Looking for an unforgettable collection of books like The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides? 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 twisty vibes found in 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 jaw-dropping endings, complex characters, and addictive storytelling I loved in The Silent Patient.
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 The Silent Patient’s dark obsession themes will recognize the same intoxicating tension in Junior Missing down. 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 Alex Michaelides readers who are looking for dark romances like The Silent Patient that push traditional boundaries. This mesmerizing novel depicts how someone can so easily be manipulated and hurt in a toxic relationship. I couldn’t put it down.
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 The Silent Patient, you must read this one immediately.
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 The Silent Patient, I promise this one will grab your attention.
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 The Silent Patient and are looking for more thrillers, Romily Bernard's book is worth a look.
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 Alex Michaelides’ 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!!
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 The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides.
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 The Silent Patient. 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.
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 The Silent Patient, this one is for you!
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 The Silent Patient, you will devour this!
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 The Silent Patient, I don’t know how you could have missed Colleen Hoover’s Verity, but in case you did, let me share some thoughts.
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!
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 The Silent Patient.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
“Friends see most of each other’s flaws. Spouses see every awful last bit.” ― Gillian Flynn, quote from Gone Girl
It’s hard to say much about this one without revealing spoilers. A wife’s disappearance exposes the secrets of her marriage, which spirals into an unexpected labyrinth of manipulation, media spectacle, and revenge. The husband is the main suspect—perhaps for good reason. After all, love has turned sour.
But is he really the killer?
As with The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, the characters in Gone Girl are not who they’re pretending to be. Everyone poses and lies. I found the ending very surprising.
Drowning Instinct by Ilsa Bick
“This is a fairy tale with teeth and claws.” ― Ilsa Bick, quote from Drowning Instinct
This undiscovered treasure portrays a complex romance like that found in The Silent Patient—but on a different level!
I didn't know what to expect when a friend loaned this book to me, but wow! This book has layers. The way the author wove the "drowning instinct" theme throughout the story was really well done, and I loved the complexity of the characters and the plot twists. The pacing kept getting more intense and compelling as I read further. Addictive.
I don’t want to give too much away. Drowning Instinct is a twisty thriller with a dark and inappropriate relationship between a teen girl and her teacher. If you devoured the tangled romances in The Silent Patient, you should give Drowning Instinct a try.
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 The Silent Patient. 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 is similar to the unfolding suspense as Lowen begins reading Verity’s hidden manuscript.
Alex Michaelides fans who enjoy nostalgic books from another decade should give this popular Oprah’s Book Club Pick a chance.
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 The Silent Patient, give Where the Crawdads Sing a look. You won’t be disappointed.
(P.S. - the movie is also great.)
A Sorrow Called Sarah by Charlotte Roddy
Bookworms who love the mind-bending thriller aspects of The Silent Patient 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.
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
“You can tell a lot about a person by the way they act when they are left waiting too long.”― Ashley Elston, quote from First Lie Wins
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston is one of those psychological thrillers that grabs you from the beginning and never lets go.
Evie Porter is a free agent who handles various “jobs” for a mysterious Mr. Smith. She’s good at her job. In fact, she’s so good that she doesn’t trust Mr. Smith and sets safety nets around her to make sure that when she’s double-crossed (not if, she knows it’s coming), she’ll be ready.
About halfway through the book, I was certain that I'd figured out who the mysterious "Mr. Smith" was--but I was wrong! The ending had a great twist and surprise. After a modest start to the narrative, I had to sit down and read the rest of the book in a single afternoon. I loved the premise, the mystery, and the conflict. I can see why so many people loved this one. Excellent read! If you enjoyed the unpredictable characters in The Silent Patient, I know you’ll enjoy meeting Evie Porter.
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 The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides and haven’t tried any of Freida McFadden novels yet, start here with The Housemaid. It has been my favorite so far.
Other Books You’ll Devour If You Liked The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
If you are looking for other books like The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, Goodreads also offers a great book list: Readers Who Enjoyed The Silent Patient. 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.
