13 Books Like Verity
If you couldn’t stop thinking about Verity after turning the last page, you’re not alone.
That unsettling mix of psychological tension, morally gray characters, and shocking twists leaves a lasting impression. Books like Verity thrive on obsession, unreliable narrators, dark romance, and secrets that unravel slowly but explosively. Below is a carefully curated list of thirteen novels that capture a similar chilling, addictive energy.
1. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
At the heart of The Silent Patient is a mystery built around silence. Alicia Berenson, a celebrated painter, seemingly murders her husband and then refuses to speak another word. Her silence becomes the obsession of Theo Faber, a psychotherapist determined to uncover the truth behind her actions. As Theo digs deeper into Alicia’s life and mind, the narrative slowly tightens, revealing layers of deception, trauma, and obsession.
Like Verity, this novel plays heavily with unreliable perspectives and psychological manipulation. Readers are constantly encouraged to question motives, memories, and even their own assumptions. The slow burn pacing builds tension until the final revelation, which recontextualizes everything that came before it. If you loved Verity for its shocking twist and disturbing emotional undercurrents, The Silent Patient will keep you hooked until the very last page.
2. Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
On the surface, Jack and Grace Angel appear to have the perfect marriage. They’re charming, wealthy, and admired by everyone around them. But behind the closed doors of their elegant home lies a terrifying reality. Grace is a prisoner in her own marriage, trapped by Jack’s meticulously controlled cruelty. The story alternates between past and present, slowly exposing how Grace fell into this nightmare.
Much like Verity, this book thrives on psychological terror rather than physical violence. The tension comes from the imbalance of power, the isolation of the female protagonist, and the chilling realization of how easily evil can hide behind charm. It’s a deeply uncomfortable read, but one that compels you forward with dread and fascination.
3. The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
Inspired by Jane Eyre, The Wife Upstairs offers a modern, twisty take on obsession and secrets within a relationship. Jane is a broke dog walker who becomes entangled with Eddie Rochester, a wealthy widower whose wife died under mysterious circumstances. As Jane grows closer to Eddie, unsettling details about his past marriage begin to surface.
Fans of Verity will appreciate the morally ambiguous characters and the constant sense that something is deeply wrong. The novel explores class, manipulation, and the stories people tell to survive. With multiple twists and shifting loyalties, it keeps readers guessing about who is victim and who is villain until the very end.
4. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Few psychological thrillers have had the cultural impact of Gone Girl. When Amy Dunne disappears on her fifth wedding anniversary, suspicion quickly falls on her husband, Nick. Told through alternating perspectives, the novel dismantles the illusion of a perfect marriage and exposes the toxic games being played beneath the surface.
Like Verity, this book thrives on unreliable narration and shocking revelations. Both novels explore how intimacy can become a weapon and how narratives can be manipulated for control. Dark, intelligent, and deeply unsettling, Gone Girl is a must-read for anyone who enjoys psychological mind games and morally twisted characters.
5. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Rebecca is a classic psychological thriller that still feels disturbingly modern. The story follows a young, unnamed woman who marries the wealthy widower Maxim de Winter and moves into his estate, Manderley. There, she finds herself haunted by the lingering presence of Maxim’s first wife, Rebecca, whose memory dominates the household.
Much like Verity, the novel centers on obsession, jealousy, and the haunting influence of a woman who may not be what she seemed. The slow-building atmosphere and creeping sense of dread make it a perfect choice for readers who enjoyed the unsettling domestic tension and psychological depth of Verity.
6. The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine
Amber Patterson wants the life of Daphne Parrish: wealth, beauty, and a powerful husband. Through calculated manipulation, she inserts herself into Daphne’s world, determined to take her place. The story unfolds in shifting perspectives, gradually revealing the dark realities beneath the Parrishes’ glamorous exterior.
Fans of Verity will enjoy the themes of envy, manipulation, and hidden abuse. The novel expertly plays with reader sympathy, forcing you to reevaluate your judgments as new information emerges. Its sharp twists and psychological tension make it an addictive and unsettling read.
7. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
In Sharp Objects, journalist Camille Preaker returns to her hometown to cover the murders of two young girls. As she investigates, she is forced to confront her own traumatic past and her deeply toxic relationship with her mother. The story is raw, disturbing, and emotionally intense.
Like Verity, this novel explores psychological damage and the long-term effects of emotional abuse. The atmosphere is heavy with unease, and the slow revelation of truth feels both inevitable and shocking. It’s a dark, character-driven thriller that lingers long after you finish reading.
8. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Rachel Watson watches a seemingly perfect couple from the train she takes every day, projecting her own fantasies onto their lives. When the woman she’s been observing goes missing, Rachel becomes entangled in the investigation. Her unreliable memory, fueled by alcoholism and emotional pain, makes her both a witness and a suspect.
Readers who enjoyed the fractured narration of Verity will appreciate how this novel blurs the line between truth and perception. The tension builds through psychological uncertainty rather than action, making the eventual revelations all the more impactful.
9. Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
This emotionally charged thriller follows Laurel Mack, whose teenage daughter vanished years ago. When Laurel meets a charming man with a daughter who reminds her of the child she lost, buried truths begin to resurface. The novel alternates timelines to slowly reveal what really happened.
Like Verity, this book draws its power from emotional vulnerability and devastating secrets. The pacing is steady but gripping, and the revelations feel deeply personal and unsettling. It’s a haunting exploration of grief, obsession, and the lies people live with.
10. My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
My Dark Vanessa is a deeply unsettling psychological novel that explores manipulation and abuse through the lens of memory. Vanessa reflects on her teenage relationship with an older teacher, struggling to reconcile her past perceptions with adult understanding.
While less twist-driven than Verity, the novel shares its emotional darkness and moral complexity. It forces readers to sit with discomfort and question narratives of consent, truth, and self-deception. This is a challenging but powerful read for those drawn to psychological depth.
11. The Push by Ashley Audrain
This novel explores motherhood through a chilling psychological lens. Blythe believes there is something deeply wrong with her daughter, but no one else seems to see it. As her life unravels, the narrative questions whether Blythe is a troubled mother or a woman being systematically dismissed.
Fans of Verity will recognize the theme of unreliable narration and creeping dread. The emotional intensity and ambiguity keep readers questioning what is real until the very end.
12. Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson
Christine wakes up every day with no memory of her past due to a traumatic accident. She must rely on notes, a journal, and her husband to piece together her identity. As she starts writing down her memories, she realizes that someone may be lying to her.
Like Verity, this book thrives on memory manipulation and psychological control. The claustrophobic sense of not knowing whom to trust makes it a tense and gripping read.
13. The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose
When a high-profile defense attorney takes on the case of her husband, who is accused of murdering his mistress, cracks in their seemingly perfect marriage begin to show. The story dives into betrayal, ambition, and carefully hidden secrets.
Readers who loved Verity will enjoy the fast-paced twists and morally complex characters. It’s a sharp, addictive thriller that questions how well we truly know the people we love.
