Must-Read Books with Unexpected Plot Twists
Do you love books that keep you on the edge of your seat, guessing what will happen next? Do you enjoy being surprised by clever twists that change everything you thought you knew? If so, you will love this list of 15 books with unexpected plot twists that will blow your mind. These books span different genres, from mystery to thriller to psychological to young adult, but they all have one thing in common: they will make you say “Wow, I did not see that coming!”
15 Books with Unexpected Plot Twists
Here are the 15 books with unexpected plot twists that you must read, in no particular order:
1. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
This psychological thriller is renowned for its unpredictable narrative and surprising twists. It follows the disappearance of Amy Dunne, a seemingly perfect wife, and the investigation of her husband Nick, who becomes the prime suspect. As the story unfolds, secrets and lies are revealed, and nothing is what it seems.
2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
This gripping mystery novel keeps readers guessing until the very end with its complex characters and intricate plot. It follows the unlikely partnership of Mikael Blomkvist, a disgraced journalist, and Lisbeth Salander, a brilliant hacker, as they investigate the disappearance of a wealthy heiress 40 years ago. Along the way, they uncover a dark and twisted family history that involves murder, corruption, and abuse.
3. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
A classic murder mystery where a group of strangers is invited to an island, only to be killed off one by one. The twist at the end is one of Christie’s best. The novel is based on a nursery rhyme that counts down the deaths of the guests, and the identity of the killer is a shocker.
4. The Sixth Sense by M. Night Shyamalan (novelization)
Although originally a film, the novelization also captures the unexpected twist that made the story famous. It follows the relationship of Dr. Malcolm Crowe, a child psychologist, and Cole Sear, a boy who claims to see dead people. The novel explores the themes of grief, guilt, and redemption, and the twist at the end is a game-changer.
5. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
This novel about a group of classics students at an elite college contains surprising revelations about their relationships and actions. The novel begins with the murder of one of the students, and then flashes back to the events that led up to it. The novel is a fascinating study of human nature, morality, and obsession, and the twist at the end is shocking and tragic.
6. Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
Set in an asylum for the criminally insane, this novel keeps readers guessing about the true nature of the protagonist’s reality. It follows the investigation of Teddy Daniels, a U.S. marshal, who is sent to the island to find a missing patient. As he delves deeper into the mystery, he begins to question his own sanity, and the truth behind the island’s secrets.
7. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Another psychological thriller by Flynn, known for its dark atmosphere and shocking revelations. It follows the return of Camille Preaker, a troubled journalist, to her hometown to cover the murders of two young girls. As she reconnects with her estranged family, she uncovers disturbing truths about her past and present, and the identity of the killer.
8. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
A classic Gothic novel with a twisty plot involving secrets, betrayal, and suspense. It follows the unnamed narrator, a young woman who marries a wealthy widower, Maxim de Winter, and moves to his estate, Manderley. There, she is haunted by the memory of his first wife, Rebecca, whose death is shrouded in mystery. The novel is a masterpiece of atmosphere and suspense, and the twist at the end is stunning.
9. The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
This psychological thriller follows the exploits of Tom Ripley, a charming sociopath whose actions lead to unexpected consequences. It begins with Ripley being hired by a wealthy man to persuade his son, Dickie Greenleaf, to return from Italy. However, Ripley becomes obsessed with Dickie’s lifestyle, and decides to take it for himself. The novel is a thrilling and chilling portrait of a master manipulator, and the twist at the end is shocking and satisfying.
10. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
Another Christie masterpiece, famous for its groundbreaking twist ending that shocked readers when it was first published. It follows the investigation of Hercule Poirot, the famous Belgian detective, who is called to solve the murder of Roger Ackroyd, a wealthy man who was stabbed in his study. The novel is narrated by Dr. Sheppard, a friend of Ackroyd, who assists Poirot in his inquiry. The novel is a brilliant example of Christie’s skill and ingenuity, and the twist at the end is one of the most famous in literature.
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11. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
A young adult novel that revolves around a wealthy family and a tragic accident, with a twist that reshapes the entire narrative. It follows the story of Cadence Sinclair, a girl who suffers from amnesia after an incident that occurred during her fifteenth summer at her family’s private island. As she tries to piece together her memories, she discovers shocking secrets and lies that change everything she thought she knew.
12. Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson
A psychological thriller about a woman with amnesia who discovers unsettling truths about her past through her journal. It follows the story of Christine Lucas, a woman who wakes up every day with no memory of who she is or what happened to her. She relies on a journal that she writes every day, and the guidance of her husband, Ben, who claims to love her. However, as she reads her journal, she realizes that not everything is as it seems, and that someone is lying to her.
13. The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
A suspenseful novel about a tangled web of relationships, with unexpected twists that keep readers guessing. It follows the story of Vanessa, a woman who is obsessed with stopping the marriage of her ex-husband, Richard, to a younger woman, Nellie. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that there is more to the situation than meets the eye, and that nothing is what it seems.
14. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
This psychological thriller revolves around a woman who stops speaking after being accused of murdering her husband, with a twist that upends everything. It follows the story of Alicia Berenson, a famous painter who is found with a gun in her hand and her husband shot dead in their home. She refuses to speak a word, and is sent to a secure psychiatric unit. There, she meets Theo Faber, a psychotherapist who is determined to get her to talk and reveal the truth. However, as he gets closer to her, he uncovers secrets that will change his life forever.
15. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
A gripping story about three women whose seemingly perfect lives unravel to reveal dark secrets, culminating in a shocking climax. It follows the story of Madeline, Celeste, and Jane, three mothers who become friends through their children’s school. However, each of them has something to hide, and their lives are connected by more than friendship. The novel is a witty and insightful exploration of human nature, and the twist at the end is unexpected and explosive.
16. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
This bestselling thriller follows the quest of Robert Langdon, a symbologist, and Sophie Neveu, a cryptologist, to uncover the secrets of a religious conspiracy that involves the Holy Grail, the Knights Templar, and the Catholic Church. The novel is full of puzzles, codes, and clues, and the twist at the end is shocking and controversial.
17. Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
This cult classic novel explores the themes of consumerism, identity, and violence, through the story of an unnamed narrator who suffers from insomnia and joins an underground fight club led by the charismatic Tyler Durden. The novel is a dark and twisted satire, and the twist at the end is mind-blowing and iconic.
18. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
This psychological thriller follows the story of Rachel Watson, a divorced alcoholic who becomes obsessed with a couple she sees from the train every day. She witnesses something that makes her believe that the woman, Megan, is in danger, and gets involved in the investigation of her disappearance. The novel is a gripping and unreliable narration, and the twist at the end is surprising and disturbing.
19. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
This novel is a powerful and emotional story of friendship, betrayal, and redemption, set in Afghanistan and America. It follows the story of Amir, a privileged boy who befriends Hassan, a loyal and brave servant, and the events that tear them apart. The novel is a moving and heartbreaking portrait of a country and a culture, and the twist at the end is unexpected and poignant.
20. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
This classic historical novel is set in the American Civil War and Reconstruction era, and follows the life of Scarlett O’Hara, a spoiled and selfish Southern belle who loves and loses several men, including the dashing and roguish Rhett Butler. The novel is a sweeping and epic saga, and the twist at the end is memorable and tragic.
Conclusion
These are some of the best books with unexpected plot twists that you must read. They will keep you hooked, entertained, and amazed by their clever and creative plots. If you love books that surprise you, you will love these books. Happy reading!
