Best Psychological Fiction Books April 2025

Then She Was Gone

Ellie Mack vanished without a trace at fifteen, leaving her family shattered. A decade later, her mother Laurel still grapples with the loss. When she meets charming Floyd and his precocious daughter Poppy, Laurel is struck by the girl’s resemblance to Ellie. As she’s drawn into their world, long-buried secrets resurface, forcing Laurel to confront the past she thought she’d left behind. Jewell’s gripping narrative weaves mystery and heartbreak, keeping readers on edge until the final, shocking revelation.

Playing Nice

Pete and Maddie’s world shatters when they learn their toddler isn’t biologically theirs. A hospital mix-up switched babies, leaving them raising another couple’s child. As they grapple with this earth-shattering revelation, they form an uneasy alliance with the other family. But beneath the surface, dark secrets and manipulations threaten to unravel everything. Delaney masterfully explores the complexities of parenthood, identity, and the lengths we’ll go to protect those we love. A gripping, emotional rollercoaster that’ll keep you up all night.

Her Every Fear

Kate Priddy’s life is upended when she agrees to a six-month apartment swap with her Boston-based cousin. Escaping London and her haunting past, she hopes for a fresh start. But her new home harbors dark secrets. As Kate unravels the mystery of her neighbor’s disappearance, she can’t shake the feeling of being watched. Swanson masterfully weaves a tale of paranoia and suspense, keeping readers on edge with every creaking floorboard and shadowy figure. I found myself holding my breath, unable to put it down until the shocking finale.

The Kind Worth Killing

On a night flight to London, Ted Severson meets the enigmatic Lily Kintner. Over martinis, they play a game of truth, revealing dark secrets. When Ted confesses his desire to murder his unfaithful wife, Lily offers to help. What follows is a twisted tale of deception and betrayal, where nothing is as it seems. As the body count rises, Ted begins to question Lily’s motives and his own sanity. Swanson’s chilling thriller will keep you guessing until the very last page, leaving you breathless and wondering: who can you really trust?

Before She Knew Him

Henrietta’s new neighbors seemed perfect—until she glimpsed something chilling through their window. Obsessed with true crime, she can’t shake the feeling that Matthew is hiding a dark secret. As she digs deeper, the line between curiosity and danger blurs. Swanson masterfully weaves a tale of suburban suspicion and psychological intrigue, keeping readers on edge with each twist. A gripping exploration of how well we truly know those around us, and the lengths some will go to protect their secrets.

The Night Watch

In the shadowy streets of wartime London, four lives intertwine in unexpected ways. Sarah Waters weaves a haunting tale of love, loss, and resilience as her characters navigate the perils of blackouts and air raids. With her signature attention to historical detail, Waters paints a vivid portrait of a city under siege, where passion blooms in unlikely places and secrets lurk behind every door. A masterful exploration of human connection amidst chaos, “The Night Watch” will leave you breathless and yearning for more.

The Art of Fielding

Henry Skrimshander, a gifted shortstop, arrives at Westish College with dreams of baseball stardom. As he hones his skills under the watchful eye of team captain Mike Schwartz, Henry’s talent captivates the campus. But when a routine throw goes awry, it sets off a chain reaction that affects the lives of five people. Harbach’s debut novel is a poignant exploration of ambition, friendship, and the pressure to succeed, set against the backdrop of America’s favorite pastime. It’s a story that’ll make you laugh, cry, and ponder life’s curveballs.

In the Woods

In Tana French’s haunting debut, a chilling murder case intertwines with a detective’s own mysterious past. Twenty years after escaping a childhood tragedy that claimed his two best friends, Rob Ryan finds himself investigating a eerily similar crime. As he delves deeper, long-buried memories resurface, blurring the lines between past and present. French’s lyrical prose and intricate plotting create a atmospheric thriller that lingers long after the final page, exploring the shadowy recesses of memory and the lasting impact of trauma.

The Orphan Master’s Son

In this haunting tale of survival and identity, Jun Do navigates the brutal landscape of North Korea. From his humble beginnings in an orphanage to his rise as a government operative, Jun Do’s journey is a gripping exploration of love, loyalty, and the human spirit. Johnson’s vivid prose brings to life a world shrouded in secrecy, where truth is malleable and freedom comes at a devastating cost. A masterful blend of dark humor and heartbreaking reality, this novel will leave you questioning the nature of self in a society where individuality is forbidden.

Klara and the Sun

Klara, an Artificial Friend with outstanding observational qualities, watches customers come and go from her place in the store, hoping someone will choose her. When a young girl finally selects her, Klara’s journey into the outside world begins. As she learns about human emotions and the complexities of love, Klara grapples with profound questions about life and what it means to be human. Ishiguro’s haunting tale explores the bonds between humans and machines, leaving readers pondering the nature of consciousness and the essence of existence.