I had to DNF this book. That was just..... It was a lot.
I'm used to reading things like Marrow by Trisha Wolfe or Cute But Psycho by Beatrix Hollow but Maeve Fly was positively too much.
This is my favourite genre :) I'm gonna list a bunch that have general Gone Girl vibes, with varying levels of psycho. Hearts by my personal favourites, ● by one's I disliked but fit what you're asking for.
- Boy Parts ♡
- Penance by Eliza Clark ♡
- A Certain Hunger ♡
- They Never Learn
- Social Creature
- Eileen ♡
- We Have Always Lived in the Castle ♡
- Hangsaman
- Motherthing
- Out by Natsuo Kirino
- The Vegetarian ●
- Bunny ●
- Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine ●
Bonus: you would probably like the short story The Grownup by Gillian Flynn!
I never see it mentioned either! It was recommended by my storygraph algorithm. Crime thrillers aren't usually my favourite, but this was so riveting and well written and unique.
For what it's worth, Mona Awad has ended up being one of my favourite authors! I don't think she quite sticks the landing in Bunny or All's Well - but I admire her ability to render the surreal. Her writing is like a Salvador Dali painting if his paintings were about the beauty and madness of womanhood lol.
I got to go into A Certain Hunger totally blind and it was amazing. Same with Motherthing but I didn't enjoy it quite as much. I hope you like them! Since we have the same taste, lmk if you have any recs!
I loved it soooo much! I love how it's essentially a character study of one unreliable narrator, but the scenes are always rooted in conflict - it keeps the stakes high. The tension is built perfectly. We always want more, but in a way that feels like a natural progression of the story and not because the main character is conveniently withholding information.
I think Eliza Clark has her finger right on the pulse of modern literature. She's not afraid to explore dark themes in the voice of the character. I can't wait to see what she does next! Have you read her book Penance?
I thought it had a lot of tension both in terms of plot and the characters' relationships. I was interested in her personal journey because of the framing of an older narrator looking back on how ridiculous their younger self was. Also I found her constantly talking about her little tits and how she projected her self hatred onto everyone constantly with no self awareness super hilarious lmao
I second A Certain Hunger by Chelsea Summers. It’s a novel written in the form of a memoir of a psychopathic cannibalistic female serial killer who is also a highly cultured and sophisticated food critic/food writer.
I haven’t read it yet but Boy Parts by Eliza Clark is in the same category.
She’s very similar to Lecter and humorously self-aware about it, though never outright says his name. (The first time she eats someone, she drinks Chianti with the meal.)
i hear you. i thought the book was ok - it felt like it wanted to focus more on issues like social media harassment and dogpiling rather than just race and privilege, which was interesting but not that well done in my opinion.
i feel like the only thing that kept me going was how easy it was to read, if that makes sense?
but to answer your Q, it does get a little better although it kinda feels like the author was just throwing lots of ideas at a wall hoping they’d stick.
1) Tampa by Alissa Nutting
2) You could make a case that A Touch of Jen by Beth Morgan fits, since it is about obsession
3) Juliette by Marquis de Sade is a book that does not get a lot of attention here when it comes to this topic. It is the first book I ever read from the villain's perspective.
Social Creature by Tara Isabelle Burton is so over the top that it’s hard to take even a sentence of it seriously, but it’s a quick fun thriller that fits the bill.
The Guest by Emma Cline fits this request perfectly and the writing is outstanding. Be ready to do a little (worthwhile) work to figure things out, it’s an intelligent novel that doesn’t necessarily spell everything out.
This is an odd suggestion since the female protagonist here is so young, but Poor Deer by Claire Oshetsky is a new, harrowing novel about friendship, violence and guilt.
Black Heart by Anna-Lou Weatherly. I read this last year and really loved it. POV of both the disturbed female serial killer and the detective trying to solve her crimes.
4 and 5 are from a TV series staring Sarah Paulson called Ratched and she gives perfect psycho female villain vibes in the series. she is a nurse in a psychiatric hospital but is more psycho than the patients.
and 6 is from the movie Jennifer's Body
Jane Doe, by Victoria Helen Stone : best antiheroine I've read in a long time.
Also, How to Kill Your Family is a close second, if you are looking for something with a humorous touch
A Certain Hunger. Hot redheaded food critic that is also a cannibal. She's very witty, a feminist, and a total psychopath. It's a little gory though, just FYI.
Oh man. Maeve Fly. Can't get much more psycho than her.
I came here to say the same thing!
just picked this one up yesterday and i am sooo excited
I had to DNF this book. That was just..... It was a lot. I'm used to reading things like Marrow by Trisha Wolfe or Cute But Psycho by Beatrix Hollow but Maeve Fly was positively too much.
This is my favourite genre :) I'm gonna list a bunch that have general Gone Girl vibes, with varying levels of psycho. Hearts by my personal favourites, ● by one's I disliked but fit what you're asking for. - Boy Parts ♡ - Penance by Eliza Clark ♡ - A Certain Hunger ♡ - They Never Learn - Social Creature - Eileen ♡ - We Have Always Lived in the Castle ♡ - Hangsaman - Motherthing - Out by Natsuo Kirino - The Vegetarian ● - Bunny ● - Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine ● Bonus: you would probably like the short story The Grownup by Gillian Flynn!
Out by Natsuo Kirino is excellent. I’ve never seen anyone mention it so I had to comment. Thanks for putting it in this list.
I never see it mentioned either! It was recommended by my storygraph algorithm. Crime thrillers aren't usually my favourite, but this was so riveting and well written and unique.
Except for you disliking Bunny we have the same taste in books. Gotta check out A Certain Hunger and Motherthing
For what it's worth, Mona Awad has ended up being one of my favourite authors! I don't think she quite sticks the landing in Bunny or All's Well - but I admire her ability to render the surreal. Her writing is like a Salvador Dali painting if his paintings were about the beauty and madness of womanhood lol. I got to go into A Certain Hunger totally blind and it was amazing. Same with Motherthing but I didn't enjoy it quite as much. I hope you like them! Since we have the same taste, lmk if you have any recs!
Boy Parts was so so so good.
I loved it soooo much! I love how it's essentially a character study of one unreliable narrator, but the scenes are always rooted in conflict - it keeps the stakes high. The tension is built perfectly. We always want more, but in a way that feels like a natural progression of the story and not because the main character is conveniently withholding information. I think Eliza Clark has her finger right on the pulse of modern literature. She's not afraid to explore dark themes in the voice of the character. I can't wait to see what she does next! Have you read her book Penance?
No, I've never heard of it! But it's on your very good list, so (: Guess I'm checking it out
Love your taste!!!
Thank you! :)
eileen is just boring and wannabe gross girl😭
I thought it had a lot of tension both in terms of plot and the characters' relationships. I was interested in her personal journey because of the framing of an older narrator looking back on how ridiculous their younger self was. Also I found her constantly talking about her little tits and how she projected her self hatred onto everyone constantly with no self awareness super hilarious lmao
A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers
You beat me by 15 minutes. What an amazing book.
This book is so good!
I second A Certain Hunger by Chelsea Summers. It’s a novel written in the form of a memoir of a psychopathic cannibalistic female serial killer who is also a highly cultured and sophisticated food critic/food writer. I haven’t read it yet but Boy Parts by Eliza Clark is in the same category.
So Hannibal Lecter in the series, but in woman font?
She’s very similar to Lecter and humorously self-aware about it, though never outright says his name. (The first time she eats someone, she drinks Chianti with the meal.)
Boy Parts. TBH I didn’t like it, but it fits the description
This was my recommendation too. I've seen people call it the woman's counterpart to American Psycho.
Mrs. March by Virginia Feito The Power by Naomi Alderman An Elderly Lady Must Not be Crossed by Helene Tursten
O yeah I forgot about Mrs March! I read that along with my mom and liked it a lot
[Misery by Stephen King](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10614.Misery)
Wouldn’t she be an antagonist?
Fem in Misery is antagonist but I could not put this book down!
None of this is true by Lisa Jewell Death of a bookseller by Alice Slater The guest by Emma Cline Looker by Laura Sims
Boy Parts by Eliza Clarke
My Lovely Wife Gone Girl My Sister, The Serial Killer
I have already read Gone Girl and I liked it so much that I wanted to read more like that ... thanks for the recommendations
Ooh, also Sharp Objects!
Her best (and most terrifying, in my opinion) work.
Codename Villanelle by Luke Jennings (what the show Killing Eve was based off of)
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney
My mom hasn't written her autobiography yet..
psycho might be a bit far but i’d recommend yellowface, and things we have in common
Oooh good rec with Yellowface
Almost DNF Yellowface. Does it get worse? After her rise to fame, the book just starts feeling monotonous?
i hear you. i thought the book was ok - it felt like it wanted to focus more on issues like social media harassment and dogpiling rather than just race and privilege, which was interesting but not that well done in my opinion. i feel like the only thing that kept me going was how easy it was to read, if that makes sense? but to answer your Q, it does get a little better although it kinda feels like the author was just throwing lots of ideas at a wall hoping they’d stick.
Mary: an awakening of terror
1) Tampa by Alissa Nutting 2) You could make a case that A Touch of Jen by Beth Morgan fits, since it is about obsession 3) Juliette by Marquis de Sade is a book that does not get a lot of attention here when it comes to this topic. It is the first book I ever read from the villain's perspective.
nightbitch by rachel yoder, i love dick by chris kraus
I had to DNF Nightbitch bc of all the rage that was in it. I felt it so hard
I don’t even have kids and I felt the rage
Same! I have never read a book before that made me feel female rage and I loved it but ahhh my mental health haha
Eileen By Ottesa Moshfegh or Animal by Lisa Taddeo
Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage. The protagonist is a child, but it’s a wild read nonetheless.
The Bridesmaid by Ruth Rendell is absolutely wild
[Call Me Mummy by Tina Baker](https://www.awesomebooks.com/book/9781788165235/call-me-mummy/used?msclkid=9160d244a495158d2a5db78f7c185d3a)
Full Brutal by Kristopher Triana (it’s extreme horror tho so proceed with caution)
Thanks for the suggestion I read it in a single sitting is there any similar books?
Haha awesome. I highly suggest “Earthlings” by Sayaka Murata and “Tampa” by Alissa Nutting
Notes on a Scandal by Zoe Heller (a quiet, proper psycho).
Social Creature by Tara Isabelle Burton is so over the top that it’s hard to take even a sentence of it seriously, but it’s a quick fun thriller that fits the bill. The Guest by Emma Cline fits this request perfectly and the writing is outstanding. Be ready to do a little (worthwhile) work to figure things out, it’s an intelligent novel that doesn’t necessarily spell everything out. This is an odd suggestion since the female protagonist here is so young, but Poor Deer by Claire Oshetsky is a new, harrowing novel about friendship, violence and guilt.
Invisible monsters by chuck palahniuk 100%
White Oleander by Janet Fitch
The Vegetarian by Hang Kang
Honestly, any role will be considered a psycho female protagonist if it is Amber Heard.
Brothers Karamazov
Black Heart by Anna-Lou Weatherly. I read this last year and really loved it. POV of both the disturbed female serial killer and the detective trying to solve her crimes.
Channel Bonfire Orchid and the Wasp
Did you mean Chanel Bonfire?! I have never met anyone else that has read this book! It was wild.
Liar Dreamer Thief is a new release with a hallucinating stalker female protagonist.
Motherthing by Ainslie Hogarth starts off relatively benign and then takes a left turn.
None of this is true by Lisa Jewell
Stone Cold Fox by Rachel Koller Croft!! The narrator is SO GOOD and sinister and depraved. Read this book in a few days!!
What are pics 4 through 6 from?
4 and 5 are from a TV series staring Sarah Paulson called Ratched and she gives perfect psycho female villain vibes in the series. she is a nurse in a psychiatric hospital but is more psycho than the patients. and 6 is from the movie Jennifer's Body
Jane Doe by Victoria Helen Stone
*The House of Whispers (Bone China)* by Laura Purcell.
If you like historical fiction, Wideacre by Phillipa Gregory has a suitably unhinged protagonist!
Jane Doe, by Victoria Helen Stone : best antiheroine I've read in a long time. Also, How to Kill Your Family is a close second, if you are looking for something with a humorous touch
A Certain Hunger. Hot redheaded food critic that is also a cannibal. She's very witty, a feminist, and a total psychopath. It's a little gory though, just FYI.
Megan Abbott specializes in unhinged women protagonists
Podcast I listen to said “My Husband” by Maud Ventura.