12 Psychological Thrillers to Read After First Lie Wins

12 Psychological Thriller Books Like First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

Looking for more books like First Lie Wins? Here are the top 12 psychological thrillers that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Whether you’re searching for books similar to First Lie Wins or the best psychological thrillers with plot twists, this list has got you covered. Check out these gripping reads and prepare yourself for some intense, edge-of-your-seat suspense! If your book club has chose this book, check out First Lie Wins book club guide.

What Are Psychological Thrillers?

Psychological thrillers are those books which really get into your head. They explore all sorts of themes like deception, mental instability, and the darker sides of human nature. You never know what’s real because these stories often have unreliable narrators and crazy plot twists that keep you guessing. If you love books that mess with your mind and keep you on your toes, psychological thrillers are definitely for you.

What ‘s First Lie Wins about?

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston is about Evie Porter, who appears to have the perfect life with a loving boyfriend, a beautiful house, and elite friends. However, Evie doesn’t actually exist. She’s an identity created by her mysterious boss, Mr. Smith, to target Ryan Sumner. Things get complicated when Ryan gets under her skin. She starts dreaming of a different future. Evie must stay one step ahead, especially as her real identity re-emerges in town, making the stakes higher than ever.

Why “First Lie Wins” Is a Psychological Thriller

First Lie Wins fits perfectly into the psychological thriller genre. The book’s protagonist, Evie Porter, isn’t who she appears to be. With a perfect Southern girl façade, she conceals a complex and hidden past. Her real identity and her mysterious job for Mr. Smith create a tension-filled narrative that keeps readers hooked. The stakes are high, and Evie’s internal and external conflicts make this a gripping psychological thriller.

What are the Main Themes of First Lie Wins

1. Identity and Deception: The protagonist, Evie, hides her true identity behind a fabricated persona.

2. Trust and Betrayal: Relationships are built and broken on lies, making trust a central issue.

3. Internal Conflict: Evie struggles with her past and the duality of her life.

4. Power and Control: The mysterious Mr. Smith manipulates and controls Evie’s actions.

5. Moral Ambiguity: Evie’s actions and choices blur the lines between right and wrong.

12 Psychological Thrillers Similar to First Lie Wins

Here is the list of books that have psychological twists like First Lie Wins. If you really want books with plot twists after finishing Ashley Elston‘s 2024 novel you will love this list.

The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine

Key Themes: Envy, Manipulation, Wealth

Amber Patterson is so done with her boring life. She wants what Daphne Parrish has—money, power, the whole glamorous package. So, Amber slides into Daphne’s world, becoming her best friend while plotting to take over her life. Amber is a lot like the heroine of First Lie Wins. The way Amber’s secrets threaten to explode will totally remind you of Evie’s hidden layers in First Lie Wins.

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The Lies I Tell Julie Clark

Key Themes: Deception, Revenge, Identity

Meet Meg Williams, a con artist who’s got more aliases than you can count. She’s a pro at becoming whoever you need her to be to get what she wants. Kat Roberts has been hunting Meg down for years, seeking revenge. Their cat-and-mouse game is so twisted and intense, much like the suspenseful drama in First Lie Wins You’ll love going deep into their psyches and seeing who outsmarts whom. This will definitely remind you of Evie and Mr Smith too. 

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The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

Key Themes: Secrets, Family, Trust

Hannah Hall’s husband disappears, leaving her a cryptic note to protect his daughter, Bailey. As Hannah digs into his past, she discovers he’s not who he said he was. This mix of uncovering dark secrets and protecting loved ones will keep you hooked. The Last Thing He Told Me is a lot like First Lie Wins because, like Evie, Hannah will do anything to protect her family. If you loved that dynamic along with a fast-paced plot, you’ll love this book.

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Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney

Key Themes: Family Secrets, Isolation, Betrayal

Daisy Darker’s family reunion turns deadly when members start dying one by one on a secluded island. The isolation, dark secrets, and ticking clock create such a tense atmosphere. If you loved the eerie, suspenseful vibe of First Lie Wins, Daisy Darker will keep you guessing till the last page.

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The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon

Key Themes: Deception, Survival, Hidden Lives

Aidan Thomas seems like the perfect guy in his small town, but he’s hiding a terrifying secret—he’s a serial killer. Rachel, his latest captive, sees a chance to escape when they move to a new town. This intense psychological thriller dives into survival and hidden dangers, much like the high-stakes world Evie navigates in First Lie Wins.

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Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister

Key Themes: Time Travel, Crime, Redemption

Imagine watching your kid commit a crime, then waking up the next day to find yourself back in time, before it happened. That’s Jen’s life. She’s trying to figure out why her son did what he did and how to stop it. This unraveling mystery and race against time offer the same nail-biting suspense as First Lie Wins. However, I actually think Wrong Place Wrong Time has more emotional punch compared to Ashley Elston’s novel.

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The One by John Marrs

Key Themes: Love, Secrets, Identity

A DNA test promises to match you with your perfect partner, but for five people, it leads to some seriously shocking secrets. Each person’s story twists and turns, making you question everything about true love and destiny. If you’re into intertwined lives and hidden truths like in First Lie Wins, this one’s for you.

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The Chain by Adrian McKinty

Key Themes: Kidnapping, Morality, Desperation

Rachel’s daughter is kidnapped, and to get her back, she has to kidnap another child. This nightmare turns victims into criminals in a never-ending chain. The moral dilemmas and intense pressure will totally remind you of the tricky situations Evie faces. That’s why I think it’s a perfect book to read after First Lie Wins.

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The Last Flight by Julie Clark

Key Themes: Escape, Identity, Secrets

Claire Cook is trying to escape her abusive husband by switching places with Eva, a woman she meets at the airport. But when Eva’s plane crashes, Claire takes on her identity, only to find that Eva had her own dark secrets. This story of two women on the run, filled with suspense and twists, is perfect if you loved the theme of hidden identities in First Lie Wins.

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The Only One Left by Riley Sager

Key Themes: Family Secrets, Isolation, Mystery

In 1983, Kit McDeere becomes the home-health aide for Lenora Hope, the sole survivor of a family massacre. As Lenora starts revealing her side of the story, Kit realizes there’s more to the tale than anyone knows. The chilling atmosphere and unraveling of dark secrets will give you the same suspenseful vibes as First Lie Wins.

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Never Lie by Freida McFadden

Key Themes: Isolation, Secrets, Psychological Tension

Newlyweds Tricia and Ethan are on the lookout for their dream home when they stumble upon a remote manor that once belonged to Dr. Adrienne Hale, a psychiatrist who mysteriously disappeared four years ago. A violent winter storm traps them at the estate, and with nothing else to do, Tricia explores the house and discovers a secret room filled with audio transcripts of Dr. Hale’s patient sessions. As she listens to these tapes, she unravels the terrifying events that led to Dr. Hale’s disappearance. If you enjoyed the unraveling of dark secrets in First Lie Wins, you absolutely love the suspense and mystery in Never Lie. If you love Freida McFadden’s books, be sure to check out her full booklist.

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The Truth about the Devlins by Lisa Scottoline

Key Themes: Family, Deception, Redemption

TJ Devlin is the black sheep of a prestigious legal family, struggling to find his place after a stint in prison and rehab. Working a dead-end job at the family firm, his life takes a dramatic turn when his brother John confesses to murdering a client over an embezzlement confrontation. Determined to prove his worth and protect his family, TJ dives into the investigation. But as he digs deeper, TJ finds himself caught in a deadly web of deception and murder that threatens to destroy everything. Just like Evie Porter in First Lie Wins, TJ navigates through layers of lies and hidden truths, making The Truth about the Devlins one of the best psychological thrillers for fans of First Lie Wins.

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Conclusion:

There you have most recommended psychological thrillers to binge after reading First Lie Wins. Let me know which one is your favorite.

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35 Discussion-Worthy Book Club Questions For First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston