It’s finally autumn, which, in my opinion, is by far the best time of the year. There’s nothing I love more than pumpkin spice and chilly weather… but to be honest, Halloween has never been my favorite. I’m not usually one to watch horror movies or go to haunted houses, but over the past year, I’ve found myself reading a new genre outside of my usual picks of literary fiction and romance books — thrillers. So this Halloween season, I’m finding a new way to celebrate and embrace my love for thrillers to get into the Halloween spirit! Here are a few of my favorite thriller books that will get you into a spooky mood:
- The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
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This slow burn narrates the psyche of the main character, Anna, as she spies on the family next door and sees something unforgettable. What makes this story most interesting is that she is a recluse, isolated in her house and unable to leave. The writing of this book really pulled me into Anna’s world — the unique style definitely served a larger purpose to the plot and made me feel like I was losing my mind alongside Anna. I always enjoy an unreliable narrator, and this was no exception.
- Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough
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The ending of this book was by far the most shocking plot twist I have ever read. Over a year later, I still think back to this book and envy those who can read it for the first time. This book follows Louise, who had a one-night fling with her unknowingly soon-to-be boss and then befriends his wife later on. As Louise gets closer to the couple, she notices the concerning peculiarities of their marriage. This story is chilling, suspenseful, and, of course, thrilling, and I cannot recommend it enough.
- The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
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This story follows a psychotherapist, Theo, who is determined to find out the reasoning behind why Alicia, a former artist, killed her husband and is now living in a locked unit refusing to speak. This book became extremely popular on BookTok, which is what initially prompted me to pick it up, and it did not disappoint. The premise of the plot is incredibly intriguing, forcing me to read it all in one sitting.
- Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
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Without spoiling the plot, this book explores the disappearance of Amy, who vanished on the day of her and her husband Nick’s anniversary. Many people have seen the movie, but I highly recommend reading the book as well (although the movie adaptation is incredible too). The characters are super complex and there are constant plot twists throughout the book, creating a one-of-a-kind-thriller that is a must-read.
- Verity by Colleen Hoover
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Departing from what most know Colleen Hoover for, this thriller is one of the most chilling books I’ve ever read. Lowen, a struggling author, is hired by Jeremy to finish his wife Verity’s popular novel series that she is unable to finish due to her illness. While looking through Verity’s office, she finds an unfinished autobiography that leaves way more questions than answers. Similarly, after finishing this book, you as the reader will also have many unanswered questions. This story is disturbing and unsettling, yet I couldn’t put it down. With that being said, be sure to check trigger warnings for this book, as it may be just too disturbing for some.
- A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Series by Holly Jackson
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We’re ending this list with a slightly less scary but still spooky choice! This is one of my favorite book series ever. The first book in this series follows Pip, a curious high school student, on her journey into investigating a seemingly closed case about a murder in her hometown, because she doesn’t believe that they found the right suspect. Along with the main mystery, there are also interesting subplots that got me just as hooked. This book (and series) has so many twists and turns that I genuinely could not put it down.
Now that you have some thriller book recommendations, go pick one up, light a pumpkin candle, grab a cozy blanket, and get into the Halloween spirit!
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