The Killer Inside Me, by Jim Thompson

If you found Max Cady to be the sort of terrifying weirdo you can’t look away from, you will love Thompson’s deep dive into the mind of a sociopath. Lou Ford is a small-town deputy who presents himself as a boring, basic guy. But beneath that facade of weaponized normalcy, he’s a twisted, violent man who takes delight in hurting and manipulating people. It’s a dark, unrelenting story that gives strong Max Cady vibes.