If you love the fast-paced, twisty thrillers by Freida McFadden, you’re definitely not alone. Her books are the ultimate go-to books for anyone who wants something bingeable, addictive, and full of shocking endings you don’t see coming. They’re also (mostly) available for free with Kindle Unlimited, making it easy to burn through her bibliography.

I still anxiously await her newest release, but if you’re like me and want similar thrillers to read in between, there are a few similar authors who deliver that same mix of psychological tension, unreliable characters, and jaw-dropping twists. I read 200+ books a year, most of which are thrillers (check out my Best Thrillers on Kindle Unlimited post for more), and these are the books that I couldn’t get enough of and obsessed over as much as I did McFadden’s The Housemaid and Never Lie.

From dark domestic thrillers to fast-paced page-turners you can finish in a day, these books will give you that exact “just one more chapter” feeling.

books like freida mcfadden

don’t let her stay by nicola sanders

My jaw dropped when I finished Don’t Let Her Stay, and if you’re someone who loves that final twist in a Freida McFadden thriller, you’ll love this book. A domestic thriller under 300 pages that focuses on family rather than just a couple, there are a few aspects that are easy to predict, but it ends on such a strong note that makes it worth reading. And like most McFadden novels, this is free to read for Kindle Unlimited subscribers.

Read Don’t Let Her Stay.

someone knows by vi keeland

Truth be told, I didn’t love Someone Knows, but it’s fast-paced and has a few surprising twists that most. The author is known more for romance books than thrillers, so there are a few steamy scenes and it isn’t the darkest thriller. However, the mystery element is still well-done and it has some of the signature elements that thriller lovers look for. Because I read so many thrillers a year, I found it to be a little predictable, but it still kept my attention and is one of the lesser-known titles mentioned in the “Books like Freida McFadden” conversation.

Read Someone Knows.

the night of the crash by jessica irena smith

If your favorite part of a Freida McFadden novel is the never-ending twists, you’ll love this book. One of my favorite reads of 2025, The Night of the Crash is intriguing and keeps you guessing, yet it’s still so entertaining to read and see how it all unfolds. My biggest complaint is that the dual timeline is confusing at times, but reading it in two longer stretches rather than short 30-minute bursts helped me keep track of the narrative. The last twist got me; it was SO well done yet the story still felt complete, so if McFadden’s final twists leave you wanting one more chapter, check this out. I immediately made a plan to go back and re-read it to see the details come together a little more once I finished it.

Read The Night of the Crash.

when i was you by minka kent

A true domestic thriller with lots of gaslighting to build suspense, When I Was You is ultra-twisty! I didn’t see a few of them coming, which was nice since I read so many thrillers. And while it has a shorter page count, the alternating POV adds depth to the story, yet doesn’t drag things out unnecessarily. My biggest complaint is that the plot was a bit overdramatic at times; you do have to suspend disbelief or it’ll take you out of the story. Had I known it leaned into the “off the rails” vibes prior to reading, I probably would’ve enjoyed it more. You do come to expect that with Freida McFadden, though, which is why I’m recommending When I Was You as a similar option. Where it differs is that it has a complete ending, which I personally prefer.

Read When I Was You.

listen for the lie by amy tintera

You may have seen Listen for the Lie book on social media, and I’m excited to say that it definitely lives up to the hype (thankfully). It’s an entertaining, twisty thriller with a hint of comedic relief, but it doesn’t feel cheesy. The mixed media format (podcast transcripts) makes it a breezy, fast-paced read and while the plot doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it’s executed well and features a strong yet sassy main character that makes the story feel fresh and engaging. You can maybe guess the ending (I definitely tried to), but this is one of those books where it’s better to just enjoy things as they unfold.

Read Listen for the Lie.

not our daughter by chad zunker

If you read Freida McFadden books because they’re popcorn reads with punchy endings, you may really enjoy Chad Zunker, though I’d say his lean into the action genre rather than thriller. A little more masculine in tone, they’re extremely quick reads that bring the vibe of early 2000s action movies to book format. Easy to finish in a weekend, Not Our Daughter is one of his standouts. It mixes a few thriller elements in, but prioritizes FBI action over psychological suspense. Anytime I’m in a reading slump or want a palette cleanser I can finish in a weekend, I reach for McFadden or Zunker, and find that their styles are complimentary without too much overlap.

Read Not Our Daughter.

the favor by nora murphy

A twisty domestic thriller, this cat-and-mouse book is fast-paced, unpredictable, and a great Kindle Unlimited gem. The obsessive nature of the characters creates an eerie, unsettling energy that makes it hard to put this book down; you’ll finish it in a weekend and (maybe) cancel plans to do so. Note that domestic abuse is discussed and it’s more visceral than how McFadden writes, so check the trigger warnings prior to reading. You have to suspend some disbelief to fully enjoy The Favor, but it’s one of the more underrated thrillers that is similar to McFadden’s writing style.

Read The Favor.

the teacher by danielle stewart

Freida McFadden also has a book called The Teacher with similar subject matter, but to be honest, I hated her approach and most of my friends disliked it as well. Truthfully, both of these books need trigger warnings, but if you want to explore the subject matter, this is the better book to read. Well-thought out, the characters were complex and layered, which added to the suspense element as you really didn’t know who to trust. Their emotions were so believable from one chapter to the next, and this held my attention from start to finish, making it easy to finish in a weekend.

Read The Teacher.

the wife upstairs by rachel hawkins

Here’s the thing: the plot of The Wife Upstairs has definitely been done before, but you are newer to thrillers, you will love it. Critically, the characterization was lacking and a bit flat, but the author created a sense of untrustworthiness that kept you hooked on the story. Adding Blanche’s POV would’ve created more depth and insight, but the page count is already somewhat long compared to other thrillers, so I can see why it was omitted. Just as how some of McFadden’s books are “love it or hate it,” this book will either be your new favorite or one you forget about shortly after finishing. If you liked McFadden’s Ward D or Verity by Colleen Hoover, this is worth checking out.

Read The Wife Upstairs.

little secrets by jennifer hillier

I find part of what makes Freida McFadden such a popular novelist is that her books are fast-paced and easy to read, but if you’re all about the guessing element, few authors do it as well as Jennifer HIllier. Her books are longer than McFadden’s, but well worth the time invested. I wouldn’t consider her books to be breezy popcorn reads, but the attention to detail is so satisfying as a thriller fan. You can read any of her books and get lost in the story, but I’m choosing to recommend Little Secrets as an introduction to her writing because it’s a 10/10 home run. The plot is layered with clever twists and thought-out characterization; you won’t want to put it down.

Read Little Secrets.