The best psychological thrillers of all time
Created: 05/03/2022Updated: 05/03/2022 10:28 am
By: Jessica Bradley
Woman's hand behind a curtain © imago stock&people/blickwinkel
The name Ed Gein means nothing to most people.
But if you mention the image of a woman behind a shower curtain or the bleating of lambs, almost everyone knows what is meant.
What they have in common and what resulted from it: my book recommendations.
Who doesn't know them, these names: Norman Bates or Hannibal Lector.
Very few people know that both novels are based on the true story of the murderer Ed Gein.
There are many thrillers and mysteries that are based on true events.
Michael Tsoko's thriller "Severed" is based on actual "true crime" cases.
Many writers get their inspiration from there.
Because we are fascinated by the morbid and dark side of people, these novels are very popular.
Mostly packed in fictional stories with a drop of truth.
In this ranking I would like to present what I consider to be the best psychological thrillers of all time.
I wish you a lot of fun scaring.
Robert Bloch "Psycho"
Cover “Psycho” by Robert Bloch © Rowohlt Verlag
The novel based on the famous film by Alfred Hitchcock.
Just as dark and exciting as the film, Robert Bloch writes the story about Norman Bates.
Many people remember the scene with the shower curtain and the catchy film music.
If you want the classic film, you shouldn't miss the novel.
The dark mood that the film exudes is also present in the novel.
In some places the novel is more brutal and darker than the film.
Also in 2013 there was a series "Bates Motel" with 3 seasons.
She's not crazy, insane, or rabid or anything.
She's a little vicious at most, and only sometimes.
But aren't the reasonable also evil?
Aren't you sometimes too?
Excerpt from Psycho by Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates
Robert Bloch "Psycho"
2014 Rowohlt Verlag, ISBN 13-978-3-499-23597-9
Price: paperback €10, e-book €7.99, number of pages: 192 (deviating from the format) Order here!
Thomas Harris "The Silence of the Lambs"
Cover of "The Silence of the Lambs" by Thomas Harris © Heyne Verlag
The name Hannibal Lecter gives some people goosebumps.
The story of Buffalo Bill from The Silence of the Lambs is also based on the true story of Ed Gein.
Anthony Hopkins shines in the role of the cannibal Hannibal Lecter.
But the novels don't have to hide behind the films either.
The series celebrated a mega success.
All parts have now been filmed.
A must for fans to read the books as well.
"Have the lambs stopped crying?"
Excerpt from The Silence of the Lambs by Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter
Hannibal Rising
"Red Dragon"
"The silence of the Lambs"
"Hannibal"
Thomas Harris "The Silence of the Lambs"
2019 Heyne Verlag, ISBN 13-978-3-453-44085-2
Price: paperback €9.99, e-book €9.99, number of pages: 432 (deviating from the format) Order here!
Sebastian Fitzek "The Eye Collector"
Cover "Der Augensammler" by Sebastian Fitzek © Knaur Verlag
Sebastian Fitzek is one of the most well-known psychological thriller authors in Germany.
His novel “Der Augensammler” gets under your skin in particular.
The victims in the story are children.
I found this novel to be one of the author's most disturbing stories.
Very brutal and emotionally gripping.
What is fascinating is that the novel is written backwards, like a real countdown.
It begins with the epilogue and ends with the prologue.
"The Eye Collector" is the first of a three-part series.
The third volume “Playlist” was published recently.
The novel "Der Augensammler" was recently published as a graphic novel by Splitter Verlag.
It's the dreamers who change the world, not the bean counters.
Excerpt from "Der Augensammler" by Sebastian Fitzek
Sebastian Fitzek "The Eye Collector"
2011 Knaur, ISBN 13-978-3-426-50375-1
Price: paperback €10.99, e-book €9.99, number of pages: 464 (deviating from the format) Order here!
Romy Hausmann "Dear Child"
Cover “Dear Child” by Romy Hausmann © dtv Verlag
The psychological thriller “Dear Child” reminded me a lot of the film “Space” and immediately cast a spell over me.
I think the synopsis of the novel alone conveys the mood that prevails throughout the novel very well.
With flashbacks, we learn the story of Lena and the children bit by bit.
However, I cannot say whether the real case "Fritzl" or similar cases served as inspiration.
If you like similar novels, I can highly recommend "The Village of Murderers".
A windowless hut in the forest.
Lena's life and that of her two children follow strict rules: meals, going to the toilet, study times are meticulously observed.
Excerpt from the blurb of “Dear Child” by Romy Hausmann
Romy Hausmann "Dear Child"
2020 dtv Verlag, ISBN 13-978-3-423-21836-8
Price: paperback €10.95, e-book €9.99, number of pages: 432 (deviating from format) Order here!
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