Gillian Flynn is an American author and screenwriter best known for her psychological thrillers that delve into the darker aspects of human nature. Her most famous works include: “Gone Girl” (2012) which was a bestseller that helped revolutionize and popularize the “domestic thriller” genre.
The story of Gone Girl revolves around the disappearance of Amy Dunne and the media frenzy and suspicions that fall on her husband, Nick.
The book is known for its unreliable narrators, dark twists, and commentary on marriage and identity. It was adapted into a successful 2014 film directed by David Fincher, with Flynn herself writing the screenplay. Gillian Flynn’s work focuses on the lives and psyche of troubled women, psychological manipulation, family secrets, and the dark sides of femininity.
She skilfully blends thriller, mystery, and psychological horror elements in her craft, thereby creating a psychological thriller that emphasizes the twisted corridors of the mind, where reason falters and haunted thoughts come to light.
1. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
A psychological thriller about a woman who becomes entangled in a missing person case through her daily train commute. Twists, unreliable narration, and dark secrets abound.
It follows a 33 year old woman, Rachel Watson who is addicted to alcohol, which stains her relationship with her husband and leads her to lose her job.
Her husband’s new family with wife Anna Boyd and daughter Evie, triggers her self-destructive tendencies. Despite being unemployed, she takes her usual train commute to retain a sense of routine and normalcy.
In her deceptive life, she fantasises about a couple who she christens with the name of “Jason” and “Jess”. One day, Rachel wakes up to find herself injured, devoid of any memory of the previous night and a prime suspect in the case of “Jess” or Megan’s disappearance. What follows is a gripping yet eerie and sinister tale of obsession, passion and violence.
Kirkus Reviews states that the novel, “even the most astute readers will be in for a shock as Hawkins slowly unspools the facts, exposing the harsh realities of love and obsession’s inescapable links to violence.”
2. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
A gothic classic filled with psychological tension, secrets, and a hauntingly strong female presence. The unnamed narrator slowly unravels the disturbing truth about the titular character —her husband’s late first wife.
The novel opens with a premonition, for the narrator to wake up dreaming about her husband’s previously flourishing estate of Manderly.
She had met her husband Maxim de Winter, a year after his first wife had died in a sailing accident. After her marriage, she is introduced to Mrs Danvers, the housekeeper of Manderly and Rebecca’s former lady’s maid. The narrator is underestimated and undermined constantly by the staff at Manderly, who perpetually praise their late mistress, Rebecca by comparing her greatness with the narrator’s mediocrity.
The psychological thriller reveals the narrator’s eventual discovery of the cunning and twisted nature of Rebecca that led everyone around Rebecca to glorify her and place her on a pedestal as the ideal wife and mistress of the grand estate, thereby clinging tightly to the illusion of perfection she so carefully projected.
3. The Girl in Room 105 by Chetan Bhagat
This is the story of a coaching tutor who finds his ex-girlfriend murdered on her birthday.
It is increasingly permeated by a heightened sense of unease and dread. Similar to other dark psychological thrillers, this novel explores the dark and dangerous aspects of obsessive love in a highly engaging manner.
Set in India, The Girl in Room 105 comments upon several societal and political issues along with a murder mystery that adds a dose of terror and suspense.
4. You by Caroline Kepnes
The You series will definitely be a favourite of Gillian Flynn fans and readers. A psychological thriller adapted by Netflix into a globally successful series is told from the perspective of a charming but obsessive stalker, Joe Goldberg.
This book dives into the psychology of obsession and manipulation, by narrating the happenings in the psyche of Joe Goldberg in such a captivating manner that compels the reader to care for the twisted character.
A review states that the “the protagonist infects the reader with his flawed logic,…” so much so that the reader begins to associate themselves with the manipulative and dangerous protagonist. You by Caroline Kepnes is dark, disturbing, and addictively readable.
5. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
A famous painter shoots her husband and never speaks again. Her psychotherapist, Theory Faber becomes obsessed with uncovering why, in this twisted psychological thriller.
Inspired by the narrative structure of Agatha Christie and the plot of the Athenian tragedy, Alcestis by Euripides, The Silent Patient is set in a psychiatric ward and focuses on the complicated workings of the human mind. With comprehensive characterisation and a nail-biting climax, this book will surely satisfy fans of Gillian Flynn.
6. Behind Closed Doors by B.A Paris
A fast-paced thriller that explores control, abuse, and the illusion of perfect couples by following the couple of Jack and Grace.
An uncomfortable and sadistic psychological thriller, detailing the horrifying abuse faced by Grace at the hands of her charming yet psychopathic lawyer husband, Jack.
The novel follows the thoughts of Grace, a terrified wife who remains anxious and fears for her life on the inside but maintains a facade of composure and happiness.
Packed with unexpected twists and turns, this thriller is a must-read for anyone intrigued by the complex and unsettling psychology of dark, abusive characters.
7. The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager
The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager is a deeply psychological and thrilling novel which follows a woman as she investigates the disappearance and possibly the murder of her model neighbour at a lake resort in Vermont.
https://amzn.in/d/773otYB – Amazon Link for The House Across the Lake
With time to kill at her family’s cabin, narrator Cassey Fletcher begins spying on neighbors Tom and Katherine—until Katherine vanishes. Sensing something is off, Cassey enlists ex-cop Boone Conrad to help unravel the truth.
The novel tracks their gripping investigation, while Sager’s sharp writing heightens the suspense and mystery throughout.
8. Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
It is a gripping, dark yet emotional and heartwarming psychological thriller that follows the disappearance of fifteen year old Ellie Mack. A mother’s search for her missing daughter leads to disturbing revelations. Jewell blends family drama with mystery in a way Gillian Flynn fans often appreciate.
9. How to Kill Men and Get Away With It by Katy Crent
For fans of Gillian Flynn, who crave a comic yet psychological thriller, the answer is the witty and sharp How to Kill Men and Get Away With It. A dark, comic and twistedly funny and charmingly wicked psychological thriller is the story of a woman, Kitty Collins who kills a man following her at night and unexpectedly enjoys the violent mess.
Reviews
‘How to Kill Men was an absolute treat to read, sending out American Psycho and Promising Young Women vibes.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘A well-rounded cast of characters, quick pace, and thrilling twists make this one of my favourites of the year!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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10. I Bet You’d Look Good in a Coffin by Katy Crent
I Bet You’d Look Good in a Coffin marks a return by the author of How to Kill a Man and Get Away With It and The Murder After the Night Before.
Reviews “Darkly hilarious… Come for the sharp-tongue prose and pitch-black comedy, stay for the careful dismantling of toxic masculinity”- Laurie Elizabeth Flynn
