In my opinion, 'We Need to Talk About Kevin' is also very popular. It focuses on the relationship between a mother and her son who has committed a heinous crime. It explores the mother's guilt, denial, and the psychological makeup of the son in a way that makes you think deeply about nature vs. nurture and family relationships.
Another good one is 'The Girl on the Train'. The unreliable narrator adds to the psychological tension. It's about a woman who gets involved in a mystery while observing people from the train, and as you read, you start to question what's real and what's not.
One of the best is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. The story is full of twists and turns as it delves into the complex relationship between a husband and wife. Another great one is 'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins. It keeps you on the edge of your seat with its unreliable narrator. And 'Sharp Objects' by Gillian Flynn is also excellent, exploring dark family secrets and psychological trauma.
Good psychological thrillers often have unreliable narrators. For example, in 'The Girl on the Train', the narrator's memory and perception are so unreliable that it keeps the reader constantly guessing. Another characteristic is a sense of unease. In 'Gone Girl', the deteriorating relationship between the two main characters creates a very uneasy atmosphere. They also usually have complex characters with deep - seated issues, like in 'Sharp Objects' where the protagonist has her own set of traumas.
Well, 'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins is a great classic psychological thriller novel. It's told from the perspective of an unreliable narrator, which adds to the mystery and psychological intrigue. 'Misery' by Stephen King is also a classic. The psychological torment that the main character endures at the hands of his 'number one fan' is truly nerve - wracking. And 'The Talented Mr. Ripley' by Patricia Highsmith is a classic that explores the dark side of envy and identity through the character of Tom Ripley.
One of the best is 'Psycho' by Robert Bloch. It's a classic that really gets into the mind of a disturbed character. The story builds an intense sense of unease.
Patricia Highsmith. Her 'The Talented Mr. Ripley' is a classic psychological thriller. Highsmith is masterful at exploring the psyche of her characters, especially the dark and complex nature of Tom Ripley as he weaves his web of lies and deception.
Isolated locations are great. Think of a big, old, creaky mansion in the middle of nowhere. It adds an air of mystery and unease, like in 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier. The large, empty rooms and the sense of being cut off from the outside world heighten the psychological tension.
Well, 'We Need to Talk About Kevin' by Lionel Shriver is a powerful psychological thriller. It explores the relationship between a mother and her son who has committed a heinous crime. 'The Kind Worth Killing' by Peter Swanson is a great read too. It involves a chance encounter on a plane that leads to a dark and devious plot. 'You' by Caroline Kepnes is also a very popular psychological thriller. It's about a man who becomes obsessed with a woman and will do anything to be with her, told from his very disturbing point of view.
For beginners, 'The Girl on the Train' is a great start. It has a simple enough plot to follow, but still has that element of psychological mystery. The main character's unreliable narration makes it exciting. Another good one is 'Before I Go to Sleep'. It's easy to get into and the concept of the main character losing her memory every day is very engaging.