When I say I couldn't put down [1] The Wife Upstairs [2] by Rachel Hawkins, I mean that I read it on my lunch break, while working out, instead of sleeping. It is seriously that good. If you also sped through the twisted love story [3] too fast, then you are probably feeling a little lost (why do good books always end too soon?). If you need more psychological thrillers [4] in your life — um, duh! — then I've rounded up some of my favourites in the slides ahead. Note: don't read before bed if you plan on getting any sleep.
Jane Eyre
Because The Wife Upstairs was inspired by Jane Eyre [5], now is a good time to re-read this Charlotte Bronte classic. Jane Eyre may have a plain appearance, but she is filled with spirit, wit, and courage despite her upbringing by her cruel aunt, Mrs. Reed. When she becomes the governess to the daughter of the mysterious Mr. Rochester at Thornfield, she secretly falls in love. But when a mysterious fire starts and a man shows up claiming to be the brother of Mr. Rochester's first wife, Jane realises things aren't exactly what they seem.
Too Good to be True
When Burke proposes to Skye, she thinks her dreams have come true — this handsome older man has always been kind and supportive of the OCD that she developed at age 11 after her mom's death. But Burke's letters to his therapist reveal a different story, showcasing a manipulative plan to hurt Skye in ways she couldn't imagine. Interspersed throughout the book is a third perspective, a girl named Heather set 30 years earlier, who wants to end things with local bad boy Burke to create a better life for herself. Too Good to be True [6] by Carola Lovering will have you questioning everything until the very end.
The Eighth Girl
The Eighth Girl [7] is about the beautiful Alexa Wú, a brilliant woman whose life is controlled by a series of alternate personalities. When Alexa's friend Ella gets a job at a high-end gentleman's club, she catches the attention of its owner and is drawn into his inner circle. She soon finds herself keeping a nightmarish secret in London's cruel underbelly, where she struggles to figure out how she can use her multiple personalities as an asset or if they will become her most dangerous obstacle. This book by Maxine Mei-Fung Chung is an addictive read that you won't want to put down!
The Other Mrs.
When Sadie and Will Foust move their family to an idyllic small-town Maine, everything seems great. Until their neighbour Morgan Baines is found dead in her home. Sadie is determined to figure out what happened, as everyone's eyes turn to her. But while she's struggling to discover what happened, she's also hiding something that she can't let anyone find out. The Other Mrs. [8] by Mary Kubica is full of surprises at every turn.
Murder in G Major
Settle in with the delightful mystery Murder in G Major [9] by Alexia Gordon. This story follows Gethsemane Brown, a classical musician who accepts a job turning rowdy schoolboys into an award-winning orchestra on the Irish countryside. The best part is it comes with access to a beautiful cliffside cottage. But quickly, Gethsemane realises she doesn't live there alone. The ghost of the cottage's murdered owner haunts the place, begging Gethsemane to clear his name by finding the real killer, so he can rest in peace. This cosy mystery is the perfect light read.
The Wives
No marriage is perfect, but Tarryn Fisher's novel, The Wives [10], explores a domestic situation that is far from the usual. Thursday knows that she shares her husband, Seth, with two other women — Monday and Tuesday — but she's never met them and knows it's best not to ask about them. Everything is OK, until she finds a paper with Monday's real name and address. She can't resist finding out more about this mystery woman, and his first wife, Tuesday, but the more she learns, and the more disturbing details are uncovered, Thursday realises the real reason why Seth didn't want the women to meet.
His & Hers
They can't both be telling the truth, but who do you believe? In Alice Feeney's His & Hers, [11] each chapter delves into a different perspective. One is newsreader Anna Andrews, who is reluctant to cover the murder of a woman in Blackdown. The other is Detective Jack Harper, who is closer to the case than anyone knows yet. The two don't trust each other, and readers don't know who to believe!
Winter Counts
When crimes go unnoticed on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota, people hire Virgil Wounded Horse enact his own justice. Lately, heroin has made its way onto the reservation, and Virgil's nephew is caught up in the dangerous substance. With the help of his ex-girlfriend, Virgil sets out to put a stop to the drugs once and for all. Unfortunately, the deeper he gets, the more personal this case becomes — Virgil must face his demons, reclaim his Native American identity, and figure out a way to save his family and reservation before it's too late. Winter Counts [12] by David Heska Wanbli Weiden is a wild ride that will put you on edge!
Pretty Little Wife
Darby Kane's debut novel, Pretty Little Wife, [13] takes place in a small college town, where a student mysteriously vanished months ago. Now, Lila Ridgefield's husband, Aaron, is also missing, and the police discover another disappearance a few years back. Are these just all horrible coincidences or is something more sinister going on? Lila is more confused than anyone else about her missing husband — she was the last one to see his body and now it's gone!
My Husband’s Wife
My Husband's Wife [14] follows the story of Lily, a young lawyer, who marries Ed and is determined to make a fresh start and leave her secrets in the past. But when she takes on her first murder case and meets convicted murderer Joe, she is surprised how much she is drawn to him. Lily isn't the only one with secrets. Her 9-year-old neighbour knows secrets are powerful, and when she shows up 12 years later on Lily's doorstep, she sets off a chain of events that can have no good outcome. Jane Corry's thriller is the perfect twisty mystery.
The Wife Between Us
Despite what you might have thought you read, The Wife Between Us [15] is not what you expect. At first, you might think you're reading about a jealous ex-wife, obsessed with her replacement — the beautiful younger woman set to marry the man they both love. But Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen's novel isn't what it seems. Despite knowing its full of twists and expecting the unexpected, this book still had me completely surprised. Add this to the top of your TBR pile!
The Whispering House
The Gothic thriller, The Whispering House, [16] is enchanting and mysterious. The story is about Freya Lyell, who struggles to move on after her sister, Stella, died five years earlier. When she attends a wedding near the tragedy, she wanders into the captivating Bryne Hall and finds a portrait of her sister hanging on the wall. She is drawn in by Cory, an artist, and his sinister mother, who own the house, but end up feeling anxious and paranoid as her relationship deepens and Cory becomes obsessive and strange — and she still can't stop thinking about how Stella may have been connected to Bryne Hall.
Watching You
Set in the nice neighbourhood of Melville Heights in Bristol, England, Watching You [17] by Lisa Jewell will be your new favourite book. Tom Fitzwilliam is a beloved headmaster of a local school, who is the object of neighbour Joey Mullen's infatuation. Tom's husband, Freddie, is a prodigy who hopes to become a spy one day and practices by watching people in the neighbourhood, including Joey. One of Tom's students, Jenna Tripp, also lives on the same street, but she believes her teacher is involved in something untoward — especially because he seems to really like her best friend and classmate. Meanwhile, Jenna's mother is convinced Mr. Fitzwilliam is stalking her, but since her mental health has been declining, no one believes her.
Mexican Gothic
Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Mexican Gothic [18] is a Gothic horror set in 1950s Mexico. After Noemí Taboada receives a frantic letter from her newly wed cousin begging someone to save her from a mysterious doom, she visits the isolated mansion, High Place, in the Mexican countryside. Noemí is a glamorous debutante, with chic gowns and perfect red lipstick, who is smart and unafraid of her cousin's menacing husband, or the family's patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noemí. She is mesmerised by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place, haunted by visions of blood and fascinated by the secrets the walls hold.
The Other Woman
When you marry a man, you get his whole family . . . for better or worse. Emily and Adam adore each other, but Adam's mother Pammie seems to have it out for Emily. She acts increasingly awful to get them to break up before the wedding, making Emily feel crazy with the passive aggressive behaviour that Adam refuses to see. The Other Woman [19] by Sadie Jones is a twisty suspense that will have you hooked from page one.
Before She Knew Him
What would you do if a killer lived next door? Before She Knew Him [20] by Peter Swanson is a spine-tingling tale of Hen and her husband, Lloyd, who have settled into their new house outside of Boston. Hen is an illustrator who's finally found the right medicine to control bipolar disorder, and everything is calm at home until they meet the next-door neighbours. She spots a familiar object on the husband's office shelf — the sports trophy that looks like one that went missing from a man who was killed years ago. She is trying to move past her obsession with the case, but she worries that her neighbour is a serial killer. She doesn't know who to trust…and nobody seems to believe her.
Dead to Her
After Marcie's affair with Jason Maddox landed her a spot in the elite corner of Savannah, Georgia, she is holding on tight to this world that she will never fully be a part of. But when Jason's boss brings back his new wife, Keisha, nobody can take their eyes off this young, attractive woman, including Jason. Marcie will do anything to protect herself — no matter who gets hurt in the process. Sarah Pinborough's Dead to Her [21] is a compulsive read that is so good, you won't know who to cheer for.
Verity
At first, it's just a job to Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin. When Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, asks Lowen to complete the remaining books in a contract his permanently injured wife can't write, Lowen agrees. She visits the home to collect some notes and outlines, but she ends up drawn to Jeremy. While in the home, she finds an autobiography written by Verity, in which she admits a terrible truth that would hurt Jeremy if he knew. The longer Verity spends time with Jeremy, the more she wonders what would happen if he did know . . . and what that would mean for their relationship. Verity [22] by Colleen Hoover is low-key terrifying.
Little Secrets
Marin and Derek have the perfect life; they're business owners, college sweethearts, and have a beautiful son together in Jennifer Hillier's novel, Little Secrets. [23] But when their son, Sebastian, is kidnapped, their whole world turns upside down. One year later, there is still no trace of their son, so Marin takes matters into her own hands and hires a private investigator for help. She wasn't expecting that P.I. to uncover that Derek is having an affair with a younger woman, and she is determined to save her marriage, permanently.
When No One is Watching
Step into the terrifying world of When No One is Watching [24] by Alyssa Cole. Brooklyn native Sydney Green's neighbourhood is constantly changing — condos are sprouting up, For Sale signs are popping up, her lifelong neighbours are suddenly disappearing. She is frustrated but soon finds an unlikely ally in her new neighbour, Theo. But as they learn more, Sydney starts to realise her neighbours may not have actually moved to the suburbs. As the duo dives into conspiracies and coincidences, they have to figure out who they can trust and what to do, before they also disappear.