What do you think?
Rate this book
The Artist
The nation reels from a series of chilling murders. On the other end of the country, Manas basks in a picture-perfect life with his beloved wife and cherished daughter. A peculiar twist of fate shatters his peaceful existence-a buried secret clawing its way to the surface. When the past strikes too close to his heart, a heart-pounding three-way chase ensues between Manas, the elusive 'Artist,' and an unyielding police force. The line between hunter and prey evaporates, plunging him into a murky abyss where truth and deceit entwine. As time ticks, 'The Artist' unravels a riveting saga. Morality's boundaries crumble, urging us to ponder the shades of right and wrong. Each step forward unveils a darker, treacherous path-a relentless descent into the unknown.
About The Author
Manu Joseph was born in Trivandrum, the capital of God's own Country - Kerala, but been all around the country for education and work. Growing up, he was fascinated with story-telling, be it books or movies. Being a voracious reader, and an avid movie buff, he spent his formative years buried in all kinds of stories from grip- ping murder mysteries, to drama, science fiction and fantasy. He works as a Data Scientist in Walmart. But in his spare-time, he writes dark, psychological thrillers. When he is not crunching data or weaving plotlines, he would be happy listening to music or hanging out with friends and family. The Artist is his first book.
About The Author
Manu Joseph was born in Trivandrum, the capital of God's own Country - Kerala, but been all around the country for education and work. Growing up, he was fascinated with story-telling, be it books or movies. Being a voracious reader, and an avid movie buff, he spent his formative years buried in all kinds of stories from grip- ping murder mysteries, to drama, science fiction and fantasy. He works as a Data Scientist in Walmart. But in his spare-time, he writes dark, psychological thrillers. When he is not crunching data or weaving plotlines, he would be happy listening to music or hanging out with friends and family. The Artist is his first book.
384 pages, Paperback
Published January 11, 2024
18 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 19, 2024
Very admirable debut, this book is equal parts thrilling and disturbing. I have so many questions, even though many were answered already. I would definitely recommend this as a weekend read. It has a substantial plot, an unreliable narrator, very well-researched investigation practices, and an actually competent killer and detective!! It was frustrating, but in a very good way because the plot kept me on the edge of the bed the entire night. I literally slept at 4 am in the morning!!
Please note: this book has adult themes and is not for minors. It also has violence, and reader discretion is advised.
Please note: this book has adult themes and is not for minors. It also has violence, and reader discretion is advised.
February 10, 2024
I'm not usually one to pen down book reviews, but felt compelled to share my thoughts on this book. The book came to my notice through one of my friends, and thought I would have a take on it. Took the kindle edition.
Initially through the story, it felt like any other kind of usual psychological thriller, but as the story unfolded from the second part onwards, it morphed into an entirely unexpected cat and mouse game. Author has crafted a tale that offers a fresh take on psychological thrillers, set in my hometown Trivandrum as well. While I found certain relationship dynamics a bit less convincing or kind of forced, it hasn't affected the pace of storytelling.The story's pacing, the tension in the cat-and-mouse chase, and the unexpected turns kept me on the edge of my seat, visualizing every scene with the intensity of a blockbuster movie chase.For those looking for a novel that combines the thrill of a chase with the depth of psychological exploration, "The Artist" is a must-read.
The Artist weaves unexpected adventure with deep psychological intrigue, keeping readers captivated. Its vivid storytelling and unique Indian setting make it a standout thriller. Its unique setting across Indian cities adds an extra layer of authenticity and vibrancy to the story.
Initially through the story, it felt like any other kind of usual psychological thriller, but as the story unfolded from the second part onwards, it morphed into an entirely unexpected cat and mouse game. Author has crafted a tale that offers a fresh take on psychological thrillers, set in my hometown Trivandrum as well. While I found certain relationship dynamics a bit less convincing or kind of forced, it hasn't affected the pace of storytelling.The story's pacing, the tension in the cat-and-mouse chase, and the unexpected turns kept me on the edge of my seat, visualizing every scene with the intensity of a blockbuster movie chase.For those looking for a novel that combines the thrill of a chase with the depth of psychological exploration, "The Artist" is a must-read.
The Artist weaves unexpected adventure with deep psychological intrigue, keeping readers captivated. Its vivid storytelling and unique Indian setting make it a standout thriller. Its unique setting across Indian cities adds an extra layer of authenticity and vibrancy to the story.
April 10, 2024
This book doesn't take much time to set up the plot and it's a good thing.
The portrayal of the characters is amazing, along with their personal dilemma they are facing.
Author's take on the central narrative is fresh and unique.
Hence worthy of recommendation!
Looking forward to reading his next work.
The portrayal of the characters is amazing, along with their personal dilemma they are facing.
Author's take on the central narrative is fresh and unique.
Hence worthy of recommendation!
Looking forward to reading his next work.
March 20, 2024
Good thriller based in trivandrum....Prose was well structured and the flow of writing was really good. Enjoyed the story , characters, didn't feel any sympathy towards the central characters, which meant it was well written. Its an interesting read, definitely recommend.
April 6, 2024
One of the standout features of the novel is the vivid and immersive writing style. Manu's descriptive prose effortlessly transports readers into the story, allowing them to visualize the scenes with remarkable clarity. The characters are well-developed and multi-dimensional, each with their own complexities and motivations. As a reader, I found myself empathizing with the characters, understanding their struggles, and questioning their choices.
The plot is expertly crafted, with twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. The pacing is perfect, building tension and suspense as the story unfolds.
Once I started reading, I found it difficult to put down, eagerly turning pages to unravel the mysteries and discover the fate of the characters.
If you're a fan of psycho-thrillers that delve into the depths of the human psyche and keep you guessing until the very end, you ought to pick this.
The plot is expertly crafted, with twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. The pacing is perfect, building tension and suspense as the story unfolds.
Once I started reading, I found it difficult to put down, eagerly turning pages to unravel the mysteries and discover the fate of the characters.
If you're a fan of psycho-thrillers that delve into the depths of the human psyche and keep you guessing until the very end, you ought to pick this.
November 6, 2025
BOOK REVIEW: THE ARTIST by MANU J
I didn’t expect The Artist to affect me the way it did. When I started reading, I thought it would be just another crime thriller, full of suspense and blood. But very soon, I realized this book is more than a story of murders; it’s about the human mind, trauma, and the strange ways in which pain shapes people.
The book begins with a disturbing abduction and a murder scene that sets the tone right away. The serial killer, known as The Artist, doesn’t just kill; he “creates.” It’s shocking, but at the same time, you can’t look away. Manu J’s writing makes you enter the minds of both the killer and the ones chasing him. You begin to see not just their actions, but their fears, memories, and the reasons behind who they’ve become.
The story mainly follows Manas, a man trying to live a peaceful family life while hiding from a dark past that refuses to stay buried. His character really stood out for me. On the surface, he’s a good husband and father, but deep inside, he’s broken, and you keep wondering when his mask will slip.
Then there’s Nasir Ali Khan, the officer in charge of the investigation. I liked how real he felt, not a perfect hero, but someone driven, human, and sometimes even emotionally torn by what he sees. The chapters switching between Manas, the killer, and the cops made me feel like I was inside their world. I could sense the tension, smell the fear, and almost hear the ticking clock as they raced to stop the next murder.
What makes this book unforgettable is not just the violence or mystery, but how it connects crime with emotion. Behind every killing, there’s a shadow of a childhood memory, a wound that never healed. The author shows how neglected children, broken homes, and emotional pain can turn into something horrifying when left unchecked. That psychological layer is what gives the story its power.
I also liked that the book doesn’t rush. Each twist feels earned. Sometimes I had to pause and take a breath after a chapter because the scenes were so vivid. The author writes with such detail that you can see every crime scene, but more importantly, you feel the disturbed beauty and madness behind it.
By the time I reached the last part and the truth about Prateek was revealed, I just sat there for a few minutes thinking about how everything connected. It’s not just a crime being solved; it’s lives breaking open, secrets resurfacing, and truth coming out of the darkest corners.
The writing style is simple but very gripping. Even with heavy psychological themes, it never feels complicated. The pace is fast, yet the emotions are deep. That’s what makes it such a strong debut. You can tell the author understands both storytelling and psychology.
If I had to describe my reading experience in one line, it was chilling, emotional, and addictive.
I would definitely recommend The Artist to anyone who enjoys dark thrillers that don’t just scare you but also make you think. It’s not a light read; there’s blood, pain, and madness, but it’s also about the human need for redemption, and that’s what stays with you long after you close the book.
I didn’t expect The Artist to affect me the way it did. When I started reading, I thought it would be just another crime thriller, full of suspense and blood. But very soon, I realized this book is more than a story of murders; it’s about the human mind, trauma, and the strange ways in which pain shapes people.
The book begins with a disturbing abduction and a murder scene that sets the tone right away. The serial killer, known as The Artist, doesn’t just kill; he “creates.” It’s shocking, but at the same time, you can’t look away. Manu J’s writing makes you enter the minds of both the killer and the ones chasing him. You begin to see not just their actions, but their fears, memories, and the reasons behind who they’ve become.
The story mainly follows Manas, a man trying to live a peaceful family life while hiding from a dark past that refuses to stay buried. His character really stood out for me. On the surface, he’s a good husband and father, but deep inside, he’s broken, and you keep wondering when his mask will slip.
Then there’s Nasir Ali Khan, the officer in charge of the investigation. I liked how real he felt, not a perfect hero, but someone driven, human, and sometimes even emotionally torn by what he sees. The chapters switching between Manas, the killer, and the cops made me feel like I was inside their world. I could sense the tension, smell the fear, and almost hear the ticking clock as they raced to stop the next murder.
What makes this book unforgettable is not just the violence or mystery, but how it connects crime with emotion. Behind every killing, there’s a shadow of a childhood memory, a wound that never healed. The author shows how neglected children, broken homes, and emotional pain can turn into something horrifying when left unchecked. That psychological layer is what gives the story its power.
I also liked that the book doesn’t rush. Each twist feels earned. Sometimes I had to pause and take a breath after a chapter because the scenes were so vivid. The author writes with such detail that you can see every crime scene, but more importantly, you feel the disturbed beauty and madness behind it.
By the time I reached the last part and the truth about Prateek was revealed, I just sat there for a few minutes thinking about how everything connected. It’s not just a crime being solved; it’s lives breaking open, secrets resurfacing, and truth coming out of the darkest corners.
The writing style is simple but very gripping. Even with heavy psychological themes, it never feels complicated. The pace is fast, yet the emotions are deep. That’s what makes it such a strong debut. You can tell the author understands both storytelling and psychology.
If I had to describe my reading experience in one line, it was chilling, emotional, and addictive.
I would definitely recommend The Artist to anyone who enjoys dark thrillers that don’t just scare you but also make you think. It’s not a light read; there’s blood, pain, and madness, but it’s also about the human need for redemption, and that’s what stays with you long after you close the book.
September 3, 2025
-A Thundering Train of a Thriller-
Review of 'The Artist'
Quote Alert
"𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝. 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐩𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐤𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐢𝐧. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧. 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝, 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧. 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝; 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲, 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐬."
(When does the pursuit through darkness become a descent into it?)
How do you write a thriller? Well, take a serial killer. Add a badass cop. Want more? Add a loving family: the father has a history and the daughter a life-threatening allergy. Still want more? Ok we will give you two serial killers at the cost of one. Happy now? But where will you get all this masala? Where else? Right here, in this gripping, hurtling, thundering train of a thriller 'The Artist'
So what is it all about? The Artist kickstarts with an abduction scene that soon turns into tourtue and ends up in bloody murder. There is lots of blood here. Cuts, bruises, bashed head and battered limbs. If you like your stories raw, this one has ample blood. Have a look:
"It was unusual for him to desecrate a dead body like this. Death was something to be celebrated; it was an escape from the meaningless drudgery of life, a way to be immortalised in death. He had made sure of it. But not his mother. She deserved to be cut up into pieces and tossed into the garbage; food for fucking maggots."
But the story does not only have violence, of course. Many J has balanced unhinged emotions with love, contrasting a killer with a family where everyone loves unconditionally. What if they come together in a clash? Won't it be delicious?
The stories with mystry and thrill at their core must be wrapped up in a cozy blanket of emotions and humanity. And the author has successfully achieved a pulsing, throbbing veneer of raw, unfiltered emotions here. He hasn't met the story run dry. The violence is effectively countered with love here.
One of the most chilling scenes in the book comes when the Artist hallucinates and sees his inspiration The Butcher in the corridor of his own home. It gave me goosebumps. The tourtue scene is equally good. The author turns it upon his head when the reader realises that the woman being interrogated is actually an accomplice of The Butcher, a serial killer who abruptly stopped killing.
The storytelling is engaging and the writing style skilful. The characters feel real and full bodied, not lifeless and cardboardish. The reader feels helpless as there is only one goal in the present and now: to finish the book. Everything else comes later.
The prose of Manu J is especially strong. Every chapter has a quotable quote. He knows the art of weaving words and he uses it well. Leaving you with my favourite lines-
"Time is the most dangerous predator in the world. You don't hear it coming until you are halfway down its throat, gasping for breath."
Review of 'The Artist'
Quote Alert
"𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝. 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐩𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐤𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐢𝐧. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧. 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝, 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧. 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝; 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲, 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐬."
(When does the pursuit through darkness become a descent into it?)
How do you write a thriller? Well, take a serial killer. Add a badass cop. Want more? Add a loving family: the father has a history and the daughter a life-threatening allergy. Still want more? Ok we will give you two serial killers at the cost of one. Happy now? But where will you get all this masala? Where else? Right here, in this gripping, hurtling, thundering train of a thriller 'The Artist'
So what is it all about? The Artist kickstarts with an abduction scene that soon turns into tourtue and ends up in bloody murder. There is lots of blood here. Cuts, bruises, bashed head and battered limbs. If you like your stories raw, this one has ample blood. Have a look:
"It was unusual for him to desecrate a dead body like this. Death was something to be celebrated; it was an escape from the meaningless drudgery of life, a way to be immortalised in death. He had made sure of it. But not his mother. She deserved to be cut up into pieces and tossed into the garbage; food for fucking maggots."
But the story does not only have violence, of course. Many J has balanced unhinged emotions with love, contrasting a killer with a family where everyone loves unconditionally. What if they come together in a clash? Won't it be delicious?
The stories with mystry and thrill at their core must be wrapped up in a cozy blanket of emotions and humanity. And the author has successfully achieved a pulsing, throbbing veneer of raw, unfiltered emotions here. He hasn't met the story run dry. The violence is effectively countered with love here.
One of the most chilling scenes in the book comes when the Artist hallucinates and sees his inspiration The Butcher in the corridor of his own home. It gave me goosebumps. The tourtue scene is equally good. The author turns it upon his head when the reader realises that the woman being interrogated is actually an accomplice of The Butcher, a serial killer who abruptly stopped killing.
The storytelling is engaging and the writing style skilful. The characters feel real and full bodied, not lifeless and cardboardish. The reader feels helpless as there is only one goal in the present and now: to finish the book. Everything else comes later.
The prose of Manu J is especially strong. Every chapter has a quotable quote. He knows the art of weaving words and he uses it well. Leaving you with my favourite lines-
"Time is the most dangerous predator in the world. You don't hear it coming until you are halfway down its throat, gasping for breath."
August 7, 2025
💌 The Artist: A Psychological Thriller of Crime, Dark Secrets, and a Serial Killer's Deadly Game is a captivating dive into the chilling world of serial killers. The story centers around Manas, a man trying to enjoy his happy family life while grappling with his own dark past. The author also introduces the readers to a police officer named Nasir Ali Khan, who leads a special investigation team, as they seek to catch a mysterious murderer known only as The Artist. Each chapter seems to pull you deeper into the minds of the characters, making it hard to put the book down. The use of simple language makes it easy for even the beginners and young readers to understand.. The author Manu J did an excellent job by creating fantastic characters that feel so real and relatable. When I started this book, I hardly had any expectations that it would turn out so good.
Whether you’re a fan of thrillers or just looking for a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat, this one is definitely worth checking out.. The combination of simple writing style, fast-paced narration, attractive cover, well-crafted characters, and a gripping plot filled with suspense creates an amazing reading experience. Turn the pages to know what happens next in the story. The book is available on Amazon in both kindle and paperback format - do grab your copies now. Highly recommended. Overall, I would definitely love to read more books by the author in future.
Whether you’re a fan of thrillers or just looking for a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat, this one is definitely worth checking out.. The combination of simple writing style, fast-paced narration, attractive cover, well-crafted characters, and a gripping plot filled with suspense creates an amazing reading experience. Turn the pages to know what happens next in the story. The book is available on Amazon in both kindle and paperback format - do grab your copies now. Highly recommended. Overall, I would definitely love to read more books by the author in future.
November 20, 2025
I just closed The Artist, and honestly… my heart is still racing. From the first line, I felt like I was walking through a calm neighborhood and suddenly seeing shadows twist into something dangerous. Manas seems to have everything — a loving wife, a happy daughter, a peaceful life — but you can feel the tension under the surface. His past is catching up in ways that are terrifying, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages to see what would happen next.
The story is like this intense game of cat and mouse. Manas, the unnerving Artist, and Nasir, the relentless cop, all moving across the pages like chess pieces, each step full of suspense. Just when you think the path is clear, the game flips, twists, and spirals into darkness. Every secret revealed feels like a punch to the chest, and I found myself holding my breath, heart pounding, unable to look away.
The characters are unforgettable. Manas is so human — scared, flawed, yet fiercely protective. The Artist is magnetic in his cruelty, terrifying in his precision, a mind that’s both horrifying and fascinating. Nasir grounds it all, chasing justice in a world where the line between right and wrong is constantly shifting. I kept thinking about their choices, their fears, the weight of every action, long after I put the book down.
And the writing… Manu J has this magic of simple words that hit hard. The tension, the fear, the moral dilemmas — it feels real, like you’re part of the chase, part of the danger, part of the questions about what makes someone a monster. The Artist isn’t just a psychological thriller; it’s a journey into the darkest corners of the mind, a reflection on love, fear, and survival. I can’t stop thinking about it, and I don’t think I’ll ever forget it.
The story is like this intense game of cat and mouse. Manas, the unnerving Artist, and Nasir, the relentless cop, all moving across the pages like chess pieces, each step full of suspense. Just when you think the path is clear, the game flips, twists, and spirals into darkness. Every secret revealed feels like a punch to the chest, and I found myself holding my breath, heart pounding, unable to look away.
The characters are unforgettable. Manas is so human — scared, flawed, yet fiercely protective. The Artist is magnetic in his cruelty, terrifying in his precision, a mind that’s both horrifying and fascinating. Nasir grounds it all, chasing justice in a world where the line between right and wrong is constantly shifting. I kept thinking about their choices, their fears, the weight of every action, long after I put the book down.
And the writing… Manu J has this magic of simple words that hit hard. The tension, the fear, the moral dilemmas — it feels real, like you’re part of the chase, part of the danger, part of the questions about what makes someone a monster. The Artist isn’t just a psychological thriller; it’s a journey into the darkest corners of the mind, a reflection on love, fear, and survival. I can’t stop thinking about it, and I don’t think I’ll ever forget it.
December 14, 2025
3.5 stars 🌟⭐️
The Artist was an interesting l read. From the very beginning, you know who the serial killer is, but that does not take away from the story. What kept me hooked was the way the narrative unfolds and how each layer slowly reveals itself.
The middle of the book felt slightly stretched, and at times I found myself waiting for the story to move forward. However, the pace picks up again in the second half, and from there it becomes gripping and intense.
What affected me the most was how deeply the book explores childhood trauma and its impact on adult life. It made me think about how much of who we become is shaped long before we understand what is happening to us. One line that stayed with me was that children are good, and it is the world that corrupts them. That thought quietly runs through the entire book.
Another line that struck me was, “Time is the most dangerous predator in the world. You don’t hear it coming until you are halfway down its throat, gasping for breath.” It captures the slow, inevitable way damage happens, without noise or warning.
The Artist is dark and disturbing, but also deeply human. It is not just a story about a killer, but about pain, time, and the consequences of what we fail to protect.
The Artist was an interesting l read. From the very beginning, you know who the serial killer is, but that does not take away from the story. What kept me hooked was the way the narrative unfolds and how each layer slowly reveals itself.
The middle of the book felt slightly stretched, and at times I found myself waiting for the story to move forward. However, the pace picks up again in the second half, and from there it becomes gripping and intense.
What affected me the most was how deeply the book explores childhood trauma and its impact on adult life. It made me think about how much of who we become is shaped long before we understand what is happening to us. One line that stayed with me was that children are good, and it is the world that corrupts them. That thought quietly runs through the entire book.
Another line that struck me was, “Time is the most dangerous predator in the world. You don’t hear it coming until you are halfway down its throat, gasping for breath.” It captures the slow, inevitable way damage happens, without noise or warning.
The Artist is dark and disturbing, but also deeply human. It is not just a story about a killer, but about pain, time, and the consequences of what we fail to protect.
February 4, 2024
I found myself completely immersed in the dark, twisted world of the story, unable to tear myself away until the very end. It's been a while since a book has captivated me to this extent, and I'm grateful to the author for reigniting my passion for reading. The author's storytelling prowess is unmatched, weaving a tale so enthralling, it felt like I was watching a blockbuster thriller unfold before my eyes.This is a must-read for anyone who loves a gripping psychological thriller. Highly recommended!
Shilpa M Thomas
Shilpa M Thomas
February 19, 2024
I found this book to be really interesting and it kept me hooked the whole time. It felt like I was watching a movie because the scenes were described so well. The characters were my favorite part - they felt so real, and I liked how they weren't just good or bad, but kind of in-between. It made me think about what's right and wrong in a different way. I'd suggest this to anyone who likes a fun read, but step in a layer deep and it makes you question a lot of things.
August 8, 2025
This book is a masterclass in slow-burning suspense. What starts as a quiet, domestic tale quickly spirals into a chilling, high-stakes thriller. Manas is a protagonist you can’t quite trust — and that’s exactly the point. Every twist lands with precision, and just when you think it’s over, the final reveal knocks the breath out of you. Unsettling, smart, and utterly unputdownable.
5/5
5/5
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews