“Every home is its own island with its own secrets.”
Harlan Coben is one of the most prolifically acclaimed writers of his day. Known for his unique tone, engaging dialogues and ability to stun audiences with his shocking twists. He is one of the best thriller authors in the world, and his 2015 novel The Stranger is one of his finest works. The 14th novel written by the American follows the story of a man whose entire world is unravelled when a strange man approaches him with a dark secret about his wife. If this mystery-thriller novel was a hit with you, here are 7 books like The Stranger at What We Reading.
Gone For Good – Harlan Coben
Let’s start with more from the author himself because one of the best things about The Stranger was Coben’s distinctive tone and the shocking twists and turns that kept readers hooked. Coben’s writing style is equally captivating in his 2002 thriller Gone For Good.
In Gone For Good, we follow Will Klein, a young boy whose older brother, Ken, disappears after the murder of a young woman in their neighbourhood. Fast forward eleven years, and Will discovers that Ken is innocent, leading him to unravel secrets about his brother, their past, and even himself in search of the truth. Coben masterfully grabs the reader’s attention from the very first chapter with his shocking revelations, captivating dialogue, and addictive writing style.
Are you a big Harlan Coben fan? Check out our book review for The Stranger here.
Pretty Baby – Mary Kubica
Mary Kubica’s Pretty Baby revolves around the protagonist Heidi and a chance encounter at a railway station. A charitable woman, she meets a mysterious woman named Willow and her four-month-old baby and insists on giving them a home and some shelter after seeing how destitute they both appear.
Her family object to the two strangers arriving at their home, however, it is only after this incredible act of charity that Willow’s twisted backstory begins to unravel. Faced with shocking revelations, Heidi is forced to question just how far she’s prepared to go to help a stranger.
Lullaby – Leila Slimani
Lullaby is the award-winning debut thriller novel by French-Moroccan writer Leila Slimani. After deciding to return to work following the birth of her two children, French-Moroccan lawyer Myriam is overjoyed when she meets Louise when looking for a carer. Louise is quiet, and submissive and goes out of her way to look after the children, causing both the childminder and family to become quite dependent on one another.
But, as resentment and envy slowly begin to eat away at their relationship, Myriam’s idyllic position shatters into a tense and unnerving series of exchanges with their perfect nanny.
Through The Wall – Caroline Corcoran
One of the most jaw-dropping psychological thriller books, Caroline Corcoran introduces the dizzying tale of Lexie in Through The Wall.
Lexie has the apartment of her dreams, a place where she feels comfortable and safe. She shares it with her boyfriend, however, she begins to notice small details that begin to unnerve her. Books being moved, a wardrobe door being left slightly ajar – little things to begin with, but when they begin to become more obvious, she begins to realise someone is out there doing more than just watching her…
Money Ain’t Loyal – Daniel Junior
Still one of the best reads for any fans of Crime Fiction or the works of Harlan Coben, Money Ain’t Loyal is a 2021 book by Daniel Junior. In it, readers follow Natasha Orlova, the only surviving daughter of a Russian streetwalker. However, fuelled by her own ambition, she arrived on American shores at age 18.
Like many young women, she plied her trade in the adult industry, until a wealthy American took enough interest in her to marry her. But, despite being in love with both him and his money, Natasha’s husband’s criminal links soon set in motion a chain of events that prompt her confession, proving that loyalty is hard to come by when money is waved.
Simply Lies (Mickey Gibson #1) – David Baldacci
The New York Times bestseller from one the best in the genre, the opening entry in the Mickey Gibson series from David Baldacci is the perfect read for anyone looking for a pulsating psychological book like The Stranger. Mickey Gibson is a struggling single parent and former detective when she receives a call from a colleague Arlene Robinson, leading her to a dead body in a secret room inside a mansion.
Mickey soon finds herself as the prime suspect in the death. Before long, she finds herself locked into a game of deceit and wits with her mysterious adversary. To clear her name, Mickey will have to learn this woman’s true name, her identity, her past and what the final deadly goal she has in store.
The Guest List – Lucy Foley
Lucy Foley is one of the big trailblazers in the whodunnit world right now, so effortlessly capturing that air of mystery Harlan Coben brings. In our The Guest List book review, we singled out this crime thriller as one of the best Foley works and it could be a stellar go-to for those who enjoy The Stranger.
The book follows a bridal party celebrating a wedding on a small island off the Irish coast. But, despite all the decadence and luxury surrounding them, intrigue, suspicion and old secrets will lead to one member of the party finding themselves meeting a grizzly fate.
No Time For Goodbye – Linwood Barclay
What makes Harlan Coben so good is his ability to hook the readers in with an enthralling start, and carry that tension throughout. It’s a skill that fellow crime writer Linwood Barclay possesses, with this being especially prevalent in No Time For Goodbye.
The Canadian author’s very first thriller novel, the story follows a girl named Cynthia who wakes up to find her family has disappeared. Fast forward twenty-five years later, and strange cars in her neighbourhood, ominous gifts left for her and untraceable calls all confirm to her that someone is out there, just waiting to finish what they started.
The Old Man – Thomas Perry
Meet Dan Chase, the friendly sixty-year-old retiree living in Vermont. But Dan Chase is not your typical retiree. He’s got stockpiles of savings in banks across the country and two guns stashed in his bedroom closet. In Thomas Perry’s The Old Man, readers will learn about Chase’s backstory as a former hotshot in the army, whose life took a dramatic turn after making a pivotal decision on a tour to Libya. Now, Chase is on the run with someone still out to get him.
The Old Man is an exciting piece of crime fiction that takes readers on a thrilling journey with Chase as he battles armed mercenaries, navigates alluring love interests, and embarks on a spectacular chase through the snow. It’s the perfect book for those who enjoy uncovering old secrets from the past, just like The Stranger.
The Overnight Guest – Heather Gudenkauf
Nominated for Best Mystery & Thriller in the GoodReads Choice Awards, Heather Gudenkauf’s The Overnight Guest follows Wylie Lark, a true crime writer preparing her next work in her cabin retreat. Her serenity, however, is broken by the arrival of a snowstorm, forcing her to barricade herself in and face the ghosts of her cabin’s sordid history. When she spots a young girl out in the storm, she ushers her in and quickly sets to work patching her up against the cold. It is only then that she begins to realise her retreat isn’t nearly as secluded as she once thought it was.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
