By Book Club Team 
If The Silent Patient left you craving more mind-bending psychological thrillers, these books will deliver the same suspenseful twists, complex characters, and shocking endings that keep you guessing until the very last page:
1. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
Millie takes a job as a live-in housemaid for a wealthy family, only to discover that her employer, Nina, is far from what she seems. As Millie uncovers shocking secrets about the family, the lines between victim and villain blur. This fast-paced thriller keeps you on edge with its jaw-dropping twists, much like The Silent Patient.
2. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
This suspenseful thriller is narrated by Rachel, a woman whose life is falling apart after her divorce and struggles with alcoholism. Rachel rides the train every day and becomes obsessed with a seemingly perfect couple she observes from the window. When the wife, Megan, goes missing, Rachel inserts herself into the investigation, but her memory lapses and unreliable narration create a web of suspense and confusion. With themes of obsession, betrayal, and deception, this novel’s layered storytelling and shocking twists make it a perfect follow-up to The Silent Patient.
3. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
A dark and twisted exploration of marriage and manipulation. When Amy Dunne vanishes on her fifth wedding anniversary, her husband Nick becomes the prime suspect. As alternating chapters reveal Amy’s diary and Nick’s perspective, secrets unravel, and nothing is as it seems. The unreliable narration and intricate psychological dynamics are reminiscent of The Silent Patient. The ending will leave you reeling and questioning every character’s motives.
4. Never Lie by Freida McFadden
Psychologist Tricia and her husband visit a secluded home to potentially buy it, only to find themselves trapped in a storm. While exploring, Tricia discovers the belongings of a missing woman, leading to revelations about the house and its past. The book’s suspense and psychological depth make it a perfect pick for fans of Alex Michaelides.
5. Verity by Colleen Hoover
Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer, is hired to complete the work of Verity Crawford, a famous author who’s unable to write due to an accident. While staying at Verity’s home, Lowen discovers an unpublished manuscript that reveals disturbing secrets about Verity’s life and the tragic events surrounding her family. The book is packed with psychological tension, morally gray characters, and a chilling atmosphere. Like The Silent Patient, it blends psychological suspense with an unreliable narrative that keeps you guessing.
6. The Housemaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden
In this sequel to The Housemaid, Millie takes a new job with another wealthy family. Her suspicions grow as she’s forbidden from entering certain rooms, and secrets unravel that are darker than she ever imagined. Packed with twists, it’s another thrilling read for fans of hidden truths and complex characters.
7. Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
Jack and Grace Angel appear to have a picture-perfect marriage: he’s a charming lawyer, and she’s the ideal hostess. But behind the facade lies a chilling reality—Grace is a prisoner in her own home, manipulated and controlled by Jack’s psychopathic tendencies. The book explores themes of control, deception, and hidden darkness in relationships, making it an unsettling yet compulsively readable thriller for fans of The Silent Patient.
8. Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
This atmospheric thriller is set on an isolated island that houses a psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane. U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels arrives to investigate the disappearance of a patient, but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that nothing is as it seems—not the hospital, the staff, or even Teddy himself. With themes of mental health, psychological manipulation, and a shocking twist ending, it’s an excellent choice for readers who loved The Silent Patient’s dark and mysterious tone.
9. The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen
This novel explores the tangled lives of three women connected by a manipulative man. Told from multiple perspectives, it pulls the reader into a labyrinth of lies, jealousy, and obsession. Every time you think you’ve figured out the truth, another twist throws you off. Like The Silent Patient, it’s packed with unreliable narrators and dark secrets, making it an unputdownable read.
10. Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson
Christine Lucas suffers from amnesia and wakes up every day with no memory of her past or even the people in her life. As she works with a doctor and begins journaling to piece her life together, Christine uncovers terrifying truths about her relationships and the events leading to her memory loss. This gripping psychological thriller features the same unreliable narration and haunting tension as The Silent Patient, with a twist that will leave you breathless.
11. The Inmate by Freida McFadden
Brooke, a nurse, takes a job at a prison where she encounters Shane, her ex-boyfriend who’s serving time for murder. As secrets about the prison and its inmates emerge, Brooke finds herself in a chilling situation. The tension and psychological depth will appeal to readers who loved the dark setting of The Silent Patient.
12. The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
Marco and Anne Conti leave their baby home alone for a short dinner with neighbors, but when they return, their child is missing. As the investigation unfolds, secrets about the couple and their seemingly perfect lives are exposed, leading to a shocking conclusion. This domestic thriller captures the same feeling of paranoia and mistrust found in The Silent Patient and keeps readers guessing at every turn.
13. The Chain by Adrian McKinty
In this high-stakes thriller, Rachel Klein receives a call informing her that her daughter has been kidnapped. To get her back, Rachel must kidnap another child and continue “the chain.” What starts as a horrifying moral dilemma spirals into a nail-biting thriller filled with psychological tension and action-packed twists. If you loved the intensity and unexpected turns of The Silent Patient, this book will have you hooked.
14. The Breakdown by B.A. Paris
Cass Anderson drives past a car stranded in the woods during a storm but decides not to stop. Later, she learns the driver was murdered, and she becomes plagued by guilt, paranoia, and the feeling that someone is watching her. As her mental state deteriorates, Cass begins to question her own sanity. This psychological thriller shares The Silent Patient’s themes of paranoia, emotional fragility, and hidden truths.
These books deliver the same mind-bending, edge-of-your-seat suspense that made The Silent Patient such a hit. Add them to your TBR for more late-night thrill rides!
Other Books by the Author of The Silent Patient – Alex Michaelides
If you’re a fan of Alex Michaelides’ psychological twists and dark storytelling in The Silent Patient, you’ll definitely want to check out his other work:
1. The Maidens (2021)
- Genre: Psychological Thriller / Mystery
- Synopsis: This chilling novel follows Mariana Andros, a brilliant but grieving group therapist, who becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind a series of murders at Cambridge University. The killings seem to be connected to a secret society of female students known as “The Maidens,” and their enigmatic professor, Edward Fosca.
- Why You’ll Love It: Like The Silent Patient, The Maidens blends Greek mythology, unreliable narrators, and psychological depth with a gripping murder mystery. Michaelides once again weaves a story full of secrets, trauma, and shocking revelations.
What to Expect from Alex Michaelides
Michaelides is known for:
- Twisty plots with jaw-dropping endings.
- Strong influences from Greek mythology (he studied it in college).
- Themes of mental health, trauma, and therapy.
- Atmospheric settings, like psychiatric facilities or prestigious universities, that add an extra layer of intrigue.
If you loved the combination of dark psychology and mythological elements in The Silent Patient, The Maidens is a perfect follow-up read! Fans are eagerly waiting for more from him, as he has hinted at working on new projects.