Who committed the crime? Did she actually do it? What secrets is he hiding?

There’s nothing quite like diving into a gripping thriller. When executed well, these shadowy and intricate tales possess a magnetic pull that lures readers in. Unlike lighthearted mysteries, thrillers cut to the chase—life and death often hang in the balance.

If you appreciated “Verity” by the renowned Colleen Hoover for this very thrill, consider adding these romantic thrillers to your reading list.

What is ‘Verity’ about?

<p“Verity” tells the story of Lowen Ashleigh, a financially struggling author given an extraordinary opportunity to ghostwrite. She is brought on to finish a popular book series by Verity Crawford, who is currently incapacitated due to an accident.

At the request of Verity’s husband, Jeremy, Lowen moves into their home to begin her assignment. There, she uncovers Verity’s unfinished autobiography. The manuscript reveals eerie secrets of her domestic life and the truth surrounding the tragic death of Verity and Jeremy’s young daughter. Lowen must grapple with the decision to keep it hidden, a burden that becomes heavier as she grows closer to Jeremy.

All is not what it appears in this gripping story of romance.

Anne Hathaway will portray the lead in the forthcoming movie adaptation of “Verity,” produced by Amazon MGM Studios.

Books similar to ‘Verity’

‘The Wife Upstairs’ by Rachel Hawkins

This domestic thriller revolves around Jane, a not-so-ordinary kleptomaniac and struggling dog walker who enjoys the anonymity of her wealthy neighborhood. Everything changes when she falls for Eddie Rochester, a mysterious widower whose wife tragically drowned alongside her best friend.

Jane is drawn to Eddie’s charms and the security he offers (and perhaps his wealth). Yet, she can’t shake the unsettling feeling that the spirit of Bea, Eddie’s beautiful and accomplished late wife, is haunting her.

‘The Housemaid’ by Freida McFadden

In “The Housemaid,” Millie lands an instant job as a maid for the affluent Winchester family, giving her crucial shelter. Initially, her new home seems immaculate. However, things take a dark turn when Nina, the wife, begins to intentionally create messes for Millie and shares bizarre tales about her daughter. A groundskeeper even gives Millie a chilling warning. And then there’s Andrew, Nina’s strikingly handsome yet troubled husband, stirring up thoughts in Millie’s mind about stepping into Nina’s life.

This captivating psychological thriller kicks off a series that includes “The Housemaid’s Secret” and the latest release “The Housemaid is Watching.”

‘None of This is True’ by Lisa Jewell

“None of This is True” centers on a woman who becomes the focus of her own true crime podcast. When Alix Summers, a famous podcaster, encounters the seemingly unremarkable Josie Fair, their only apparent connection is that they share a 45th birthday celebration.

As they frequently meet, Alix discovers that Josie, on the brink of a life transformation, aspires to be featured in Alix’s next podcast. Upon agreeing, Alix realizes that Josie’s life is peculiarly complex, hiding disturbing secrets from her past. This thrilling tale is sure to keep you hooked.

‘The Wife Before’ by Shanora Williams

In this gripping thriller, our lead character Samira, who is facing hard times, finds her luck changing after meeting Roland, a charming and wealthy professional golfer. Their fast-paced romance culminates in an engagement, leading Samira to move to Roland’s luxurious mansion in Colorado, preparing to embrace her new life as the second Mrs. Graham.

However, everything takes a turn when Samira discovers her late husband’s hidden journals, revealing shocking truths about the tragic incident that claimed his first wife’s life. Could it be that the perfect facade of her husband is hiding something far more sinister?

‘The Maid’s Diary’ by Loreth Anne White

In “The Maid’s Diary,” housekeeper Kit Darling uncovers a shocking truth about her wealthy employers. While her habit of snooping seems innocent, she stumbles upon a secret that poses a grave danger; her clients may go to extreme lengths to keep it hidden.

When homicide detective Mallory Van Alst arrives at the scene, a bloody crime scene in the mansion suggests a violent struggle. With the homeowners missing, and Kit unaccounted for, the final known witness, an elderly neighbor, recounts hearing screams during the night.

‘What Never Happened’ by Rachel Howzell Hall

This thrilling crime story follows Colette “Coco” Weber as she returns to her hometown two decades after surviving a traumatic home invasion. Settling back into life on Catalina Island, she reconnects with family while navigating her job writing obituaries for a local newspaper.

Although composing obituaries is a somber task, Coco begins to notice an alarming frequency of deaths among the elderly on the island, which bears uncanny links to her family’s past. Matters escalate when she receives a chilling warning: her own obituary arrives in the mail.

‘Dirty Laundry’ by Disha Bose

“Dirty Laundry” is a domestic murder mystery that revolves around a group of gossiping mothers. Ciara Dunphy, the central figure of this circle in a quaint Irish village, leads an apparently idyllic life as a popular influencer, happily married with cherished children and a beautiful home.

Yet, the perfect life unravels when Ciara is discovered murdered in her residence, leading to doubts about her flawless reputation. Everyone in her social circle stands to gain from her death, and no one remains above suspicion. Is it the new arrival Mishti craving Ciara’s glamorous existence? Or could it be Lauren, who feels alienated due to her unconventional parenting approach? Or perhaps one of the envious mothers seeking recognition?

‘The Last Mrs. Parrish’ by Liv Constantine

“The Last Mrs. Parrish” narrates a story of jealousy in an upscale Connecticut community. Amber Patterson is fed up with her mundane existence and covets the privileges that Daphne Parrish enjoys, including her glamorous lifestyle, influential husband, and stunning looks.

Amber devises a meticulous plan to entwine herself into Daphne’s life step by step. Before long, she’s traveling abroad with Daphne’s unsuspecting family, enjoying a façade of perfection, while secretly harboring a dangerous secret that could shatter everything if revealed.

‘Gone Girl’ by Gillian Flynn

“Gone Girl” is a standout title in the world of thrillers, particularly those that explore female rage in domestic settings. This 2012 bestseller kicks off with Nick Dunne discovering that his wife, Amy, has mysteriously vanished on their fifth wedding anniversary. As her friends share that Amy had been fearful of him and had hidden things, the police start to suspect Nick of foul play. He adamantly denies the allegations, sensing that there’s a deeper, darker truth behind Amy’s disappearance.

Booksellers warned YSL News upon the book’s release that this novel “will make your head spin off.”

‘When No One is Watching’ by Alyssa Cole

In this thriller, gentrification takes on a disturbing twist. Sydney Green, a lifelong resident of Brooklyn, witnesses her cherished neighborhood undergo rapid transformation. To preserve her community’s legacy, she teams up with her new neighbor Theo to create a walking tour that reveals its rich history.

However, as Sydney and Theo delve into the history, their project takes a dark turn: neighbors start to vanish. This spine-tingling tale is likened to a blend of “Rear Window” and “Get Out.”

Searching for your next captivating book? YSL News is here to help.

Literary preferences vary, and YSL News Books has a wide array of genres to suggest. Looking for a heartwarming holiday read or a romantic Christmas novel? We recommend 10 titles to explore. If you prefer dystopian stories, check out books reminiscent of “The Hunger Games” and “1984.” For gentler tales with charming characters, consider a “cozy mystery” or “cozy fantasy.” And if popularity is what you seek, don’t miss YSL News’s Best-selling Booklist.