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If you're looking for thrilling reads that haven't hit the mainstream, there are many hidden gems across different subgenres. These books often feature complex characters, unique plots, and twists that will keep you guessing.

Here are some of the best thriller books that aren't well-known:

Psychological Thrillers

• "The Good Son" by You-Jeong Jeong: This intense, mind-bending psychological thriller from a well-known South Korean author follows Yu-jin, who wakes up covered in blood to find his mother dead. He suffers from memory lapses and tries to piece together what happened, uncovering dark secrets and shocking twists.
• "I Am Watching You" by Teresa Driscoll: This suspenseful page-turner combines multiple perspectives to tell the story of a woman haunted by guilt after she overhears a disturbing conversation on a train and one of the girls involved goes missing.
• "After The Silence" by Louise O'Neill: A captivating mystery that delves into psychological abuse in a compelling and realistic way, with a shocking conclusion.
• "Dark Places" by Gillian Flynn: While Gillian Flynn is a renowned author for "Gone Girl," "Dark Places" is a lesser-known but equally clever and multilayered psychological thriller with flawed, unreliable characters and an ingenious dual narrative.
• "The Couple Next Door" by Shari Lapena: This novel constantly turns the story on its head, with multiple twists that make you question everything you thought you knew about the characters and what happened to their missing child.
• "My Lovely Wife" by Samantha Downing: Nominated for the 2019 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Mystery & Thriller, this book features a unique concept and twisted characters, culminating in a satisfying and stellar climax.
• "Reconstructing Amelia" by Kimberly McCreight: This book, recommended by a thriller fan, offers a compelling narrative about a mother investigating her daughter's apparent suicide.
• "The Dark Room" by J.P. Delaney: This thriller has a plot that twists and turns as readers try to determine if the protagonist, who has amnesia after a car accident, is a victim or a murderer.
• "Past Life" by Dominic Nolan: A detective who lost her memory due to trauma must solve the mystery of her own abduction, with her only clue being the last case she worked on before she disappeared.

Crime Thrillers & Mysteries

• "The Cipher" by Isabella Maldonado: This fast-paced thriller introduces FBI agent Nina Guerrera as she tracks a serial killer with a personal vendetta, known as "The Cipher," who leaves cryptic clues.
• "True Crime Story" by Joseph Knox: A riveting and innovative mystery from 2021 that will keep you guessing until the shocking end.
• "The Khan" by Saima Mir: A gritty and compelling crime thriller that also explores themes of family and community, standing out from other books in the genre.
• "Dark Vet" by CJ Hannon: A twisty detective murder mystery with an unexpected ending, perfect for fans of authors like Peter James.
• "Cold to the Touch" by Carrie Hacoda: If you enjoy crime thrillers with a detective protagonist, this serial killer thriller set in Alaska features a fast-paced narrative and constant impending doom.
• "The Murder Bird" by Joanna Hines: A young cellist is convinced her mother's electrocution wasn't suicide and races against time to uncover the truth when a mysterious poem and journals go missing.
• "House of Smoke" by J. Freedman: A former cop turned detective investigates a boyfriend's alleged suicide in prison, only to find herself targeted by enemies of the family.
• "The Murder Code" by J.S. Carol: A detective faces a case that defies all rules, as victims pile up and the killer's clues become personal.

Other Thriller Subgenres & Notable Mentions

• "Pressure" by Jeff Strand: Described as gross and addicting, this book isn't afraid to "go there" with its content and will keep you turning pages.
• "The Magpies" by Mark Edwards: If you enjoy the "terrible neighbors" trope, this book is highly recommended for its crazy plot twists.
• "I Let You Go" by Clare Mackintosh: A popular domestic thriller that a reviewer initially struggled with but ultimately loved.
• "All Is Not Forgotten" by Wendy Walker: Another domestic thriller that delivers a sense of anxiety and unease throughout.
• "The Butterfly Garden" by Dot Hutchinson: A dark and disturbing novel that is difficult to put down.
• "A Head Full of Ghosts" by Paul Tremblay: This book is praised for its magnificent writing and is credited by one reviewer for igniting their love for mysteries and thrillers.
• "The Last Thing To Burn" by Will Dean: An atmospheric thriller with dark themes that highlights the horrors of human trafficking.
• "Northern Spy" by Flynn Berry: A compelling espionage adventure set during the Northern Ireland conflict, focusing on a mother's determination to provide a better life for her child.
• "Wicked Little Deeds" by Kat Ellis: An enticing thriller that offers a fresh take on the horror/mystery genre without relying on clichés.
• "Run For The Hills" by Jodi Burnett: A story about a therapist stalked by a psychotic client, blending thriller elements with a heartfelt story.
• "Everybody Knows" by Karen Dodd: The first book in a crime thriller series featuring a tenacious hero and high-octane adventure in international settings.
• "The Family Lies" by Angela Henry: A librarian hired by a wealthy family becomes suspicious when police investigate a missing woman last seen with the man of the estate.
• "The Engagement Party" by Finley Turner: A domestic thriller set around an engagement party, perfect for those who enjoy wedding-themed suspense.
• "The Hours Before Dawn" by Celia Fremlin: An Edgar Award winner from over 60 years ago, this early domestic thriller explores a young mother's sinister suspicions about a lodger, possibly fueled by sleep deprivation.
• "Treachery on Tenth Street": A coming-of-age tale meets thriller that unravels a mystery plunging a young man into an adulthood filled with lies and betrayal.
• "Rovers": A hardboiled supernatural thriller about two brothers who are nocturnal beings and consume human blood, with one brother reminded of his humanity by a potential victim.
• "Mary Toft; or, the Rabbit Queen": Based on an allegedly true story from 1726, this historical thriller follows an apprentice surgeon investigating a woman who claims to give birth to rabbits.
• Julia Heaberlin's works: Authors like Julia Heaberlin ("Black-Eyed Susans," "Paper Ghosts," "We Are All the Same in the Dark") are consistently praised for their exciting and beautifully written thrillers, though they may not be widely discussed on social media.
• Chelsea Cain's series (starting with "Heartsick"): These books are described as scary, gory, and tightly plotted, featuring a ruthless female murderer.
• "A Spy by Nature" by Charles Cumming: A psychological spy thriller about a young, ambitious man with a talent for deception who gets an interview with British Intelligence.

These titles are a great starting point if you're looking to dive into thrilling narratives beyond the usual bestsellers.