Loved ‘Verity’? Goodreads Readers Recommend These 8 Twisty Domestic Noir Books
From murder to missing people, each one delivers shocking secrets and can't-put-it-down suspense
Key Takeaways
- If 'Verity' left you craving twists, these eight domestic noir books deliver.
- Goodreads readers recommend thrillers including 'The Housemaid' and 'Gone Girl.'
- From toxic marriages to family secrets, these books are packed with suspense.
Verity just hit the big screen, and millions are flocking to theaters to watch the twisted tale of Lowen, Verity and Jeremy unfold on the big screen. But if you’re looking for more books with that same dark, psychological thriller drama, you’re in luck. There are plenty, and they all fall under the “domestic noir” genre—stories filled with secrets, lies and shocking twists that keep you guessing until the very end. Below are eight books we loved that deliver the same spine-tingling suspense.
‘The Housemaid’ by Freida McFadden
Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel has sold more than 5 million copies worldwide and was made into a movie starring Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar in 2025. The plot follows an ex-convict named Millie who accepts a job working as a maid for the wealthy Winchesters. At first, it seems like a dream—she gets free housing and a good salary, and Andrew Winchester is incredibly handsome. The only problem: Nina Winchester, the house’s matriarch, seems to be getting crazier by the day. Can Millie figure out what’s really going on before it’s too late?
What Goodreads users are saying: “I haven’t read a thriller in three years prior to this one so I didn’t really have high expectations but omg this was so good! It pulled me in from the first few chapters and I couldn’t stop reading. It was just so entertaining and it got me out of my reading slump. I can’t wait to read more books by this author!”
‘‘My Husband’s Wife’ by Alice Feeney
This novel begins when Eden Fox arrives at her house only to discover that she’s been locked out. Through the window, she watches in horror as her husband stands beside another woman, a stranger who claims to be his wife. The story then shifts to Birdy, a young woman who has many secrets and ties to Eden and her husband. As Birdy and Eden’s stories collide, shocking truths are revealed.
What Goodreads users are saying: “If you’re an Alice Feeney girl, you need to pick this one up. It’s packed with thrill, tension and the kind of chaotic plot twists that make you sit up straight like, ‘HELLO???’ Honestly, what more do you even want? Suspense? Check. Drama? Check. Unhinged characters? Double check. So yeah, do yourself a favor and go read this. You won’t regret it.”
‘Gone Girl’ by Gillian Flynn
This cult classic delivers a chilling, unputdownable story. When Amy vanishes from her Missouri home on her fifth wedding anniversary, all eyes turn to her husband Nick. His strange reaction to the news makes him the police’s top suspect, and as the media frenzy intensifies, even Amy’s parents and neighbors turn against him. Only his twin sister Margo stands by his side—but she has secrets too, and those secrets could ruin everything. What follows is a jaw-dropping twist that no reader will see coming.
What Goodreads users are saying: “I just reread Gone Girl for the first time in nearly six years, and it was once again, exceptional. This book made me realize that you shouldn’t trust people so easily because you never know who they really are behind closed doors. This book just made me think a lot in general. It’s not one you will forget easily. I love it, and it’s one of my favorite books of all time.”
‘Behind Closed Doors’ by B.A. Paris
From bestselling author B.A. Paris comes a chilling domestic noir tale. Jack and Grace seem like the perfect couple—he’s a dedicated lawyer representing domestic violence victims, while she’s a caring wife who looks after her disabled sister. But if they’re so perfect, why does Grace never pick up the phone and why is she never seen without Jack? As suspicions begin to rise, questions are asked, forcing Jack and Grace to do things readers will never see coming.
What Goodreads users are saying: “Behind Closed Doors will capture your mind and keep your heart prisoner until the very last page! My heart was pounding from stress. My feet twitched from anticipation and sheer frustration. I experienced a heightened level of anxiety throughout the whole of this book. The last few lines of this story sent shivers down my spine and I had tears in my eyes as I sat staring at the very last page. This book should come with a free oxygen mask, beta-blockers and a box of tissues.”
‘The Wife Upstairs’ by Rachel Hawkins
his chilling tale—a dark reimagining of the classic Jane Eyre—follows Jane, who is new to Birmingham, Alabama. She spends her days working as a dog walker in a rich neighborhood, hiding her identity and stealing from the homeowners. Then she meets wealthy—albeit mysterious—man named Eddie Rochester and her life takes a dramatic turn. Now she’s living in his house and feeling haunted by his late wife, Bea, who died in a boating accident. As time goes on, Jane begins investigating what really happened to Bea, and deadly secrets emerge.
What Goodreads users are saying: “Oh boy, this book is the product of an evil genius, and it’s the most dangerous glue you can imagine: you simply cannot put it down. And after you read the final page, it’s already inside your head and refuses to let you go. You keep thinking about the wicked characters and their dark backstories. You shiver, but at the same time a satisfied smile forms on your face because this is a well-written, exciting, riveting, and surprising novel.”
‘The Push’ by Ashley Audrain
In this Good Morning America book club pick, first-time mother Blythe Connor desperately wants to bond with her daughter Violet. Yet from the beginning, something feels wrong. Her husband Fox dismisses her concerns as postpartum anxiety, but Blythe is convinced young Violet is cold, manipulative and even dangerous, Is Blythe imagining things, or is there really something sinister about Violet? Years later when their son Sam arrives, Blythe experiences the instant connection she’d always longed for. But then tragedy strikes, forcing Blythe to reexamine everything and wonder if her worries about her daughter are founded. Nothing can prepare her for what she finds.
What Goodreads users are saying: “This is such a tremendously powerful, suspenseful, slightly creepy book I stayed up until nearly 1:30 a.m. to finish because I couldn’t put it down. I’ve read some good books so far this month but I hadn’t yet found a 5-star read. The Push sure did fit that bill for me. It’s definitely one I won’t forget anytime soon, and I’d imagine it would be great discussion fodder for book clubs!”
‘Then She Was Gone’ by Lisa Jewell
Thrilling plotlines, unforgettable characters and an unfortunate twist? This novel from Lisa Jewell has it all. Fifteen-year-old Ellie Mack was happy and loved and had her whole life ahead of her. Then she disappeared without a trace. Her mother, Laurel, has been trying to rebuild her life ever since. Now, 10 years later, Laurel is divorced and still searching for clues. Then one day she meets a charming man named Floyd in a coffee shop and they hit it off instantly. Soon after, she meets his kids, one of whom looks eerily similar to Ellie, causing Laurel to rethink everything she thought she knew about her daughter’s disappearance and the man she thinks she loves.
What Goodreads users are saying: “This story was very dark, gloomy, and creepy, but also quite emotional and poignant. Laurel’s voice is so realistic, raw, and sympathetic, she nearly had me believing she was a real person and that this was a true story. Her emergence from a tortuous state of limbo and her fierce determination to get to the truth, and begin truly living life again was an amazing transformation. I think Lisa Jewell has written a chilling novel of suspense, but it is also a book about the power of maternal love, forgiveness and healing and never giving up.”
‘The Mother-in-Law’ by Sally Hepworth
Sally Hepworth’s page-turning tale follows Lucy, a young woman who knows her mother-in-law Diana doesn’t love her. She doesn’t like Diana either, but everyone else seems to. Five years later, Diana is dead. The police believe she killed herself to avoid dealing with her cancer, but there was no trace of cancer in her body. Now everyone’s wondering what really happened to Diana and if someone killed her for revenge.
What Goodreads users are saying: “Oh my gosh! I absolutely could not put this book down! This was such a different take on the typical mother-in-law story! I just loved it! I ran the full gamut of emotions reading this book. It will make you smile, shock you at times…it may even bring a tear to your eye. It did for me.”
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