The best murder mysteries and psychological thrillers that will keep you up at night

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been obsessed with murder mysteries and psychological thrillers for as long as I can remember. My father’s bookshelves were full of anthologies on serial killers, which piqued my curiosity at a very early age (probably too early, but we’re not here to judge my dad’s parenting skills, okay?). As I familiarized myself with the likes of Ed Gein, Jeffrey Dahmer, Charles Manson, and John Wayne Gacy, I became enthralled by the psychology behind what makes people commit heinous acts. Now as an author myself, these same stories fuel my inspiration and keep me motivated to write books that further explore the darker side of human nature. 


I wrote...

Reasonable

By K.T. Carlisle,

Book cover of Reasonable

What is my book about?

When the police arrive at Cat Clark’s house only to discover her drunk and covered in blood, even she struggles to believe in her innocence. After all, few people had a better reason to kill Elaine Reid than the woman whose husband she stole after thirty years of friendship. But as Cat sobers up, strange questions start to emerge about what really happened that night: Who else was at the house? Why can’t Cat remember anything? And what might a decades-old cold case have to do with this?

As Cat tries to remember what happened, Detective Rachel McGowen’s hunt for an elusive killer could hold all the answers. A fast-paced thrill ride packed with suspense, this gripping mystery will keep you guessing until the final pages. 

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The books I picked & why

Book cover of A Flicker in the Dark

K.T. Carlisle Why did I love this book?

This book helped me get out of a years-long reading slump. Once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down, racing to find out what would happen next. Every time I thought I had it all figured out, I was pulled in the opposite direction, ultimately coming to a satisfying ending that was completely unexpected.

From the character development to the tightly woven plot to the author’s lyrical writing style, I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone who enjoys a gripping murder mystery-psychological thriller hybrid.

By Stacy Willingham,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked A Flicker in the Dark as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

She thought the murders had stopped. She was wrong.

'A smart, edge-of-your-seat story with plot twists you'll never see coming' Karin Slaughter

'Spectacular' Daily Mail

'Tense, twisty and threatening, A Flicker in the Dark will make you abandon your box sets' Val McDermid

The instant New York Times bestseller, soon to be a major TV series, developed by Emma Stone

Chloe Davis' father is a serial killer.
He was convicted and jailed when she was twelve but the bodies of the girls were never found, seemingly lost in the surrounding Louisiana swamps. The case became notorious and Chloe's family was…


Book cover of Beyond the Veil

K.T. Carlisle Why did I love this book?

From the very first pages describing one of the most brutal killings I’ve ever read about, I was hooked on this story.

I love how the author effortlessly weaves together different perspectives, giving me a holistic view of the story from multiple angles. What I found most intriguing were the subtle elements of the paranormal interspersed throughout, adding layers of unreliability to the narrative that made this book simply unputdownable.

This is a great read for anyone who loves psychological thrillers with a hint of horror and the supernatural. 

By Nicky Shearsby,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Beyond the Veil as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

When David Mallory confesses to murder, no one assumes the body is two hundred years old. Clinical psychologist, Newton Flanigan, is subsequently drawn into a sinister path unravelling a series of murders spanning two centuries. David is hiding secrets of death and betrayal, triggering a journey that could be Newton's last.

Told from the protagonist and antagonist viewpoints, Beyond the Veil uncovers the mind of a deranged serial killer that has seemingly existed throughout history.

Can Newton save David?

Can he save himself?


Book cover of The Dollmaker

K.T. Carlisle Why did I love this book?

I loved this book from beginning to end and was completely absorbed by the author’s incredible world-building and rich descriptions.

While the book is a murder mystery, the author’s poetic writing style made this story strangely beautiful in the most horrific way. I devoured the book in no time at all, breathlessly turning pages to get to the end, which was both shocking and extremely satisfying. Packed with suspense, thrills, and a little bit of romance, this book did not disappoint me in the least. 

By Morgan Shamy,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Dollmaker as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

No one is safe. Not when the Dollmaker lurks in the shadows.

When Dawn Hildegard's best friend Rose is kidnapped by "The Dollmaker," a crazed serial killer who creates "art" from women's bodies, she drops everything to find her-including her dream of becoming a doctor. With the help of a handsome new acquaintance and his mysterious brother, they set off to find the killer. Although they quickly become friends, Dawn cannot shake the uneasy feeling that the brothers know more about the murders than they admit.

As more and more victims are found murdered and displayed throughout town, Dawn must…


Book cover of The Housemaid

K.T. Carlisle Why did I love this book?

 One of the most gripping stories I’ve read in a long time, this book sticks with you long after you put it down. I raced through it in less than six hours, unable to put it down until I reached the end, which, of course, I never saw coming.

From the vivid descriptions to the expertly crafted characters to the unrelenting suspense, I was blown away by this book and absolutely cannot wait to read more work by this author. What surprised me the most were the moments of comic relief which at times were enough to get me to laugh right out loud, even with all the dark drama going on. I can’t wait to dive into another of Freida’s fabulous stories! 

By Freida McFadden,

Why should I read it?

9 authors picked The Housemaid as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Don't miss the New York Times and USA Today bestseller and addictive psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist that’s burning up Instagram and TikTok--Freida McFadden’s The Housemaid is perfect for fans of Ruth Ware, Lisa Jewell, and Verity.

Every day I clean the Winchesters’ beautiful house top to bottom. I collect their daughter from school. And I cook a delicious meal for the whole family before heading up to eat alone in my tiny room on the top floor.

I try to ignore how Nina makes a mess just to watch me clean it up. How she tells strange lies…


Book cover of Don't Let Her Stay

K.T. Carlisle Why did I love this book?

This book was full of nail-biting suspense that left me thirsting for more every time I was forced to put it down. And that ending—holy cow! I was not expecting such a shocking twist after what already turned out to be a thrilling showdown between the main character and the villain.

I could easily see this becoming a hit horror/thriller movie; it was just that captivating. I’ve already added All The Lies by this same author to my reading list so I can continue devouring her work! 

By Nicola Sanders,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Don't Let Her Stay as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Joanne knows how lucky she is, Richard is a wonderful husband, Evie is the most gorgeous baby girl, they live in a beautiful house, life couldn't be better. But then Richard's twenty-year-old daughter Chloe turns up. Chloe hasn't spoken to her father since the day he married Joanne two years ago. But with the arrival of her baby sister Evie, Chloe wants to make peace. Richard is delighted, and since Joanne is struggling with the new baby, he suggests Chloe could move in and help. It sounds like the perfect solution, even if Chloe doesn't seem to like Joanne very…


You might also like...

Blood of the White Bear

By Marcia Calhoun Forecki, Gerald Schnitzer,

Book cover of Blood of the White Bear

Marcia Calhoun Forecki Author Of Blood of the White Bear

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author History hound Polyglot Bookworm Neatness averse Yoga beginner

Marcia's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

Virologist Dr. Rachel Bisette sees visions of a Kachina and remembers the plane crash that killed her parents and the Dine medicine woman who saved her life. Rachel is investigating a new and lethal hantavirus spreading through the Four Corners, and believes the Kachina is calling her to join the work against the spreading pandemic.

She finds Eva Yellow Horn, a medicine woman with the key to fighting the pandemic. When Eva demonstrates ancient healing powers beyond science, Rachel recognizes her as the medicine woman who saved her life years before. Eva reveals that Rachel’s father was investigating the 1979 nuclear disaster in Church Rock, when his plane crashed, killing her parents. Now, Rachel undertakes a new investigation, but she is not alone.

Blood of the White Bear

By Marcia Calhoun Forecki, Gerald Schnitzer,

What is this book about?

“Visions of kachinas guide doctor to spiritual healing in pandemic.”

2014 Finalist in the Willa Literary Award

This is a book that once closed and last line read, my mind wandered to explore certain character motivations and potential follow-up responses. I don’t think an author has to answer every possibility, art comes into play best when the reader’s own imagination can wander within the story.

Dr. Rachel Bisette is drawn to the Four Corners to lead the search for a vaccine against a lethal pandemic. One elusive indigenous woman, Eva Yellow Horn, carries the gift of immunity. In her search…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in murder, murder mystery, and serial killers?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about murder, murder mystery, and serial killers.

Murder Explore 931 books about murder
Murder Mystery Explore 488 books about murder mystery
Serial Killers Explore 289 books about serial killers