If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers and are looking for more gripping reads like The Game by Anders de la Motte, you’re in for a treat. This genre is filled with suspense, mystery, and mind-bending twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Below, I’ve compiled a list of 19 books that will satisfy your craving for thrilling and captivating stories.
Books Similar to The Game
1. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Stieg Larsson’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a gripping tale of mystery and intrigue. The story follows journalist Mikael Blomkvist and hacker Lisbeth Salander as they unravel the dark secrets of a wealthy family. This book is highly recommended for its complex characters and intricate plot.
2. Gone Girl
Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl is a psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of marriage and deceit. The story centers around the disappearance of Amy Dunne and the subsequent suspicion cast on her husband, Nick. This novel is praised for its unexpected twists and dark, compelling narrative.
3. The Silent Patient
Alex Michaelides’ The Silent Patient tells the story of Alicia Berenson, a famous painter who becomes mute after being accused of murdering her husband. Psychotherapist Theo Faber is determined to get her to speak and uncover the truth. This book is recommended for its suspenseful plot and psychological depth.
4. Before I Go to Sleep
S.J. Watson’s Before I Go to Sleep follows Christine Lucas, who loses her memory every day when she falls asleep. With the help of a journal, she starts piecing together her past and uncovering disturbing truths. This novel is a must-read for its unique premise and intense suspense.
5. The Woman in the Window
A.J. Finn’s The Woman in the Window is a psychological thriller about Anna Fox, an agoraphobic woman who believes she has witnessed a crime in her neighbor’s house. This book is highly recommended for its Hitchcockian suspense and unexpected twists.
6. Sharp Objects
Gillian Flynn’s Sharp Objects follows journalist Camille Preaker as she returns to her hometown to cover the murder of two young girls. As she investigates, she is forced to confront her own traumatic past. This novel is praised for its dark, atmospheric storytelling and complex characters.
7. Big Little Lies
Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies weaves together the lives of three women who become entangled in a murder investigation. The book explores themes of domestic violence, friendship, and secrets. This novel is recommended for its compelling characters and intricate plot.
8. The Couple Next Door
Shari Lapena’s The Couple Next Door is a fast-paced thriller about a couple whose baby goes missing while they are at a dinner party next door. As the investigation unfolds, secrets and lies are revealed. This book is a page-turner with plenty of suspense and twists.
9. The Girl on the Train
Paula Hawkins’ The Girl on the Train follows Rachel, an alcoholic who becomes entangled in a missing person’s investigation after witnessing something suspicious from her daily train ride. This novel is recommended for its unreliable narrator and gripping plot.
10. The Wife Between Us
Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen’s The Wife Between Us is a twisty psychological thriller about a woman who seems obsessed with her ex-husband’s new fiancée. This book is praised for its unexpected twists and complex narrative structure.
11. Behind Closed Doors
B.A. Paris’ Behind Closed Doors tells the story of Jack and Grace, a seemingly perfect couple with a dark secret. This novel is recommended for its chilling depiction of domestic abuse and its suspenseful, fast-paced plot.
12. The Girl Before
J.P. Delaney’s The Girl Before follows two women, Emma and Jane, who live in a mysterious, minimalist house designed by an enigmatic architect. As Jane uncovers the truth about Emma’s fate, she realizes she may be in danger. This book is recommended for its intriguing premise and psychological tension.
13. The Last Mrs. Parrish
Liv Constantine’s The Last Mrs. Parrish is a psychological thriller about a woman who infiltrates the life of a wealthy couple with the intention of taking over the wife’s place. This novel is praised for its clever plot and unexpected twists.
14. The Perfect Nanny
Leïla Slimani’s The Perfect Nanny tells the story of a seemingly perfect nanny who commits a horrifying crime. This book is recommended for its chilling exploration of domestic life and its haunting, suspenseful narrative.
15. The Breakdown
B.A. Paris’ The Breakdown follows Cass, a woman who becomes increasingly paranoid after witnessing a car breakdown on a deserted road and later learning the driver was murdered. This novel is recommended for its psychological tension and fast-paced plot.
16. The Secret History
Donna Tartt’s The Secret History is a psychological thriller about a group of college students who become involved in a murder. This book is praised for its literary style, complex characters, and gripping narrative.
17. The Kind Worth Killing
Peter Swanson’s The Kind Worth Killing is a modern take on Strangers on a Train, where two people meet on a flight and agree to kill each other’s problems. This novel is recommended for its clever plot and unexpected twists.
18. The Lying Game
Ruth Ware’s The Lying Game follows four friends who are bound by a dark secret from their past. When a body is discovered, their lives are thrown into turmoil. This book is recommended for its atmospheric setting and suspenseful plot.
19. The Girl Who Lived
Christopher Greyson’s The Girl Who Lived tells the story of Faith, the sole survivor of a brutal crime, who becomes obsessed with finding the killer. This novel is praised for its fast-paced narrative and psychological depth.