Award-Winning Psychological Thrillers You Shouldn’t Miss…
Get ready to embark on a heart-pounding journey into the depths of the human psyche as we unveil a curated list of award-winning psychological thrillers that will leave you breathless and questioning the boundaries of reality. From mind-bending plot twists to the exploration of the darkest corners of the human mind, these gripping tales are a testament to the power of storytelling to both thrill and challenge our perceptions. Join us as we delve into the captivating world of psychological thrillers, where every page is a suspenseful revelation waiting to unfold.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
(Awards: New York Times Best Seller, Edgar Award)
Enter the dark labyrinth of a marriage gone terribly wrong in this gripping novel. When Nick Dunne becomes the prime suspect in his wife Amy’s disappearance, the lines between love, hate, and deception blur. Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl is not just a New York Times Best Seller but also an Edgar Award-winning masterpiece of psychological suspense, where the mind games between husband and wife are brilliantly crafted.
Get it now: Amazon
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
(Awards: Goodreads Choice Award, Edgar Award)
In Paula Hawkins’ chilling bestseller, the lives of three women collide on a train journey. With unreliable narrators, twisted timelines, and a shocking revelation, this novel has not only won the Goodreads Choice Award but also the prestigious Edgar Award, showcasing its mastery in the realm of psychological suspense.
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Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
(Awards: Grand Prix de Littérature Policière, Anthony Award)
Dennis Lehane’s Shutter Island takes readers to the eerie confines of Ashecliffe Hospital for the Criminally Insane. U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels unravels a mind-bending mystery involving missing patients, cryptic codes, and haunting memories. This novel has garnered the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière and Anthony Award for its mind-boggling narrative and psychological depth.
Get it now: Amazon
Related: Psychological Thrillers That Will Mess with Your Mind
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
(Awards: CWA New Blood Dagger, Edgar Award)
Gillian Flynn once again delves into the darkest corners of the human psyche. In Sharp Objects, journalist Camille Preaker returns to her hometown to cover the murder of two young girls, uncovering her own traumatic past in the process. The book has earned the CWA New Blood Dagger and Edgar Award for its unsettling exploration of psychological trauma.
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Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson
(Awards: Crime Writers’ Association Award, Galaxy National Book Awards)
S.J. Watson’s debut novel, Before I Go to Sleep, is a chilling exploration of memory loss and manipulation. With a woman who forgets her life each day and a secret journal that reveals horrifying truths, this psychological thriller has been honored with the Crime Writers’ Association Award and the Galaxy National Book Awards.
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The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
(Awards: Goodreads Choice Award, Edgar Award)
Alex Michaelides’ The Silent Patient is a gripping tale of a mute painter who shoots her husband. A psychotherapist becomes obsessed with unraveling her silence, leading to a shocking climax. This thriller has received the Goodreads Choice Award and the Edgar Award for its clever blend of therapy and suspense.
Get it now: Amazon
Related: Psychological Thriller Books Like The Silent Patient That Will Keep You on the Edge of Your Seat
The Whisper Man by Alex North
(Awards: Crime Writers’ Association Award, Barry Award)
In The Whisper Man, Tom Kennedy and his young son Jake move to a small town to start anew after a tragic loss. But their fresh start takes a sinister turn when a series of child abductions resurface, eerily mirroring an unsolved case from years before. This chilling novel has been honored with the Crime Writers’ Association Award and the Barry Award for its spine-tingling narrative that blurs the lines between past and present.
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I Am Watching You by Teresa Driscoll
(Awards: Audie Award, Wishing Shelf Book Awards)
Teresa Driscoll weaves together multiple perspectives in I Am Watching You, exploring the haunting consequences of a group of strangers’ decision on a train journey. This suspenseful thriller has claimed the Audie Award and Wishing Shelf Book Awards, showcasing its compelling narrative.
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The Memory Box by Eva Lesko Natiello
(Awards: Readers’ Favorite Book Award, Indie Book Awards)
In The Memory Box, Caroline Thompson’s seemingly perfect life begins to unravel when she stumbles upon a series of online photos that suggest a dark secret from her past. As she delves deeper into the mystery, the line between truth and paranoia blurs. This gripping novel has earned the Readers’ Favorite Book Award and accolades from the Indie Book Awards for its relentless exploration of memory and identity.
Get it now: Amazon
Related: The Classic Thriller Challenge: How Many of These Iconic Thrillers Have You Read?
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
(Awards: Strand Critics Award, CrimeFest eDunnit Award)
In this modern-day homage to Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw, a live-in nanny is haunted by unsettling events in a smart home. Ruth Ware’s suspenseful narrative has earned the Strand Critics Award and CrimeFest eDunnit Award for its spine-tingling atmosphere.
Get it now: Amazon
In the Woods by Tana French
(Awards: Edgar Award, Barry Award)
Tana French’s In the Woods follows a detective with a hidden past as he investigates a case reminiscent of his own childhood trauma. With psychological complexity and a gripping plot, this novel has claimed both the Edgar Award and Barry Award.
Get it now: Amazon
The Night Olivia Fell by Christina McDonald
(Awards: Barry Award, Silver Falchion Award)
A mother’s worst nightmare unfolds as she learns her daughter has fallen from a bridge. As she searches for answers, shocking secrets about her daughter’s life come to light. Christina McDonald’s suspenseful storytelling has earned the Barry Award and Silver Falchion Award.
Get it now: Amazon
Without any doubt, psychological thrillers stand as a testament to the power of storytelling to elicit suspense, intrigue, and introspection. As we close the pages on this exploration of award-winning psychological thrillers, we’ve ventured into the minds of unreliable narrators, unraveled mysteries that tested the boundaries of reality, and confronted the haunting depths of human psyche.
Each of these twelve remarkable novels, recognized by prestigious awards such as the Edgar Award, Goodreads Choice Award, and many others, has left an indelible mark on the genre. From the diabolical plots of Gillian Flynn to the eerie landscapes crafted by Dennis Lehane and the mind-bending tales spun by Paula Hawkins, these books are a testament to the brilliance of their authors.
As readers, we are forever drawn to the enigmatic allure of psychological thrillers, seeking the thrill of the unexpected and the catharsis of understanding the human condition in all its complexities. So, whether you are new to the genre or a seasoned enthusiast, these award-winning psychological thrillers beckon you to embark on journeys that will captivate your imagination, question your perceptions, and leave you breathless with each page turned. In the world of psychological thrillers, the suspense never truly ends, and the mysteries never fully unravel, making them an enduring source of literary fascination.