Killer POV Thrillers: 9 Protagonists You Can’t Look Away From
Some thrillers put you in the shoes of detectives, survivors, or the wrongly accused. Not these books. Killer POV thrillers throw you straight into the minds of murderers, manipulators, and dangerously obsessive anti-heroes.
Whether they’re serial killers, stalkers, or just morally bankrupt people making bad choices, these protagonists justify every terrible thing they do—and somehow, you’ll find yourself agreeing with them. If you loved Joe Goldberg (You) or Deanna Madden (The Girl in 6E), buckle up. These books are about to make you rethink who you root for.
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9 Must-Read Killer POV Thrillers
Joe Goldberg – You by Caroline Kepnes
Red Flags: Stalker, obsessive, thinks murder is romantic.
Let’s start with the problematic fave. Joe Goldberg is a charming bookstore clerk with a habit of falling in love—and then eliminating anyone who gets in his way. His inner monologue is witty, self-assured, and completely delusional. You should hate him, but somehow, he makes you feel like you get him. That’s the danger of Joe.
Deanna Madden – The Girl in 6E by A.R. Torre
Red Flags: Homicidal urges, self-imposed isolation, camgirl by day, possible killer by night.
Deanna Madden has one rule: She doesn’t leave her apartment. Why? Because she’s pretty sure she’ll kill someone if she does. Instead, she channels her energy into her online job—until she suspects one of her clients is an actual predator. Unlike Joe, she wants to control her dark urges… but control only lasts so long.
Grab this book on Amazon: The Girl in 6E
Rhiannon Lewis – Sweet Pea by C.J. Skuse
Red Flags: Serial killer, loves lists (her hit list is basically a Burn Book but worse).
Rhiannon is your totally normal, average woman—except for the fact that she’s got a kill list for everyone who annoys her. Whether it’s a rude coworker or an actual villain, she’s ready to act on her impulses. Think Joe Goldberg, but with an inner monologue that’s snarky as hell and a complete lack of remorse.
Grab this book on Amazon: Sweet Pea
Scarlett Clark – They Never Learn by Layne Fargo
Red Flags: Professor, feminist serial killer, only kills men (but with very good reasoning).
Scarlett Clark is an English professor by day and a serial killer by night, handpicking the worst men on campus and ensuring they never hurt another woman again. Unlike Joe or Deanna, she doesn’t struggle with her morality—she knows exactly what she’s doing. And she’s damn good at it.
Grab this book on Amazon: They Never Learn
Tobias – My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing
Red Flags: Seems normal at first, but he and his wife have a very twisted hobby.
At first glance, Tobias is a devoted husband, but his marriage is built on a deadly secret—he and his wife murder people together. Their “date nights” involve picking a victim, and things only spiral from there. If you loved You but wished it had more of a serial killer power couple vibe, this is for you.
Grab this book on Amazon: My Lovely Wife
Ted & Lily – The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson
Red Flags: Strangers meeting on a plane, plotting murder together, zero moral hesitation.
A chance meeting on a flight turns into a murder pact between two strangers, as Ted confesses to wanting his cheating wife dead—and Lily, a woman with her own dark past, offers to help. But who’s really in control here? The twists in this book are next level, and if you love characters who justify very bad behavior, this one delivers.
Grab this book on Amazon: The Kind Worth Killing
Who’s Your Favorite Problematic Fave?
These protagonists are messy, unhinged, and completely unforgettable. Whether you’re looking for a killer camgirl, a love-obsessed stalker, or a professor with a murder hobby, these thrillers deliver all the morally gray chaos you crave.
Who’s your favorite thriller anti-hero? Drop your favorites in the comments!
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