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If you’ve been around the blog for any length of time, you might already know that one of the first books I ever read was Tell Me Your Dreams by Sidney Sheldon.
It followed our female lead, who had dissociative identity disorder but she didn’t know about it.
Now, this plot isn’t exactly new, but what really made it awesome was the narration.
We never truly got the full picture, even though our narrator was giving us what seemed like a complete story from their viewpoint.
I define an unreliable narrator as someone who is either intentionally deceptive or simply not privy to the full information, narrating it in a matter-of-fact way that misleads us, the readers.
This character is often one of the main figures in the story, so the narration might be in first-person POV or third-person limited POV.
But what’s certain is that we never get the full picture – until, oftentimes, the very end, when we finally gain the perspective we need.
I love these types of books for so many reasons, and in this post, I’m listing my personal favorites that I think everyone should read.
So if you’ve ever wanted to read a book with an unreliable narrator who will throw you for a loop, these are the ones you’ll want to check out.
1. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
Gen is a master thief in a world filled with gods, treasures, and dangers.
He’s chosen by the king’s scholar, the magus, to help find an ancient treasure, but Gen’s true intentions remain a mystery.
This book is a combo of adventure, mystery, and suspense, all told with clever twists.
I love how Turner keeps you guessing, making you question what’s real and what’s just part of Gen’s tale. It’s all about surprises.
2. Atonement by Ian McEwan
Thirteen-year-old Briony misinterprets a situation between her sister Cecilia and their family’s servant, Robbie, and makes a mistake that changes everyone’s life.
This tragic misunderstanding leads to guilt, forgiveness, and a long journey through love and war.
Set during World War II, I think McEwan does a wonderful job of showing how our actions, even the smallest ones, can change lives forever.
It’s a deeply emotional and reflective novel with a narrator whose viewpoint doesn’t give the full picture at all points.
3. Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney
Amber is in a coma, unable to move or speak, but she can hear everything.
As she tries to piece together what happened, she suspects her husband’s involvement.
With memories from the past and a dangerous present, this thriller is all about lies, memory, and truth.
I found it such a gripping read.
Amber’s situation makes you question everything – who’s telling the truth and who’s lying?
4. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
Merricat and her sister Constance live an isolated life with their uncle in a mansion filled with strange family secrets.
When a cousin arrives, old tensions rise, and Merricat’s dark thoughts lead to chaos.
It’s eerie and unsettling in the best way.
Jackson’s writing pulls you into the mysterious, creepy atmosphere that kept me turning pages late into the night.
5. The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
Lo is on a luxury cruise when she sees a woman thrown overboard, but everyone insists no one is missing.
As Lo digs deeper, she finds herself questioning reality and everyone around her.
It’s such a suspenseful, edge-of-your-seat vacation thriller book.
Ware does a fantastic job of building the mystery and it will leave you unsure of who to trust.
6. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Nick’s wife, Amy, goes missing on their fifth wedding anniversary, and Nick becomes the prime suspect.
But things aren’t as simple as they seem.
As the investigation goes on, strange things come to light – Amy’s friends say she was afraid of Nick, and there are weird details that don’t add up.
This psychological thriller is packed with twists and turns, and you’ll never know who to believe.
I read this book for the first time a couple of years ago and I promise it’s amazing. This is one of the most insane psychological thriller books ever.
7. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Ten strangers are invited to a remote island, but when a mysterious rhyme starts coming true and people start dying, it’s clear that no one is safe.
Christie’s classic mystery is one of the best whodunits out there.
I love how the tension builds, and you can’t help but try to figure out who’s behind the murders.
8. The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse
Elin is forced to confront her past when she visits a newly renovated hotel built on the site of an old sanatorium.
When a guest goes missing, Elin must unravel the mystery before it’s too late.
The isolated setting made this a chilling, spine-tingling read.
I couldn’t help but feel uneasy along with Elin, as the secrets of the hotel slowly revealed themselves.
9. Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
Lucy is accused of murdering her best friend, but she can’t remember anything about the night.
Now, with a true crime podcast investigating the case, Lucy must return to her hometown and face the truth.
This is a twisty, suspense-filled thriller.
I loved how Tintera made me question what really happened that night – Lucy’s memory loss kept me hooked all through.
10. The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
Laurel witnessed a shocking crime when she was a teenager, but she never understood the full story.
Now, years later, she’s uncovering her mother’s secret past.
Morton’s tale of love, betrayal, and family secrets is beautifully written, and the historical details make it even more interesting.
I really enjoyed following Laurel as she dug into her family’s history.
11. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Kathy, now an adult, looks back on her childhood at Hailsham School, where everything seemed perfect.
But the truth about her and her friends’ future is darker than they ever realized.
This story of love, friendship, and memory is deeply moving, with a quiet sadness that stays with you long after reading.
It’s a story about what it means to live and love when you don’t have much time.
12. A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham
Chloe’s father was arrested for the disappearances of several girls when she was a kid, and now, years later, she’s trying to move on with her life.
But when more girls go missing, Chloe starts to see similarities to the past, and she wonders if there’s another killer out there or if she’s just paranoid.
This gripping thriller will keep you questioning what’s real and who you can trust.
Do you think you’re going to read any of these lovely books with the most unreliable narrators?
Let me know in the comment section below!
And if you have a favorite book like this that I haven’t mentioned, be sure to share it as well – I always appreciate book recommendations!
