Books Like The Secret History

Okay, so picture this: you're curled up with The Secret History by Donna Tartt, right? Completely engrossed in the dark academia vibes, the morally ambiguous characters, and the whole "did they/didn't they just commit murder" mystery. You finish it... and then what? Existential dread? A sudden craving for a tweed blazer? A burning desire to learn Ancient Greek? Possibly all three. Don't worry, you're not alone. We've all been there.

The good news is, the literary world is overflowing with books that’ll give you that same slightly-uncomfortable-but-utterly-captivating feeling. Think of it as a buffet of beautifully written, slightly twisted stories. And trust me, you'll want seconds… and thirds.

For More Deadly Decisions & Aristocratic Angst:

First up, let’s delve into the classics. Because honestly, Tartt totally owes a debt to them. Think of these as The Secret History's older, wiser, and possibly even more scandalous siblings.

Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh: Imagine swapping Vermont for Oxford and murder for… well, a complicated web of faith, love, and crumbling aristocratic estates. You get Brideshead Revisited. It’s got the same focus on a close-knit group of privileged students, the same exploration of beauty and decay, and enough repressed emotion to power a small city.

Fun fact: Waugh apparently wrote parts of this book while delirious from chloral hydrate. Maybe that’s why it’s so weirdly compelling.

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde: Okay, so no elite college here, but it does have a beautiful, morally corrupt young man, a charismatic (and manipulative) mentor, and a portrait that ages instead of him. Sound familiar? This is basically The Secret History meets supernatural horror. Prepare for witticisms sharper than a stiletto and a truly unsettling exploration of vanity.

Wilde was famously flamboyant, and this book is basically the literary equivalent of wearing a feather boa to a funeral. In a good way, obviously.

If You're Craving More Dark Academia Mayhem:

Okay, so you liked the whole 'students behaving badly' thing, right? Good. Because there's a whole subgenre dedicated to it. Think of it as the "evil genius academy" section of the library.

Bunny by Mona Awad: Okay, this one is weird. Think The Secret History meets Mean Girls meets a fever dream. It follows Samantha Heather Mackey, a scholarship student at a prestigious MFA program who finds herself drawn into a clique of wealthy, eccentric girls who call each other "Bunny." Things get… let's just say “unconventional.” And possibly involve dark magic. I’m not kidding.

Awad has described this book as "a love letter to the grotesque." So, yeah, buckle up.

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio: Shakespeare, murder, and a drama school where everyone's a little bit too intense. What's not to love? This book is narrated by Oliver Marks, who’s just been released from prison after serving ten years for a crime he might have committed. It's got atmosphere for days and enough theatrical drama to make your head spin. And yes, the question of "who did it?" will keep you guessing until the very end.

Warning: May cause an uncontrollable urge to quote Shakespeare and start wearing capes. Don't say I didn't warn you.

For A Touch of the Gothic & a Dash of the Macabre:

Sometimes, you just want to be properly creeped out, right? If The Secret History's darkness wasn't quite dark enough, these books will take you down a rabbit hole of gothic horror and psychological suspense.

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters: Set in post-war England, this book follows Dr. Faraday, who becomes involved with a decaying aristocratic family and their crumbling mansion. Is the house haunted? Are the family members cursed? Or is something even more sinister at play? Waters is a master of atmosphere, and this book will leave you with a delicious chill down your spine.

Waters is known for her meticulous historical research, so you can be sure that the details of the setting are as unsettling as the ghosts (maybe) haunting the house.

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia: Okay, this one is a total trip. Set in 1950s Mexico, it follows Noemí Taboada, a glamorous socialite who's sent to check on her cousin, who's married to a creepy Englishman and living in a remote, decaying mansion. Think Jane Eyre meets body horror. This book is visually stunning, deeply unsettling, and utterly unforgettable.

Fun fact: Moreno-Garcia was inspired by classic gothic novels and Hammer horror films. So, yeah, expect some seriously dramatic scares.

So, there you have it! A few suggestions to tide you over until Donna Tartt finally decides to write another book (seriously, Donna, we're waiting!). Now go forth and get reading. Just try not to, you know, commit any murders while you're at it. Okay?