I loved The Silent Patient because it wasn’t only suspenseful. It explored why people behave the way they do, how trauma shapes actions, repression, guilt, and internal conflict. I liked the therapy/psychology lens, where understanding the mind mattered as much as the plot.
I’m a therapist in real life, so I’m especially drawn to books where:
• Characters’ behavior is analyzed or explained psychologically
• Trauma, attachment, or past experiences clearly shape actions
• There’s internal reflection, moral ambiguity, or psychological insight
• The story feels meaningful, not “empty entertainment”
I’m open to thrillers, suspense, or reflective fiction. I’m not looking for:
• Surface-level domestic drama
• Teen/emo melodrama
• Identity- or politics-driven stories
• Shock-only or twist-only thrillers that don’t explore the mind
Books I’ve liked or am considering:
• The Silent Patient
• Sharp Objects
• The First Day of Spring
• Zoe Goldman series (Sandra Block)
• Lucinda Berry’s more psychological work
Any recommendations for books that are engaging AND psychologically satisfying, especially ones a therapist might enjoy?
by Ok_Cardiologist_4971