Readers who liked The Housemaid by Freida McFadden will enjoy Junior Missing by Khristina Chess, Still Missing by Chevy Stevens, and The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, selected as suspenseful thrillers that combine gripping psychological tension and fast-paced plots.
As an award-winning author and longtime blogger, I’ve spent over a decade analyzing, recommending, and reviewing the best novels to answer this question.
Unlike the usual lists, I’ve curated many lesser-known or older titles that you might not have discovered yet. You’ll find detailed reviews of my “Top 7” hidden gems in the roundup below, as well as some “Quick Picks” from more popular lists.
#1 - Junior Missing by Khristina Chess
A Seductive Beach Read Thriller
A runaway teen is drawn into an intoxicating relationship with an older man who takes her in—and won’t let her go!
The Taste Test
“He called me the most willing kidnapping victim in history. I’d invited him to my house, he’d said. I’d climbed into the car. I’d packed a bag. And a parakeet.” ― Khristina Chess from Junior Missing
Why Chess’ Chilling Themes of Domestic Abuse and Dark Romance Will Draw You In
This intense, thought-provoking, and morally-complex novel depicts how someone can be so easily manipulated and hurt in a toxic relationship. What makes Junior Missing so special is the slow-boil depiction of how Grace’s forbidden attraction turns into a trap.
The story starts as sixteen-year-old Grace Keegan, darling of the child pageant world with a bright future, is missing. At first, police assume she ran away. But when they find her abandoned phone along the highway, the truth becomes far more terrifying.
What Other Readers Are Saying
“I actually found myself, on my feet and pacing as I reached the conclusion.” ― Mamadukes, Goodreads Reader
A Powerful and Fresh Voice in Fiction
Readers who love the intense chemistry and unsettling seduction in The Housemaid won’t be able to put this thriller down.
#2 - Still Missing by Chevy Stevens
A Dark and Absorbing Page-Turner with a Jaw-Dropping Twist
A realtor is abducted and held captive for more than a year—but escape isn’t the end.
The Taste Test
“That’s where you come in, Doc. You have to help me get rid of this obsession that I’m still not safe. That someone or something is out to get me.”― Chevy Stevens from Still Missing
Why Stevens’ Suspenseful Storytelling Shines
This is one of those books that takes off with a bang and keeps on giving. A man grabs a real-estate agent from a house that she's showing, drugs her, and imprisons her in a remote cabin. He's a crazy man with all kinds of rules. After nearly a year of suffering in his hands, she escapes.
But that's not the end.
She attempts to return to her life, but she can't shake the feeling that something is off. That she is still in danger. She works with a cop to try to identify the man who took her and learn whether or not he acted alone.
What Other Readers Are Saying
I feel so guilty for liking such a dark thriller, but it was so good!! ― Cara, Goodreads Reader
An Outstanding and Terrifying Debut Novel
After reading this one, you might be scared to go anywhere alone for a while...
#3 - The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
A Roller Coaster Plot with Unreliable Narrators
An alcoholic divorcee becomes obsessed with a couple and becomes entangled in an investigation.
The Taste Test
“There’s nothing so painful, so corrosive, as suspicion.” ― Paula Hawkins from The Girl on the Train
why Hawkins’ twisty plot will make you dizzy
The Girl on the Train has unreliable narrators as well as a twisty and confusing plot that will keep you guessing until the very end. Things definitely aren’t what they seem to be. The mystery keeps the pages turning.
What, exactly, did Rachel see that day on the train?
Reading this book, I was all over the place with my feelings about it, and that was a good thing—exactly what I was looking for!
An older bestseller you might have missed
Released in 2015, this popular novel has everything you want in a psychological thriller.
What Other Readers Are Saying
This is a fast read because you get very wrapped up in the story and characters and most will have trouble putting it down. ― Suzzie, Goodreads Reader
#4 - Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
An Unputdownable Beach Read Thriller with a Fabulous Twist
A wildly unpredictable novel about a missing girl, a desperate mother, and the bizarre lengths people will go for the people they love.
The Taste Test
"If she could rewind the timeline, untwist it and roll it back the other way like a ball of wool, she'd see the knots in the yarn, the warning signs. Looking at it backward it was obvious all along. But back then, when she knew nothing about anything, she had not seen it coming. She had walked straight into it with her eyes open." ― Lisa Jewell from Then She Was Gone
Why Jewell’s Bestseller Is Unputdownable
I was about 20 pages into the story when I realized I was reading much too fast and maybe, like the missing girl Ellie, I was overlooking important clues, so I returned to page one and started again.
I had to know what happened to Ellie. with each chapter, new mysteries began to emerge. Fresh horrors. The more I learned about Ellie and Noelle, the worse things became. The whole story became very... weird. Scary!
The relationship between Ellie’s mom and the American writer, Floyd, is where things take a turn. Floyd has a daughter who looks just like Ellie. I mean, how weird is that?
The ending was totally not predictable to me, and the path to reach the conclusion was not straight.
What Other Readers Are Saying
“This turned out to be quite a stunner. I’ve read lots of psychological thrillers and this one caught me off guard.“ ― Holly, Goodreads Reader
A Popular Author Who Doesn’t Disappoint
I definitely loved this novel and want to read more of Lisa Jewell. She has a large catalog of bestsellers to choose from.
#5 - Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
A psychological thriller with liars keeping dark secrets
A wife’s disappearance exposes the secrets of her marriage, which spirals into an unexpected labyrinth of manipulation, media spectacle, and revenge.
The Taste Test
“Friends see most of each other’s flaws. Spouses see every awful last bit.” ― Gillian Flynn from Gone Girl
Why flynn’s storytelling reminds me of The Housemaid
It’s hard to say much about this one without revealing spoilers. A man’s wife disappears, and he’s the main suspect—perhaps with good reason. Love has turned sour.
But is he really the killer?
This page-turning story includes shocking revelations by characters who aren’t who they are pretending to be. Everyone poses and lies.
What Other Readers Are Saying
“Wow. Just... That was a absolute roller coaster.” ― Kate, Goodreads Reader
#6 - Drowning Instinct by Ilsa Bick
A complex romance that thrums with psychological tension
A darkly compelling story about a teen who participates in an inappropriate relationship with her teacher.
The Taste Test
“This is a fairy tale with teeth and claws.” ― Ilsa Bick from Drowning Instinct
why this lesser-known author’s novel appeals
I didn't know what to expect when a friend loaned this book to me, but wow! The way the author wove the "drowning instinct" theme throughout the story was really well done, and I loved the complexity of the characters and the plot twists. The pacing kept getting more intense and compelling as I read further.
This book was addictive.
What Other Readers Are Saying
“These are very nuanced characters who don't always behave the way you think they would/should.” ― Karen, Goodreads Reader
#7 - Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
A sympathetic protagonist with a compelling voice
A hypnotic coming-of-age mystery about an abandoned child and a murdered boy.
The Taste Test
“Unworthy boys make a lot of noise.” ― Delia Owens from Where the Crawdads Sing
why owens’ themes about love, nature, and dark secrets are unforgettable
This novel is beautiful, thrilling, sad, surprising, and engrossing. Kya Clark is a resilient child who is abandoned by her mother at six. Her alcoholic father is barely a parent, and he soon leaves her as well. Somehow, she finds a way to survive on her own, even thrive, despite an aching loneliness.
But a beautiful young girl who lives in solitude in the woods is destined for danger. And heartbreak.
The mystery surrounding the death of Chase Andrews is the inciting incident of the novel, and it's soon clear that he was not such a swell guy. Foul play is suspected. Is Kya a murder? Or someone else?
There's plenty to love here, and the pages definitely turned quickly for me.
What Other Readers Are Saying
“I can’t get over how perfect this book is. The writing grabbed me from literally the first page and kept me entranced.” ― Liz, Goodreads Reader
Other Books You’ll Devour If You Liked The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
My quick picks for more popular titles in this category include:
Verity by Colleen Hoover - A deceptive duality thriller with a mind-bending conclusion
Layla by Colleen Hoover - A unique premise: a romantic suspense novel that includes a love triangle with a ghost!
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston - An unputdownable popcorn thriller with a fabulous twist
Goodreads offers a very complete book list: Readers who enjoyed The Housemaid.
You might also be interested in my post, Other Good Reads.
Author Bio
Khristina Chess is an award-winning author of more than a dozen young adult novels, including The Cutting Edge of Friendship, The Delinquent Hero, and Junior Missing. Her novel about eating disorders, Hollow Beauty, was named a finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. She tackles tough teen topics and writes binge-worthy books across multiple genres, including contemporary, thriller, mystery, dystopian, and adventure.
