Looking for an unforgettable collection of books like First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston? As an award-winning author and longtime blogger for over 10 years, I’ve personally read and analyzed the best novels on my bookshelves that answer this question with the same gripping, untrustworthy narrator style as The Housemaid.
You’ll find detailed reviews of my favorites in the roundup below. While many lists only suggest popular bestsellers, I’ve curated this eclectic collection of books because they because they mirror the edge-of-your-seat plots and thought-provoking characters I loved in First Lie Wins.
Junior Missing by Khristina Chess
“He called me the most willing kidnapping victim in history. I’d invited him to my house, he’d said. I’d climbed into the car. I’d packed a bag. And a parakeet.” ― Khristina Chess, quote from Junior Missing
Wow! Fans of First Lie Wins’ compulsive storytelling will recognize the same intoxicating tension in Junior Missing. For me, what makes Junior Missing so special is the slow-boil depiction of how Grace’s forbidden attraction turns into a trap set by an older man who takes her in—and won’t let her go!
The story starts as sixteen-year-old Grace Keegan, darling of the child pageant world with a bright future, is missing. At first, police assume she ran away. But when they find her abandoned phone along the highway, the truth becomes far more terrifying.
No one knows about Quentin Brock—the musician she met online. He’s charming, funny, gorgeous, and perfect.
Until he isn’t. Until she’s kidnapped and trapped in another state with no way out.
I highly recommend this YA thriller for adventurous Ashley Elston readers who are looking for another seductive beach read. This mesmerizing novel depicts how someone can so easily be manipulated and hurt in a toxic relationship. I couldn’t put it down.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
“Unworthy boys make a lot of noise.” ― Delia Owens, quote from Where the Crawdads Sing
This novel is beautiful, thrilling, sad, surprising, and engrossing. Kya Clark is a resilient child who is abandoned by her mother at six. Her alcoholic father is barely a parent, and he soon leaves her as well. Somehow, she finds a way to survive on her own, even thrive, despite an aching loneliness.
But a beautiful young girl who lives in solitude in the woods is destined for danger. And heartbreak.
Most people in the town call her “Marsh Girl” and ostracize her. She’s an outcast from society: poor, uneducated, and strange.
The mystery surrounding the death of Chase Andrews is the inciting incident of the novel, and it's soon clear that he was not such a swell guy. Foul play is suspected. Is Kya a murder? Or someone else?
There's plenty to love here, and the pages definitely turned quickly for me. Kya’s character and voice is compelling. If you loved the mystery aspects of First Lie Wins, give Where the Crawdads Sing a look. You won’t be disappointed.
(P.S. - the movie is also great.)
The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis
"I am vengeance."― Mindy McGinnis, quote from The Female of the Species
I loved this book. Alex Craft is a unique female protagonist, and I had a hard time pinning her down. Sometimes I wanted to label her as a psychopath / sociopath based on her actions and reactions to things, but I don't think that's right.
She is a criminal. It's easy to forget that about her because she makes friends, takes care of kittens, shows compassion to other kids, and falls in love. But she also kills people. So there's that.
This was my third Mindy McGinnis novel, and I'm hooked on her. She writes compelling stories and tough, unflinching characters, and she’s also one of the top authors in my list of the Best YA Authors to Binge on Kindle Unlimited.
Released in 2016, this older Goodreads Choice Nominee has everything you want in a twisty thriller like First Lie Wins.
Find Me by Romily Bernard
“Pretending to be normal makes you feel like you’re bleeding to death.” ― Romily Bernard, quote from Find Me
Wick is a teenage girl with a lot of things going on in her life. She and her little sister are living in a new foster home with great people, and her side business as a hacker/private detective is going well. Except that there's a cop parked outside her house all the time. And the girl next door, a childhood friend, committed suicide and left a journal behind with disturbing information. Wick's dad and best friend are criminals and have a talent for threatening Wick into cooperating in their schemes. There's also a cute boy...
There's more. Like I said, Wick has a lot going on in her life.
Find Me is a page-turner with a fantastic heroine and loads of conflict. The ending was amazing, and although I thought I knew what was happening, the actual unfolding of the story was heart-pounding.
If you like First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston and are looking for more mysteries, Romily Bernard's book is worth a look.
Verity by Colleen Hoover
"Some families are lucky enough to never experience a single tragedy. But then there are those families that see to have tragedies waiting on the back burner. What can go wrong, goes wrong. And then gets worse."—Colleen Hoover from Verity
If you’re a fan of First Lie Wins, I don’t know how you could have missed Colleen Hoover’s Verity, but in case you did, let me share some thoughts.
Like Ashley Elston, Colleen Hoover is a mega bestselling author of both adult and young adult fiction. Verity is my personal favorite. The hot (hot, hot) romance was definitely a big part of the appeal, but the spicy sex wasn’t the only part. This is more than a romance novel. I loved the twisty, dark, and disorienting plot that kept me guessing until the mind-blowing end. In this novel, the characters aren’t who they seem to be, and that multi-dimensional layer was the aspect that made Verity so wonderful for me.
In fact, all Colleen Hoover’s novels are amazing!
Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
"If she could rewind the timeline, untwist it and roll it back the other way like a ball of wool, she'd see the knots in the yarn, the warning signs. Looking at it backward it was obvious all along. But back then, when she knew nothing about anything, she had not seen it coming. She had walked straight into it with her eyes open." ― Lisa Jewell, quote from Then She Was Gone
This is an unputdownable novel. In fact, I was about 20 pages in when I realized I was going too fast and maybe, like the missing girl Ellie, I was overlooking important clues, so I went back and read from the beginning again.
I had to know what happened to Ellie, and then, bit by bit, new mysteries began to emerge. New horrors. The more I learned about Ellie and Noelle, the worse things became. The whole story became very... weird. Scary.
The relationship between Ellie’s mom and the American writer, Floyd, is where things take a turn. Floyd has a daughter who looks just like Ellie. I mean, how weird is that?
The ending was not predictable to me, and the path to reach the conclusion was not straight. I definitely loved this novel and want to read more of Lisa Jewell’s books.
I highly recommend this wildly unpredictable novel about a missing girl, a desperate mother, and the bizarre lengths people will go for the people they love. If you devoured First Lie Wins, I promise this one will grab your attention.
Forgotten But Never Gone by Khristina Chess
“I think it was this rebellious quality about her that allowed everyone to write off her disappearance so easily. Kids like Half-pint ran away. This whole generation was full of delinquents. Blah, blah, blah.” – Khristina Chess, quote from Forgotten But Never Gone
I love watching those “small-town cold case” shows and old unsolved mysteries, and Forgotten But Never Gone had that kind of vibe for me.
The story opens with the disappearance of fifteen-year-old Rosie Fields. One of the last to see her was her friend Bobby, a foster kid whose life Rosie once saved. When the police dismiss her case as just another runaway, Bobby refuses to accept it, and in his relentless search, he follows one lead after another until he makes a shocking discovery.
Set in 1980, this YA novel really transported me back to a nostalgic time before AMBER alerts and 24-hour news cycles, when carefree teenagers roamed neighborhoods with little supervision and always returned home in time for supper.
Except sometimes they didn’t.
I felt like Bobby, the amateur sleuth in this novel, was a relatable and multifaceted character. The layered and unsettling mystery in Forgotten But Never Gone exposes some of the reasons why more people seemed to vanish without a trace in the 70s and 80s. What makes this book especially powerful for me was its dual resonance: it’s both a gripping page-turner and a thoughtful exploration of how society failed vulnerable youth in the past.
Bobby’s determination to find out what happened to his friend reminds us that sometimes the most unlikely person can become the keeper of truth, and that refusing to forget is itself an act of justice.
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
“When lost, sit down and yell.”—Liz Moore from God of the Woods
This sleeper story about a missing girl at summer camp took me surprise with its twists and turns. I liked it and felt it was worth hanging on past the first 60 pages, when the mystery really took off.
There were a few places where this one fell flat for me. For example, in my printed copy, the paragraph breaks were wrong, which doesn't seem like a bad thing, but I was often confused about who was speaking because both speakers were on the same line, or the same speaker broke across two lines. It was very strange and kept knocking me out of the reading magic. Also, there are many, many separate viewpoint characters, and there are dates at the top of each character's chapter that I never figured out. I'm sure they meant something.
From early on, I thought I knew what happened, but I didn't. Not quite.
That unexpected conclusion is why I’ve included it here for readers who liked First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston.
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
“There’s nothing so painful, so corrosive, as suspicion.” ― Paula Hawkins, quote from The Girl on the Train
An alcoholic divorcee becomes obsessed with a couple after seeing them on her train commute, and then she becomes entangled in an investigation.
Holy cow! The Girl on the Train is definitely one of the books you’ll devour if you liked First Lie Wins. It has unreliable narrators, as well as a twisty and confusing plot that will keep you guessing. It’s a total roller coaster. My feelings were all over the map as I devoured the story. Things definitely aren’t what they seem to be. The mystery keeps the pages turning. What, exactly, did Rachel see that day?
Pick this one up. You won’t be disappointed.
Layla by Colleen Hoover
“Layla is my soul mate in every realm of life.” ― Colleen Hoover, quote from Layla
Layla is a romantic suspense novel that includes a love triangle with a ghost.
That’s right. A ghost.
How do I categorize this one? A ghost story? A love story? A psychological thriller? I’ve decided on “romantic suspense novel,” but it's hard to put a label on it. What I know for sure is that I sat around all day and turned the pages until the end. I had to know. The twist was not as much of a surprise; I had an inkling about what was happening in the middle of the book. That didn't matter. How? Now what? There were so many pressing questions. Half the time, I wasn't sure I really trusted Leeds to be a reliable narrator.
Buy it. Read it. Colleen Hoover is a prolific and wonderful author who writes whatever her creative heart suggests. Every one of her books has been totally unique, and Layla is no exception. If you loved First Lie Wins, you must read this one immediately.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
“Life feels beautiful that day. The four of us Liars, we have always been. We always will be. No matter what happens as we go to college, grow old, build lives for ourselves; no matter if Gat and I are together or not. No matter where we go, we will always be able to line up on the roof of Cuddledown and gaze at the sea. This island is ours. Here, in some way, we are young forever.” ― E. Lockhart, quote from We Were Liars
What an unexpected and beautiful story about friendship, coming of age, and sorrow!
I wasn’t sure I’d like this book, but I fell in love with it. By the end it made me cry. This YA novel is about a group of privileged young friends who spend their summers on a private island and their lies, family secrets, grief, and love. It’s a mystery. The beautiful and disorienting plot will leave you reader breathless until the very end—which has a completely shocking twist.
If you’re looking for books like First Lie Wins, pick this one up. It’s a whirlwind read!
Still Missing by Chevy Stevens
“That’s where you come in, Doc. You have to help me get rid of this obsession that I’m still not safe. That someone or something is out to get me.”― Chevy Stevens, quote from Still Missing
Bookworms who loved the page-turning thriller aspects of Ashley Elston’s bestseller must read this outstanding and terrifying debut novel by Chevy Stevens.
I loved this dark, absorbing, page-turning thriller! This is one of those novels that takes off with a bang and keeps on giving. It starts when a man grabs a real-estate agent from a house that she's showing, drugs her, and imprisons her in a remote cabin. He's a crazy man with all kinds of rules. After nearly a year of suffering in his hands, she escapes.
But that's not the end.
She attempts to return to her life, but she can't shake the feeling that something is off. That she is still in danger. She works with a cop to try to identify the man who took her and learn whether or not he acted alone.
The ending was completely unexpected for me. So good!!
Never Lie by Freida McFadden
“I believe that any human being is capable of terrible things if you push them hard enough.” ― Freida McFadden from Never Lie
Freida McFadden is prolific and wonderful. She has a unique writing voice that makes her protagonists seem a little “off.” Every one of the novels I’ve read by her has been totally unique, and Never Lie is no exception.
After a snowstorm traps newlyweds Tricia and Ethan in a deserted house, Tricia finds herself invested in the mystery surrounding the previous owner's disappearance.
The story is compelling, and I was surprised by the various plot twists along the way. The setting seemed a little contrived, but it didn't hurt the novel in the least. Yes, this is how all horror movies begin—with people trapped in some scary old house.
Make yourself a bowl of popcorn and curl up with this domestic psychological thriller. If you loved First Lie Wins, you will devour this!
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
“No one is born evil. As Winnicott put it, ‘A baby cannot hate the mother, without the mother first hating the baby.’” ― Alex Michaelides, quote from The Silent Patient
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides is one of those novels that refuses to be set aside. These days, it's rare that I spend a weekend with my nose in a book, but I did with The Silent Patient.
The premise is simple enough: a woman killed her husband and is now in a mental institution. She is a famous painter. She refuses to speak. The protagonist is a therapist who wants to help her regain her voice.
Will he? What will she tell him? Why has she gone silent? The therapist is one part detective, one part analyst, and one part guy with his own demons to overcome. His journey to understand what happened to Alicia that night leads to a jaw-dropping twist.
A Sorrow Called Sarah by Charlotte Roddy
Bookworms who love the mind-bending thriller aspects of First Lie Wins will love this outstanding debut novel. In fact, you might be scared to go anywhere alone for a while after reading this one.
I couldn't put this twisty, psychological thriller down. I wanted to know what happened to Sarah, the woman who disappeared. This question relentlessly drove the narrative as her younger sister chased one lead after another. To make matters worse, more girls who look like Sarah are ending up dead in Golden Gate Park, and the younger sister looks just like Sarah. Would she be next?
I was guessing until the final pages. The novel was a wild ride and a totally unexpected ending, but I have mixed feelings about whether or not I actually liked that ending, but I was definitely surprised.
Fans of the super twisty ending to First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston will appreciate the complex narrative and conclusion in A Sorrow Called Sarah.
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
"I'm going to let you out... Just not yet." ― Freida McFadden from The Housemaid
Yikes!!!
This mind-bending bestseller is fast-paced, full of surprises, chilling, and unexpected. The premise is that a woman takes a housemaid job and gets much more than she bargained for.
So much more.
The whole story is twisty and full of dark corners. I didn’t know what was going on, and by the time I found out, I was blown away. I’m glad that this novel kept popping up as recommended reading for me because wow! Now I can’t wait to see the movie version.
If you enjoyed First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston and haven’t tried any of Freida McFadden novels yet, start here with The Housemaid. It has been my favorite so far.
The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
“It's very strange, looking back, how accepting children can be of the oddest scenarios.” ― Lisa Jewell from The Family Upstairs
It took me a while to get into The Family Upstairs because there are multiple viewpoint characters, and two of them start with "L": Libby and Lucy. This kind of thing trips me up, especially when I'm getting to know characters AND time/place is moving around.
After getting past that and delving into the plot, The Family Upstairs is a wild, bizarre, creepy thriller that kept me hooked until the end. I was surprised by several plot twists. This novel is my second Lisa Jewell, and I liked it as much as the first, so I'll be delving more into her backlist. If you love books like First Lie Wins, this one is for you!
The Pilot’s Wife by Anita Shreve
“But how do you ever know that you know a person?” ― Anita Shreve, quote from The Pilot’s Wife
Released in 1998, The Pilot’s Wife might seem to be an unusual choice for books like First Lie Wins. It’s a quieter mystery. Older. A slow burn. A woman learns that her husband has died. Then, she realizes that he was living a secret life. She pulls on that thread.
What I love most about this novel—and other books by Anita Shreve—is the writing. The characters are beautiful. The story unfolds at its own pace, not at breakneck speed, but gripping nonetheless. The layered and surprising plot as Kathryn digs into her husband’s secrets was absorbing.
Ashley Elston fans who enjoy nostalgic books from another decade should give this popular Oprah’s Book Club Pick a chance.
Other Books You’ll Devour If You Liked First Lie Wins by Ashley Elsten
If you are looking for other books like First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston, Goodreads also offers a great book list: Readers Who Enjoyed First Lie Wins. You might also be interested in my post, Other Good Reads.
About the Author: Khristina Chess
Khristina Chess is an award-winning author of more than a dozen young adult novels, including The Cutting Edge of Friendship, The Delinquent Hero, and Junior Missing. Her novel about eating disorders, Hollow Beauty, was named a finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. She tackles tough teen topics and writes binge-worthy books across multiple genres, including contemporary, thriller, mystery, dystopian, and adventure.
