Every neighborhood has a story. It could be the tragedy that took place years ago, or maybe an urban legend about that creepy house down the street. Or perhaps it's the new couple on the block who seem to be hiding something. These tales of suspense and mystery are what drive the popularity of the fastest-growing subgenre of thrillers: the domestic thriller. And as the rapidly expanding microgenre is a bit daunting, we’ve made this list to help you choose the best domestic thriller audiobooks from the thousands and thousands out there.
Listens categorized as domestic thrillers—sometimes called “chick noir” or “mommy thrillers”—typically unspool mysteries that revolve around families and are set at home. Maybe there’s a missing wife, or a husband with a secret, or someone acting strange in the neighborhood. And when was the last time you saw their spouse? Everyone’s a suspect, after all.
The best domestic thriller books take what we consider our safe places, our sanctuaries, and give us spine-tingling thrills about their darker side. This list of the best domestic thriller listens will have you wondering about your neighbors—and thinking twice before you stop by to borrow a cup of sugar.
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Detectives Loren and Spengler are called to investigate what seems like a tragic hiking accident involving a young bride. But the further they dig into Matt's life, the more they learn about his past—and the death of his first wife. Is Matt a grieving, twice-unlucky husband or a cold-blooded killer? This deadly take on domestic life is expertly narrated by award-winning voice artist Christina Delaine.
This twisty thriller from New York Times best-selling author Lisa Jewell is about a young woman, orphaned and adopted as a baby, who comes into an astounding inheritance on her 25th birthday. But her newfound fortune comes with a dark history—and an extremely complicated biological family. British actors and voiceover artists Tamaryn Payne, Bea Holland, and Dom Thornburn offer a layered, totally engrossing performance that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
From one of today's top thriller writers, Rachel Howzell Hall, this Audible Original novella is a fast-paced, tension-packed short listen. Still reeling from a bitter divorce, Marti moves into a beautiful LA neighborhood ready for a fresh start—until she is brutally attacked in her new home. She never saw her attacker's face, and detectives have almost nothing to go on. Though beaten and badly shaken, Marti swallows her fears and sets out to find the culprit herself. Pitch perfect narration from Luke Cage actor Joniece Abbott-Pratt makes How It Ends nearly impossible to pause—or forget.
Pauly Johnson is a successful Melbourne surgeon with a loving family and a past he wishes he could erase. While taking a drive late one night, he accidentally kills a young woman who appears seemingly out of nowhere and steps right in front of his car. Deeply shaken, he becomes obsessed with finding out who she was and why she wanted to kill herself. But the answers are going to hit uncomfortably close to home. Australian actor Ian Bliss, best known for roles in The Matrix movies, crafts a suspenseful narration with no shortage of emotional depth.
A lawyer, Lizzie Kitsakis is working hard to her career and save her marriage. While working late, she is surprised to get the call from an old classmate who wants her to defend him against the charge of murdering his wife. She's even more surprised when she begins to believe he did it. A riveting psychological thriller, A Good Marriage reveals the perilous compromises some couples make to stay together. Seasoned narrators Sarah Zimmerman, Karissa Vacker, and George Newbern deftly handle the multiple points of view in this thrilling tale.
Nestled in suburban Long Island, Maple Street is a place where neighbors care about their work, their kids, doing what's right, and keeping each safe. It's not a place for a family like the Wildes. Arlo is a gruff has-been rock star, and his wife, Gertie, dresses like a hooker. Their kids? Well, potty-mouthed is putting it mildly. Tensions quickly mount and then take an ugly turn. But is Gertie really capable of doing something as terrible as one mother—and then another mother, and then another—claims? Actress Nicole Lewis brilliantly narrates this chilling novel about seemingly Good Neighbors behaving badly.
When Marin's son, Sebastian, is abducted, it shatters her world. Suddenly, everything she once cherished—her successful self-made business, her marriage to her college sweetheart, Derek—no longer matters. A year later, Marin is a shadow of herself. She and her husband barely speak. And the FBI's search for Sebastian has gone cold. Desperate, Marin hires a PI to keep the trail hot and is soon shocked by what her finds: Derek is having an affair with a younger woman. She's lost her son; she's not about to lose her husband too. But this time, Marin knows who her enemy is. Theatrically trained actor Kirsten Potter brings an extra dramatic flair to this dark domestic tale.
Growing up in a rich, powerful, and often deceitful family, Gwendolyn and Estella have always been the best of sisters, relying on each other for reassurance and support. So why is Gwendolyn lying in the hospital, the only survivor of Estella's poisoning their entire clan? Hong Kong actress Nancy Wu narrates this suspenseful story about the dark side of wealth and the terrible legacy of family secrets.
All through her five-year marriage, Lucy has had a tense and chilly relationship with her mother-in-law, Diana, a woman who's admired and adored by everyone else. Now, Diana is dead. According to the note found next to her body, Diana took her own life to escape the pain of cancer. According to the autopsy, however, Diana was cancer-free but had traces of poison in her system. Who would want Diana dead? Sit back and listen as award-winning actor, singer, writer, and audiobook narrator Barrie Kreinik unravels this story of domestic disturbances and secrets that refuse to stay buried.
The upscale Cottonwood Estates is home to the Cottonwood Book Club, whose members meet monthly for cocktails, gossip, and discussions of assorted monsters and killers. Their selections trend toward crime thrillers and salacious murder mysteries, because it's all pure fiction, of course—even though some women of the club are secretly wrestling with real-life demons. The plot thickens when late-night acts of vandalism target the club's members in increasingly violent and personal ways. The Neighbor's Secret has garnered praise from Liane Moriarty, and it's a listen sure to satisfy her fans. Actor and voiceover artist Allyson Ryan is a perfect choice as the narrator.
As Tolstoy said, "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." The wealthy Merton family is miserable—largely due to its tyrannical patriarch, Fred. When someone murders Fred and his wife, Shelia, their three children become suspects. But how do you find a killer when so many people have as good a motive as any? Award-nominated actress (and classically trained singer!) Ellen Archer brings a commanding performance with her crisp delivery.
This Audible Original novella from best-selling author Lucinda Berry is another short propulsive listen. Stay-at-home mom Alexis's life is thrown into turmoil when she's arrested for drunk driving and ordered to attend AA. Desperate, Alexis will do whatever it takes to be reunited with her two young children. The problem: Alexis doesn't drink. So, why can't she remember that night? And why is her husband hanging her out to dry? Audie Award winner Brittany Pressley skillfully takes listeners along Alexis's journey of awakening.
We're pretty sure that best-selling romance author Alyssa Cole singlehandedly made gentrification thrillers a thing with When No One Is Watching, a fascinating tale of passion and paranoia. This Edgar Award-winning novel follows a woman named Sydney, who channels her frustration about the changes to her beloved Brooklyn neighborhood into a popular walking tour of its vibrant history. When her new neighbor Theo volunteers to help, Sydney is initially wary. While digging into the area's past and present, they come to a chilling conclusion: their neighbors might not have moved to the suburbs after all. Is someone willing to kill to revitalize the community? As her fear mounts, Sydney begins to wonder: Can she trust Theo?
This best-selling thriller underscores the dangers of welcoming strangers into your home. When Myriam decides to return to work as a lawyer, she and her husband set out to find a nanny for their young son and daughter. At first, Louise seems like a dream nanny—she's polite and cordial, she cleans the apartment, she sings to the children, and she hosts enviable kiddie parties. But before long, jealously, resentment, and suspicions begin to fester—until Myriam's dream nanny becomes her worst nightmare. Finty Williams, daughter of Dame Judy Dench and a gifted actor in her own right, guides listeners through this chilling story.
From best-selling author Shalini Boland, this utterly engrossing Audible Original domestic thriller poses a disturbing question: How well can you truly know anyone? A Perfect Stranger focuses on three women: Annie, Emily, and Dani. One comes home from an ordinary trip to the market to discover a gruesome crime. Could the perpetrator be the new lodger who just rented their spare bedroom? Or is the monster someone much closer to her heart? Alison Campbell, Tamsin Kennard, and Ciaran Saward lend their skilled voices to unraveling this twisty mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.
In best-selling author PJ Vernon’s sophomore thriller, glamorous couple Oliver and Nathan seem to have it all, from a loving relationship to an impeccably restored Washington, DC townhouse. But when Oliver has an illicit encounter at a discreet gay bathhouse, he ends up the victim of a brutal attack and barely escapes with his life. In the traumatic aftermath, he’ll do anything to keep Nathan from finding out his secret—but as the danger moves closer to home, so do the lies. Cunningly crafted, sexy, and scary, this pitch-perfect thriller ratchets up the suspense with a dual POV voiced by narrators Michael Crouch and Daniel Henning.
A new father, Kyung Cho is determined to give his wife and young son the best life possible, despite struggling with crushing debt. His anxieties only escalate when his parents become the victims of a horrific attack. Even while growing up, Kyung never had a close, loving relationship with the cold and judgmental Jin and Mae. But now, he's compelled to take his parents in as they all grapple with questions—about not only the recent act of violence but also hidden torments from their past. Raymond Lee, an actor best known for his role in Mozart in the Jungle, brings a sense of authenticity to this tale of heartbreak and suspense.
Acclaimed audiobook narrator Xe Sands delivers an arresting performance of Seraphina Nova Glass's gripping dark thriller about marriage, betrayal, and much worse. From the outside, Melanie Hale is a devoted mother, a dedicated caregiver to her ailing mother-in-law, and a loving wife. But in truth, she's overburdened and unfulfilled, which leads to her having an affair with a local author, Luke. But when Melanie stumbles across Luke's dead body, she is filled with dread. Not only could her infidelity be exposed—she could also be implicated in her lover's murder. How far will Melanie go to keep her secrets? And just who wanted Luke dead?
Tell Me Lies is another chilling cautionary tale, and another excellent Audible Original, about what lies beneath the surface of perfect lives. Margot Scott has a lovely house in the suburbs, a solid marriage, two great kids, and a successful, fulfilling career as a psychologist. Yes, her clients all lie—but that comes with the job territory. One morning while waiting for her train, Margot sees one of her clients on the busy platform—just before he falls to his death. Suddenly, one tragedy leads to another, jeopardizing Margot's career and family. Is she responsible—or is someone telling lies? Australian actress, singer, and voiceover artist Aimee Horne is at the helm of this twisty psychological thriller.
Don't miss this blockbuster thriller from best-selling author Michele Campbell. The Wife Who Knew Too Much centers on the two extremely wealthy wives of Connor Ford. One is dead. Who is the villain? Who is the victim? And who will survive to the end of the book? Dylan Moore, a Juilliard-educated vocalist, provides a smart, sharp narration that will unravel all the mysteries surrounding the two Mrs. Fords and their husband.
If you're looking for a lot of thrills in a smaller package, and a great beach listen, pick up this Audible Original novella. Every summer, best friends Caroline and Esme enjoy a week-long vacation together at a beach house in Florida. They're usually accompanied by their spouses, but this year is different. Esme has just gone through a divorce, and Caroline is questioning her own marriage. And this year at The House on the Water, things take a turn for the deadly. If the narrator's voice sounds familiar, that's because it's Emmy-nominated actor Taylor Schilling, best known for starring in Orange Is the New Black.
Chances are, you've never heard a thriller quite like this one. Written by four women thriller authors and starring four women narrators, Young Rich Widows is a multi-cast audio drama with a gripping presentation to match its wild and twisty plot. After the four partners of a powerful law firm have been killed in a plane crash, their four very different spouses must unpack their former partners' pasts to uncover the secrets that just might destroy them all. Set in 1985 in Providence, Rhode Island, this immersive thrill ride is higher-adrenaline than your usual domestic thriller, but with its focus on marital secrets and gender dynamics, it hits all the high notes for fans of the genre.
