books like behind closed doors

4 min read 30-11-2024

Meta Description: Craving more suspenseful psychological thrillers after reading Behind Closed Doors? Discover 15 books like Beryl Bainbridge's gripping novel, featuring shocking twists, unreliable narrators, and dark secrets. Dive into a world of domestic suspense and psychological twists! Prepare to be captivated by these mind-bending stories filled with shocking reveals and unpredictable characters.

Diving Deeper into Domestic Suspense: Beyond Behind Closed Doors

B.A. Paris's Behind Closed Doors captivated readers with its chilling portrayal of a seemingly perfect marriage masking a sinister reality. If you finished the book craving more suspenseful tales of domestic turmoil and unreliable narrators, you've come to the right place. This article explores 15 books that share similar elements, ensuring your next read is just as gripping. We'll explore the themes of psychological manipulation, hidden secrets, and the unsettling nature of seemingly idyllic lives.

Psychological Thrillers with Similar Shocking Twists

Exploring Unreliable Narrators and Hidden Truths

Many books replicate the unsettling feeling of Behind Closed Doors by utilizing unreliable narrators and slowly revealing shocking truths. This technique keeps the reader guessing and immersed in the mystery.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides: This psychological thriller centers on a famous painter who shoots her husband and then refuses to speak. A psychotherapist becomes obsessed with unlocking her silence, leading to unexpected revelations. It shares Behind Closed Doors' focus on unraveling a seemingly simple narrative to reveal something far more complex.
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware: A journalist on a cruise ship witnesses a murder, but no one believes her. This compelling mystery keeps you guessing until the very end, much like Behind Closed Doors. The isolation and the questioning of reality are key elements in both.
The Guest List by Lucy Fokley: A murder mystery set during a lavish wedding on a remote island. Suspicion falls on everyone, creating a sense of paranoia and uncertainty. This atmospheric thriller features intricate plotting, mirroring the layered suspense of Behind Closed Doors.
Verity by Colleen Hoover: A struggling writer is hired to complete the remaining books in a successful author's series. She stumbles upon the author's hidden autobiography, uncovering dark secrets and blurring the lines between fiction and reality. The unreliable narrator and exploration of the dark side of human nature are similar to Behind Closed Doors.

Domestic Suspense and the Dark Side of Family Life

Several books tap into the theme of domestic bliss masking a darker reality, much like in Behind Closed Doors.

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen: This dual-narrative thriller explores the complex relationship between two women married to the same man, revealing secrets and lies. The unreliable narration and shocking reveals are key similarities to Behind Closed Doors.
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins: A woman struggling with alcohol addiction witnesses something shocking from her train window, sparking a suspenseful investigation. The unreliable perspective and unraveling of a complex mystery mirror Behind Closed Doors' structure.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn: Nick and Amy Dunne's seemingly perfect marriage unravels after Amy disappears. Nick becomes the prime suspect, and the story is told from both his and Amy's perspectives, revealing their dark secrets. This iconic thriller expertly utilizes unreliable narration, mirroring Behind Closed Doors.

Intriguing Mysteries with Unforeseen Twists

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty: This compelling novel tells the story of three seemingly disparate women whose lives intersect in unexpected ways. The story builds suspense gradually, similar to Behind Closed Doors, leading to a shocking conclusion.
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave: Hannah Hall's husband disappears, leaving her a note with only one word: "Protect her." This mystery explores themes of trust, secrets, and the lengths people will go to protect those they love, while still holding a shocking twist.

Expanding the Scope: Beyond Domestic Suspense

While many books share the domestic suspense elements of Behind Closed Doors, others offer similar thrills through different settings and plots.

The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell: A Victorian gothic novel with a creepy atmosphere, a sense of isolation, and a slowly unraveling mystery. This shares Behind Closed Doors' gradual reveal of hidden horrors.
The House on Tradd Street by Karen White: Set in Charleston, South Carolina, this historical mystery has a suspenseful plot and layered characters, similar to the complexity of the characters in Behind Closed Doors.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid: This is a character-driven novel rather than a thriller, but it focuses on hidden secrets and unexpected revelations in a similar way.

Finding Your Next Obsession: A Guide to Choosing

Whether you prefer classic domestic suspense or are drawn to broader mysteries with surprising twists, there's a book out there waiting to captivate you. Use this list as a starting point, and explore the many authors and titles that share the gripping qualities of Behind Closed Doors. Happy reading!

Conclusion: Unraveling the Mysteries Ahead

This list provides a diverse range of books similar to Behind Closed Doors, offering a blend of domestic suspense, psychological thrillers, and mysteries with surprising twists. Whether you are looking for unreliable narrators, shocking reveals, or a deep dive into the dark side of human nature, these books offer a thrilling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, much like Behind Closed Doors. Remember to check out reviews and summaries to find the perfect fit for your next reading adventure!