Find the Best Psychological Thriller Authors at Australian Authors
Take a journey into dark places and enter the gripping world of Australian psychological crime thrillers. In these books, you find famous books that challenge your perceptions and unexpected twists that will keep you questioning what’s real.
Be it a science fiction, a seemingly haunted mansion, or a murder mystery, our local authors shine in weaving tension and unease. These gripping stories are nothing short of complex, with memorable characters that are sure to keep readers engaged throughout each page.
Whether you’re exploring by top male authors, top female authors, or location, our collection offers various genres in the Australian thriller space. So get ready to dive deep into the human psyche, suspenseful plots, and some of the best literary fiction you’ve seen yet.
Your next gripping mystery awaits.
Why Read Psychological Thrillers by Australian Authors?
Australia’s psychological thriller authors are among the most renowned worldwide. Set in the Australian landscape, many of our local authors have been on the New York Times bestseller list.
Australian thriller authors draw inspiration from the country’s remote towns, vast outback, and tightly wound communities. Their stories are told with an unsettling realism and emotional depth, and often incorporate some of the best domestic suspense loved by readers (hello Liane Moriarty).
If you’re looking for stories that capture the essence of Australian culture, landscapes, and a unique sense of isolation, you’ll love our local thriller books.
The Appeal of the Psychological Thriller Genre
Psychological thrillers aren’t just about crime; they’re about the complex cases that happen inside the mind. Australian authors excel at creating morally complex characters and intricate plots that challenge readers to question everything they think they know.
These novels aren’t more than entertaining, with immersive stories that put you into the world itself. As readers follow each twist and revelation, they’re drawn into stories that explore trust, fear, and obsession, and sometimes even see their best (or worst) selves within each character.
Meet Australia’s Best Psychological Thriller Authors
Australia has produced a remarkable lineup of psychological thriller authors who’ve earned international acclaim for their gripping narratives, creative writing and unforgettable characters.
Some of the best psychological thriller authors include:
- Jane Harper – Known for masterful slow-burn thrillers like her debut novel, The Dry, and consequently The Lost Man, Harper’s works explore secrets buried deep in Australia’s harsh regional landscape.
 - Sally Hepworth – A favourite among readers for emotionally layered domestic thrillers such as her first novel, The Secrets of Midwives, and then The Mother-In-Law and The Soulmate.
 - Christian White – Praised for his twist-filled novels The Wife and the Widow and The Nowhere Child, White delivers page-turning stories of guilt, loss, and deception.
 - Chris Hammer – Renowned for his Australian-set crime thrillers, Trust and Treasure & Dirt, blending strong characterisation with vivid outback settings.
 - Liane Moriarty – Known globally for her famous book Big Little Lies and The Husband’s Secret, Moriarty’s works walk the fine line between suspense and psychological drama.
 - JP Pomare – A New Zealand-born author writing psychological thrillers set in Australia, including Call Me Evie and In the Clearing. This crime author is highly recommended for fans of gothic elements, character-driven suspense.
 - Michael Robotham – A Gold Dagger award-winning author whose thrillers like The Secrets She Keeps and When She Was Good explore human vulnerability with masterful precision.
 - Hayley Scrivenor – Her debut Dirt Town (also published as Dirt Creek) is a haunting small-town mystery filled with empathy and tension.
 - Benjamin Stevenson – A fresh and witty voice in the genre, Stevenson’s Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone is both a clever whodunit and a meta-commentary on crime fiction.
 - Patricia Wolf – Author of Outback Paradise and Paradise Valley, Wolf brings an authentic Australian voice to high-stakes thrillers.
 - Ashley Kalagian Blunt – Her Sydney-set thriller Dark Mode is a chilling exploration of fear, technology, and obsession.
 
Enter a World of Small-Town Secrets and Family Nightmares
Whether set in a remote community in Victoria, a sleepy town in Queensland, or the bustling urban setting of Sydney or Melbourne, Australian thriller writers are masters at using places to build up the suspense. From the seemingly silent wife or the almost perfect husband, our authors are skilled at combining suspense while showcasing character development.
If you’re looking for a novel with a great emphasis on the isolation, the silence, the heat of Australia, then these crime thriller authors are a must-read.
Start Exploring Australia’s Psychological Thrillers
If you crave stories that grip you from the first page and won’t let go, dive into the works of Australia’s best psychological thriller authors. Whether you’re a long-time thriller fan or new to the genre, there’s a best-selling book ready to let your mind escape into a new world of mystery and intense action.















