The Experiment: A psychological thriller novella

by K.B. Gratz

"...On par with the style of Freida McFadden.."

".. [was] hooked from the beginning and the ended sent me SPINNING!"

"..plenty to keep you guessing at what will happen next, a little taste of spice, and that ENDING?! WHAT?!.."

******

Priscilla is a bookstore clerk with a charming, real estate agent for a boyfriend. Ray and Priscilla are navigating through life, nearing their one year anniversary.
She realizes her relationship is on the rocks, and seeks therapy for help. Dr. Royce is a locally famous psychiatrist, known for helping people put their lives back together. While he is helping Priscilla, Priscilla finds her feelings for Dr. Royce are mutual.
Feelings are progressing quickly. Priscilla is willing to put her current life on hold to pursue one with Dr. Royce. Someone finds themselves on trial for murder.
How will Priscilla manage her life going forward? Does Dr. Royce complicate things or make her life so much sweeter?
The verdict is in.
The Experiment is a psychological thriller novella.

Genres: Novella

155 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 30, 2024

Reviews

[Kaydi Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in about an hour! So good- especially for this to be her debut! I cannot wait to read her next book. I did not see the ending coming at all.

[Sara Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying I’d give this a 4.5 stars, it just wouldn’t let me.
I loved this little book! For being a novella/short story, The Experiment did a fantastic job of giving you just enough to get you hooked and have to finish the book in one sitting. There’s plenty to keep you guessing at what will happen next, a little taste of spice, and that ENDING?! WHAT?! It was the perfect little suspenseful thriller.
Kelcie did a great job with The Experiment, especially with it being her debut work. I hope we get more stories from her! This book is perfect for someone who is just starting to read and doesn’t want a huge commitment to a big series just yet, or for someone who needs a little filler between big reads! All and all I absolutely recommend this to anyone!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read both books by this author in 3 days! A friend recommended these to me and I'm so glad she did. I usually shy away from psychological thrillers, because they are usually so predictable, however I was presently surprised. Both books had my attention from the beginning, it's hard to believe these were written by a new author. I was introduced to K.B in person and she was a very sweet person, but now I have to say she now scares me a little. 😂 I hope another book will be released soon, will definitely be keeping an eye out.

[Nikki Ruffino-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This debut novella was so good, I totally devoured it.

I came across a video on Tiktok about this releasing soon. I knew that I had to come and add it onto my "TBR" here so I did not forget about it when it released. I am always looking for a good psychological thriller.

We follow our main character Priscilla in this book and the author gives us a first person point of view on it all. We learn about her relationship with Ray that is not in a great place, that she works at a bookstore and loves her job, and also about a traumatic event that she attempts to combat trauma with by taking medication.

Priscilla decides to seek couples therapy through an office that a co-worker suggested to her. Ray declines going to therapy with her, so Priscilla deciders to still go in hopes to help herself. This is where we meet Dr. Royce and where the whole book adds an element of more twists and turns. As the title suggests there is an experiment that takes place in this book. When I found out what the experiment was, I was absolutely blown away with how I did not see it coming at all.

This was so well written and I can not wait to read the next psychological thriller that she has coming out in only a few days now (06/25/24). I personally messaged her this upon finishing this one up: "GIRL THE EPILOGUE HAS ME SHOOK!" I am still shook, lol!

"My friend in my head hasn’t been very nice lately. He comes and goes, but this time, I think he’s here to stay. I think he wants me to kill myself."

[Kayla Denise Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short psychological thriller was such an easy, quick read with a great plot. I was hooked from the beginning and the ended sent me SPINNING! For this to be Kelcie’s debut novella, I cannot wait to see what she writes next!

[Allie Skees · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like a good twisty, rollercoaster for a book that you can devour in one sitting.. take the ride that is The Experiment!! With these being a debut novella, I am so impressed with how that twist caught me off guard. My jaw was on the floor 👏👏👏

[Marky Lear · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grabbed me right from the get-go! I absolutely loved the way this story unraveled and how Priscilla’s character unfolded. It gave me just enough without being too much making for a perfect novella! This book will make an excellent pallet cleanser in between big books or in the middle of a series! The twist at the end had me 🤯🤯🤯 Highly, highly recommend! HUGE thank you to Kelcie for reaching out to ask me to read and review this before it released! That was exactly what I needed to read! 💜

[Elizabeth Bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Wow, where do I start! This debut novella from K.B Gratz was mind-blowing! I wanted more! The story had me hooked from the beginning, and I would have finished it in one setting if adulting didn't get in the way. I love it when a book has some 🤯 moments, and this definitely did. I can't wait to see more from Gratz!! Available on Amazon, pre-order it now! You won't be disappointed!!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love quick reads this is the book for you! Kelcie did an amazing job writing her debut novella. For this to be a novella it is such a roller coaster. There are so many twists and emotions packed into one story. She keeps you guessing what will happen next. I was hooked and couldn’t put the book down! I did not see that ending coming. Can’t wait to see what Kelcie writes next.

[Tiffany Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
This was a great novella. A quick read that I didn’t want to put down.
This was a perfect short psychological thriller. Loved the plot and I didn’t see the ending coming!

On par with the style of Freida McFadden.

[Patlin Wyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness!! I was hooked from the beginning and I did not see that ending coming!! Such a great read and it was so well written and kept me on the edge of my seat! Can’t wait to see what Kelcie writes next!

[Jordan Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing!! You cannot convince me this her first book! Very well written and left me wanting more! If you are looking for a very quick read with lots of suspense this is the book for you! I can’t wait to read more of what she writes 🥰

[Bailee Estes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this novella and loved it! I thought I had it figured out, but the ending really surprised me, didn’t see it coming! Hope to read more stories by this author in the future! ♥️

[Allison Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ohhhh emmm ggggg - the ending!!! 🤯 Such a fast read (literally couldn’t put it down for the hour and 15 mins it took me to read). So proud of Kelcie for writing this & cannot wait to read more of her books in the future!

[Taylen Stonecipher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed every word, such a plot twist!!!! Soooo hoping there will be a second book or something to dive deeper into the epilogue that left me wanting so much more!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read to get you out of a slump or to help reach a reading goal. I was hooked immediately. Definitely recommend!

[Lindsey Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Wow!

This book had been hooked from the very beginning!! Definitely a twist at the end I never saw coming! A definite read!

[Jess Dempsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edge of my seat!!

This book was great! I loved how fast paced and short it was! Did not see the twist at the end! WOW!! 5 star read for sure!

[Felicia Belcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely did NOT see that coming!!! Phenomenal!

[Les · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick, easy page turner that left you wanting more. Great characters and excellent plot twist!

[Charla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kelcie’s debut novella is fast paced, kept me on my toes and had a twist I didn’t see coming! Would definitely recommend for anyone that loves a good thriller but wants a shorter story. I can’t wait to see what all Kelcie has up her sleeve for project #2.

[Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow! just wow!

Hands down one of the best books I’ve read! Just when you think things are going to go one way they go completely in the opposite direction. It’s one of those books where it’s so good and you can’t wait to know what happens next, and you just wanna read as fast as you can! I didn’t want it to end! I need more!

[Lauren Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Priscilla works at a bookstore and lives with her boyfriend Ray. She’s been feeling neglected by Ray and gets a recommend for a couples counselor. She’s had issues in the past and knows how important therapy is - not that she’ll talk about any of that with Ray, or anyone else. When Ray declines the counseling sessions, Priscilla still goes - and ends up with a very attractive therapist, Dr. Royce. They form a close bond and she opens up to him. Before she knows it, lines are getting very blurry, and things are being done that can’t be reversed.

Another day, another great psychological suspense book! This is a novella, so I don’t want to go into too much detail, but the writing had me hooked! I read it in one sitting and was shocked by the way it ended (in a good way!). I definitely didn’t see the twists coming in this one!

[Kayla Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like a suspense thriller you’ll love this quick read! Kelcie did so great on this novella especially being her first! The twist at the end couldn’t have been better!

[lawnchairbookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️First of all really impressive for this writers first published work. It had a few layers to it and it did keep me wanting to keep turning to the next page which is a win.
Overall it was very short quick read (novella) that I finished in a few hours that had a little twist at the end that I only partially saw coming -
Really enjoyed it overall, and hope she keeps writing and sharing her work :)

[Carla McClain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow is all I can say

I read this book in less than two days (I work full time and mom full time). Or I would’ve read it quicker. It gripped me from the beginning. I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen. The ending was a total shock!!! Definitely a jaw dropper.

[Stephanie Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the booked and the twist.

[Chelsey Ulrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great short mystery thriller. Less than 150 pages, but so good

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this for a prompt in a Facebook reading challenge group. This genre is NOT my cup of tea and I thought that a shorter, aka a novella, would be better than a novel. It gets it done like ripping off a band-aid. That said, I doubt that this genre will ever be my cup of tea and I have a lot of issues with this book. I also have things I liked about it. That said, I really should have DNF-ed it when I hit part two but I'm also glad I didn't for reasons that'll state below.

Also, there's spoilers below, so read on at your own peril.

First off, my biggest pet peeve of this book is the fact that the author played into the false reality of mental ill people are violent. The vast majority of mental ill people, including those with schizophrenia, are not violent. The fact that she used early onset, as well as making her violent, was extremely weird to me. I didn't like it to be honest. I had to stop and look up if it's even possible for it to be as early as it is stated in the book, which I believe was nine. It is, but, at the same time... I really find it hard to believe that, if she did have schizophrenia along with the incident that happened, that she would have been cleared to be allowed in the world. Especially after incident #2 where she was an adult and a danger to herself. So that plot point didn't make sense. Also, a gun? Really? Knife would have made more sense which is my second issue with the book. It just felt too... wrapped up nicely? Third, the trial SUCKED. Even a green public defense attorney would have pushed for criminally insane and the death penalty? Really? It pushed towards this being rushed, little time paying attention to detail, and then just cleaning it all up with people having scars.

Ok, so that's all that I did not like about the book. What I did like and I think the book did well was hiding the ending twist. Ray is not all he is as well and I really liked how everything got tied up with his character. I was not expecting this to be a revenge plot at the core and that's why this is three stars instead of my usual 1 to 2 that comes along with the "should have dnfed" tag of this book. It's not bad but, of course, it could have been better. Glad I've read it and glad that this prompt is off of my plate for December. Back to holiday books for me!

[Deidra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Truly a spectacular thriller that I didn’t want to put down!