If you enjoy reading novels by Simon Van der Velde then you might also like the following authors:
Paula Hawkins is known for writing psychological thrillers that keep readers hooked. One of her standout books is “The Girl on the Train.” The story follows Rachel, a woman who rides the same train every day and watches a seemingly perfect couple in their home.
One day, she sees something strange and becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth. The book explores secrets, memory gaps, and the way lives can overlap in unexpected ways.
Fans of Simon Van der Velde might appreciate the way Hawkins builds tension and explores flawed, complex characters.
Gillian Flynn is an author known for her dark, intense stories and sharp character work. One of her most popular books, “Gone Girl,” is a psychological thriller about a husband and wife whose seemingly perfect marriage hides unsettling secrets.
The story begins with Nick’s wife, Amy, disappearing on their fifth wedding anniversary. As the investigation unfolds, clues from Amy’s journal and twists in Nick’s behavior make it hard to know who to trust.
It’s the kind of mystery where every new discovery adds tension, keeping readers hooked until the final page. Flynn explores manipulation, lies, and the masks people wear in relationships.
Ian McEwan is a British author known for writing stories that capture human relationships and the messy choices people make. One of his standout novels is “Atonement.”
It begins with a young girl named Briony, who misinterprets a moment she sees between her older sister Cecilia and a family friend, Robbie. This misunderstanding leads her to make a reckless accusation that changes all of their lives forever.
The novel moves through different years, showing the consequences of Briony’s actions and how they ripple through time. It’s a story about mistakes, forgiveness, and how we try to put things right.
Tana French is known for her crime novels that focus on deeply human stories and flawed characters. “In the Woods” is one of her standout books. The story follows Rob Ryan, a detective investigating the murder of a young girl in a small Irish town.
Rob has a haunting connection to the case, as he was found in the same woods as a child with no memory of what happened to his missing friends.
The book blends a murder investigation with Rob’s resurfacing childhood trauma, creating a layered and atmospheric story that pulls you into his world.
Donna Tartt is an author who crafts deeply immersive stories centered around flawed characters and their tangled relationships. Her book “The Secret History” explores a group of elite college students who bond over their shared fascination with Greek classics.
Their obsession leads them to experiment with ancient rituals, which spirals into life-changing events. The story has a mysterious and intimate feel, and the characters’ choices reveal the darker sides of human ambition and loyalty.
It’s a book that lingers in your mind long after reading it.
Ruth Ware writes clever mystery novels with a touch of psychological tension. One of her books, “The Woman in Cabin 10,” is about a travel journalist named Lo Blacklock who gets the chance to cover a luxury cruise.
Things take a strange turn when she witnesses what seems to be a woman being thrown overboard. The problem? All passengers on the ship are accounted for.
The closed setting of the ship and the rising sense of isolation build a tense atmosphere as Lo tries to figure out what’s going on. Fans of tightly woven stories where not everything is as it seems might enjoy Ware’s work.
Lisa Jewell is an author who knows how to weave stories that keep readers hooked. Her book, “Then She Was Gone,” centers on a mother named Laurel Mack, whose teenage daughter, Ellie, disappeared years ago.
Laurel’s life is shattered, but things change when she meets a charming man and his young daughter, Poppy, who bears an eerie resemblance to Ellie.
As the pieces start falling into place, secrets about Ellie’s disappearance surface, and the truth turns out to be far darker than anyone could have guessed. Jewell’s talent lies in creating characters that feel real and situations that feel tantalizingly close to home.
Louise Candlish is known for writing tense domestic dramas with twists that make you question everything. Her book, “The Other Passenger,” is about a man named Jamie whose life takes an unexpected turn after his friend, Kit, disappears.
Jamie and Kit used to commute together by riverboat, sharing stories about their lives. Then Jamie gets pulled into a police investigation when Kit is reported missing, and the calm routine of his life starts unraveling as secrets come to light.
The story keeps you on edge with its shifting power dynamics and unexpected revelations.
Celeste Ng writes stories that explore family dynamics and societal pressures in deeply personal ways. Her book “Little Fires Everywhere” is set in a quiet suburban town called Shaker Heights and follows two families whose lives become tightly connected.
The Richardsons, a wealthy and seemingly perfect household, take in Mia Warren, a single mother, and her daughter Pearl. As secrets unravel, deeper questions about privilege, race, and identity come to the surface.
There’s a moment where a custody battle over a baby divides the community, and each family must confront their own values and choices. The story is emotional and thought-provoking, making every character feel real and flawed in a way that stays with you.
Nicci French is the pen name of a British husband-and-wife writing duo known for their psychological thrillers. One of their standout books is “Blue Monday.” It introduces Frieda Klein, a psychotherapist who gets pulled into a police investigation when a boy goes missing.
Frieda’s sharp mind uncovers troubling connections between this case and an old story from one of her patients. The mix of her personal struggles and her ability to see what others miss keeps the story tense and surprising.
Fans of layered mysteries with deep, memorable characters might enjoy this one.
Liane Moriarty is an Australian author known for creating stories that explore relationships and everyday secrets. One of her standout books is “Big Little Lies.” The story revolves around three women in a small seaside town.
At first, they seem to lead ordinary lives, but as their friendships deepen, we learn about hidden struggles, a schoolyard scandal, and an escalating feud that leads to a shocking incident at a school fundraiser.
The mix of dark humor and unexpected twists keeps the pages turning, and the characters feel real, with flaws and moments of strength. Fans of character-driven storytelling might enjoy her work.
Megan Abbott writes stories that dive into the dark corners of human relationships. If you’re drawn to psychological tension and flawed characters, her work might catch your interest.
In “The Turnout,” she explores the lives of two sisters who run a ballet school and their unsettling entanglement with a contractor. As secrets from their past begin to surface, the delicate world they’ve built starts to crack.
The story pulls you into the sisters’ complicated bond and the strange, almost claustrophobic atmosphere of their lives.
Kate Atkinson is a British author known for weaving intricate characters and stories that stay with you. One of her standout books is “Life After Life.”
In it, she follows Ursula Todd, a woman who gets to live her life over and over again, each time facing different choices and outcomes.
The story begins in 1910 with Ursula’s birth and takes readers through key moments in history, showing how a single choice can change everything. It’s a unique way of exploring fate and the paths a life can take, through moments both small and monumental.
Sarah Pinborough is an author known for her twisty, dark stories that often blur the line between reality and the supernatural. One of her books, “Behind Her Eyes,” begins with a single mother named Louise who finds herself caught in a dangerous love triangle.
She gets involved with her charismatic boss and befriends his mysterious wife. The story is filled with secrets, tension, and one of the most unexpected endings you’ll ever read. It’s a book that keeps you questioning loyalties and motives until the final reveal.
Shari Lapena writes thrillers with plenty of twists and turns that keep you guessing. One of her books, “The Couple Next Door,” is about a couple who leave their baby at home while they attend a dinner party next door. When they return, their baby is missing.
The story digs into their secrets as the police investigate, and everyone seems to have something to hide. Lapena’s style keeps the tension thick, and every chapter pulls you deeper into the mystery.
Fans of Simon Van der Velde might connect with her knack for exploring dark undercurrents in ordinary lives.