“Plot twist: everything goes exactly as planned.”
If you’re the sort of reader who laps up a good shock, this is the list for you. Books with plot twists have an incredible way of pulling us in, keeping us guessing and ultimately leaving us in awe and disbelief when the story takes an unexpected turn. It’s those moments when you’re forced to pause, reread and look back on how you were somehow able to miss the clues that make a plot twist truly unforgettable. We here at What We Reading are all about this experience; which is why we thought we would pull together some of our favourite books with shocking plot twists that every reader has to experience, with as few spoilers as possible.. From mysteries, and thrillers to pieces of literary fiction, these shocking plot twists range from slow-burning reveals to sudden finales that are guaranteed to leave your jaws on the floor!
Dark Places – Gillian Flynn
Kicking off our list of the best books with shocking plot twists comes from Gillian Flynn in Dark Places. Libby Day was only seven years old when her family was brutally murdered in a rural farmhouse in Kansas. She survived by hiding and later testified that her brother, Ben, was the perpetrator. Years later and still struggling to move on with her own life, Libby is contacted by a group of amateur sleuths who are obsessed with her family’s case. As she begrudgingly agrees to revisit the past, she starts to question everything she once believed.
As Libby digs deeper into the ghosts of her past, long-buried secrets begin to bubble to the surface and the harrowing truth about that fateful night is finally revealed. Just as readers think they understand what happened, Flynn delivers a twist that reveals a shocking new reality and leaves them questioning the fine lines between innocence and guilt.
The Silent Patient – Alex Michaelides
With a successful career as a painter and a loving husband, Alicia Berenson appears to have the perfect life. But one night, without warning, she shoots her husband five times – and then never speaks another word. Confined to a psychiatric hospital named The Grove, Alicia becomes an obsession for forensic psychologist Theo Faber, who is determined to unravel the secrets behind her silence and truly understand the ‘what’ and ‘why’ behind this crime.
As Theo digs into Alicia’s life and uncovers deep layers of secrets, the story builds to a twist so unexpected it is sure to leave readers reeling. Michaelides’ ability to suddenly pull the rug out from under you is so jarring that it transforms everything you thought you knew about Alicia, Theo and the truth at the heart of their story.
Check Out The Best Books Like The Silent Patient
Then She Was Gone – Lisa Jewell
A decade on from the disappearance of her teenage daughter, Ellie, Laurel Mack continues to be haunted by the lingering unanswered questions. She’s tried to rebuild her life; however, everything changes when she meets Floyd, an enigmatic man whose own daughter, Poppy, reminds Laurel so much of Ellie. As Laurel grows closer to Floyd and Poppy, strange details from when Ellie vanished begin to surface, suggesting that there may be more to the story than she ever could have imagined.
As Laurel delves into the unsettling similarities between Ellie and Poppy, she uncovers a series of connections that culminate in one of the best books with shocking plot twists. Author Lisa Jewell deftly layers secrets and suspense in Then She Was Gone, leaving readers stunned with every chapter casting everything in a new, disturbing light.
Behind Her Eyes – Sarah Pinborough
Louise is a single mother who becomes ensnared in a complex love triangle when she embarks on an affair with her new boss, David, and unexpectedly becomes friends with his wife, Adele. Pulled in by both of them, Louise soon finds herself caught in a web of lies, secrets and unsettling behaviours that lead to her questioning what is real and who she can truly trust.
Just when you think you’ve figured out the dynamics in play in this twisted love triangle, Sarah Pinborough delivers a jaw-dropping plot twist that flips the whole narrative on its head. With an ending so surprising, Behind Her Eyes has become one of the most notorious thrillers with a plot twist that more than delivers the shock factor.
The Wife Between Us – Greer Hendricks And Sarah Pekkanen
In this gripping psychological thriller, Vanessa is a woman still reeling from her recent divorce from her wealthy husband, Richard. As she struggles to move on, she becomes increasingly obsessed with his new fiance, Nellie. The story develops through multiple perspectives, revealing complex relationships, dark secrets and the haunting nature of obsessions as Vanessa’s past and present collide with shocking and devastating consequences.
As you think you have a handle on the dynamics between Vanessa, Richard and Nellie, authors Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen deliver a series of unexpected twists that completely upend these assumptions. The Wife Between Us reveals the truths about love, betrayal and the lengths one will go to protect their heart.
Check Out The Best Books Like The Wife Between Us
I Let You Go – Clare Mackintosh
After a tragic accident claims the life of a young boy, Jenna Gray flees to a remote coastal town to escape her guilt and start again. At the same time, detectives Kate and Ray meticulously investigate this hit-and-run chase, resolute in their commitment to bringing justice to the victim’s grieving family. As Jenna rebuilds her new life, she continues to be haunted by the memories of that night, whilst Ray uncovers clues that point to a far darker story than either he or his partner could have imagined.
Just as you think you’ve unravelled Jenna’s story, Mackintosh masterfully unveils a shocking twist that shatters assumptions and challenges everything. With a narrative that keeps readers guessing until the final page, I Let You Go is one of the best mysteries for readers looking for an emotional punch.
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (Millenium #1) – Stieg Larsson
Journalist Mikael Blomkvist is hired to investigate the decades-old disappearance of Harriet Vanger, a young woman from an affluent and reclusive family. Teaming up with Lisbeth Salander, a brilliant albeit troubled hacker with a traumatic history, Blomkvist immerses himself into a web of corruption, family secrets and dark histories that lead the pair further into danger.
As they uncover more and more of the sinister truth behind the Vanger family, Larsson delivers a twist that not only lifts the lid of the fate of Harriet but also exposes the dark underbelly of societal issues that resonate throughout the story. Just when readers think they have The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo sussed out, Larsson delivers a shocking plot twist that upends their perspectives on the characters and the narrative itself.
The Woman In The Window – A.J. Finn
Dr Anna Fox is an agrophobic woman who spends all her days watching her neighbours from her window. When she becomes fascinated by the seemingly perfect family across the street from her, her obsession leads to her witnessing something shocking: a violent act that flips her entire world upside down. As Anna attempts to cobble together what she saw, she struggles with her own mental health as well as the doubts coming from those around her.
Just as readers begin to assume they have the truth behind the window, A.J. Finn pulls them into a whirlwind of psychological tension and suspense, culminating in a shocking plot twist that completely changes how they view the story. As the layers of deception are peeled back, the shocking truth at the heart of The Woman in the Window reshapes the narrative, leaving an ending that is as thrilling as it is unexpected.
Check Out The Best Books Like The Woman In The Window
Atonement – Ian McEwan
Set against the backdrop of the Second World War, Ian McEwan’s Atonement follows the lives of Briony Tallis, a young aspiring novelist, her sister Cecilia, and Robbie Turner, the son of the family’s cook. A misunderstanding soon leads to a false accusation which quickly envelopes their lives, changing their course forever. As Briony grows older, she grapples with the repercussions of her actions and seeks out atonement for the damage she has caused.
McEwan intricately weaves together a story of love, regret and the consequences of a single moment in Atonement. Just when you think you understand the depth of Briony’s guilt and her search for forgiveness, a stunning twist in the narrative reveals a truth about storytelling and the power of fiction itself. This revelation challenges everything readers have come to believe about the characters and their fates, helping to make Atonement one of the most iconic historical fiction books with a shocking plot twist.
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).
