20 Books With Good Twists
There’s nothing quite like the thrill of a well-executed plot twist. You know the feeling – when everything you thought you understood about a book shifts dramatically, and the ending leaves you speechless. A good twist isn’t just about the surprise factor; it’s about how the twist enriches the story, adds depth to the characters, and leaves you with lingering thoughts long after you’ve finished reading. It can make the difference between a book that’s good and one that’s unforgettable. In this post, we’re sharing a roundup of books that master the art of the plot twist—each one offering jaw-dropping twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
20 Books With Good Twists
If you're a fan of psychological thrillers or simply love a story that leaves you second-guessing everything, this list is for you. These books are known for their brilliant twists, each one carefully crafted to surprise, intrigue, and sometimes even haunt you. Whether you're looking for a twist that shakes the very foundation of the story or a subtle one that adds a whole new layer of meaning, these picks are sure to deliver.
Here, you'll find a mix of psychological thrillers, mysteries, and general fiction that keep you guessing until the very last page. So, if you love books that challenge your assumptions and reward you with a shocking revelation, keep reading.
What Is A Plot Twist In A Story?
A plot twist is a sudden, unexpected change in the direction of a story. It’s a narrative device that surprises the reader, often turning everything they thought they knew on its head. In most cases, a plot twist is meant to alter the course of the narrative in a way that’s both surprising and satisfying. It can change the way readers view the characters, the story’s themes, or even the entire plot itself.
A great plot twist is often one that, in retrospect, feels both surprising and inevitable. It must be foreshadowed just enough to feel earned but not so obvious that it spoils the surprise. It challenges readers to rethink everything they've just read and leaves them reflecting on the story long after they’ve closed the book.
What Are Good Plot Twist Books?
Now, let’s dive into the books with twists that will leave you reeling. These picks offer everything from unpredictable endings to major game-changing revelations. Get ready for some jaw-dropping twists!
Books With Good Twists
Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
Expectations: A dark, psychological thriller that explores the seemingly perfect life of a married couple.
B.A. Paris delivers a chilling and suspenseful story about a woman who appears to have it all—a perfect husband, a beautiful house, and a seemingly flawless life. However, nothing is as it seems, and as the story unravels, you'll discover a plot twist so shocking it will leave you breathless. Behind Closed Doors is a great choice for fans of psychological thrillers with jaw-dropping twists and intense suspense.
I just finished reading Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell, which was a twisty, fascinating book about the mother of a missing girl. - An excerpt from my author interview with Jayne Cowie
Books With Good Twists
Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
Author Interview with Lisa Jewell
Expectations: A gripping tale of a young woman’s mysterious disappearance and the haunting consequences it leaves behind.
This book combines mystery with family drama and adds a twist that will take you completely by surprise. When a young girl goes missing, her mother is left to grapple with the aftermath, years later uncovering secrets that change everything. Lisa Jewell knows how to create engaging characters and emotional depth, and the twist in this novel will leave you questioning everything you've read.
Books With Good Twists
Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney
Expectations: A psychological thriller about a woman in a coma, struggling to piece together what happened to her.
Alice Feeney is known for her jaw-dropping twists, and Sometimes I Lie is no exception. The novel follows Amber, who wakes up in a coma with no memory of the events that led to her injury. As the story progresses, you'll be caught up in a whirlwind of lies, deception, and shocking revelations. This one is perfect for those who love a twist that keeps you on your toes and second-guessing the entire narrative.
[The author I draw inspiration from is] Liane Moriarty. She is my all time favorite author. Her books got me through a very bad time in my life. She is the one who inspired me to be a writer, to share my stories with the world and maybe help someone else who needed to hear the words. - An excerpt from my author interview with Lyn Liao Butler
Books With Good Twists
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Expectations: A story about a group of mothers in a tight-knit community, filled with secrets and lies.
Liane Moriarty masterfully blends humor, suspense, and drama in Big Little Lies. While the book is primarily about the lives of three women, the twist at the end adds a layer of depth that completely redefines the entire story. The dynamic between the characters, along with the shocking reveal, makes this a must-read for fans of books with unexpected twists.
Books With Good Twists
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Expectations: A gripping mystery about a woman who becomes entangled in a missing person case.
Paula Hawkins' The Girl on the Train is one of the best-known psychological thrillers of the past decade. The story follows Rachel, a woman who becomes obsessed with the lives of a couple she watches from the train every day. But when the woman from the couple goes missing, Rachel is drawn into the investigation, uncovering a twist that will leave your head spinning. The psychological complexity and twists in this novel are sure to keep you hooked.
Books With Good Twists
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Expectations: A psychological thriller about a woman who shot her husband and then stopped speaking.
In The Silent Patient, Alicia Berenson is a famous painter who is found guilty of shooting her husband. After the crime, she becomes mute and is sent to a psychiatric institution. Theo, a psychotherapist, becomes obsessed with her case, determined to uncover the truth. This book's twist is one of the most shocking and unexpected you’ll find in any psychological thriller. It's a must-read for fans of mysteries with unpredictable endings.
[The book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with is] Amy Dunne from Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. Well, I’d start by hiding anything sharp. Then I’d ask her about plot twists, fake identities, and how she manages to be terrifying and fascinating at the same time. By the time we’re rescued, she’s either given me a masterclass in manipulation… or I’ve agreed to help her fake her death. Again. - An excerpt from my author interview with Julia Shraybman
Books With Good Twists
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Expectations: A modern psychological thriller that explores the complexities of marriage and the media.
Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl is a classic when it comes to books with good plot twists. The story follows the disappearance of Amy Dunne, and her husband Nick is quickly suspected of her murder. But the book’s twist goes far beyond the usual "whodunit," and the revelations in the second half of the book are jaw-dropping. Flynn’s exploration of media manipulation, marriage, and deceit makes this a must-read for anyone who enjoys mind-bending plot twists.
Books With Good Twists
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
Expectations: A suspenseful domestic thriller about a young couple whose baby is kidnapped.
Shari Lapena’s The Couple Next Door presents a seemingly perfect couple whose lives spiral out of control when their baby is kidnapped. As the investigation unfolds, the story takes unexpected turns, revealing secrets and lies that make you question everyone involved. With an unforgettable twist, this book will keep you guessing until the very end.
[The author I draw inspiration from is] Sarah Pekkanen and her co-author Greer Hendricks. They are masters of suspense and plotting ingenuity. - An excerpt from my author interview with Shelley Nolden
Books With Good Twists
The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Expectations: A psychological thriller about the complex relationships between a woman, her ex-husband, and his new fiancée.
This novel explores the complicated dynamics of a woman’s obsession with her ex-husband’s new fiancée. The plot twist will completely change how you view the characters and the events leading up to the shocking ending. The Wife Between Us is a twisty, unreliable-narrator story that will keep you glued to the pages.
Books With Good Twists
The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine
Author Interview with Liv Constantine
Expectations: A psychological thriller about a woman who plots to take over another woman’s perfect life.
In The Last Mrs. Parrish, the story follows a woman named Amber, who enviously watches her wealthy neighbor, Daphne Parrish, and decides to infiltrate her life. The plot twists in this book are both unexpected and satisfying, making it a great pick for fans of psychological thrillers with devious characters and dark twists.
Books With Good Twists
The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
Expectations: A psychological thriller about a woman who believes she has witnessed a crime through her window.
Anna Fox spends her days alone in her home, looking out the window, spying on her neighbors. When she believes she’s witnessed a crime, the book takes on twists that challenge reality and force you to question Anna’s perspective. A twist that keeps you guessing, The Woman in the Window is perfect for fans of unreliable narrators and shocking conclusions.
Books With Good Twists
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Expectations: A dark, psychological thriller about a reporter returning to her hometown to cover a series of murders.
Flynn’s Sharp Objects features a compelling story about Camille, a journalist who returns to her small hometown to report on the murders of two young girls. As she uncovers the twisted truths of her past, the novel's plot twists are expertly delivered, ensuring that readers are never quite sure who to trust.
I think it's hard not to be inspired by Colleen Hoover's story especially as a self-published author. She's true to her stories, has made reading cool, and she has a great ability to not take herself to seriously. - An excerpt from my author interview with Kirsten Pursell
Books With Good Twists
Verity by Colleen Hoover
Expectations: A psychological thriller about an author uncovering disturbing secrets in the life of a famous writer.
Verity is a departure from Colleen Hoover's usual work, delving into darker psychological territory. The story follows Lowen Ashleigh, who takes over writing the remaining books in an author’s series after the original writer, Verity, is incapacitated. As Lowen uncovers Verity’s manuscripts and journals, she stumbles upon disturbing revelations that lead to a jaw-dropping twist.
Books With Good Twists
An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Expectations: A psychological thriller about a woman participating in a psychological study that becomes far too personal.
The authors behind The Wife Between Us return with another twisty tale. In An Anonymous Girl, the plot follows Jessica, who agrees to participate in a psychological study for money. As the study progresses, the line between the experiment and reality blurs, and the twists keep coming. Prepare for a story filled with manipulation, deception, and a shocking twist.
Books With Good Twists
Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson
Expectations: A psychological thriller about a woman with amnesia who wakes up every day with no memory of her past.
Christine wakes up every day with no memory of the previous day, struggling to piece together her life. The twist here is mind-bending, and as Christine uncovers the truth about her past, the revelation will leave you rethinking everything you’ve read up to that point.
Books With Good Twists
The Girl with a Clock for a Heart by Peter Swanson
Expectations: A psychological thriller about a woman with a mysterious past and a man who is pulled back into her life.
In this twisty thriller, George is pulled into the life of Liana, a woman from his past who has a dark secret. As the two become entangled in a web of lies, deception, and crime, the plot twists keep coming, each more surprising than the last. This one is for fans of fast-paced psychological thrillers.
Books With Good Twists
The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
Expectations: A historical fiction novel with unexpected twists.
In The Paris Library, we follow Odile Souchet, a librarian at the American Library in Paris during WWII. While this is primarily a historical fiction novel, the plot contains subtle twists that add emotional depth to the story. Expect a mix of history, drama, and surprising revelations.
…I was an early adopter of audiobooks. I used to listen to Bill Bryson books on tape through my Walkman. Not a cool look when you’re a teenager. Then, building my forest cabin, putting in the windows, I listened to The Secret History by Donna Tartt (narrated brilliantly by the author). I’m very attached to that memory. - An excerpt from my author interview with Will Dean
Books With Good Twists
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Expectations: A dark, psychological mystery about a group of college students and their descent into crime.
This classic novel by Donna Tartt is a must-read for anyone who loves dark academia and psychological thrills. The book follows a group of elite students who commit a crime and try to cover it up, leading to unexpected twists that reveal the true nature of their actions.
[Erin Morgenstern] breaks a lot of rules, in both a macro sense—her imaginary worlds are impossibly strange and idiosyncratic—but also in a micro sense: grammar, sentence flow. After reading The Night Circus, I felt braver as a writer. She used second-person POV and passive voice quite a bit in that book, and I was inspired to bend a few rules in my own work, too. - An excerpt from my author interview with Sarah Penner
Books With Good Twists
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Expectations: A fantastical tale about a magical circus and the competition between two young magicians.
The Night Circus is a mesmerizing and enchanting novel, but it also contains subtle twists that deepen the mystery surrounding the circus and its performers. The magic of this book lies in how it builds tension, leading to twists that alter the fates of its characters.
Books With Good Twists
The Chain by Adrian McKinty
Expectations: A psychological thriller about a mother who is forced to kidnap another child to save her own.
In The Chain, a mother’s worst nightmare comes true when her daughter is kidnapped. To get her back, she must follow a series of instructions and kidnap another child. The plot twists in this story keep readers on edge, and the suspense will keep you glued to the pages until the very end.
For more mind-bending reads, check out our best psychological thrillers roundup, where we explore even more jaw-dropping twists and turns that will keep you guessing.
