If, like me, you love a good book filled with twists and turns that completely catch you by surprise, you’ll love these reads. Every book on this list, though all from different genres, have an unbelievable plot twist or a shocking ending. I know, because I’ve read them all!
1. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
This debut from author Alex Michaelides, has readers eagerly awaiting more from him. It has over 150,000 5-star ratings and is such a quick read. You’ll have trouble putting this down and once you get to the end, you’ll be in complete shock with a twist you couldn’t have even imagined. I read this book a few years ago and it still sticks with me. It’s probably my most recommended book, I tell everyone about it.
Plot: One night, a famous painter murders her husband by shooting him five times, and never utters another word again. While the value of her art and interest in her motive skyrockets simultaneously, she is placed in a secure unit. Years later, Theo Faber, a criminal psychotherapist is determined to get her to talk and to finally unravel the mystery of why she killed her husband. But it consumes him and his entire life. From start to finish, you’ll try to grasp at every clue but you’ll never see the ending coming.
This book has it all — romance, mystery, dark humor, and suspense. It’s one of those books I have trouble explaining because it’s … a wild ride from start to finish. Trigger warning: this book does touch on some very sensitive topics but if you’re the type to watch true crime documentaries before bed, it might be up your alley.
Plot: Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer in desperate need of some financial stability. She accepts a job offer from Jeremy Crawford, the husband of best-selling author Verity Crawford. Lowen is hired to help complete the remaining books in Verity’s successful series after Verity is left paralyzed due to an accident. She searches for notes and a manuscript in Verity’s office but discovers an autobiography that contains a bone-chilling account of Verity’s life that shakes Lowen to the core. You won’t see every twist and turn coming but hang on, because boy are they coming! This book is definitely a roller coaster and you’ll need to brace yourself. By the end, you will be questioning everything.
3. The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton
Total honesty: I was drawn to this book purely because of the cover. I know, what a cliché. It’s also not a genre I’d typically dive into. If you like lavish tales, this one is for you. There are multiple characters, timelines, and plots. The first 100 pages were kind of dense and I almost stopped reading it — I know, this doesn’t sound promising. However, this is one of my all-time fave books. I bet you didn’t see that coming, and you also won’t see the ending coming. This book builds anticipation slowly, but the deeper you go, the harder it is to put it down.
Plot: In the summer of 1862, a group of young artists decides to stay at Birchwood Manor to enjoy a month of inspiration and creativity. But before their stay is over, one person is murdered and another is missing along with a priceless heirloom. Over 150 years later, an archivist discovers some items that draws her to Birchwood Manor. Although she’s never been, something seems familiar and haunting. This story is told by multiple characters (even a ghost) over many decades, unfolding a riveting story and mystery that will completely captivate you.
4. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I have seen this book cover all over social media. But, I usually read thrillers or mysteries, so I didn’t think much about it. But it has racked up over 200,000 reviews on Amazon and there are rumors that a movie is in the works. I decided to give it a chance, and I’m happy that I did. It’s written like a conversation, as if you’re actually having a talk with Evelyn Hugo yourself. She’s a character you’ll both love and hate yet can’t get enough of. I found myself trying to read as fast as I could because I just needed to know the twist at the end everyone was talking about. The author does a great job at making readers feel invested in the characters and keeping just enough mystery until the end for the big finale.
Plot: Evelyn Hugo is an aging Hollywood star who has kept to herself for many years. She’s had an amazing career and a complicated love life. She’s ready to tell her story, all of it — the good, the bad, and the ugly. She agrees to tell her story to only one person, an unknown writer, Monique. Monique has no idea why Evelyn has chosen her, but she eventually agrees to write Evelyn’s biography. Evelyn’s story is a wild one, with so many twist and turns. It’ll make you laugh, cry, and also make you angry. The mysteries surrounding Evelyn’s glamorous career and her seven husbands is raw, heartfelt, and juicy as hell.
5. My Sister’s Grave by Robert Dugoni
This is the first book in the Tracy Crosswhite series. I’m so happy I somehow stumbled across these books. I have read every one in the series so far and they’re all great. If you enjoy watching true crime documentaries, these books allow you to be a fly on the wall and follow Detective Crosswhite as she solves various cases. It’s fast paced, well written, and I love how the characters are raw and feel so real. The best part? You can practically read each book as a standalone if you don’t want to read the series. But, if you love having a bunch of books to read back-to-back, you can do that too.
Plot: Tracy Crosswhite is a detective who has never gotten over her sister’s murder. Although her murderer has been caught and is in prison, she has always suspected that someone else killed her sister because all of the evidence was just too perfectly placed. Years later, her sister’s remains are found and Tracy wants answers. Is the real killer in prison? Or could it be someone else? If so, who?
6. In the Clearing by Robert Dugoni
This is book three in the (above) Tracy Crosswhite series. This book stayed with me well after I read the last page. From beginning to end, I was captivated. This story felt so real, it haunted me. It’s emotional, smart, and mysterious. Again, you could read the entire series, or read this on it’s own because this case is not connected to the other books.
Plot: Detective Tracy Crosswhite is asked to help solve a cold case involving a suspicious suicide of a Native American high school student that happened forty years ago. Tracy has to dig through old files, stir up memories in a small town, and expose hidden secrets to find out the truth. This story is gut-wrenching and you’ll try to grasp at every word, at every clue, and you’ll try to connect the dots. I thought I had it figured out, until I was left with my jaw on the ground when I got to the end.
7. The Passengers by John Marrs
Listen, with all this talk about self-driving cars and AI, this book hit a little too close to home. It’s definitely about a situation we have all wondered about — can we really trust technology with our lives? And, should we? This is the ultimate guessing game: Who is good? Who is bad? Who’s really in control? You’ll be guessing, judging, and trying to figure this whole plot out but I’m pretty sure you’ll never see the ending coming.
Plot: In a near-distant future, self-driving cars become the trusted and safer norm to driving. But, eight people find themselves in a scary situation. They become trapped in their cars and are driven to various locations. There are hidden cameras in their vehicles that are broadcasting the entire situation for all to see. Then, a question is made public: Who should live? And, who do we kill first? Viewers are at the edge of their seats and they all become judges in these eight people’s lives. Secrets are revealed and no one is innocent.
Well, that’s the end of this list.
So, which book will you read first? Let us know! And, add your own books to this list by commenting below.
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