“I think the idea of me is better than the reality of me.”
Do you love psychological thrillers that blend suspense with romance? Colleen Hoover’s Verity is a novel unlike what most have probably come to expect from the New York Times bestselling author.
The book follows two female protagonists: Verity and Lowen. After she sustains a terrible injury, Verity’s husband, Jeremy, hires Lowen to act as a ghostwriter for Verity’s latest book. As Lowen sorts through her materials, however, she unearths Verity’s autobiography which contains a number of chilling revelations. As Jeremy and Lowen develop a significant connection, readers are taken on a thrilling journey unearthing the true shocking reality behind Verity and her past. The elements of modern romance that have defined her stories are still present, however, they are nestled in amongst an array of shocking twists, unreliable female narrators, and disturbing plot points. To celebrate Colleen Hoover’s story, join us at What We Reading for the best psychological thriller books like Verity!
Confessions – Kanae Minato
For those readers out there who loved the revolving door’s worth of unnerving twists in Verity, Kanae Minato’s Confessions makes for a perfect follow-up! Yuko Moriguchi’s four-year-old daughter, Manami, was killed on the grounds of the middle school where she teaches.
Tendering her resignation, Yuko delivers one last lecture to her students, delivering a tale that will completely upend everything they thought they knew about two of their classmates and kicking into life one woman’s maniacal plot for revenge. An exploration of the harrowing effects of tragic love, punishment and despair, Confessions is a great book like Verity for those who love a thrilling read.
The Plot – Jean Hanff Korelitz
A New York Times bestseller and The Tonight Show Summer Reads winner, The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz is another page-turning thriller centred around writers. The book follows Jacob Finch Bonner, a once-promising novelist who has fallen on hard times and now exists as a struggling author.
But, when one of his students tells him the plot of the story he’s planning on writing, only to seemingly pass away a few years later, his ticket back into fame and fortune is cemented. That is, until he receives a message from an anonymous sender, claiming to know that he is a thief. Forced to investigate this threatening message, he unearths a chilling number of hidden truths behind his former pupil and how his genius story idea actually found its way as his inspiration.
The Ghostwriter – Alessandra Torre
For anyone who loved the premise of a writer revealing her secrets through her work in Verity, Alessandra Torre’s The Ghostwriter is the perfect follow-up. This psychological thriller follows Helena Ross, a romance novelist with fifteen acclaimed works to her name.
She is all set to produce her final novel, though this isn’t slated to become her next bestseller; it’s a confession. Filled with nerve-jangling suspense and jaw-dropping revelations, Torres’ writing is at its absolute peak in The Ghostwriter, revealing the deepest, darkest secrets Helena has kept hidden from the world all her life.
My Lovely Wife – Samantha Downing
Blending Mr. and Mrs. with Dexter, My Lovely Wife is a mystery-thriller novel by Samantha Downing nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award. Told from the perspective of the unnamed husband, the book explores his fifteen-year-long marriage to his wife, Millicent, and their seemingly normal life with their two teenage children.
On the face of things, they seem the perfect family. The only issue? This married couple love killing young women. Smart, entertaining and capable of keeping a reader on the edge of their seats throughout, My Lovely Wife is layered with shocking twists and disturbing characters.
The Push – Ashley Audrain
Ashley Audrain’s The Push is one of the best books like Verity thanks to its emphasis on dark themes around motherhood. In this thriller, readers follow Blythe a mother to a son named Sam and a daughter named Violet.
Whilst she enjoys a close relationship with their son, Blythe believes that Violet is evil to the core. This tense psychological read examines the makings and breakings of a family, the experiences of motherhood and the despairing feelings that emerge when women aren’t believed.
The Perfect Stranger – Megan Miranda
The Perfect Stranger is another psychological writer thriller book like Verity. Megan Miranda’s story follows a journalist named Leah who moves in with her old friend, Emmy, as a way of escaping her troublesome past behind her.
However, when Emmy disappears, Leah finds herself embroiled in a messy police investigation with herself as the main suspect. Digging into her friend’s murky past alongside a handsome police officer on the case, The Perfect Stranger contains elements of romance, suspense and intrigue, and is centred around the theme of whether we truly ever know those closest to us.
Who Is Maud Dixon? – Alexandra Andrews
Alexandra Andrews’ Who Is Maud Dixon is a book like Verity that follows a successful writer, a woman who is employed to work for her and the shocking array of secrets that boil to the surface.
Florence Darrow works in an entry-level position in the world of publishing but appears to stumble into the job of her dreams when she starts working as the assistant to the novelist known as Maud Dixon. No one knows who Maud Dixon truly is, so when she begins working for her, Florence seizes the opportunity to not only step into her world but also her mysterious persona.
Untamed Shore – Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Like Verity, Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Untamed Shore is another historical thriller that sees a young woman embroiled in another family’s secrets, lies and dark history. Set in 1979 Baja California, Viridiana dreams of the grandiose Hollywood lifestyle.
When a wealthy American writer, his wife and brother-in-law arrive in town, she gladly takes a position as the author’s assistant. Submerged in the trio’s life of fame, wealth and glamour. However, when one of them suddenly turns up dead, the true extent of their web of deceit is fully revealed. Before long, Viridiana is ensnared in her own series of lies, learning more and more about the true identities of her employers along the way.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
