One of the people on my XMas list enjoys psychological thrillers, so that is what I get him every year. (Yeah, I know, it is August. This is when I shop.)
I’ve given him several over the years but some recent ones that he enjoyed was the first Dexter novel (he didn’t like the second one) and Shadow Man. He also enjoyed the sequel to Shadow Man, but I can’t recall what it is. (Of course he has read the Red Dragon and the others.)
I can’t define “psychological thriller” either, but if you really like this guy, give him the Blue Rose Trilogy by Peter Straub. The titles are Koko, Mystery, and The Throat. I think they’d qualify as psychological thrillers.
John Connolly would be another good author to check out.
Does your friend know that Dexter was filmed for Showtime? The DVD is probably available. I think it comprises the first two books.
Would someone care to take a stab at defining “psychological thriller”? What’s the difference between a psychological thriller and an ordinary thriller?
Five strangers are trapped in a labyrinth of cube rooms. Paranoia. Claustrophobia. Definitely a psychological thriller. One of the best of its kind. Don’t bother with the sequels. This is the original cult classic.
Since I don’t feel up to taking a stab at the definition, I’m just going to recommend a couple of things I think your friend would really like based on his other choices. Both by Scott Smith: The Ruins From the review by Stephen King:
The Red Dragon is a perfect example of this. Thomas Harris focuses on the characters of Francis Dolarhyde and Will Graham and the way their minds work as much as on the plot. The one that I linked to in the OP The Shadow Man is another good example (although someone lesser in quality, in my mind.)
The Dexter books pit one insane killer against another. In some ways it is a little lighter or if you prefer, offbeat.
It is an amazingly common term, with some books even putting it in the title: The Disappearance of Lyndsey Barratt: A Psychological Thriller by John Wilson The Yeare’s Midnight: A Psychological Thriller by Ed O’Connor Deadly Visions: A Shocking Psychological Thriller Based on Actual Events by Richard Baron Transfers: A Psychological Thriller by erna Olinger Find Courtney: A Psychological Thriller by Melissa Clark
Heck, I could find dozens more.
Why did I think you weere talking about movies? I guess I think of Hannibal Lecter as a move character first, sorry. But “Wait Until Dark” is still a great movie.
But Silence of the lambs, the book, is so much better than the movie, and focuses on the mental gamesmanship between Clarisse, her boss Jack, and Hannibal.
Likewise Red Dragon focuses on the tortured soul of Will, who can empathize with serial killers to the point that he is physically sickened by examining crime scenes.
John Connolly’s a great recommendation. His Charlie Parker novels start out as pretty good thrillers, then take a turn towards the fantastic. Start with Every Dead Thing and proceed from there.
Interrobang!?, John Connelly sounds familiar, but when I read the synopsis on Amazon I couldn’t recall having read any them before. I would be bummed if I gave him one that I had already given him (that would show just how sad my old memory has become) so I have to look more closely. But it looks like a good prospect.