Timber

Ty Hutchinson's Psychological Thrillers

by Ty Hutchinson

When life coaching goes terribly wrong.

I’m a bit of a hippie; you have to be to live in Bodega Bay. I do yoga every Tuesday and Saturday, and in between, I work as a life coach. It’s a simple life that’s drama-free, and I like it that way. But never in a million years did I think coaching would unleash a hellish nightmare.

When Peter Darkwood contacted me wanting my services for his wife, I was seconds away from declining. It never works out well when someone calls on another person’s behalf. But learning he was a psychiatrist, someone who literally helps people, I was intrigued to listen. His wife was a celebrated artist who had fallen into a funk of self-doubt. She stopped working and rarely socialized; her bed had become her new best friend. Peter assured me she wasn’t clinically depressed but simply needed a good kick in the butt.

I trusted the doctor’s professional assessment and took on the challenge. But things turned unexpectedly as I delved into his wife’s fragile psyche and uncovered a chilling secret that quickly had me questioning my involvement with the couple. I soon found myself facing an agonizing choice: Keep quiet or sound the alarm, risking my life.

Timber is a psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat and have you reexamining the boundaries of trust and loyalty. Are you ready to get coached?

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Psychological, Fiction, Ebooks

246 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2023

About the author

Ty Hutchinson is a USA Today bestselling author who writes dark, high-concept thrillers that punch hard and don't let up.

A full-time nomad since 2013, he blends real-world detail with twisted imagination to deliver binge-worthy stories—where the rules are bent, the stakes are high, and the exits are never marked.

Living everywhere and nowhere, he's drawn to strange things and peculiar people—almost always leading to one question: what if?

Reviews

[Cheryl Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

blah

Hated the ending! This is my first book by this author and probably my last. I feel like the whole read was a waste of time. The ending was so abrupt and so many unanswered questions.

[Diane Merritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I did not expect that..what an ending. Phenomenal!!!

[Dionne B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the twist at the end. If you've ever seen the movie Shutter Island, it will make sense to you that I was reminded of it as things in the book came to a resolution. 3.5/5 stars

[Manie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timber is such an interesting name for a woman. It is the first thing that struck my mind as I discovered that the title alone already led me onto some wrong assumptions.
Then I got caught up with the story of a life coach, Mitzi, trying to assist the said Timber, a famous ceramist to recover her joy of art again.
Author Ty Hutchinson started off with an ambiance of delight and surprise...till something small and off beat made you frown as it seems off beat.
But then, there are reasons aplenty for ignoring it. Till the next one.
That is when you realise something is wrong. Very wrong. And escalating.
Timber is a psychological thriller brilliantly plotted and played by Ty Hutchinson. Having just finished reading the book, I got to raise my hat saluting the author with this excellent book.
Enjoy...if you dare!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

full of surprises!

[Rhys Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don’t like the ending. I also thought the dialogue throughout was stilted and weird. Maybe that was for effect, but it didn’t feel that way while reading. I was annoyed by the info dumping at the beginning and nearly gave up, but now I see that was intentional. I don’t think it makes me like the book any better. Honestly, I’m definitely no expert, but from what I do understand of it, this doesn’t feel like a very realistic or honest take on this condition. Maybe if I reread I’ll enjoy it more, but I really just don’t feel like it.

[Dana Granville · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe more of a 3.5 but rounded up because I wasn't expecting the ending.. Mitzi Joyner is a life coach. One day, she gets contacted by a prominent psychiatrist, Dr. Peter Darkwood, asking if she could help his wife, Timber, get out of the artistic/work funk she's been in for the past year or so. Mitzi has her reservations; she usually only does jobs close to her or via Zoom calls, however this job is several hours away and he wants her most expensive package and also wants her to stay at his premises to care for his wife. Eventually she decides to take the job. She meets the wife and begins starting to work with her on getting her life in order. However, as the days pass by, things don't quite seem kosher about certain things and staff seem guarded. Is Dr. Blackwood actually the problem? Is he the root of all of Timber's problems? There were plenty of twists and turns and wondering what all was going on, but I definitely didn't see the ending coming at all. Gave me some minor vibes of Shutter Island. Overall, a decent book, I got it free on my nook so can't complain about it. It was also a very quick read as well.

[Lucy Appadoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a page-turning story about Mitzi who agrees to provide life coaching services to an artist, Timber on the request of her husband, Peter, a psychiatrist.

As Mitzi makes improvements with Timber's health, Peter withdraws and attempts to sabotage her attempts at getting the artist back into working on her ceramic pieces.

Mitzi discovers secrets and home truths as she explores the mansion she's staying in and begins to feel threatened.

What I didn't expect was the huge surprise at the end of the story. I would've given it five stars, but the ending spoiled part of the story for me. I would've liked a different ending as some of the earlier events in the story didn't appear to match the ending, making it a little far-fetched. But it was still page-turning and an interesting read.

[KK from KY · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t really know what to say about this book without absolutely spoiling it for others except WOW! It has left me feeling all kinds of ways. All of them in a good way when it’s concerning books. I really enjoyed this book. It had me thinking I knew what was happening until every twist. And there were a lot of twists. Each of which showed me I was wrong. Even after the final word, I am still reeling at what the actual truth is. Sitting here hours later, I’m still thinking of “what ifs.” I highly recommend this book. I will note for those who want to know, there are no overly descriptive sex scenes, some language, no gore. If you like a book that makes you think, read this book.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was only mildly interesting. A lot of things irritated me. Such as: Many of the characters didn't seem "real". They talked oddly or said things I don't think any real person would say. Also, I find it hard to believe anyone would go live at a client's house in the woods, having never met them before. When people don't react "normally" I get frustrated.
That being said, when you finish the book, (I didn't care for the ending either, lol) you may be able to give the author a pass on the stuff that was weird, but...I couldn't.
I usually like Ty Hutchinson, but this one was not for me.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riveting page turning electrifying thriller. It is cleverly written and brilliantly crafted. I was left with a dropped jaw. It sucked me in everything that I thought was happening wasn't. The author takes the reader on a Rollercoaster ride of twists and turns that you never see coming
It made me gasp several times as the story unfolded. There was so much tension that is felt through the entire book. Highly addictive and terrifying. The ending was sensation.

Publication Date November 15, 2023

[Sharon Zink · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think Ty should graduate from high school before he authors any more books. This is a well written foolish book. The plot is NOT compelling. The ending screams, "I don't know how to end this nightmare!" I could never figure out the problem. I didn't know what Mitzi was even running away from. It is supposed to be about a life coach who moves into the mansion home of the woman she is supposed to be helping. At the end, the life coach turns out to suffer from multiple personality disorder. At least I get to count this book toward my yearly goal. The rest of it is a waste.

[Beckie Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Odd

The last chapter-Alan-threw me off.
The brain (mind) is complex. Reality can be so distorted on how the wiring of the brain/mind function.
Mitzi takes on a client as her life coach. The client is an artist whom is married to a Psychiatrist. Peter, the husband of the artist Timber, has more interaction with Mitzi than Timber. Mitzi, after talking to the sparse staff, thinks something isn’t right in the household. Is there abuse. Is there manipulation? Is Peter really wanting his wife to get better?

[Lamppost Gaming · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was quite the roller coaster, one that started calm and gradual. It was actually quite enjoyable, almost becoming a slice of life book. Then the “thriller” part of the book kicked in at about 60% through. Towards the end there were so many twists and turns that it stopped being fun, and just trying to hold on to the plot became a herculean task. The final twist was nearly as bad as an “it was all a dream” end.

[T. Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my how to describe this book without giving things away. It’s definitely a great read! There are several twists to this story. Mitzi is a life coach. When a person contacts her to help his wife. She decides to take the client on and decides to stay at there home while helping his wife. There’s good days and bad. What happens is quite surprising.
Great read

[Micky Parise · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reading Ty Hutchinson and came away rather impressed. Story line, characters, writing style were top notch and was definitely a twisted psychological thriller in the true sense. Usually I have a idea about what the ending would be but this ending was way off what I thought it would. Recommend highly.

[Cora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, it was suspenseful and interesting and entertaining. I'm unsure how I feel about the ending, it was not what I had expected and I don't know if I like how it ended! There are some bad words but not a lot, and no descriptive sex scenes. I liked the writing and the characters! I probably would recommend it just so I can see how you felt about the ending.

[Ann Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Surprise at Every Corner

Surprisingly tangled with such joy, hopes and a revelation that is just so surprising. I believed the character of Mitzi to the very shocking end. What a powerful character and story. Loved this! This is a must read.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this was a good psychological read - who is causing the problems of an artist who can’t create and the life coach whose helping her get back to creating her art - the ending was too abrupt. I feel there should have been more information at the end.

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Timber

Wow! Kept me in suspense the entire read. Mitzi is a life coach sent to help a prominent psychiatrists wife get her creative muse back. But there is an undercurrent of evil that Mitzi needs to overcome. Does she?

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Very good book. Kept my interest and I thought about it on and off between the periods that I could read again. I’d say that’s the mark of a good book. Several twists I didn’t see coming too.

[Susan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of surprises

The writer has your Full attention. It was hard to put the book down as it always had me sitting on the edge of my seat. Well written and well planned and many twists.

[Chris Webster · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointed in this. It started reasonably well, became shallow and trashy, then ended just as a young novice writer would end - the grown up equivalent of '.... and then s/he woke up and it was all a dream....'.

[Pamela · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should have known that a book with a character named Timber Darkwood was not going to be good. The dialogue in the book was so stilted and unnatural. Plot points made zero sense. The ending was terrible.

[Cindy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stupid book. I skimmed the second half because it wasn't worth the time to read it. Judging by the ending the author got even more fed up with writing the book. more twists and turns than you could shake a stick at, and even then it didn't end. Stupid book.

[Hulagurl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aw, ya got me!

I’ve followed Ty since the very beginning and always enjoy his books. Timber has excellent detail and writing! Will you get coached too?

[Richard Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did not see.The do g coming!

I'm still left.wondering what was real and what wasn't! Absorbing, suspenseful, and frighteningly enjoyable. No wonder I've read most of his works!

[John Fishlock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun twist at the end, that you’ll prob see coming.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars I really enjoyed the beginning of the book. It really held my interest. As it went on I stopped enjoying the dialogue as much. Overall I did enjoy the book.