S.J. Watson really grabbed readers with his thriller, *Before I Go To Sleep*. The story of a woman who wakes up each day with no memory was quite a setup.
If you were drawn into that book, and the way Watson crafted suspense and surprise, you are probably interested in other authors who offer a similar kind of reading experience.
Paula Hawkins is an author worth exploring if you enjoyed the suspense and psychological twists of S.J. Watson’s novels. Hawkins crafts complex characters and builds tension with precision.
Her novel “The Girl on the Train” follows Rachel, a commuter struggling with personal loss and alcohol, who observes a seemingly perfect couple from her train window each day.
After witnessing something disturbing, Rachel finds herself drawn into their world, forced to question what she sees and what she can truly trust about her own memory.
The story unfolds with multiple perspectives, ensuring readers can never fully guess where the truth lies until the final pages.
Ruth Ware is an author whose novels blend suspense with psychological twists, perfect for readers who enjoy S.J. Watson’s tense storytelling. In her thriller “The Woman in Cabin 10,” travel journalist Lo Blacklock embarks on a luxury cruise to the Norwegian fjords.
After witnessing a chilling scene—a woman thrown overboard—Lo becomes increasingly anxious when the crew claims no passenger is missing. Is she imagining things, or has she stumbled upon a sinister truth?
Ware weaves paranoia and mystery into the isolated setting, keeping readers guessing until the end.
Gillian Flynn writes psychological thrillers filled with twists, unreliable narrators and moments that chill readers to the bone.
Her novel “Gone Girl” centers on Nick and Amy Dunne—a couple whose marriage appears perfect until Amy mysteriously disappears on their fifth wedding anniversary. With suspicion quickly turning toward Nick, dark secrets and disturbing revelations come to light.
Flynn skillfully shifts perspectives between Nick’s unsettling present-day accounts and Amy’s diary entries, setting the stage for a tense, shocking and memorable story.
Readers who enjoyed S.J. Watson’s “Before I Go to Sleep” should find Flynn’s exploration of deception, memory and identity similarly captivating.
Readers who enjoy S.J. Watson’s psychological thrillers may find Lisa Jewell equally intriguing. Jewell crafts suspenseful stories filled with complex characters and tightly woven plots.
Her novel “Then She Was Gone” explores the mysterious disappearance of a teenage girl named Ellie Mack. Years after Ellie’s disappearance, her mother Laurel remains haunted by unanswered questions until she meets a man whose daughter shockingly reminds her of Ellie.
Jewell weaves a narrative full of tension, secrets, and emotional depth, providing the same captivating reading experience fans of Watson appreciate.
Tana French is an Irish author known for crafting psychologically rich and suspenseful mystery novels.
Her book, “In the Woods,” introduces detective Rob Ryan, who investigates the murder of a young girl near the very same woods where his childhood friends disappeared years before.
French weaves a story full of buried secrets, unreliable memories, and haunting atmosphere—ideal for readers who enjoyed S.J. Watson’s “Before I Go to Sleep.”
The novel skillfully explores how past trauma clouds the reality of the present, keeping readers uncertain and fascinated until the final pages.
A.J. Finn is an author who knows how to build suspense, keeping readers questioning what’s real and what’s imagined. His psychological thriller, “The Woman in the Window,” tells the story of Anna Fox, a psychologist who rarely leaves her home due to intense anxiety.
Anna spends her days watching classic films and observing her neighbors through her window. Her life turns frightening when she believes she sees a shocking crime. But can Anna be trusted?
With its twists and turns, this story will suit any reader who enjoys the subtle suspense and surprising revelations found in novels like S.J. Watson’s “Before I Go to Sleep.”
Readers who enjoy psychological thrillers by S.J. Watson might appreciate books by Shari Lapena. Lapena crafts suspenseful plots that keep readers guessing until the final page.
In her bestseller “The Couple Next Door”, Anne and Marco Conti appear to have it all—a beautiful home, a loving family—but when tragedy strikes at a neighborhood dinner party, their carefully constructed image begins to crumble.
Secrets, suspicions and unexpected twists emerge as the investigation unfolds, revealing dark truths behind closed doors. Lapena’s direct and fast-paced style creates tension and leaves readers eager for the next twist.
B.A. Paris is a popular thriller author who creates tense stories full of unsettling twists that quietly build tension page by page. Her novel “Behind Closed Doors” follows a perfect-seeming couple, Jack and Grace Angel.
From the outside, they’re the ideal pair: Jack is a successful lawyer; Grace is charming and graceful. But beneath their flawless exterior lies something dark and terrifying.
The story moves between past and present, carefully revealing shocking secrets while drawing you deeper into their mysterious lives. Fans of S.J. Watson’s psychological suspense novels will find Paris’s style familiar, yet fresh and surprising.
Louise Candlish is a British author known for writing psychological thrillers that unfold in the intimate spaces of residential neighborhoods and ordinary family settings.
Her novel “Our House” centers around Fiona Lawson, who comes home one day to see strangers moving into her house, claiming ownership. Fiona’s life quickly unravels as she navigates deception, betrayal, and an elaborate scheme that threatens everything she knows.
Candlish gives readers a tense domestic thriller filled with twists and an unsettling exploration of trust within private relationships.
Readers who enjoyed the suspense and character-driven tension in S.J. Watson’s books, particularly “Before I Go to Sleep,” will likely appreciate Candlish’s carefully crafted story of secrets hidden behind closed doors.
Readers who enjoyed S.J. Watson’s psychological suspense may find Clare Mackintosh equally captivating. Clare Mackintosh is a former police officer turned author known for novels filled with suspense and unexpected twists.
Her novel “I Let You Go” centers on Jenna Gray, a grieving mother desperate to leave a tragic past behind. Jenna escapes to a remote coastal town in Wales, but the trauma of losing her son in a hit-and-run follows her there.
Meanwhile, two detectives struggle to untangle the complicated truth behind the accident, uncovering secrets that reshape everything. The book shifts perspective midway through, delivering sharp twists readers typically enjoy in novels like Watson’s “Before I Go to Sleep.”
Mary Kubica writes psychological thrillers perfect for fans of S.J. Watson. Her novel “The Good Girl” is a suspenseful story about Mia Dennett, a young woman who mysteriously disappears after leaving a bar with a stranger.
However, her supposed abductor suddenly changes the plan and hides her away in a secluded cabin. Kubica lets readers discover the motivations behind the kidnapping through shifting viewpoints.
Different characters reveal secrets and twists until the surprising truth finally emerges. If you enjoyed exploring memory and deception in Watson’s “Before I Go to Sleep,” Kubica offers the same tension and suspense.
Books by Camilla Way offer the sort of psychological tension and twisty plots that fans of S.J. Watson will appreciate. Her novel “Watching Edie” unfolds through two timelines, neatly revealing the complicated friendship between Edie and Heather.
Heather is the shy, awkward outsider drawn to Edie’s more vibrant personality. But years later, things have reversed dramatically, leaving Edie troubled and isolated while Heather seems to offer help.
Secrets and tensions simmer beneath their interactions, gradually building suspense towards a disturbing and unforgettable climax.
If you enjoyed the suspense and psychological depth found in Watson’s “Before I Go to Sleep,” Camilla Way delivers a tale similarly built on memory, guilt, and hidden truths.
Alice Feeney is an author known for suspenseful psychological thrillers with twists that keep readers guessing until the final pages. If you’re a fan of S.J. Watson’s style of storytelling, Feeney’s “Sometimes I Lie” could easily draw you in.
The story is narrated by Amber Reynolds, who wakes up in a hospital bed unable to speak, move, or open her eyes, yet she can hear everyone around her. As Amber struggles to piece together how she ended up here, she suspects someone close to her may have caused this.
The narrative shifts between Amber’s present state, her recent past, and mysterious childhood diary entries, each revealing secrets that reshape the story. Feeney masterfully layers these clues, challenging readers to distinguish truth from lies.
Rachel Abbott is a thriller author known for sharp psychological suspense and intense character-driven narratives. Fans of S.J. Watson’s style will appreciate Abbott’s book “Only the Innocent,” a story that kicks off with the murder of a well-liked philanthropist.
Detective Chief Inspector Tom Douglas finds himself caught up in a complex investigation. Dark secrets gradually emerge behind a seemingly perfect marriage and polished public life.
The story unravels through cleverly constructed twists, deepening the intrigue and tension throughout. Abbott builds her characters carefully, creating a sense of uncertainty that keeps readers guessing until the final pages.
Readers who enjoyed S.J. Watson might consider exploring Megan Miranda’s psychological thrillers. Her novel “All the Missing Girls” centers around Nic Farrell, who returns to her hometown years after her best friend vanished without explanation.
Told backwards over fifteen days, the reader unravels secrets alongside Nic while another young woman goes missing, raising unsettling questions about both disappearances.
Miranda skillfully captures suspense and mystery, making readers question whom to trust as hidden truths emerge chapter by chapter.