There’s something almost electric about that moment in a novel when the floor drops out from under you. One sentence, one chapter, and suddenly, everything you thought you knew is wrong. The characters aren’t who they seemed. The story isn’t what you signed up for. And you, dear reader, are left reeling in the best way possible.
Welcome to the world of books with plot twists—a genre-blurring delight that spans psychological thrillers, suspenseful novels, crime fiction with twists, and those haunting, unforgettable dark twisty books that linger long after the last page. Whether you’re into books like Gone Girl or the best twist ending books from recent years, this list will give you seven unforgettable reads that will absolutely mess with your mind—in the most satisfying way.
So if you’re a reader who loves books that keep you guessing, buckle up. Here are seven jaw-dropping plot twists in books that you’ll never see coming.
1. Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough
Tagline: Whatever you think is happening? It’s worse.
If you’ve ever gone down the BookTok thriller recommendations rabbit hole, Behind Her Eyes has probably popped up—and for good reason. This psychological thriller is deceptively slow at first, lulling you into a domestic drama before yanking the rug out from under you in the final chapters. You’ll think you have it figured out. You’ll be wrong.
This is one of those books with big reveals that makes you question every assumption you had. The ending is so wildly unexpected that it spawned its own hashtag: #WTFthatending. Perfect for fans of twisty reads 2025 and unpredictable novels, it’s a masterclass in misdirection.
Why it’s on this list: That final twist. It’s either genius or bananas—but either way, it’s unforgettable.
2. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Tagline: Why did she stop speaking… and what is she hiding?
Alicia Berenson shoots her husband in the face five times—and then never speaks again. What follows is a psychological deep dive into trauma, obsession, and identity. Told from the POV of a criminal psychotherapist trying to crack Alicia’s silence, this novel builds a slow, almost clinical tension… until the shocking book ending that ties everything together in one devastating revelation.
It’s one of the most talked-about books with plot twists in recent years, and for good reason. The twist is both earned and completely surprising—a rare combination.
Book lovers say: “I immediately wanted to reread it to pick up the clues I missed.”
If you’re making a list of must read thrillers or gripping thriller books, this should be near the top.
3. The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson
Tagline: Strangers on a plane. Murder on their minds.
This one opens with a man and a woman meeting at an airport bar. He jokingly suggests he wants to kill his cheating wife. She says, “I think some people are the kind worth killing.” And the story takes off from there—literally.
What follows is a game of cat and mouse with multiple narrators, hidden agendas, and a twist that arrives halfway through the book—not just at the end. It’s the kind of crime fiction with twists that keeps you glued from start to finish.
Fans of books like Gone Girl will appreciate the unreliable narrators and morally gray characters. And if you’re looking for thriller books going viral, this one’s made a major comeback in recent TikTok reading circles.
Warning: Don’t get too attached to anyone.
4. Verity by Colleen Hoover
Tagline: Truth is scarier than fiction.
You probably know Colleen Hoover from her romance novels, but Verity is something else entirely. This is one of the most psychological thrillers to come out of recent years—a disturbing, layered novel that will make you uncomfortable in the best way.
Lowen, a struggling writer, is hired to complete a bestselling author’s book series after the author suffers an accident. But in the author’s office, Lowen finds a hidden manuscript that’s more terrifying than anything she expected.
This is one of those books with plot twists that plays with your sense of morality. Was Verity a monster? Or is Lowen just being manipulated?
With one of the best twist ending books on the shelf, Verity is a suspenseful novel that doesn’t let you look away—even when you want to.
5. I Am Watching You by Teresa Driscoll
Tagline: Four strangers. One terrible secret.
If you like your books that keep you guessing with a generous helping of guilt and grief, this one’s for you. A woman sees something disturbing on a train, does nothing, and learns the next day that one of the girls she saw has gone missing.
Told through multiple perspectives—including the woman, the girl’s father, and the private investigator—this story unfolds in layers, each chapter tightening the noose. The ending? A gut-punch that nobody sees coming.
This is one of those mystery books with twists that works because it feels so real. You could imagine this happening to someone you know. That’s what makes the twist hit even harder.
Perfect for: Fans of plot twist recommendations who want their suspense steeped in emotion.
6. Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
Tagline: Was it real? Or just a terrifying story?
In the world of gripping thriller books, Riley Sager is basically royalty. And Home Before Dark is one of his finest. The story follows Maggie, who returns to the “haunted” house her family fled from years ago. Her father’s bestselling book about their experience has become infamous, but Maggie doesn’t believe a word of it—until she starts uncovering secrets of her own.
This one gives you the best of both worlds: the spine-tingling chills of horror and the puzzle-solving satisfaction of a mystery. There are at least two major twists, and both land hard.
It’s the perfect twisty read for 2025, combining eerie atmosphere, buried trauma, and secrets that refuse to stay buried.
7. The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
Tagline: You think you know what’s happening…
This isn’t just a book with a plot twist—it’s an experience. At first, it might even feel disorienting. You’ve got a man who rarely leaves his house, a cat who narrates some chapters (yes, really), and a missing child case that’s gone cold.
But as you keep reading, the story begins to fold in on itself like origami—tightening, twisting, turning. When the pieces finally fall into place, it’s like watching lightning strike. You’ll never read it the same way again.
For fans of unpredictable novels, dark twisty books, and shocking book endings, this is one you have to read in 2025.
Final Thoughts: The Thrill of Not Knowing
There’s a reason we love twist endings in books—they remind us why we read in the first place. Not just for comfort or escape, but for impact. These stories challenge what we think we know, make us feel smarter when we spot clues (and absolutely fooled when we don’t), and leave us buzzing long after the final page.
So whether you’re hunting down thriller novels 2025, building your stack of must read thrillers, or scrolling through BookTok thriller recommendations for your next late-night read, these are the books with plot twists that should be immediately added to your TBR.
Riya’s Blogs is always on the hunt for thriller books going viral, and we’ll be updating this list with more plot twist recommendations as they hit the shelves.
Until then—trust no one. And happy reading. 😉
Want to read a bit more? Find some more of my writings here-
When the Echo Said Your Name: A Poem About the Ache That Stays After Love Ends
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