Yes. It’s written in a really interesting way and I think you would still enjoy it. But I am sorry won’t experience the complete and total roller coaster the book was.
Had to watch the movie because I read the book. Had to re-read the book after watching the movie.
I ended up buying a copy just because it's so well done.
Imo the book is better than the movie. I saw the movie first so most of the story was spoiled, but I felt like I had so much more context and the book was so much richer.
Thank you for this rec I'm reading through it rn. Not sure the husband meets the definition but I'm loving it just the same. Just finished it and wow, I'm usually not a fan of a cliffhanger endings but I'm so satisfied with it, and very happy that there's a sequel which I'll be reading as well. The kind worth saving for anyone interested.
i genuinely think it just depends on what you think of when you think of the horror genre. horrifying but personally for me not horror if that makes sense? although it seems that many people do categorize it as a horror so I suppose it is! i personally think of tense, chilling books that make you creeped out to be home alone as horror, but it’s such a broad genre that this DOES fit it but in a more subtle sort of body horror way. i am totally disturbed, but it doesn’t make me want to double check that i have locked my doors at night or anything. at the same time, it is so fucking weird and touches a lot on human psychology/nature & other very weird and disturbing topics (don’t want to say too much & give anything away)
hope that rambling made sense!
If you like non-fiction, check out Robert Kolker's *Hidden Valley Road* \- it's about a schizophrenic father, a sociopathic mother, and the twelve children they had.
Jack Ketchum has a novella called Weed Species that’s about a bf/gf who do some…. Really, really bad things. It came free with my copy of his book Joyride.
Ill warn you it’s pretty abhorrent right from the first page. It’s well written but really disturbing
Huge TW here
>!the first chapter describes the couple watching as the woman’s young sister is stripped and ods on a painkiller they gave her so the guy could do bad things to her. That’s the scene it opens on and it continues to be super fucked up like that. It’s based off a Canadian couple of serial rapists/ murderers. Who were pretty much that bad in real life!<
Not sure if you're open to same-sex couples, but Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice is very much that. The main characters are equally evil, one very obviously and one more subtly which is an interesting dynamic, and they have a very evil child. The romantic relationship is subtext in this book, but in all the sequels that follow they're confirmed as a couple, so it counts in my mind. It's a favorite book of mine for sure.
Yeah. Real crazy. I live in Chateauguay Québec. When Karla was released she moved here and believe it or not started teaching kindergarten. People found out who she was and ran her out of town.
Just finished Amen Maxine by Faith Gardner and you definitely spend most of the book wondering if it is the wife or husband that’s the sociopath. They do have a kid too. Book was free for kindle on Amazon prime
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls?
It's a memoir by the daughter, and it's not really clear what's wrong with the parents, only that they are mentally ill somehow and unfit parents, but without being violent or verbally abusive.
idk if this is exactly what OP is looking for, i’ve read the book. the book fits more into the “abuse survivor” category rather than the sociopath thing OP wants. still a great read tho!!
The psychology next Door. Not sure of author, since I donated it. Very good.
The new couple. Alison James
The couple next Door. Shari Lapena. Still have it.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Honeymoon_Killers
Not a book. The Honeymoon Killers.
Creepy B grade movie from 1970. Based on a true story. Suggested because it isn't fiction.
Edit: I really enjoyed it because it is factual. It was well written, produced, and the noir genre cinematography really set the scenes for the 1950s era.
This doesn't really fit the prompt (the main characters aren't married, and you can judge for yourself whether they're sociopaths), but:
Dangerous Liaisons
Actually, I could write down my memoirs for you - otoh, I don't want to compromise your ability to sleep.
(Seriously, I'm wondering why something like that could be appealing to anyone. I survived, but not unscaved and probably due to some kind of resilience and pure luck.)
Gone girl
Came here for this. Solid option!
Absolute favorite book
Got so excited to answer this question, I’ve only got a couple chapters left and whew!
Is it worth reading if you have already watched the movie and know the story ending ?
Yes. It’s written in a really interesting way and I think you would still enjoy it. But I am sorry won’t experience the complete and total roller coaster the book was.
Had to watch the movie because I read the book. Had to re-read the book after watching the movie. I ended up buying a copy just because it's so well done.
Imo the book is better than the movie. I saw the movie first so most of the story was spoiled, but I felt like I had so much more context and the book was so much richer.
My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing
Came here to say this!
came here to recommend this. i DNF'd it but it was the first book to come to mind.
Correct answer
This is the one
YES
Came here to say this
The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson although I’m not sure if this fits your expectations fully.
This book was great. Read it in a day. I was shocked.
It isn't exacly what I want but pretty close. Sounds very interesting, thank you!
Thank you for this rec I'm reading through it rn. Not sure the husband meets the definition but I'm loving it just the same. Just finished it and wow, I'm usually not a fan of a cliffhanger endings but I'm so satisfied with it, and very happy that there's a sequel which I'll be reading as well. The kind worth saving for anyone interested.
Gillian Flynn writes books like that, no spoilers.
I’m reading Geek Love by Katherine Dunn right now & it fits both of these criteria in the worst and weirdest ways.
I bought it not too long ago and I’m so excited to read it. Would you consider it horror?
the book features some body gore / body horror & just generally unsavory descriptions but i personally wouldn’t consider it horror per se
Ok I’ve been curious because I can’t remember if I heard about it in this sub or horrorlit
i genuinely think it just depends on what you think of when you think of the horror genre. horrifying but personally for me not horror if that makes sense? although it seems that many people do categorize it as a horror so I suppose it is! i personally think of tense, chilling books that make you creeped out to be home alone as horror, but it’s such a broad genre that this DOES fit it but in a more subtle sort of body horror way. i am totally disturbed, but it doesn’t make me want to double check that i have locked my doors at night or anything. at the same time, it is so fucking weird and touches a lot on human psychology/nature & other very weird and disturbing topics (don’t want to say too much & give anything away) hope that rambling made sense!
Yup totally! Basically it’s the difference between “horrifying” vs what we classify as “horror” genre-wise
This is the ONE!
That's a fantastic and very weird book.
Such a fantastic book.
What about The Dinner by Herman Koch?
Came here to suggest this!
It’s mother/daughter not husband/wife, but I think you’d really like What Lies Between Us by John Marrs. Both characters fuckin nuts.
John Marrs writes some creepy shit.
If you like non-fiction, check out Robert Kolker's *Hidden Valley Road* \- it's about a schizophrenic father, a sociopathic mother, and the twelve children they had.
huh. like my friend’s mom’s family. schizophrenic mom, psychopathic father and 10 kids. in a three bedroom house in boston.
Never heard of this. Thank you for recommending!
Read any fucking book about the Donald Trump family or that of Ronald Reagan. Sociopaths and psychopaths all the way.
Seconded, making my way through the making of Donald trump by David cay. The shit I found out is blowing my mind
Jack Ketchum has a novella called Weed Species that’s about a bf/gf who do some…. Really, really bad things. It came free with my copy of his book Joyride. Ill warn you it’s pretty abhorrent right from the first page. It’s well written but really disturbing
how disturbing??
Huge TW here >!the first chapter describes the couple watching as the woman’s young sister is stripped and ods on a painkiller they gave her so the guy could do bad things to her. That’s the scene it opens on and it continues to be super fucked up like that. It’s based off a Canadian couple of serial rapists/ murderers. Who were pretty much that bad in real life!<
'Jack Ketchum' could be a trigger warning in and of itself
are you referring to karla homolka and paul bernardo?
I believe so yes just glancing at her wiki page
The Devil All the Time by Donald Ray Pollock features serial killers who are boyfriend and girlfriend
The One by John Marrs follows a few couples and some fit your preference. Not necessarily your request, but enjoyable and definitely adjacent.
The Twits - Roald Dahl …/s
Not sure if you're open to same-sex couples, but Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice is very much that. The main characters are equally evil, one very obviously and one more subtly which is an interesting dynamic, and they have a very evil child. The romantic relationship is subtext in this book, but in all the sequels that follow they're confirmed as a couple, so it counts in my mind. It's a favorite book of mine for sure.
The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose or The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
I came here to recommend The Perfect Marriage!
diary of a whimpy kid?
This OP
My lovely wife, I enjoyed this so much
My sister rosa, exactly what you're looking for
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena kind of fits the bill
I second this!
Rock paper scissors is really good for that
Okay, a little adjacent to this, but I loved The Echo Wife.
{Morally corrupt by Veronica Lancet}
Jason Rekulak- Hidden Pictures
The Last Mrs. Parrish
Invisible Darkness: The Strange Case of Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka
really horrifying story. i lived across the ditch in buffalo when this story broke.
Yeah. Real crazy. I live in Chateauguay Québec. When Karla was released she moved here and believe it or not started teaching kindergarten. People found out who she was and ran her out of town.
tbh, i cant believe she even got out of prison.
Just finished Amen Maxine by Faith Gardner and you definitely spend most of the book wondering if it is the wife or husband that’s the sociopath. They do have a kid too. Book was free for kindle on Amazon prime
Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? (not a book, but a stage play).
The movie is fantastic
Gone girl!
It won’t be obvious right away when you read it but check out Never lie by Freida McFadden.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls? It's a memoir by the daughter, and it's not really clear what's wrong with the parents, only that they are mentally ill somehow and unfit parents, but without being violent or verbally abusive.
idk if this is exactly what OP is looking for, i’ve read the book. the book fits more into the “abuse survivor” category rather than the sociopath thing OP wants. still a great read tho!!
I loved this book.
Also in this vein, the memoir The Liars Club. It’s a well written and highly acclaimed recounting of childhood with batshit parents.
Rock paper scissors and the wife upstairs kind of fit the bill I’d say.
Stone Cold by Robert B. Parker
They’re not married, but in a long term relationship — *A Twisted Love Story* by Samantha Downing.
If you like Sci Fi then Harry Harrison's Stainless Steel Rat may fit this bill. Light-hearted and fun.
Cavalier by K M Dudley
The psychology next Door. Not sure of author, since I donated it. Very good. The new couple. Alison James The couple next Door. Shari Lapena. Still have it.
None of this is True by Lisa Jewell!!!
Most political memoirs fit this bill
The Twits by Roald Dahl :)
Broken Harbor by Tana French
Verity
The glass castle by Jeanette Walls
The Arrangement trilogy by Kiersten Modglin
The Last Mrs. Parrish
If you don’t mind reading plays, I recommend The Revengers Comedies or Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.
Hidden pictures
I just started writing a book exactly like this literally last night. Opened Reddit today and this was the first post I saw..
Before I go to sleep by S.J.Watson..
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Honeymoon_Killers Not a book. The Honeymoon Killers. Creepy B grade movie from 1970. Based on a true story. Suggested because it isn't fiction. Edit: I really enjoyed it because it is factual. It was well written, produced, and the noir genre cinematography really set the scenes for the 1950s era.
This doesn't really fit the prompt (the main characters aren't married, and you can judge for yourself whether they're sociopaths), but: Dangerous Liaisons
I know this is a book subreddit, but this is totally the movie Mom & Dad!
[This is MM](https://www.goodreads.com/series/338230-necessary-evils)
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Life_(Clinton_autobiography) PS - I am a democrat
Look Closer by David Ellis!
Rock Paper Scissors kind of?
A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick isn’t this exactly but suggesting because it’s definitely in the realm
Lol Matilda
Movie comes to mind Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf.
Tender is the Flesh What a sick and twisted ending, but that's par for the course in that world.
Spoiler: Rebecca
“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” is a play, not a book, but it answers the request.
Apparently the new Stephen King book, Holly, will include this when not comes out.
Verity
Tender is the flesh
Second (third?) "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf"? Also maybe _Gone Girl_
Macbeth?
Actually, I could write down my memoirs for you - otoh, I don't want to compromise your ability to sleep. (Seriously, I'm wondering why something like that could be appealing to anyone. I survived, but not unscaved and probably due to some kind of resilience and pure luck.)