Crime and thriller fans who enjoyed Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl will be pleased to know that there are 17 other novels that fall under the same genre. These books, including Girl On The Train, Sometimes I Lie, The Woman In The Window, and The Silent Patient, promise to deliver the same level of suspense and mystery that made Gone Girl a best-seller.
Readers looking for their next page-turner can turn to our list of 17 novels similar to Gone Girl for their next thrilling read.
1. Girl On The Train – Paula Hawkins
“The Girl on the Train” by Paula Hawkins is a gripping novel that follows the lives of three women – Rachel, Anna, and Megan – as they become entangled in a series of events that will leave readers confused and intrigued.
Rachel, a divorced woman who has fallen back into her excessive drinking habits, takes the train every morning and evening, passing the house of her ex-husband Tom on her journey. Tom is now remarried to Anna, and his happiness is too much for Rachel to bear.
Rachel begins to fixate on a young, attractive couple who live a few houses down from Tom and Anna. She even creates personas for the two strangers, with the woman, Jess, seeming like the ideal wife: smart, attractive, and mysterious.
However, after waking up one day, bloodied and with no recollection of the previous night, Rachel finds out that Jess is missing – and her real name is Megan. Anna begins to suspect that Rachel knows something about the disappearance after seeing her drunken and stumbling around their home on the night that Megan vanished.
Desperate to prove her innocence, Rachel must find a way to put the pieces of the puzzle together and clear her name. The novel is full of twists and turns, making it a thrilling read for anyone who loves a good mystery.
2. The Passenger – Lisa Lutz
Lisa Lutz’s novel, The Passenger, follows Tanya Dubois, who, after her husband’s death, leaves her old life behind and goes on the run. Changing her name and appearance, Tanya meets Blue, a bartender with secrets of her own. As they try to outrun their pasts, they find themselves in increasingly dangerous situations, with bodies piling up wherever they go.
The novel explores themes of identity, trust, and the consequences of one’s actions. Tanya’s character development is particularly noteworthy, as she transforms from a victim to a survivor, taking control of her life and making choices that shape her future.
Lutz’s writing style is fast-paced and engaging, with short chapters that keep the reader hooked. The use of multiple aliases and shifting identities adds to the suspense, as the reader is left wondering who Tanya really is and what she’s running from.
3. The Couple Next Door: A Novel – Shari Lapena
In “The Couple Next Door” by Shari Lapena, Anne and Marco Conti appear to have the perfect life. They have a beautiful home, a loving relationship, and a precious baby named Cora. However, everything changes when they attend a dinner party with their next-door neighbors and return home to find that their baby has been kidnapped. As the investigation unfolds, Detective Rasbach becomes suspicious of the couple and their behavior.
Throughout the novel, the reader is taken on a journey of deception and unexpected twists as secrets are revealed. Not only are Anne and Marco keeping secrets from the detective, but they are also keeping secrets from each other. As the investigation continues, it becomes clear that the couple’s perfect life is not as it seems, and they are quickly branded as persons of interest.
“The Couple Next Door” is a psychological thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. With unexpected plot twists and a shocking revelation, this novel is a must-read for fans of “Gone Girl,” “The Girl on the Train,” and “Big Little Lies.”
4. The Silent Patient – Alex Michaelides
In “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides, Alicia Berenson, a successful painter, murders her photographer husband Gabriel and then goes silent. The mystery of her motive and her silence makes her a subject of fascination for the public and criminal psychotherapist Theo Faber. Alicia is taken to a secure forensic unit in the North of London called the Grove to avoid the publicity and mania surrounding her case.
Theo becomes obsessed with uncovering Alicia’s secrets and breaking her silence, but his determination threatens his career and sanity. Alicia’s paintings become some of the most sought-after artwork in the country, adding to the intrigue of her case.
“The Silent Patient” is a gripping psychological thriller that explores the themes of obsession, silence, and the human psyche. Alex Michaelides’ writing style keeps the reader engaged and on edge as they follow Theo’s journey to uncover the truth behind Alicia’s silence.
5. The Turn of the Key – Ruth Ware
Ruth Ware’s “The Turn of the Key” is a gripping crime novel that follows the story of Rowan Caine, a nanny who accepts a job in the Scottish Highlands. The novel is filled with twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.
Rowan is initially impressed with her new job, as the children she is hired to look after appear to be well-behaved and the house is fitted with state-of-the-art technology. However, her excitement quickly turns to horror when she is accused of the murder of one of the children.
As Rowan tries to clear her name, she begins to unravel the complicated events that led up to the child’s death. The novel is filled with suspense, as Rowan’s story is intertwined with unexplained occurrences in the house, including strange noises coming from the boarded-up attic.
The novel also explores Rowan’s own secrets, as she has lied on her job application and her false credentials have landed her in a situation that she could never have predicted. Despite maintaining her innocence, Rowan struggles to find a way to prove her innocence and clear her name.
6. Sometimes I Lie – Alice Feeney
In Alice Feeney’s novel “Sometimes I Lie,” the protagonist Amber wakes up in a hospital bed unable to move or speak, but able to hear everything and everyone around her. As she struggles to piece together what happened to her, Amber begins to suspect that her husband may have played a role in her current state. Meanwhile, the novel jumps back and forth between the present day and Amber’s childhood diaries from over 20 years ago.
Feeney’s novel is a thrilling exploration of the human psyche and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets. The use of diary entries adds an extra layer of mystery and intrigue to the story, as readers are left to wonder how Amber’s past might be connected to her present. Overall, “Sometimes I Lie” is a gripping read that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
7. If You Knew Her – Emily Elgar
In “If You Knew Her” by Emily Elgar, Cassie Jensen, a devoted wife, is fighting for her life after being hit by a car. Chief Nurse Alice, who tends to Cassie, becomes suspicious of her patient’s identity after feeling like she recognizes her. Alice’s suspicions are confirmed when it is revealed that Cassie is three months pregnant despite the odds against it. Cassie’s life is in danger, and Alice knows she needs to get to the bottom of her patient’s mystery life.
Meanwhile, Frank Ashcroft, a fellow patient believed to be comatose, is unable to move or talk and is trapped in his own body. Frank knows something important about Cassie’s situation and needs to find a way to warn Alice before it’s too late.
The novel is a suspenseful mystery that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. With multiple narrators and plot twists, the story is a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Emily Elgar’s writing style is clear and concise, making it easy for readers to follow along with the complex story. Overall, “If You Knew Her” is a thrilling and thought-provoking read that will leave readers guessing until the very end.
8. False Step – Victoria Helen Stone
Veronica Bradley is in a stagnant marriage with her husband, Johnny, who is broke and struggling. Despite this, she remains with him for the sake of their daughter, Sydney, who adores her father. However, Johnny’s life takes a turn when he finds a missing child and becomes a local hero.
As a result of the newfound attention, the cracks in Veronica and Johnny’s marriage become more apparent. Veronica is a private person and prefers to keep her secrets hidden, but her constant deceit and secret-keeping have made her suspicious of her husband’s behavior. She begins to wonder if he is hiding something bigger than she is.
The plot of “False Step” by Victoria Helen Stone revolves around the unraveling of Veronica and Johnny’s marriage and the secrets that they both keep. The novel explores themes of deception, suspicion, and the lengths that people will go to protect themselves and their loved ones.
9. The Woman In The Window – A.J. Finn
Anna Fox, the protagonist of A.J. Finn’s novel “The Woman in the Window,” is a woman who has developed agoraphobia after a traumatic accident and a recent divorce from her husband, Ed. As a result, Anna rarely ever leaves her home and spends most of her time people-watching out of her windows.
Anna’s life changes when the Russells move into the home across from her. Anna seems to get along well with them, especially their quiet teenage son and his mother, Jane. Anna finds happiness in her blossoming friendship with Jane and keeps tabs on her by watching their house through her window.
However, Anna’s newfound happiness is short-lived. One night while she is spying on her neighbors through her window, she witnesses something that would change her life forever and begin to unravel her fragile mind and repressed memories.
Anna approaches the police with what she has seen, but not one of the officers believes her story. The Russells deny that anything strange ever went on in their home, and Anna is forced to question everything she thinks is real and look inwards at her own unraveled life.
“The Woman in the Window” is a psychological thriller that explores the themes of trauma, memory, and perception. The novel keeps readers on the edge of their seats as they follow Anna’s journey to uncover the truth about what she witnessed and what is real in her life.
10. The Lovely Bones – Alice Sebold
The Lovely Bones is a novel by Alice Sebold that tells the story of Susie Salmon, a young girl who is assaulted and murdered after taking a shortcut home one night. The novel is narrated by Susie from her own personal Heaven, where she is able to watch the events after her disappearance unfold.
Susie’s family initially refuses to accept her death and is caught in a loop, unable to move on from her sudden departure. Her father grows increasingly suspicious of an odd neighbor and will stop at nothing to get to the bottom of his daughter’s death. He is racing against time to solve the murder himself after the local law enforcement drops the case, and he will need to find out what happened on the night in question before his guilt consumes him.
The novel deals with extremely sensitive subject matter that some readers may find disturbing or offensive. It is recommended to read this book with caution.
11. Lock Every Door – Riley Sager
Jules, the protagonist of “Lock Every Door” by Riley Sager, is desperate for money after losing her job and her boyfriend. She discovers a job posting for an apartment sitter at the Bartholomew, an upscale building in New York City. Jules is thrilled to be hired for the job, but there are strict rules she must follow. She cannot bother the residents, leave the apartment unattended overnight, or have any visitors.
Jules meets Ingrid, another apartment sitter who bears a striking resemblance to Jules’ long-lost sister. Ingrid confides in Jules about her suspicions of strange events happening at the Bartholomew. Although Jules initially dismisses Ingrid’s concerns, she becomes alarmed when Ingrid disappears the next day.
Jules embarks on a terrifying journey to uncover the dark secrets of the Bartholomew and find Ingrid. She discovers a series of shocking revelations that could change her life forever. The novel is a gripping mystery that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
The story is well-crafted, with vivid descriptions of the Bartholomew and its inhabitants. The characters are well-developed, with complex backstories and motivations. The plot is full of twists and turns, keeping readers engaged until the very end.
12. In The Woods – Tana French
In the novel “In The Woods” by Tana French, the story revolves around a detective named Rob Ryan who has a dark past. As a child, he and his two friends disappeared in the woods near their housing estate, and only Ryan was found clinging to a tree with no memory of what happened. The other children were never found.
Now a detective for the Dublin Murder Squad, Ryan must keep his past a secret as he investigates the murder of a twelve-year-old girl in the same woods where his nightmare began. Along with his partner, Ryan attempts to relive the events of his past to uncover the truth of what happened.
The novel is a gripping psychological thriller that explores themes of trauma, memory, and identity. French’s writing style is immersive, and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep the reader engaged until the very end.
13. The Good Girl – Mary Kubica
“The Good Girl” is a psychological thriller novel written by Mary Kubica. The story revolves around a young schoolteacher named Mia Dennet, who agrees to meet her on-again, off-again boyfriend at a local bar. However, she ends up leaving with a charming and attractive stranger named Colin, which turns out to be the biggest mistake of her life.
Colin traps Mia in a remote cabin for months, changing her forever. Her mother, Eve, is devastated to see her daughter’s transformation and works tirelessly with Police Detective Gabe Hoffman to uncover the truth of what happened at the cabin.
The novel is told through the perspective of three characters: Mia, her mother Eve, and Colin. It is a suspenseful and gripping thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
14. Before I Go To Sleep – S.J. Watson
In “Before I Go To Sleep” by S.J. Watson, the protagonist Christine wakes up every day with no memory of her past. The only person she can rely on is Ben, who claims to be her husband and reminds her of her amnesia and past accident every morning. Christine soon discovers that she was working with a doctor to recover her memories, but the doctor’s recollections conflict with Ben’s.
To uncover the truth about her past, Christine must delve into her memories and piece together the life she is told she had. However, as she gets closer to the truth, the past becomes more and more unbelievable. Despite the memory loss she faces at the end of each day, Christine is determined to find out who she really is and what really happened to her.
Through Christine’s journey of self-discovery, Watson explores the fragility of memory and the impact of trauma on one’s identity. “Before I Go To Sleep” is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats as they follow Christine’s quest for the truth.
15. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo – Stieg Larsson
Henrik Vanger, uncle of Harriet Vanger, has been searching for his missing niece for over four decades. In his quest for the truth, he hires Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist with a troubled past, to investigate the case. Blomkvist enlists the help of Lisbeth Salander, a woman with a mysterious and troubled past, who possesses a unique set of skills.
Together, Blomkvist and Salander delve into the dark and corrupt world surrounding Harriet’s disappearance. Salander’s unconventional appearance, including numerous piercings and tattoos, is a stark contrast to Blomkvist’s more traditional appearance. Despite their differences, the two must work together to uncover the truth and bring justice to Harriet Vanger.
16. The Silent Wife – A.S.A. Harrison
In “The Silent Wife,” author A.S.A. Harrison tells the story of Jodi Brett, a psychotherapist who has been in a long-term relationship with Todd Gilbert. Although their relationship is almost perfect, Todd’s wandering eye has become a source of annoyance for Jodi. However, things take a dark turn when Todd begins an affair with Natasha, who is determined to have him all to herself.
As Natasha’s manipulations become more intense, Jodi discovers that she too is capable of dirty tricks to protect her relationship. The novel explores the lengths that people will go to in order to hold onto what they believe is rightfully theirs.
With a confident and knowledgeable tone, Harrison creates a clear picture of the characters and their motivations. The use of different formatting techniques, such as bold text, helps to emphasize key points in the story. Overall, “The Silent Wife” is a compelling read that delves into the complexities of human relationships.