This curated list highlights 12 talented authors like Riley Sager, each with their own signature approach to psychological tension, eerie settings and characters who don’t always tell the full truth.
Their stories pull you in with slow-burning suspense, twisty plots and moments that make you question what’s real.
Whether you’re drawn to locked-room mysteries, supernatural touches or the dark secrets buried in domestic life, these authors deliver thrillers that linger long after the last page.
If Riley Sager’s books have left you wanting more, you’ll find plenty to love in the pages of these standout reads.
12 Authors Like Riley Sager
1. Simone St. James
Writing Style & Themes:
Simone St. James masterfully blends historical settings with supernatural elements, crafting suspenseful narratives that delve into ghostly mysteries and feature strong female protagonists.
Notable Books/Series:
- The Haunting of Maddy Clare
- The Book of Cold Cases
- The Sun Down Motel
- The Broken Girls
- Murder Road
Why Readers Will Love Her:
She delivers chilling tales with emotional depth, intertwining ghost stories with heartfelt storytelling.
Simone St. James’s Website: https://www.simonestjames.com
2. Lucy Foley
Writing Style & Themes:
Lucy Foley crafts suspenseful mysteries set in isolated locations, utilizing multiple perspectives to unravel secrets and build tension.
Notable Books/Series:
- The Guest List
- The Paris Apartment
- The Hunting Party
- The Midnight Feast
- The Book of Lost and Found
Why Readers Will Love Her:
She masterfully weaves intricate plots with atmospheric settings, keeping readers guessing until the final page.
Lucy Foley’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7770523.Lucy_Foley
3. Alice Feeney
Writing Style & Themes:
Alice Feeney specializes in psychological thrillers filled with unexpected twists and unreliable narrators, exploring the complexities of human relationships.
Notable Books/Series:
- Good Bad Girl
- His & Hers
- Rock Paper Scissors
- I Know Who You Are
- Sometimes I Lie
Why Readers Will Love Her:
She delivers gripping narratives that challenge perceptions and keep readers on edge.
Alice Feeney’s Website: https://www.alicefeeney.com
4. Amy Tintera
Writing Style & Themes:
Amy Tintera combines dark humor with suspenseful storytelling, often featuring strong female leads entangled in mysteries that challenge societal norms.
Notable Books/Series:
- Listen for the Lie
- The Q
- All These Monsters
- Ruined
- Reboot
Why Readers Will Love Her:
She offers a fresh witty take on thrillers, blending emotional depth with sharp dialogue.
Amy Tintera’s Website: https://www.amytintera.com
5. Alex Finlay
Writing Style & Themes:
Alex Finlay writes fast-paced thrillers with complex plots and multiple timelines, often delving into family secrets and past traumas.
Notable Books/Series:
- If Something Happens to Me
- Every Last Fear
- The Night Shift
- What Have We Done
- Parents Weekend
Why Readers Will Love Him:
He crafts compelling narratives that intertwine suspense with emotional resonance.
Alex Finlay’s Website: https://alexfinlaybooks.com
6. Laura Dave
Writing Style & Themes:
Laura Dave blends domestic drama with mystery, focusing on family dynamics and secrets that unravel over time.
Notable Books/Series:
- The Last Thing He Told Me
- Eight Hundred Grapes
- The First Husband
- Hello, Sunshine
- The Night We Lost Him
Why Readers Will Love Her:
She delivers emotionally rich stories that explore the complexities of relationships and trust.
Laura Dave’s Website: https://lauradave.com
7. Mary Kubica
Writing Style & Themes:
Mary Kubica delves into domestic thrillers with psychological depth, exploring the complexities of family secrets and the fragility of trust.
Notable Books/Series:
- Local Woman Missing
- The Good Girl
- The Other Mrs.
- Every Last Lie
- Just the Nicest Couple
Why Readers Will Love Her:
She crafts emotionally charged narratives that unravel the dark undercurrents of everyday life.
Mary Kubica’s Website: https://www.marykubica.com
8. Ruth Ware
Writing Style & Themes:
Ruth Ware specializes in psychological thrillers set in claustrophobic environments, weaving intricate plots with unexpected twists.
Notable Books/Series:
- The Death of Mrs. Westaway
- The It Girl
- The Woman in Cabin 10
- In a Dark, Dark Wood
- The Turn of the Key
Why Readers Will Love Her:
She masterfully builds suspense, keeping readers engrossed from start to finish.
Ruth Ware’s Website: https://www.ruthware.com
9. Shari Lapena
Writing Style & Themes:
Shari Lapena crafts domestic thrillers that delve into the hidden secrets of seemingly perfect families and neighbors.
Notable Books/Series:
- The Couple Next Door
- A Stranger in the House
- An Unwanted Guest
- Someone We Know
- Not a Happy Family
Why Readers Will Love Her:
She delivers fast-paced narratives with twists that challenge perceptions of domestic bliss.
Shari Lapena’s Website: https://www.sharilapena.com
10. Megan Miranda
Writing Style & Themes:
Megan Miranda weaves atmospheric thrillers that explore the complexities of memory and the secrets that linger in small towns.
Notable Books/Series:
- All the Missing Girls
- The Last House Guest
- The Perfect Stranger
- Such a Quiet Place
- The Only Survivors
Why Readers Will Love Her:
She crafts suspenseful stories that delve into the intricacies of human relationships and past traumas.
Megan Miranda’s Website: https://meganmiranda.com/
11. Peter Swanson
Writing Style & Themes:
Peter Swanson pens crime fiction infused with dark humor, exploring the minds of morally complex characters.
Notable Books/Series:
- The Kind Worth Killing
- Eight Perfect Murders
- Her Every Fear
- Before She Knew Him
- Every Vow You Break
Why Readers Will Love Him:
He delivers clever plots with unexpected twists that challenge readers’ expectations.
Peter Swanson’s Website: https://www.peter-swanson.com
12. C. J. Tudor
Writing Style & Themes:
C. J. Tudor blends thrillers with horror elements, creating eerie settings that delve into the darker aspects of human nature.
Notable Books/Series:
- The Gathering
- The Chalk Man
- The Hiding Place
- The Other People
- The Burning Girls
Why Readers Will Love Her:
She crafts chilling narratives that intertwine suspense with supernatural elements.
C. J. Tudor’s Website: https://www.cjtudor.com
Last Word on the 12 Authors Similar to Riley Sager
The above 12 authors similar to Riley Sager offer a wide mix of suspense, mystery and gripping twists that will keep you turning pages late into the night.
Whether it’s Ruth Ware’s chilling settings, Shari Lapena’s fast-paced domestic thrillers or C. J. Tudor’s eerie supernatural touches, each writer brings something fresh to the table.
Fans of twisty plots and unreliable narrators will also enjoy the work of Mary Kubica, Megan Miranda and Peter Swanson.
No matter which one you choose next, these authors like Riley Sager promise to take you on an unforgettable journey.