Best Psychological Thrillers Featuring Terrifying Fathers

Imagine arriving home from work one day to find your husband and baby daughter gone. That’s exactly what Esther is faced with in The Perfect Father, a compulsive psychological thriller. She thinks that, after such a tough pregnancy, her husband agreeing to put his career on hold while she goes back to work is a godsend. But all isn’t what it seems… As old tension rises to the surface, it’s clear there is so much more going on with Robin.

As a police investigation gets underway, it asks the question; was Robin the perfect father that everyone thought he was? Or was it all a lie? A twisty whirlwind of a book!

If you like your serial killer thrillers, feast your eyes on this! Chloe’s father was a serial killer, convicted and jailed when she was just twelve years old, and the bodies of those girls were never found. But, despite the fact that Chloe has rebuilt her life as a respected psychologist with a loving fiancé, the paranoia just won’t leave her.

On the anniversary of her father’s crimes, a girl goes missing, someone she knows. And the nightmare begins again… This is an edge-of-your-seat thriller with twists and turns aplenty. As a debut, this will blow you away!

Eleven years ago, Liv’s husband had to disappear. He did a terrible thing and had no choice but pretend to be dead, leaving Liv and their son behind. But then she makes a shocking discovery; her husband has a new wife, a perfect life, without her and their son in it. 

Liv will no longer keep his secret. And she’s ready for some revenge… This one is twisty, gripping and with such a fantastic plot, and you can’t help but put yourself in Liv’s shoes. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Freida McFadden.

If you like a little revenge in your thrillers and you love a deep, tender story, you’ll love this one. Ike Randolph left jail fifteen years ago, devastated to learn his son Isiah has been murdered, along with Isiah's white husband, Derek. He never fully accepted his son, but is broken by his death.

Derek's father was as ashamed of Derek being gay as Derek was of his father's criminal past. But he needs to know who killed his only child. Two hardened ex-cons must confront their own prejudices about their sons, and each other, as they find those who hurt their boys. Raw, powerful and unforgettable.

Freida McFadden knows how to write a psychological thriller stuffed full of secrets and twists, and this one certainly has a father you’ll fear. Eleven-year-old Nora Davis had no idea her father was killing women in the basement until the day the police arrived at their front door. But decades later, and now a successful surgeon, one of her patients is murdered in the same unique, horrific manner that her father used to kill his victims.

From the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Housemaid, this one will keep you guessing and is very cleverly written. It’s thrilling, engaging and unexpected, as well as the perfect binge read. Classic Freida McFadden!

Lena and her two children live in a windowless shack in the woods. They follow the rules set by their captor, the father. They are observed, their meals, bathroom visits and study time are scheduled. He ‘protects’ his family from the dangers lurking in the outside world. But one day, Lena manages to break free, but what she isn’t free from is this whole nightmare. Her tormentor wants to get back what belongs to him. 

This is one of the first books I remember everyone talking about on Bookstagram when I joined and it’s had so many incredible reviews since! It’s an intense, dark and downright terrifying read with plenty of shocking, disturbing moments to get lost in. The perfect read for fans of Room and Gone Girl.