19 Chilling Thriller Books Like Verity by Colleen Hoover
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If you’re stuck enduring “Verity” withdrawal, you’re probably not alone. I’m right there with you. For anyone else in a similar situation, my list of books like Verity might help you make it through life until another runaway success the likes of Verity finds its way to our TBR piles.
I’m not sure what you were initially drawn to in Verity.
Whether it was the perilous magnetism between Lowen and Jeremy, the profound exploration of a writer’s inner psyche, the unsettling shadows cast on motherhood, or simply the mind-bending plot twists, I have put together this list of page-turning thrillers that have a similar chance of causing skipped chores and late nights until you finish the last page.
Readalikes – Books Like Verity
What are readalikes?
Readalikes are suggestions for readers who enjoy the works of a particular author, or who like a specific book and would like to have recommendations of other authors or books that are written in a similar style.
Readalikes are just suggestions for when you’re going through a book withdrawal period. It happens to us all!
OK, I know! There can probably only be one Verity. I get that.
But I’ve put together a list of 19 thrillers that might give you a similar vibe to what you found in Verity. These books may not be exactly like Colleen Hoover’s Verity, but I believe you will find them to be suspenseful page-turners, so why not give these a try?
Of course, Colleen Hoover also writes romance, and that’s a whole different thing in terms of recommending books. Because Verity is truly a thriller. But I’ve got you covered either way, so if you prefer the romance vibe then you’ll want to go in search of similar authors to Colleen Hoover and find some romantic vibes that make you happy.
This list is specifically for thriller lovers who can’t believe they finished Verity and….now what?
19 Thriller Books Like Verity
The Secrets You Keep by Kate White
From the author of the bestsellers “The Wrong Man” and “Eyes on You” comes a new psychological thriller that delves into the life of a thriving self-help author as her seemingly perfect life takes a perilous plunge into chaos.
Imagine discovering that your beloved new spouse is concealing chilling secrets—secrets that could have terrifying repercussions. Bryn Harper, a successful author in the realm of self-help, is already grappling with her own share of challenges. Lingering from a shattering car accident, she’s tormented by recurring dreams filled with unsettling smoke, which she believes hold a foreboding message.
In the early stages of her relationship, Bryn’s husband, Guy, was her unwavering support. However, as they settle into their new residence, a series of disconcerting events unfold, and Guy’s behavior becomes increasingly elusive. Bryn’s sense of security crumbles, and matters worsen when a female chef hired for a dinner event is gruesomely murdered.
As Bryn’s seemingly stable world disintegrates, and another woman in their community meets a grim fate, she must summon her inner resilience to unearth answers and safeguard her own existence. It’s possible that her haunting nightmares might contain the crucial clues to unraveling the truth and exposing the identity of the killer.
The Wife Between Us by Sarah Pekkanen & Greer Hendricks
The Wife Between Us is an unparalleled domestic suspense thriller that is reminiscent of Gone Girl.
As you read this novel, you will form many assumptions. You might surmise that the story revolves around a resentful former spouse. You might suspect an unrelenting fixation on her successor – a stunning, youthful woman on the brink of marrying the man they both hold affection for. You might think you’ve grasped the intricate structure of this entangled romantic triangle. However, don’t assume anything.
With its entwined and tantalizingly chilling narrative, “The Wife Between Us” by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen bares the intricate layers of a marriage that others envy – alongside the perilous truths we choose to overlook in the pursuit of love.
Discover the truths hidden amidst the falsehoods.
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Daphne du Maurier’s timeless tale of Gothic suspense, the recipient of the Anthony Award for the Century’s Best Novel, now graces the screens as a Netflix film featuring Lily James and Armie Hammer.
“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again . . .”
Beginning in Monte Carlo, the book follows our protagonist, who is entranced by the charismatic widower Maxim de Winter and his sudden marriage proposal. A lone orphan working as a lady’s maid, she can scarcely believe her good fortune. Yet, upon arriving at his grand rural estate, she discerns the profound influence cast by his late spouse—a shadowy presence that bequeaths her with a sinister malevolence, threatening to obliterate their marital bond even beyond the confines of death.
The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine
Amber Patterson has reached her breaking point. She’s had enough of being an unnoticed figure—a plain, unremarkable woman fading into the scenery. She craves more—a life drenched in opulence and authority, akin to what blonde-haired, blue-eyed goddess Daphne Parrish effortlessly enjoys.
In the exclusive enclave of Bishops Harbor, Connecticut, Daphne—a socialite and philanthropist—alongside her real-estate tycoon husband, Jackson, seems to embody a tale straight out of a fairyland.
Amber’s envy could consume her whole being… were it not for her calculated strategy. She skillfully exploits Daphne’s compassion and benevolence to weave herself into the fabric of the Parrish family—a meticulously devised blueprint for her malicious intentions. Before long, Amber becomes Daphne’s most trusted confidante, jetting off to Europe with the Parrishes and their charming daughters, while also forging a stronger bond with Jackson. Yet, a lurking skeleton from Amber’s past threatens to sabotage her grand designs, and should it come to light, her carefully constructed scheme might shatter.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
In the midst of a balmy summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth anniversary is dawning. As gifts are wrapped and plans solidify, Nick’s intelligent and stunning spouse inexplicably vanishes.
Nick, who aspires to be an exemplary husband, undermines his own reputation with cringe-inducing reveries about the contours of his wife’s head. Simultaneously, entries from Amy’s journal divulge her alpha-girl disposition, an inclination toward perfectionism that could have left anyone teetering on the precipice of unease.
As pressure escalates from both law enforcement and the media, compounded by the unyielding devotion of Amy’s parents, the poster boy of the town is entangled in a web of falsehoods, deceit, and unsettling conduct. Nick’s responses remain evasive, his demeanor veiled in bitterness—yet, is he truly a perpetrator of the ultimate crime?
Untamed Shore by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Set in the sun-soaked realm of Baja California, in 1979, Viridiana navigates her existence under the relentless sun, observing the fishermen as they haul in their nets and the lifeless sharks strewn along the shoreline. Amidst this, her mind brims with visions of romance, exploration, and aspirations beyond the mundane confines of her town—a place where matrimony and motherhood seem her only foreseeable path.
The arrival of a prosperous American writer, accompanied by his wife and brother-in-law, kindles Viridiana’s hope for an escape from her monotonous life. Eagerly embracing a role as his assistant, she becomes enmeshed in the alluring lives of these foreign visitors.
They bring promises of exhilaration and the prospect of liberating her from the ordinary. However, when tragedy strikes and one of them perishes, Viridiana, driven by a desire to safeguard her newfound companions, fabricates a web of lies. Yet, in no time, inquiries arise, and Viridiana herself is drawn into a realm of uncertainty about the true identities of her associates.
Amidst the lurking danger, sharks appear as mere shadows compared to the more sinister predators nearby, poised to ensnare an unsuspecting young woman who finds herself inadvertently tangled in a mesh of deceit.
Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
Everyone knows couples like Jack and Grace. Jack has both wealth and looks, while Grace exudes an aura of charm and grace. His prowess as a relentless attorney with an unblemished record in courtrooms stands in harmony with her seamless role as a homemaking virtuoso—adept in nurturing gardens, culinary arts, and caring for her disabled sibling. Despite their recent nuptials, they epitomize an existence of abundance. Their magnetic allure captivates, even if you’re hesitant to admit it. Enthralled by the serenity and opulence of their dwelling, entranced by their elegant dinner soirées, you’d love to get to know Grace better.
Yet, a peculiarity arises—Jack and Grace remain inseparably intertwined.
This could be the epitome of true love, some might say. The phone remains unanswered when Grace is called. Coffee rendezvous elude her, even though she lacks professional commitments. How does she create such intricate culinary feasts while maintaining her slender figure? Why is she always devoid of possessions when she ventures out, not even a pen? What purpose do those heavily fortified metal shutters serve, encasing the ground floor windows?
As the curtain falls on their splendid dinner gatherings and the entryway locks behind them, one cannot help but wonder what unfolds next.
In the wake of the final goodbye, when guests retreat and the door seals shut, what mysteries remain concealed?
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
Offering a delicious twist on a Gothic classic, “The Wife Upstairs” marries Southern allure with an atmosphere tinged by domestic suspense, perfectly tailored for admirers of B.A. Paris and Megan Miranda.
Jane is freshly arrived in Birmingham, Alabama. Residing within Thornfield Estates, an enclave defined by lavish McMansions, gleaming SUVs, and bored housewives, Jane finds herself a penniless dog-walker. This privileged environment seemingly grants her carte blanche to discreetly liberate trinkets and baubles from the side tables of her affluent patrons. Here, in this place, who would question if Jane’s name is indeed her own?
The trajectory of her life shifts when she crosses paths with Eddie Rochester. A recent widower, Eddie stands as the most enigmatic dweller within Thornfield Estates. His wife, Bea, met her demise in a boating mishap alongside her closest confidante, their bodies swallowed by the depths. Eddie appears to Jane as an opportunity—possessing wealth, a mysterious air, and handsomeness that draws her in. Beyond that, he could offer the protection Jane has long yearned for.
Nevertheless, as Jane and Eddie’s feelings intertwine, the legend of Bea begins to haunt her. Bea, an aspirational beauty with a Cinderella-like ascent from rags to riches, crafted a wildly triumphant Southern lifestyle brand. Plagued by doubts, Jane, a plain figure, grapples with comparisons—how could she ever match up? Can she capture Eddie’s heart before her past, or his, unfurls its tendrils?
Infused with tantalizing suspense, a razor-sharp wit, and an invigorating, modernized feminist perspective, “The Wife Upstairs” ingeniously inverts the conventions of an ageless tale entwining forbidden ardor, unwise attractions, and a wife who refuses to fade into oblivion. In this vivid reinterpretation of one of literature’s most convoluted love triangles, which incarnation of Mrs. Rochester will ultimately find her happy ending?
I Have Some Questions For You by Rebecca Makkai
Bodie Kane, an accomplished professor within the realm of film and a seasoned podcaster, has consciously chosen to disengage from her past. A poignant family tragedy that marked her formative years, the torment of four dispiriting years at a New Hampshire boarding school, and the ghastly murder of her former roommate, Thalia Keith, during their senior year—these recollections are preferred to be relegated to oblivion. Although the circumstances surrounding Thalia’s demise and the conviction of the school’s athletic mentor, Omar Evans, spark fervent online debates, Bodie’s inclination is to let the past rest, undisturbed.
Yet, when an invitation from Granby School beckons her to return as an educator, Bodie becomes inextricably ensnared by the case, captivated by its emerging chinks in the armor of justice. Did the school and the law enforcement agencies, in their haste to incriminate Omar, overlook alternative suspects? Could the genuine perpetrator still be at large? As she descends into the very abyss she fervently aimed to sidestep, Bodie begins to question whether her role at Granby might not have been as peripheral as she assumed. Perhaps, back in 1995, she possessed knowledge that might have held the pivotal key to unearthing the truth behind the enigma.
Layla by Colleen Hoover
When Leeds meets Layla, he finds himself swept into a conviction that their destinies are entwined—a bond that appears destined to endure a lifetime. Yet, their trajectory takes a harrowing turn when an unforeseen assault thrusts Layla into a battle for survival. Though she emerges physically healed following weeks in the hospital, the vestiges of the emotional and psychological ordeal leave an indelible imprint. The Layla Leeds adored is altered, and the road to restoring their connection is fraught with challenges. In a bid to mend their relationship, Leeds orchestrates a retreat to the very bed-and-breakfast where their story first unfolded. However, Layla’s demeanor takes a perplexing shift upon arrival, marking the onset of an array of inexplicable incidents.
As he grapples with Layla’s emotional detachment, Leeds forms a connection with Willow—a fellow guest at the B&B, with whom he develops a shared camaraderie rooted in mutual anxieties. While his connection with Willow deepens, his resolve to help her unearth answers unwittingly sets the stage for a clash with Layla’s well-being. Leeds stands at a crossroads, recognizing the infeasibility of aiding both women. Amidst his growing dilemma, he recognizes the pressing need for a decision, understanding that the repercussions could prove catastrophic for them all should he falter.
The Ghostwriter by Allesandra Torre
“Four years ago, I lied. I stood in front of the police, my friends, and family, and made up a story, my best one yet.
And all of them believed me.
I wasn’t surprised. Because telling stories is what made me famous. Fifteen bestsellers. Millions of fans and massive success.
Now, I have one last story to write. It’ll be my best one yet, with a jaw-dropping twist that will leave the readers stunned and gasping for breath.
They say that sticks and stones will break your bones, but this story? It will be the one that kills me.”
The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
From the author acclaimed for “The Wife Upstairs,” this gothic suspense thriller unveils itself against the backdrop of an Italian villa steeped in history and shadow.
In their formative years, Emily and Chess forged an unbreakable bond, only to witness it strained by the complexities of adulthood. In an effort to reignite their connection, Chess proposes an escape to Italy, a girls’ trip that Emily eagerly embraces.
Villa Aestas in Orvieto, now a prestigious holiday haven, once bore the moniker Villa Rosato in 1974. During that bygone summer, it hosted the notorious rock sensation Noel Gordon, who sought solace and inspiration. He extended an invitation to Pierce Sheldon, a burgeoning musician, and Pierce’s girlfriend Mari, alongside her stepsister, Lara. This fateful decision precipitated a cascade of events that culminated in the savage slaying of Pierce. Amidst the intrigue and darkness, Mari penned an iconic horror novel, while Lara composed an album that achieved platinum status.
Delving into the villa’s labyrinthine past, Emily unearths signs hinting at a more complex narrative behind the summer of 1974. The notion of Pierce’s demise being a mere casualty of a debauched rock-and-roll lifestyle is called into question. Emily entertains the possibility that sinister undertones lurk beneath the surface, potentially concealed within the enduring artistic legacies left by Mari and Lara.
As Emily inches closer to unraveling the mystery, strains in her relationship with Chess begin to surface. Simultaneously, revelations from the past intertwine with treacherous betrayals of the present—painting a portrait of impending danger, with the villa poised to claim yet another victim as the summer wanes.
Inspired by Fleetwood Mac, the Manson murders, and the infamous summer shared by Percy and Mary Shelley with Lord Byron at a Lake Geneva castle—the very birthplace of “Frankenstein”—”The Villa” beckons readers into its web of treacherous history and perilous intrigue.
The Woman In the Mirror by Rebecca James
Winterbourne Hall has stood sentinel upon a bluff overlooking the Cornish English countryside for over two centuries, veiled in fog and encircled by winds that wail like tormented souls. Its formidable presence casts a pall of darkness over the nearby town.
In 1947, Londoner Alice Miller embarks on a journey as a governess at Winterbourne, entrusted with the care of Constance and Edmund, the twins borne of widower Captain Jonathan de Grey. Seduced by the aura of the de Greys, Alice nurtures the hope that their family might mend the wounds of her own past. Yet, the twins’ once-devoted affection twists into deceit and mockery. Their father, once distant, transmutes into a vessel of spite and cruelty. The manor itself appears to bear a grudge. Alice’s surroundings shift subtly, the air turns frigid, and an intangible malevolence infiltrates her senses, threatening her grasp on reality.
In present-day New York, Rachel Wright, a curator at an art gallery, learns that she is a descendant of the de Greys and the heir to Winterbourne. Adopted as an infant, her lineage remains shrouded in mystery. Now, Rachel is poised to unearth the answers to questions that have relentlessly haunted her existence. But her visit to Cornwall unfurls a tragic legacy, an affliction that has plagued generations of de Greys. This legacy, born from the cauldron of greed and deceit, has been warped by madness and steeped in unrequited love and unyielding fury.
Winterbourne answers to a sole mistress, brooking no intruder who dares cross its threshold and stake a claim to its domain. Those who venture forth encounter only a reflection of their own malevolent transgressions, entwined with an inheritance of retribution that burns with fervor.
My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing
Dexter meets Mr. and Mrs. Smith in this riveting debut thriller about a couple whose fifteen-year marriage has finally gotten too interesting…
Our love story is quite simple. A striking woman entered my life, and as love ignited, we progressed from bliss to parenthood, from urban to suburban life. Through this journey, we shared our loftiest aspirations and concealed our darkest transgressions. And yet, boredom gradually insinuated itself.
Outwardly, we seem like a normal and unremarkable couple – we’re your neighbors, the parents of your kid’s friends, the acquaintances you keep meaning to get together with sometime soon.
We all have our secrets.
Our secret? Our secret just happens to be murder.
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
Mariana is certain that Edward Fosca is a murderer. Yet, Fosca remains beyond reach, a figure revered as a handsome and magnetic Hellenic tragedy professor at the esteemed Cambridge University. His charisma resonates with both the faculty and students, captivating The Maidens—an enigmatic secret society comprised of female scholars.
Mariana Andros, a brilliant but emotionally scarred group therapist, becomes inexorably drawn to The Maidens’ when the lifeless body of one of its members is discovered in the heart of Cambridge. This student was a close friend of Zoe, Mariana’s niece.
Having once treaded the halls of the university herself, Mariana delves into the unsettling underbelly concealed beneath the grandeur of turrets and spires, beneath the veneer of venerable customs. A gnawing suspicion takes root—the professor’s involvement in the crime, despite his airtight alibi. Puzzling over the question of why a revered educator would target a student, Mariana unearths the eerie link between Fosca and the ancient rituals of Persephone, the maiden who embarked on a fateful journey to the underworld.
As the discovery of another lifeless body sends tremors through the landscape, Mariana’s fixation on exposing Fosca’s culpability spirals into a tempest, endangering her integrity and the bonds she holds dear. The cost of her pursuit looms large, threatening to claim all that she cherishes, including her own existence.
The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
Jess needs a fresh start. She’s broke and alone, and she’s just left her job under less-than-ideal circumstances. Her half-brother Ben didn’t sound thrilled when she asked if she could crash with him for a bit, but he didn’t say no, and surely everything will look better from Paris. Only when she shows up she finds a very nice apartment. Could Ben really have afforded this? Who knows? Because he’s not there.
With each passing moment of Ben’s absence, Jess’s determination to uncover his predicament deepens. A sense of intrigue propels her to explore the intricacies of her brother’s situation, unearthing a labyrinth of inquiries. An array of unconventional neighbors surrounds Ben, their demeanor veering away from hospitality. While Jess sought respite from her own history in Paris, she realizes that it’s Ben’s future that hangs in the balance.
Among the eclectic cast of characters, there’s the socialite, the congenial figure, the struggling addict, the individual teetering on the edge, and the vigilant concierge. Each resident is a neighbor, yet every neighbor harbors secrets. Suspicion flits from one to the other, and a palpable tension brews. In the midst of this interwoven web, everyone holds a piece of the puzzle, a fragment of knowledge concealed.
The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
Jacob Finch Bonner’s literary journey has waned from once-promising beginnings as a celebrated novelist with a well-received debut. Now relegated to teaching within a lackluster MFA program, he grapples with the remnants of his self-esteem, having failed to write anything remotely noteworthy for years. When Evan Parker, an audaciously confident student, brazenly declares his forthcoming book’s plot is foolproof, Jake is poised to dismiss the assertion as a display of amateur self-importance. However, what he hears about the plot gives him pause.
As the trajectory of his career continues its descent, Jake braces for the imminent rise of Evan Parker’s debut novel—a phenomenon that, surprisingly, never comes to fruition. Learning of Evan’s untimely demise, seemingly without having completed his opus, Jake seizes the opportunity that any author worth their salt would seize—translating this tantalizing narrative into words.
In the span of a few fleeting years, the predictions that Evan made take shape with eerie precision, but it’s Jake who basks in the limelight of literary stardom. With worldwide acclaim, financial prosperity, and readership spanning the globe, Jake revels in his newfound success. Yet, when an anonymous email arrives, heralding a chilling campaign—declaring him a thief—the euphoria shatters.
Amidst grappling to fathom the identity of his antagonist while keeping his truth concealed from both readers and publishers, Jake embarks on a journey that leads him deeper into the mystery surrounding his former student. As he delves into the intricacies of Evan Parker’s existence, he unearths revelations that alternately astonish and terrify him. Who truly was Evan Parker? Where did the idea of his “sure thing” come from? What is the real story behind the plot, and who stole it from whom?
Long Black Veil by Jennifer Finney Boylan
During an August evening warmed by nostalgia, the year 1980 witnesses six college comrades clandestinely slipping into the decaying recesses of Philadelphia’s Eastern State Penitentiary, in pursuit of an adrenaline rush. Their group includes a pianist, an artist, and an educator, each brimming with potential.
However, their excursion swiftly evolves into a chilling nightmare when they realize their entrapment within the prison’s grim confines is far from solitary. Diverted and estranged, they endure a night of terror culminating in tragedy.
The repercussions of this harrowing ordeal reverberate, casting enduring shadows across their trajectories. In the years following, these friends navigate divergent paths, striving to forge ahead, only to find that the specter of that fateful prison night persists within them.
Decades later, fresh evidence emerges, prompting an unwavering detective to charge celebrity chef Jon Casey with murder. Only Jon’s longtime comrade, Judith Carrigan, possesses the potential to vouch for his innocence.
However, Judith harbors her own clandestine narratives—secrets that, if unearthed, could dismantle her career as a travel chronicler and separate her from her firefighter spouse and teenage offspring. Should she elect to defend Jon’s cause, the risk is palpable: her painstakingly constructed existence, the life she’s ceaselessly battled to carve, and the identity she’s painstakingly forged could all crumble. Confronted with the duality of a life cleaved between “before” and “after,” she contemplates the possibility of uniting her existence into a singular whole.
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
“Welcome to our family,” Nina Winchester greets me with a delicate, well-groomed hand extended. I offer a polite smile, surveying the expanse of the marble-adorned corridor. This employment marks my final shot at a clean slate, a chance to fabricate a new identity. Within these walls, I can become anyone I desire. However, I’m about to grasp the unsettling truth that the secrets harbored by the Winchesters far eclipse my own…
Every day, I meticulously restore the Winchesters’ house to its pristine state. I fetch their daughter from school, and I create delectable family dinners, only to ascend to my diminutive attic room on the uppermost floor for a solitary meal.
I make an effort to overlook Nina’s calculated antics, the messes she leaves for me to clean up, and her unfounded falsehoods about her own child. My attention also drifts to her husband, Andrew, whose eyes brim with a pain I cannot ignore. Gazing into his deep, sorrowful brown eyes, it becomes an inevitable temptation to fantasize about inhabiting Nina’s existence—the walk-in closets, the opulent vehicles, the facade of the ideal spouse.
Curiosity drives me to try on one of Nina’s unblemished white dresses, a fleeting experiment to slip into her skin. However, my curiosity spirals into unforeseen consequences. As Nina discovers my trespass, the realization strikes me too late, as I realize the fact that my attic refuge locks solely from the outside.
Yet, I harbor a sliver of reassurance: the Winchesters remain oblivious to my true identity.
They remain unaware of what I’m really capable of…
Books Like Verity – Conclusion
I hope you find something interesting here in my list of books like Verity.
Let me know if you read any of these and whether you enjoyed it as much as Verity.
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