rollercoaster experience with an incredible twist that will leave you shocked.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ‘The Guest List’ about?
‘The Guest List’ is a crime thriller about a group of guests who gather on a remote island far off the coast of Ireland for a luxurious wedding celebration. When they discover that one of them is found dead, the others must figure out who among them is the killer.
Is there a sequel to ‘The Guest List’?
Yes. Fans of this book will be glad to know that the author, Lucy Foley, released a sequel this past year (2022) — ‘The Paris Apartment’. It’s available in bookstores now.
Who is the best author of thrillers?
Historically, Agatha Christie has held the title undisputedly; however, top contemporary writers of this genre would include Stephen King, James Patterson, and Gillian Flynn.
Do you need to read ‘The Hunting Party’ before ‘The Guest List’?
No. In fact, both books are completely unrelated, with different plots and characters.
What is the difference between a Psychological Thriller and a Crime Thriller?
Psychological thrillers combine psychological fiction and thriller. They usually deal with the psychological aspects of stories. Crime thrillers include fast-paced, exciting criminal plots with action.
Is reading Crime Thrillers healthy for your brain?
Yes. They engage your brain to work actively. You try to solve the puzzle out for yourself.
Fatima Ganem was born and raised in the Middle East before moving to San Franscisco with her family. She is an ardent advocate for the empowerment and rights of women, minorities, and marginalized people. Fatima began writing at an early age and continued her love for the written word into her adulthood. Besides writing for RT Book Reviews as a staff writer and editor, Fatima is currently working on her first novel, which explores the lives of two generations of women.
