Abi Rambler: Thriller Book Reviews & Reading Orders

Rock Paper Scissors is Alice Feeney's psychological thriller about a married couple, Adam and Amelia Wright, who win a weekend away in the Scottish Highlands that might save their marriage, or end it. This is a spoiler-free review: the setup, what worked for me, the content warnings and who might want to skip it. My rating: 5/5 . Jump to: My verdict (5/5) · Content warnings · Who might want to skip it · Who should read it · Where to buy My sketch inspired by Rock Paper Scissors. Quick verdict Book: Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney Genre: Psychological thriller, marriage thriller My rating: 5/5 Best for: Readers who love a slow build-up and secrets that leave you staring at the wall Content warnings: Infidelity, infertility and miscarriage, murder, stalking and gaslighting and more ( full list below ) Who might want to skip it: Anyone who'd rather avoid the topics above ( details below ) In one line: The waiting was so good, and whe...

The Silent Patient is Alex Michaelides' debut psychological thriller about a famous painter who shoots her husband and then never speaks another word, and the psychotherapist determined to get her to talk. This is a spoiler-free review: the setup, what worked for me, the content warnings (this one is dark and written for adults), and who might want to skip it. My rating: 4.2/5 . Jump to: My verdict (4.2/5) · Content warnings · Who might want to skip it · Who should read it · Where to buy My sketch notes for The Silent Patient. Quick verdict Book: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides Genre: Psychological thriller My rating: 4.2/5 Best for: Readers who love psychological thrillers Content warnings: Murder and gun violence, self-harm and suicide attempts, mental illness, violence and more ( full list below ) Who might want to skip it: Anyone who'd rather avoid the topics above, or who wants twists they can't see coming ( details below )...

Death Row is Freida McFadden's short thriller from Amazon Original Stories (2025), about a woman on death row, a murder conviction and the days ticking away towards an execution. This is a spoiler-free review: the setup, what worked for me, the content warnings, and who might want to skip it. My rating: 4.2/5 . My sketch notes for Death Row. Quick verdict Book: Death Row by Freida McFadden Genre: Psychological thriller / short story My rating: 4.2/5 Best for: Beginners, and readers who want a short, fast, twisty thriller In one line: Short, simple and fast paced, with multiple twists I never saw coming. Disclosure: Some links in this post are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Check price on Amazon → · US readers: Amazon.com Prefer listening? Death Row is on Audible. Try Audible free for 30 days and use your free credit on it. New members only; the membership renews automatically un...

The Locked Door is Freida McFadden's 2021 psychological thriller about a successful surgeon who has spent decades hiding who her father really was. This is a spoiler-free review: the setup, what worked for me, the content warnings, and who it suits. My rating: 4.5/5 . Quick verdict Book: The Locked Door by Freida McFadden Genre: Psychological thriller My rating: 4.5/5 Best for: Thriller lovers, home-based (domestic) thrillers and family-suspects stories In one line: It kept me on the verge, I suspected everyone from the start, and the twist was a total surprise. Check price on Amazon → Prefer listening? The Locked Door is on Audible, narrated by Leslie Howard. Try Audible free for 30 days and use your free credit on it. New members only; the membership renews automatically unless you cancel. My sketch inspired by The Locked Door. The Locked Door at a glance Author Freida McFadden First published 1 June 2021 (Hollywood Upstairs Press); reissued in paperba...

Verity is Colleen Hoover's psychological thriller about a struggling writer hired to finish a bestselling author's book series, and the unsettling secret she finds in the house. This is a spoiler-free review: the setup, what worked for me, the content warnings (this one is dark and meant for adult readers), and who might want to skip it. My rating: 4.3/5 . Jump to: My verdict (4.3/5) · Content warnings · Who might want to skip it · Who should read it · Where to buy My sketch notes for Verity. Quick verdict Book: Verity by Colleen Hoover Genre: Psychological thriller My rating: 4.3/5 Best for: Adult readers who like a dark, chilling psychological thriller that keeps you questioning what's true Content warnings: Loss of a child, harm to a child, violence, adult sexual content and more ( full list below ) Who might want to skip it: Anyone who'd rather avoid the topics above, or who wants a twist they can't see coming ( details below ) In one li...

My sketch notes for The Only One Left. The Only One Left is Riley Sager's 2023 gothic thriller about a young caregiver, a cliffside mansion and a family murder that has been pinned on one woman since 1929. This is a spoiler-free review: the setup, what worked for me, the content warnings, and who might want to skip it. My rating: 4.9/5 . Jump to: My verdict (4.9/5) · Who might want to skip it · Who should read it · Where to buy Sketch inspired by The Only One Left. Quick verdict Book: The Only One Left by Riley Sager Genre: Gothic mystery / thriller My rating: 4.9/5 Best for: Readers who want a fast, twisty thriller they can't put down In one line: Fast paced, kept me up till 3am, and the last twist was fantastic. The Only One Left at a glance Author Riley Sager (pen name of Todd Ritter) First published 20 June 2023 (Dutton) Setting Hope's End, a cliffside mansion on the Maine coast. The main story is set in 1983; the murders happened i...