Find your next great read for National Reading Month by exploring my reviews of these chilling books about teen psychopaths.
Nearly 1 percent of children in the population exhibit psychopathic traits, about as many as have autism or bipolar disorder. Reading books about teen psychopaths is a great way to learn about this disorder of “empathy erosion” and what the world is like for those who experience it.
No one wants to think their own child, sibling, best friend, boyfriend, or other significant person might be a psychopath. But don’t worry; mental illness isn’t contagious.
Reading books about psychopaths won’t turn you or your teen readers into killers. Most psychopaths aren’t killers anyway. However, they might grow up to be CEOs.
Here are my personal recommendations for several amazing books about teen psychopaths that are guaranteed page-turners. And unlike the psychopaths on the pages, you will feel a wide range of emotions.
Unquiet Riot by Khristina Chess
“Henry used a type of camouflage—in his case, those corny jokes and the way he dressed—to hide the game. No one could be allowed to know his special ability to detect who was real and who was an agent. Not even me.“― Khristina Chess, quote from Unquiet Riot
Riley isn’t a psychopath—he just doesn’t feel emotions.
Embarrassment, insecurity, suspicion—it’s all mysterious. He’s learned to read faces, but they never match the words people say.
Then Henry arrives. Henry is fascinating. Henry is dangerous. He believes the world is crawling with robot impostors, that shadows escape from electrical wires, that knives beneath his mattress will keep the monsters away. For Riley, stepping into Henry’s world is like visiting a foreign country—thrilling, unpredictable, alive.
When Henry vanishes, the police come knocking. And Riley lies.
Now it’s a game. If Henry talks, Riley loses.
Chilling and compulsive, Unquiet Riot is a mind-bending YA thriller with a male protagonist that unravels friendship, deception, and the disturbing factors that allow tragedy to unfold. With an unforgettable unreliable narrator and a slow-burn descent into chaos, this is a must-read for anyone drawn to stories exploring the psychology of school violence.
You won’t want to miss this chilling YA book about teen psychopaths that explores the consequences of remaining silent.
My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier
“Killing things shouldn't make you happy, Rosa. That's why they're worried.” ― Justine Larbalester, quote from My Sister Rosa
I went into this book with high expectations that Rosa would be some creepy 10-year-old future (or current) serial killer, and that story question drove the plot for me. What terrible thing will she do?
Although there are some slow points, the pacing in the second half of the book is excellent, and events took some thrilling and quite unexpected turns.
Most of the conversations between Che and his sister Rosa, who is a psychopath, are fascinating, dark, and disturbing.
Rosa shrugs. “How should I know? I asked Seimone lots of questions. She answered them all. I showed an interest. I know all sorts of things about her now.”
She’s a seriously messed-up kid.
Rosa smirks though she can’t see the phone. “I’m going to get a dog, Che. When I get it I won’t hurt it. You’ll see. I keep my promises.”
Indeed she does.
You don’t want to miss this chilling YA book about teen psychopaths.
Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson
“That joke of a bookshelf has the same crap they had in baby jail I’ve inhaled three times over and I’d kill for something - anything - new to read. But I’d never say that out loud. I’m a killer after all; they’d probably think I’d really do it. Figures of speech are luxuries convicted murderers are not allowed to have.“ ― Tiffany D. Jackson, quote from Allegedly
Mary lives in a group home following her incarceration in baby jail for killing an infant. Allegedly. Life in the group home is hard for Mary, who is smart and trying to take her SATs and apply to college. She works at a nursing home, which is where she met Ted.
Now Mary is pregnant, and they’re going to take her baby away. So after all this time, she decides to tell the truth about what happened that night when Alyssa died.
Allegedly is a dark mystery that keeps the pages turning, and Mary is a compelling character. I really wanted her to succeed because so many things seemed to be against her. The other girls (and even the so-called responsible adults) are truly awful to her, and at least one of them turns out to be a psychopath. Fun times!
If you’re looking for chilling YA books that include teen psychopaths, I highly recommend adding this one to your list. It’s unusual.
We Need to Talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver
“Had I catalogued the downsides of parenthood, ‘son might turn out to be a killer’ would never have turned up on the list.” ― Lionel Shriver, quote from We Need to Talk about Kevin
Told through a series of letters, this novel tells the story from a mother’s point of view. Eva isn’t a particularly likeable mother, and she portrays her son, Kevin, as a bad seed from birth. As events unfold, however, the reader is left wondering about the difference between nature and nurture. Was Kevin born a psychopath who would bring violence to his classmates? Or was he made into a sociopath because of the way he was raised and the failure of his mother to love him?
This novel includes a dramatic crescendo to the actual events at the school, and although I’ve read this book twice now, I could read it again and still find is as chilling as the first time. Shriver deftly manages to create nuanced characters that I simultaneously felt empathy for and utter disgust and loathing.
Though not a YA novel because of the adult viewpoint, don’t miss this devastatingly powerful book that tackles the important and chilling issue of teen psychopaths.
Tenderness by Robert Cormier
“A smile for all the stupid people out there with bleeding hearts for serial killers.” ― Robert Cormier, quote from Tenderness
This short YA novel puts the reader inside the mind of a psychopath, Eric Poole, who killed his parents and three other girls, as well as a sociopath, Lori, who is attracted to Eric and who also has a very weak moral compass. Fate introduces them, and it seems to be destiny that reunites them when Eric is released from juvenile detention.
In a way, Eric is more relatable than Lori. We have encountered people like him in "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and "American Psycho." We know what to expect. He kills. He needs to keep killing. And he does. But Lori is an intriguing character who does CRAZY things. She is childlike with a poor sense of self-preservation, and her actions seem both whimsical and calculated. She seems to know the difference between right and wrong, but she's willing to embrace wrong.
If you're looking for a chilling teen psychopath novel, give Tenderness a look. You'll be disturbed.
The Lost by Natasha Preston
"Life is a game; you just have to make sure you’re in control." — Natasha Preston, quote from The Lost
This short YA novel kept me engaged in the story, turning pages to see how these characters were going to escape their situation. I forgave the implausible premise because the whole thing was just super creepy. This "cabin in the woods" seemed to go on forever with its torture rooms, and the author built an entire world that I could imagine. The suspense and tension in the plot wasn't predictable for me.
The ending could have worked better if Piper had been given a little different character development earlier in the book
If you’re searching for chilling teen psychopath books that will evoke strong emotions, pick this one up. Natasha Preston has crafted a gem here.
The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
“Mr Greenleaf was such a decent fellow himself, he took it for granted that everybody else in the world was decent, too. Tom had almost forgotten such people existed.” ― Patricia Highsmith, quote from The Talented Mr. Ripley
The Talented Mr. Ripley is the first in a series of books about a psychopath. You’ve probably watched the movie by now, starring Matt Daemon, but the books are much better, as books almost always are, for giving you the first person viewpoint into character’s thoughts and actions.
Tom Ripley is 23 at the start of the story. He’s one of those boys who has had a series of bad luck: orphaned, not particularly successful. Then he meets a wealthy man and sets on a journey to Italy.
When I read the book the first time, I had no inkling about the events that would follow. No idea.
If you’re looking for books about psychopaths, you definitely want to check out Patricia Highsmith’s series about Tom Ripley.
Other YA Teen Psychopath Books
Goodreads also has a list on Teen Psychopath Books and Psychopath Book Lists.
You might also be interested in my post, Other Good Reads, which has a comprehensive list of reviews of YA books by type of tough topic.
Khristina Chess is an award-winning author of a dozen young adult novels, including The Cutting Edge of Friendship, The Delinquent Hero, and Junior Missing. Hollow Beauty, her book about eating disorders, was named a finalist in the Next Generation India Book Awards. She tackles tough teen topics and writes binge-worthy books across multiple genres, including contemporary, thriller, mystery, and adventure.