Few thrillers captured readers quite like The Girl on the Train. Between the unreliable narrator, layered secrets, morally messy characters, and addictive pacing, it’s the kind of book that keeps you saying “just one more chapter.”
If you’re searching for that same unsettling, twisty energy, these books should absolutely be on your reading list.
- Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
If you somehow haven’t already read this modern thriller classic, not is the time.
Like The Girl on the Train, this story thrives on unreliable narrators, toxic relationships, and shocking reveals. The alternating perspectives keep you constantly questioning what’s true – and who’s lying.
Read this if you loved:
messy marriages
psychological manipulation
jaw-dropping twists - The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn
An agoraphobic woman believes she witnesses a crime through her window – but no one believes her.
Sound familiar?
This book delivers the same paranoia and “can I trust this narrator?” feeling that made The Girl on the Train so addictive.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
isolated narrators
slow-burning suspense
Hitchcock-style tension - Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris
This one is darker, faster, and deeply unsettling.
Jack and Grace appear to have the perfect marriage – but behind closed doors, things are horrifyingly wrong.
It has the same compulsive “I need answers immediately” pacing as The Girl on the Train, but with even more tension.
Expect:
psychological abuse themes
intense suspense
extremely bingeable chapters - The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
A famous painter shoots her husband and never speaks another word.
This thriller became massively popular for a reason: it’s atmospheric, twisty, and impossible to stop thinking about.
Fans of The Girl on the Train will especially enjoy the psychological elements and slow unravelling of the truth.
You’ll love this if you enjoy:
therapy/mental health settings
hidden motives
ending that completely reframe the story - Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney
Alice Feeney writes some of the twistiest thrillers around, and this is one of her best.
A married couple heads to a remote Scottish chapel for a weekend getaway that quickly spirals into secrets, lies, and revenge.
Like The Girl on the Train, this book excels at making every character feel suspicious.
Read this for:
multiple twists
creepy atmosphere
dysfunctional relationships - Before I Go to Sleep by S. J. Watson
Every morning, Christine wakes up with no memory of her life.
As she begins piecing together the truth, she realises the people around her may not be telling her everything.
This is another excellent pick if your favourite part of The Girl on the Train was the uncertainty and psychological tension. - None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
A podcaster becomes obsessed with a mysterious woman she meets on her birthday – and things quickly become dangerous.
This thriller feels modern, unsettling, and incredibly bingeable. Lisa Jewell is especially good at creating uncomfortable, suspicious characters that keep you guessing.
Perfect if you want:
dark domestic suspense
morally grey characters
nonstop tension
Final Thoughts
If your favourite thing about The Girl on the Train was the unreliable narration, toxic relationships, and constant sense of unease, any of these books should work perfectly as your next read.
My top recommendation? Start with Gone Girl if you want something iconic, or Rock Paper Scissors if you’re craving nonstop twists.
And if you have any favourite psychological thrillers I should add to my reading list, let me know in the comments.
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