21 Books Like The Guest List
If you enjoyed Lucy Foley’s gripping thriller, The Guest List, then you’ll love this list of 21 books that capture the same sense of suspense and intrigue.
Whether you’re looking to firm up your book club titles for this year or you simply want another great read, there’s something here for you.
Most of these books features a locked room mystery, where the characters are trapped in a confined space (physically or mentally) with a killer on the loose.
With twists and turns at every corner, these summer beach read books will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. From classic whodunits to modern psychological thrillers, this list has something for everyone who is looking for their next page-turner.
So get ready to dive into the world of mystery and suspense!
Books like The Guest List
Editor’s Pick
1. An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena
A group of strangers are trapped in a remote hotel and guests start ending up dead. As the body count rises, tensions between the remaining guests begin to escalate, and they must race to solve the mystery before the killer strikes again.
One of my favorite books in the locked room-style mystery area is An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena. If you’re looing for a book club pick, this is the crime thriller I’d recommend.
It’s one of the best psychological thrillers that I’ve read. It takes place at a remote hotel during a winter storm. Similar to The Guest List, the book features a closed circle of suspects who are trapped together in a confined space with no means of escape. The tension and sense of isolation in the setting create a sense of claustrophobia and paranoia, which adds to the suspense and mystery of the plot.
In An Unwanted Guest, a group of strangers arrives at the quaint Mitchell’s Inn for a cozy winter weekend getaway. However, things take a dark turn when a blizzard traps them inside the hotel, and one by one, guests start to turn up dead.
Avid readers will appreciate the well-crafted plot, the cast of intriguing characters, and the clever twists and turns that keep you guessing until the end. Lapena is skilled at creating a tense and suspenseful atmosphere, with a fast-paced plot that will keep readers turning the pages.
Locked room suspense
2. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
A classic mystery novel that follows a group of ten strangers invited to an isolated island. It soon becomes clear they’re being picked off one by one, and must work together to uncover the killer’s identity before it’s too late.
Agatha Christie is the queen of the locked room mysteries. Her book, And Then There Were None is a classic locked room suspense, making it perfect for fans of Lucy Foley.
A group of strangers is brought together on a remote island or location and cut off from the outside world, and their mysterious host accuses each one off a murder. The tension and suspense build as the characters are picked off one by one, and the true identity of the killer remains a mystery until the shocking conclusion.
This is largely considered to be one of the best mystery novels out there, and definately makes it onto my favorite books list. Fans of The Guest List will appreciate the intricate plotting, atmospheric setting, and clever twists in And Then There Were None.
Psychological Thriller
3. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
When a famous artist murders her husband, she goes mute. She begins to work with a therapist who unravels a web of secrets and lies that leads to a shocking conclusion.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides is a psychological thriller with similarities to The Guest List. Both books feature a complex and unreliable narrator, whose perspective and motivations are gradually revealed over the course of the story.
This tells the story of Alicia Berenson who’s been accused of murdering her husband and goes mute, refusing to speak a word in her own defense. The novel explores the dark secrets and hidden motivations behind the crime, keeping readers guessing until the shocking conclusion.
Readers will appreciate the gripping plot, psychological depth, and skillful storytelling. It’s honestly a great pick for your book club, especially if you’re looking for a compelling main character.
Secluded in the woods
4. One By One by Ruth Ware
Ten colleagues are trapped in a secluded alpine ski resort due to an avalanche. As the group starts getting picked off one by one, they must figure out who among them is the killer before it’s too late. The suspense builds as secrets and motives are uncovered.
Ruth Ware’s One by One is a thrilling locked-room mystery that follows a group of coworkers on a ski vacation in the French Alps.
The group becomes trapped in a luxurious mountain chalet during a snowstorm and starts to turn on each other as tension and paranoia escalate. When a deadly avalanche strikes, the group realizes that they are being targeted by a killer among them.
Fans of The Guest List will enjoy the tense atmosphere, multiple points of view, and clever twists in this read.
Lost in the scottish highlands
5. The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley
A group of old friends gather in a remote hunting lodge in the Scottish Highlands to celebrate New Year’s Eve, but tensions rise and secrets are revealed. When one of them is found dead the next morning, it becomes clear that one of them is a killer. As they try to survive the blizzard and uncover the truth, they realize that anyone could be the next victim.
Also by Lucy Foley, The Hunting Party is a gripping murder mystery that takes place during a hunting trip in the Scottish Highlands.
A group of old friends gather at a remote lodge for the New Year’s Eve celebrations, but tensions and secrets begin to surface as the group is trapped by a blizzard.
When a member of the group is found dead, the others must race to uncover the killer’s identity before they strike again. Fans of The Guest List will identify her intricate plotting, atmospheric set up, and clever twists.
Mysterious retreat
6. Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
Nine strangers gather at a remote health resort for a ten-day mind and body transformation retreat. But as their stay progresses, they begin to suspect that there is something more sinister at play and their lives may be in danger. The guests must work together to uncover the truth and save themselves.
Nine Perfect Strangers follows nine strangers (go figure) who gather at a secluded health resort for a ten-day wellness retreat. As the strangers begin their journey towards better health, they quickly realize that things aren’t what they seem at the resort.
As their days become more intense and strange, each of them begin to confront their personal demons, and their lives become inextricably linked. This book is a deep dive into the human psyche with intricate character development and slow-burning tension.
Classic mystery
7. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
A group of passengers on a luxurious train journey through Europe become embroiled in a murder mystery when one of them is found dead in their cabin. The legendary detective, Hercule Poirot, must use his skills to solve the case before the killer strikes again.
If you’re looking for another classic mystery by Agatha Christie, Murder on the Orient Express is for you.
The story takes place on a luxurious train traveling from Istanbul to Calais. When one of the passengers is found murdered, detective Hercule Poirot is called in to investigate. As Poirot interviews the passengers, he realizes that many of them have motives for the crime, and the solution becomes increasingly complex.
Readers of The Guest List will enjoy the intricate plotting, the suspenseful atmosphere, and the clever characters.
Editor’s Pick
8. Shutter Island by Denise Lehane
Two U.S. Marshals arrive at an isolated island to investigate the disappearance of a patient from a psychiatric hospital. As they delve deeper into the case, they start to uncover disturbing truths and begin to question their own sanity.
Shutter Island is a gripping read (and watch, if you’re a fan of Leonardo DiCaprio).
It’s a psychological thriller that follows U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels as he investigates the disappearance of a patient at a remote mental institution on Shutter Island. As Teddy delves deeper into the case on the isolated island, he becomes increasingly paranoid and begins to question his own sanity.
The island’s dark secrets and sinister inhabitants add to the tension and suspense, making it a thrilling read. Fans of The Guest List will appreciate the complex characters, spooky atmosphere, and twisty plot.
Editor’s Pick
9. One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus
Five high school students are sent to detention, but only four make it out alive. With secrets and motives aplenty, it’s a race against time to uncover the killer’s identity before they strike again.
Readers of The Guest List will love the shifting perspectives, complex characters and clever twists that Karen M. McManus maps out in her high school mystery novel, One Of Us Is Lying.
When five students walk into detention, only four leave alive, and one of them is the prime suspect in the murder of their classmate. As the investigation unfolds, secrets and motives are revealed, and the tension between the remaining students grows.
If you’re looking for a good young adult thriller, One Of Us Is Lying is it.
Editor’s Pick
10. Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
A famous actress is forced to confront her past when a stalker threatens her life. As she tries to uncover the identity of the stalker, she must also confront the traumatic events that have haunted her for years.
Daisy Jones is a psychological thriller that follows a radio presenter named Daisy who is known for her controversial opinions and dramatic on-air personality. When Daisy’s life begins to spiral out of control, she becomes increasingly paranoid and suspects that someone is out to get her.
As the events of Daisy’s life begin to mirror a fictional story she has been reading on air, the lines between reality and fiction become blurred. This book strays a little from the traditional locked room theme, but I truly believe fans of The Guest List will enjoy the intense psychological tension.
Editor’s Pick
11. Hostage by Clare Mackintosh
A family is taken hostage in their home by armed robbers, who demand they comply with their increasingly dangerous demands. As the situation spirals out of control, the family members must fight for their survival while also trying to uncover the robbers’ motives and identities.
Hostage by Clare Mackintosh is a high-stakes thriller that’s a little more modern feeling.
It follows a family held captive in their own home by armed intruders. As tension builds between the captives and their captors, secrets are revealed, and the line between right and wrong becomes blurred.
The novel is told from multiple perspectives, including the mother, the father, and one of the intruders, adding complexity to the plot.
Editor’s Pick
12. The Escape Room by Megan Goldin
Four colleagues are trapped in an elevator escape room with deadly consequences. As tensions rise and secrets are revealed, they must fight to survive and figure out who is behind their imprisonment before it’s too late.
Love escape room style games — how about a book in the same genre?
Aptly titled The Escape Room, this thriller follows a group of four investment bankers who are locked in an elevator escape room game. As the elevator stops functioning and the game becomes a matter of life and death, the characters are forced to confront their past actions and motivations.
The novel is told through alternating perspectives, including flashbacks to the characters’ pasts, adding depth to the story. The confined space puts a new spin on “locked room.”
Editor’s Pick
13. The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel
When a financial scam involving a luxurious hotel and a Ponzi scheme is exposed, the lives of several people connected to the scheme are forever changed. The story follows their journeys as they attempt to come to terms with their pasts and the choices that have led them to their current situations.
Emily St. John Mandel’s literally novel, The Glass House, weaves together multiple narratives that are all connected by a Ponzi scheme.
The novel follows Vincent, a bartender at a remote hotel who is forced to confront the fallout of the scheme when the investors and perpetrators begin to disappear. As the story shifts between characters and time periods, the themes of guilt, regret, and redemption are explored.
If you’re a big fan of literary pieces, this is the book for you. It features a strong atmosphere setting, complex characters, and an engaging story.
Editor’s Pick
14. The Vanishing Box by Elly Grififths
Detective Edgar Stephens and his magician friend Max Mephisto investigate the disappearance of a leading illusionist during a performance in Brighton. The case becomes increasingly complex as they delve into the world of show business.
The Vanishing Box is a mystery novel that follows the investigations of Detective Inspector Edgar Stephens and his team in 1950s Brighton. The story centers around a series of mysterious disappearances and deaths linked to a local magic act.
As the team delves deeper into the case, they uncover a web of secrets, lies, and rivalries within the world of magic. If you love a good thriller that blends genres, this is the book for you. It features strong elements of both mystery and historical fiction.
Editor’s Pick
15. The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda
A young woman named Avery has been welcomed into the wealthy town of Littleport, Maine by her friend Sadie. But when Sadie is found dead, Avery becomes a prime suspect.
Who doesn’t want a deep dive into the underbellies of the privileged class? The Last Guest House gives us just that.
This psychological thriller that follows the story of Avery Greer. She’s the long-time friend and occasional lover of Sadie Loman, the daughter of one of the most influential families in an exclusive coastal Maine town. When Sadie is found dead under mysterious circumstances, Avery becomes the prime suspect.
As Avery tries to clear her name, she uncovers secrets and lies that threaten to destroy the town’s façade of perfection.
Editor’s Pick
16. The Last Resort by Marissa Stapley
Several couples attend a luxurious couples’ therapy retreat in the hopes of fixing their relationships, but soon realize that the idyllic location and the charismatic leader might be hiding dark secrets. As tensions rise and secrets are revealed, the guests must decide whether to stay and fix their relationships or leave before it’s too late.
The Last Resort is a gripping thriller that takes place at a luxury wellness retreat in the Pacific Northwest. It has a similar feel to Nine Perfect Strangers.
The novel follows the stories of seven guests who arrive at the resort with different reasons for seeking escape, but soon discover that they are all connected by a shared trauma. As the retreat’s facade begins to crumble and secrets are revealed, the guests must work together to survive.
This is another island-retreat feeling locked mystery with a suspenseful plot, complex characters and a mind-bending mystery.
Editor’s Pick
17. The Retreat by Sarah Pearse
A team-building retreat turns deadly when a group of coworkers becomes stranded in a remote location and one of them is found dead. As the remaining coworkers try to solve the murder, they realize that everyone has secrets that they’re desperate to keep hidden.
If you love the retreat-style mystery, The Retreat is for you (go figure).
It’s a thrilling mystery novel that follows the story of Detective Sergeant Meg Dalton as she investigates a disappearance at a remote wellness retreat in the English countryside. When a guest goes missing and strange occurrences begin to happen, Meg begins to suspect that there is something sinister going on at the retreat.
As she delves deeper into the case, Meg uncovers secrets and betrayals that threaten to destroy the lives of everyone involved.
Editor’s Pick
18. The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
A young woman takes a job as a live-in nanny at a remote Scottish highlands estate, but soon finds herself accused of a heinous crime. As she tries to clear her name, she discovers dark secrets lurking in the house’s past.
Ruth Ware is another one of the modern mystery greats.
It’s a a gripping mystery novel that follows the story of a young woman named Rowan Caine who takes a job as a live-in nanny at a remote Scottish estate. But when strange and terrifying events begin to occur, Rowan realizes that the house is haunted by its past and that her life may be in danger.
As she races to uncover the truth, Rowan must navigate through secrets and lies that threaten to destroy her. If you’re into supernatural thrillers, this is the mystery book for you.
Editor’s Pick
19. The Wrong Family by Tarryn Fisher
After being released from a psychiatric hospital, a woman becomes obsessed with a seemingly perfect family and insinuates herself into their lives, only to discover their dark secrets and unraveling the truth about her own past. As tensions rise and dangerous secrets are revealed, the characters are forced to confront the consequences of their actions.
The Wrong Family follows Juno who is struggling to start a new life after a traumatic event. She becomes obsessed with a seemingly perfect family who she believes can give her the life she’s always wanted.
But as she becomes more involved with them, she discovers dark secrets that threaten to destroy everything she’s worked for. This psychological thriller features complex characters and a weaving plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Editor’s Pick
20. The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
After inheriting a house from a deceased family she never knew, a young woman is drawn into the dark and disturbing secrets of her past. As she uncovers the truth about the sinister events that took place there, she realizes that her own life may be in danger.
Lisa Jewell’s a stellar mystery writer, and The Family Upstairs is no exception. It centers around a wealthy family and their creepy connection to a cult.
The story follows three different characters whose lives become intertwined as they delve into the secrets of the past. Fans of The Guest List will become engulfed in the intricate plot, complex characters, and the atmospheric setting that draws the reader in
This book is a perfect fit for those who love a suspenseful and eerie story with unexpected twists and turns.
Editor’s Pick
21. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
After getting divorced and losing her job, a woman’s only escape is to ride the train every day and fantasize about the perfect couple she sees from the window. But one day, she witnesses something shocking and becomes embroiled in a thrilling mystery.
The Girl on the Train is a good ole fashioned page turner. If you haven’t already read it (or seen the movie), I’d highly recommend it.
It’s a physiological thriller that follows Rachel, an alcoholic woman who becomes obsessed with a seemingly perfect couple she sees from her daily train commute. When the woman goes missing, Rachel finds herself embroiled in the investigation and discovers secrets that put her own life in danger.
It has a gripping plot that features an unreliable narrator that features surprising twists and turns. You’ll keep guessing right until the end.
What is The Guest List?
If you haven’t read it yet, The Guest List is a gripping murder mystery that takes place on a remote island off the coast of Ireland. It follows a group of wedding guests who gather for a lavish celebration on the island, but the festivities take a deadly turn when one of the guests is found dead the morning after the wedding.
As the investigation unfolds, secrets and lies are revealed, and the characters’ pasts and motives come into question. Foley skillfully weaves together multiple perspectives and timelines, creating a suspenseful and immersive reading experience.
Readers will find themselves engrossed in the story, trying to piece together the clues and unravel the mystery alongside the characters. The atmospheric setting and complex characters add depth and richness to the plot, making The Guest List a must-read for fans of suspenseful, twisty thrillers.
Final thoughts: Books like The Guest List
I LOVE psychological thrillers, especially if they have a real locked room feel to them.
While there are plenty of books like The Guest List if you’re looking for your next great read, I highly recommend An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena. I truly couldn’t put this book down, it has all the elements of a gripping and suspenseful whodunit, with a cast of intriguing characters and a twisty plot that keeps readers guessing until the very end.
That said, Agatha Christie writes some of my favorite locked room mystery books as well. If you haven’t ready anything that she’s done, you are missing out… though, they can be a bit dry at times.
Whether you want something contemporary with a relatable main character, or you’re more interested in a locked room mystery that took place years ago, there’s something on this list for you!
