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Now is the Time of Monsters
HER VISIONS PREDICT BRUTAL MURDERS.
ONE OF THEM IS HER OWN.
Since childhood, Cassie has been haunted by nightmares—she just never imagined they might be real. But when a killer known as "The Gemini" grips 1969 San Francisco in a sadistic reign of terror, Cassie’s dreams take on a chilling new meaning: They’re not just nightmares, but brutal visions of actual murders.
Afraid and isolated, newly separated young mother Cassie can somehow see the Gemini’s attacks before they happen.
But knowing the future doesn’t mean she can change it.
Even if one of the deaths she foresees is her own...
⚡A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BOOKLIFE EDITOR'S PICK⚡
"Unflinching...Unforgettable...Haunting...Will hold readers in a vice of suspense." —BookLife by Publishers Weekly
★★★★★ This book had me holding my breath the entire time! —Amazon review
"An atmospheric masterpiece...I devoured every page." —Dacre Stoker, bestselling author and great grand-nephew of Bram Stoker
★★★★★ An absolute page-turner that kept me guessing to the very end! —Amazon review
Find yourself glued to the pages as A.G. Mock compellingly weaves details of true serial killer cases into a thriller that blurs the lines between fact and fiction, nightmare and reality, predator and prey.
Set against the iconic backdrop of cultural change in America, Now is the Time of Monsters is a page-turning thriller that resonates much of today’s social landscape.
Fans of Stacy Willingham’s A Flicker in the Dark or Graham Masterton’s The House of a Hundred Whispers, this is your next must-read thriller!
ONE OF THEM IS HER OWN.
Since childhood, Cassie has been haunted by nightmares—she just never imagined they might be real. But when a killer known as "The Gemini" grips 1969 San Francisco in a sadistic reign of terror, Cassie’s dreams take on a chilling new meaning: They’re not just nightmares, but brutal visions of actual murders.
Afraid and isolated, newly separated young mother Cassie can somehow see the Gemini’s attacks before they happen.
But knowing the future doesn’t mean she can change it.
Even if one of the deaths she foresees is her own...
⚡A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BOOKLIFE EDITOR'S PICK⚡
"Unflinching...Unforgettable...Haunting...Will hold readers in a vice of suspense." —BookLife by Publishers Weekly
★★★★★ This book had me holding my breath the entire time! —Amazon review
"An atmospheric masterpiece...I devoured every page." —Dacre Stoker, bestselling author and great grand-nephew of Bram Stoker
★★★★★ An absolute page-turner that kept me guessing to the very end! —Amazon review
Find yourself glued to the pages as A.G. Mock compellingly weaves details of true serial killer cases into a thriller that blurs the lines between fact and fiction, nightmare and reality, predator and prey.
Set against the iconic backdrop of cultural change in America, Now is the Time of Monsters is a page-turning thriller that resonates much of today’s social landscape.
Fans of Stacy Willingham’s A Flicker in the Dark or Graham Masterton’s The House of a Hundred Whispers, this is your next must-read thriller!
431 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2024
2631 people are currently reading
6948 people want to read
About the author
A.G. Mock
6 books318 followersA.G. MOCK is an award-winning writer whose multi-decade career spans both the UK and the US. He currently lives in rural South Carolina with his incredibly patient wife, two peculiarly challenging but adorable rescue dogs, and a harmless ghost who likes to make himself known with a distinctive scent of tobacco and warm leather. His wife and dogs he treasures wildly; the ghost he can take or leave.
The 'Little Woods' is Book One in the New Apocrypha series and is his debut novel.
'Disciple' is Book Two in the New Apocrypha series and now available everywhere!
The 'Little Woods' is Book One in the New Apocrypha series and is his debut novel.
'Disciple' is Book Two in the New Apocrypha series and now available everywhere!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 403 reviews
December 11, 2025
This was written so weirdly. It felt like the author went down a rabbit hole of research on serial killers (in the 60s) and just wanted to write a ton of very obvious Easter eggs throughout a very over-told story.
It felt like he just over explained EVERYTHING. I don’t like when authors assume their readers are dummies and they have to spell everything out for them.
Being a fan of thrillers, I’m also a fan of true crime. I knew all of the serial killer stuff and the BSU stuff, etc. It would have been much cooler if it didn’t feel like history was being man-splained to me.
Can you tell I was annoyed?
My other gripes are:
-Any one who has any idea what “Gemini” means, has a heads up on this story
-the twist of Bella Luna was so weird.
-I HATE “it was all a dream” scenes. So annoying.
-Ressler was NOT likable at all! Why did Jacobs end up with him? He sucks! The author described him with a hidden heart of gold. I did not see one bit of gold. It was a heart of garbage.
**overall, I was interested in where the story was going, but in the end it felt…what’s the word? “Cheap” maybe. I just felt like it was a lot of fluff to end up where we were in the end.
It felt like he just over explained EVERYTHING. I don’t like when authors assume their readers are dummies and they have to spell everything out for them.
Being a fan of thrillers, I’m also a fan of true crime. I knew all of the serial killer stuff and the BSU stuff, etc. It would have been much cooler if it didn’t feel like history was being man-splained to me.
Can you tell I was annoyed?
My other gripes are:
-Any one who has any idea what “Gemini” means, has a heads up on this story
-the twist of Bella Luna was so weird.
-I HATE “it was all a dream” scenes. So annoying.
-Ressler was NOT likable at all! Why did Jacobs end up with him? He sucks! The author described him with a hidden heart of gold. I did not see one bit of gold. It was a heart of garbage.
**overall, I was interested in where the story was going, but in the end it felt…what’s the word? “Cheap” maybe. I just felt like it was a lot of fluff to end up where we were in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2025
This book had a lot of potential, but it fell a bit flat. The core ideas were cool, like the multiple personalities, and the slow reveal of information. But it was choppy and hard to follow at some points, and boring at others.
Also, it never explains about the husband and daughter who is actually a dog.... did the friend, Patty, not find it weird that a "dog" went to kindergarten?
Also, it never explains about the husband and daughter who is actually a dog.... did the friend, Patty, not find it weird that a "dog" went to kindergarten?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2025
This did NOT work for me. One of the twists was so strange, and the final twist was hard to wrap my head around. Also, it was almost 450 pages which is way too long for a thriller 😬 I’m usually not this critical, but I was SO excited for this one!
April 3, 2025
What a head-scratcher!!! Twist, turns, looking back to reaffirm. This book was nothing like I’ve ever read and I loved it!!! Highly recommend!!!!
March 23, 2025
So… I heard like a zillion great things about this book but once again I feel kind of lackluster about a book or popular opinion, and here’s why without specifics or staunch spoilers…
Basically I feel like he came up with a good idea for a book and then played it out and then spent like 3 chapters doing a kind of corny victory lap like AnD hErEs HoW iT hAPpEnEd. Having a great idea is one thing and executing it smoothly without having to over explain is a very difficult other. I also felt like there was SO much useless bullshit, like whole chapters of it. And I’m absolutely the kind of person who loves a long book, a “slow burn” whatever. The detectives were written in very boring and face value but then suddenly for seemingly no reason at all he decided we needed to care about their every interaction as though they were developed to be valuable characters. You can honestly skip most of the chapters with the detectives and the book reads the same, just with less fodder. I skimmed them tbh, and learned everything I needed from that.
And also I feel like this guy watched Manhunter and got all
Excited about that show and then wrote the book around that.
All in all I wasn’t impressed with the execution, but still enjoyed the book decently bc the premise was decent
Basically I feel like he came up with a good idea for a book and then played it out and then spent like 3 chapters doing a kind of corny victory lap like AnD hErEs HoW iT hAPpEnEd. Having a great idea is one thing and executing it smoothly without having to over explain is a very difficult other. I also felt like there was SO much useless bullshit, like whole chapters of it. And I’m absolutely the kind of person who loves a long book, a “slow burn” whatever. The detectives were written in very boring and face value but then suddenly for seemingly no reason at all he decided we needed to care about their every interaction as though they were developed to be valuable characters. You can honestly skip most of the chapters with the detectives and the book reads the same, just with less fodder. I skimmed them tbh, and learned everything I needed from that.
And also I feel like this guy watched Manhunter and got all
Excited about that show and then wrote the book around that.
All in all I wasn’t impressed with the execution, but still enjoyed the book decently bc the premise was decent
November 2, 2024
Holy crap. I thought I had it figured out, well, I kind of did. Thank you, A.G. Mock for yet another mind twist. I could hear the voices and see the scenes as clear as day. I can’t wait to see what your mind comes up with next.
March 11, 2025
A not so shocking twist after all and some of it just did not make sense in the end and a few loose ends. It kept me reading but was predictable and I was hoping my prediction was wrong as not a fan of this kind of ‘twist’
April 8, 2025
Now Is The Time Of Monsters is a chilling psychological horror-thriller that keeps readers guessing from start to finish. Set in 1969, San Francisco, the story follows Cassie Kennedy, a single mother separated from her husband, who begins discovering her psychic abilities. Cassie has visions of a child being abducted and the mother murdered. When the vision comes true, she informs the police but is dismissed as a lunatic. Soon after, she has dreams of her own death at the hands of the same serial killer. Meanwhile, a serial killer who calls himself the "Gemini" begins to leave clues for police about his next victim. When Cassie then disappears without a trace, a group of detectives and psychologists slowly piece together the clues left by the killer to try to save Cassie before it’s too late.
Readers should be aware that the book contains gruesome murder scenes that can be triggering, but they are few and far between. Most of the story reads as a thriller as opposed to a horror, with gripping suspense and unexpected twists that will keep readers guessing what’s coming next.
It’s evident that A.G. Mock did a lot of research while writing this book— there are historical references to the “Summer of Love,” the Vietnam War, politics, and space exploration that really bring the late 60s timeline to life. The author has also put together a Spotify playlist (with the same title as the book), full of tracks from the era, that is a perfect soundtrack while reading or listening!
The characters in this book are flawed, complex, and richly detailed. Protagonist Cassie is a fearless risk-taker. Her psychic visions frighten her at first, but she soon accepts them and puts them to use to help others. Cassie’s relationship with her friend Patty is special and a core part of the story. Some of their conversations definitely feel more contemporary than what you’d expect for 1960s dialogue. When Cassie goes missing, Patty becomes actively involved in the police investigations searching for her.
The police officers and psychologist side characters are introduced almost midway through the book. As they try to piece together the clues mailed to them by the killer, their dialogue becomes very immersive and compelling—readers will feel the rising tension with every clue they discover and a temporary sense of relief with each breakthrough. It’s likely that the author used the “Zodiac Killer” as inspiration for this book, as there are many similarities with the word puzzles. The perplexing clues and their complex answers will leave you shaking your head and then gasping for breath, especially when the story climaxes.
The story is well-paced but has slower sections in the middle when Cassie goes missing and officers are formally introduced. From there, the plot becomes more unpredictable, and the clues keep piling up in a dizzying fashion. The jaw-dropping twist ending will have you rethinking everything you’ve read and questioning the reality around you! It’s definitely a book that you'll want to reread, as there are clues and details that you’ll totally miss and be kicking yourself over at the end!
In summary, Now Is The Time Of Monsters is a chilling novel and a disturbing journey into the mind of a psychological serial killer. This page-turning novel is brilliantly written and is touted by many as A.G. Mock’s strongest book to date. Readers who enjoy puzzle plots, characters with disturbed psyches, and stories that blur reality and madness will love this book. Grab a copy ASAP and enjoy the wild ride!
Readers should be aware that the book contains gruesome murder scenes that can be triggering, but they are few and far between. Most of the story reads as a thriller as opposed to a horror, with gripping suspense and unexpected twists that will keep readers guessing what’s coming next.
It’s evident that A.G. Mock did a lot of research while writing this book— there are historical references to the “Summer of Love,” the Vietnam War, politics, and space exploration that really bring the late 60s timeline to life. The author has also put together a Spotify playlist (with the same title as the book), full of tracks from the era, that is a perfect soundtrack while reading or listening!
The characters in this book are flawed, complex, and richly detailed. Protagonist Cassie is a fearless risk-taker. Her psychic visions frighten her at first, but she soon accepts them and puts them to use to help others. Cassie’s relationship with her friend Patty is special and a core part of the story. Some of their conversations definitely feel more contemporary than what you’d expect for 1960s dialogue. When Cassie goes missing, Patty becomes actively involved in the police investigations searching for her.
The police officers and psychologist side characters are introduced almost midway through the book. As they try to piece together the clues mailed to them by the killer, their dialogue becomes very immersive and compelling—readers will feel the rising tension with every clue they discover and a temporary sense of relief with each breakthrough. It’s likely that the author used the “Zodiac Killer” as inspiration for this book, as there are many similarities with the word puzzles. The perplexing clues and their complex answers will leave you shaking your head and then gasping for breath, especially when the story climaxes.
The story is well-paced but has slower sections in the middle when Cassie goes missing and officers are formally introduced. From there, the plot becomes more unpredictable, and the clues keep piling up in a dizzying fashion. The jaw-dropping twist ending will have you rethinking everything you’ve read and questioning the reality around you! It’s definitely a book that you'll want to reread, as there are clues and details that you’ll totally miss and be kicking yourself over at the end!
In summary, Now Is The Time Of Monsters is a chilling novel and a disturbing journey into the mind of a psychological serial killer. This page-turning novel is brilliantly written and is touted by many as A.G. Mock’s strongest book to date. Readers who enjoy puzzle plots, characters with disturbed psyches, and stories that blur reality and madness will love this book. Grab a copy ASAP and enjoy the wild ride!
September 21, 2025
This book is all over the place
In theory, I should have loved this book, it's an excellent plot, but in my opinion, it's poorly executed.
I started to lose interest before the halfway point with the unnecessarily long chapters. It also bounces about a lot to different characters and POVs, which in the end does make sense but it's just very discombobulating to read.
In theory, I should have loved this book, it's an excellent plot, but in my opinion, it's poorly executed.
I started to lose interest before the halfway point with the unnecessarily long chapters. It also bounces about a lot to different characters and POVs, which in the end does make sense but it's just very discombobulating to read.
March 12, 2025
Major major spoilers
Sigh…. This has my least favorite trope of all time, DID. Say anything you want in an entire novel and chalk it up to DID! This book was SKIMMABLE. It was 100+ pages too long, and was a giant bummer. I was hoping and hoping the author would have come up with something less cheap than a DID ending, but here we are 😵💫 Big yikes.
Also, it was gross as fuck and didn’t have to be. Men writing about women being tortured in detail will always be such a major ick for me.
Sigh…. This has my least favorite trope of all time, DID. Say anything you want in an entire novel and chalk it up to DID! This book was SKIMMABLE. It was 100+ pages too long, and was a giant bummer. I was hoping and hoping the author would have come up with something less cheap than a DID ending, but here we are 😵💫 Big yikes.
Also, it was gross as fuck and didn’t have to be. Men writing about women being tortured in detail will always be such a major ick for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2024
Wow just wow! This book was something else in a good way. I felt like I was on a rollercoaster with my emotions going up and down. My anxiety was through the roof lol. It was so detailed that you become immersed in the book. Great job Mr.Mock.
August 25, 2025
This author is insulting to the reader
This book is garbage. The author is constantly repeating plot points to you to the point it makes you feel like he thinks you're too stupid remember anything. WAY TOO MUCH information about inocculpus shit. It just felt like the reader actually wanted to show off about how much they knew about 1960s San Franciso, the Vietnam War and the popular music and TV of the time. All the twists are dumb and there is not nearly enough information to explain how this case wasn't solved quicker. Bad book. Don't waste your time.
This book is garbage. The author is constantly repeating plot points to you to the point it makes you feel like he thinks you're too stupid remember anything. WAY TOO MUCH information about inocculpus shit. It just felt like the reader actually wanted to show off about how much they knew about 1960s San Franciso, the Vietnam War and the popular music and TV of the time. All the twists are dumb and there is not nearly enough information to explain how this case wasn't solved quicker. Bad book. Don't waste your time.
March 26, 2025
WHAT?!?
Sending me into a book coma. Questioning all reality.
I wish it had wrapped up a little longer, more detailed. But I'm too stunned to take off any star points for that.
Excuse me while I go think about this book for the next week straight.
Sending me into a book coma. Questioning all reality.
I wish it had wrapped up a little longer, more detailed. But I'm too stunned to take off any star points for that.
Excuse me while I go think about this book for the next week straight.
April 9, 2025
This was literally filled with so much useless information all to be a terrible rendition of Split. Even the usage of “the light”, and Solomon was literally “the beast” from Split.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2025
Wow…. was not expecting this ending 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻
March 14, 2025
What the hell just happened? 😳
I just finished “Now Is The Time Of Monsters” by A.G. Mock, Author and my mind is still recuperating! This is me at work today still absolutely stunned by that ending! 🥴 I absolutely DID NOT SEE THAT COMING! 🫣
Let me just tell you if you’re a fan of serial killer documentaries like Manson, Zodiac, Bundy, Berkowitz, Kemper, Gein, Dahmer you have got to get your hands on this totally immersive experience! 🔪🩸📖
Just a couple things to keep in mind:
1. Add the Spotify playlist to your library, listen while you read to get into the vibe.
2. Bookmarking certain pages is highly recommended to refer back to the actual illustrations from notorious serial killer, Zodiac. It’s so fun to look for the clues tied into the story.
The character development is phenomenal! You’ll love, admire, hate and despise them as their individual stories meld together. What you think in this book, is not what you think. 🤷🏻♀️
Mock has really out done himself with all the research he has done to bring this incredible story to life so seamlessly. *Be sure to check out the last pages to learn more after reading. 🤯
#booktok #billiemademereadit #NITTOM
I just finished “Now Is The Time Of Monsters” by A.G. Mock, Author and my mind is still recuperating! This is me at work today still absolutely stunned by that ending! 🥴 I absolutely DID NOT SEE THAT COMING! 🫣
Let me just tell you if you’re a fan of serial killer documentaries like Manson, Zodiac, Bundy, Berkowitz, Kemper, Gein, Dahmer you have got to get your hands on this totally immersive experience! 🔪🩸📖
Just a couple things to keep in mind:
1. Add the Spotify playlist to your library, listen while you read to get into the vibe.
2. Bookmarking certain pages is highly recommended to refer back to the actual illustrations from notorious serial killer, Zodiac. It’s so fun to look for the clues tied into the story.
The character development is phenomenal! You’ll love, admire, hate and despise them as their individual stories meld together. What you think in this book, is not what you think. 🤷🏻♀️
Mock has really out done himself with all the research he has done to bring this incredible story to life so seamlessly. *Be sure to check out the last pages to learn more after reading. 🤯
#booktok #billiemademereadit #NITTOM
March 29, 2025
There has been so much hype about this book, so I was super excited to read it. Well now I am wondering about the validity of the hype. I did not find this book to be well-written and I knew most of the ending less than 40 pages in. The rest of the ending became quickly apparent as the plot went on. The clues were just so glaringly obvious. I did think the crossword puzzle and Halloween card were fun, but other than that I don't have anything positive to say. The author seems like a nice guy, so I hate to leave this review, but I just did not think was good. 1.5 stars.
October 27, 2024
OMG! I did not see that coming at all. This was an amazing read. I thought theres no way this will be as good as the little woods and the series. But OMG! My mind is blown! So so so good! So whens the next one coming out? Cause i need more great books to read!
April 27, 2025
After the first 100 pages I thought I was in for a wild ride but halfway through I began to lose interest. I wasn’t invested in the cop storyline and that was a major part of the book and while the finale became more entertaining , the twist was all over the place.
November 3, 2024
Wow. I love books that focus on the serial killers of the 60s/70s and this one does not disappoint. That was a surprising twist and well worth it.
September 2, 2025
The author took pieces from a dozen good thrillers and turned them into one terrible thriller. Every 20 pages something new was thrown in the mix.
April 18, 2025
Wow, this is the very definition of unputdownable! I have lost sleep just to keep reading well into the early hours of the morning..
Cassie is a young, single mother plagued by haunting dreams since her childhood, with an increasing sense of foreboding that her life is in danger. She shares these dreams with her best friend, who is a constant and supportive source of comfort for her.
When a killer known as 'The Gemini' starts to target young, vulnerable women just like her, the dreams take on a deeper meaning, becoming premonitions. Will Cassie's psychic ability force her to face the monster whose very face she struggles to recall from her premonitions?
Wow, A. G. Mock has done some serious research to cover very real events with a new fictional possibility. This is a deep dive into the darkest parts of the human psyche, those that work tirelessly to protect us, and the fragility of the human mind when subjected to severe trauma.
This is a mind-blowing psychological thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed! This will stay with me for some time.
Cassie is a young, single mother plagued by haunting dreams since her childhood, with an increasing sense of foreboding that her life is in danger. She shares these dreams with her best friend, who is a constant and supportive source of comfort for her.
When a killer known as 'The Gemini' starts to target young, vulnerable women just like her, the dreams take on a deeper meaning, becoming premonitions. Will Cassie's psychic ability force her to face the monster whose very face she struggles to recall from her premonitions?
Wow, A. G. Mock has done some serious research to cover very real events with a new fictional possibility. This is a deep dive into the darkest parts of the human psyche, those that work tirelessly to protect us, and the fragility of the human mind when subjected to severe trauma.
This is a mind-blowing psychological thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed! This will stay with me for some time.
April 15, 2025
When I started this book, it felt like deja vu. For the first couple of chapters, I could have sworn that I had read it before. That changed as the story unfolded.
I sat up far into the night reading this. This book messed with my head. I've read a lot of messed-up books, but for some reason, this one just got to me. I had trouble falling asleep after reading it. That never happens to me! I am a lifelong reader is Stephen King, and this is the first book that ever kept me up at night!
I will be reading more from this author... after taking a break!
I sat up far into the night reading this. This book messed with my head. I've read a lot of messed-up books, but for some reason, this one just got to me. I had trouble falling asleep after reading it. That never happens to me! I am a lifelong reader is Stephen King, and this is the first book that ever kept me up at night!
I will be reading more from this author... after taking a break!
July 15, 2025
I listened to the audiobook of this on my commute and enjoyed the story very much! The narrator was also very good, their delivery made you really feel what each character was going through. Speaking of characters, what a cast! Each person in this story was so well-written that they felt like real people. I loved it! I was thinking about this story even when I wasn’t listening to it in my car. It made me actually look forward to going to work so I could hear what was going to happen next. Killer ending!
August 27, 2025
Book: 5
Audiobook: 5++
The title alone... yeh, indeedio!
What an exquisitely dark, devastatingly horrifying, chillingly realistic (that's horror!) psychological thriller that A.G. Mock has written. A well-crafted, meticulously-structured, precisely-executed story that keeps you on the edge until the very end. And when I mean, the very end, it is. Even to the last word!
Exactly WHO is the monster, really?
WHAT constitutes a monster?
Thoughts to ponder....
Being a huge fan of psychology, psychiatry, behavioural science, true crime, having read non-fiction and fiction, delved into case studies theoretically and practically, I knew what the twist would be - the main one. So I wasn't shocked.... I mean, I don't read psych thrillers to be shocked, although it's a fab feeling when you get that especially when you're stumped by it, you know?
For this particular story, I was absolutely enamoured of its narrative style - very Salinger, which works with this story perfectly! Great execution. Mock's writing structure and flow are tight so the reader is always kept on their toes at every step, every development, every stage. From the beginning until the very end.
I see you, A.G. Mock, I see you now. I will be checking out the rest of your work, mate, that's for sure!
But the "crown jewel" of this story that catapults Mock's already 5-star quality in my book?
3 words.
Jeremy. Carlisle. Parker.
Oh, JCP, I bow to you.
Honestly, Parker is truly one hell of a vocal performer!! To be able to transform her voice into different depths of emotional states in different scenarios, then play with different vocal textures, switching between vocal dynamics effortlessly, is something to behold. Especially when it comes to this particular story where stakes can't get any higher, with so many changing scenarios, shifts in behaviours, complexities, which are common in thrillers, most notably, psychological thrillers (2-in-1 genres).
As I listened to the story unfold, I had to remind myself that Mock's characters with their own distinct voices came from a singular vocalist. Parker not only gives the characters their own voices, she embodies them so completely that you can actually see what they look like in your mind's eye just by what they sound like. It's no wonder I had to constantly remind myself, whilst going through the book aurally, that all those characters came from 1 source!
As if that's not enough, Parker portrays the characters with such conviction that she manages to capture the raw authenticity of their emotional and psychological (mental) nuances, their inner psyches when facing increasing tension, intensity, suspense and potential harm, which are vital in psychological thrillers where there are unsubs, suspects, victims, law enforcement, and medical professionals/behaviourists, all appearing in one single story.
You can feel it when you find yourself sitting at the edge of your seat, listening intently to everything that's happening, the anticipation, the suspense, the fear... all palpable and acute, like you're in ground zero with the MC! Usually I only read psychological thrillers. This book is the exception. I don't know why but I was compelled to listen to this book. I feel like I lucked out because my 1st time is with an extraordinarily versatile vocal artist!
And now I'm spoiled because I will be expecting everyone voicing the thrillers to give me the same kind of satiation as Parker has in this book! Not likely, I know, as I'm particular. Well, here's hoping that JCP will perform more psych thrillers, eh?
One more thing...
Whilst I knew the twist already, I certainly did not expect to be caught completely off-guard, emotionally, when I reached the end of the book. The very last moment of the story hit me like a ton of bricks. Parker's voice depicting that moment was layered with so many different emotions on display that I found myself welling up uncontrollably. I felt what the characters did - an acute sense of melancholy and elation, grief/loss and freedom that resonated deeply within me.
Who knew that the ending, that brief moment, would have such a lasting impact on my emotional psyche. And it's all because of Parker's breathtakingly affecting performance in that emotionally-charged scene that encompassed all the visuals and sensations with only her voice. Gobsmacked, me!
I must say, the way Mock ended this book and how JCP brought it home with a bang is why it's one of my favourite endings in a thriller! Thank you, Mock! Thank you and bloody well done, JCP!
Do yourselves a favour especially if you're a fan of this genre, LISTEN to Jeremy Carlisle Parker bring this brilliantly written and crafted story to horrifying life! I guarantee you'll be reeling after listening to it in its entirety!
And now, I'm gonna go check out the rest of A.G. Mock's work and look forward to what's in-store from him when it comes to the psych, thriller, horror genres!
And JCP... I will definitely be on a look out for her upcoming work. Hopefully she does more psych thrillers and horror, my 2 all-time favourite genres! And I will continue to experience her work as QR in the sapphic romance genre!
Audiobook: 5++
The title alone... yeh, indeedio!
What an exquisitely dark, devastatingly horrifying, chillingly realistic (that's horror!) psychological thriller that A.G. Mock has written. A well-crafted, meticulously-structured, precisely-executed story that keeps you on the edge until the very end. And when I mean, the very end, it is. Even to the last word!
Exactly WHO is the monster, really?
WHAT constitutes a monster?
Thoughts to ponder....
Being a huge fan of psychology, psychiatry, behavioural science, true crime, having read non-fiction and fiction, delved into case studies theoretically and practically, I knew what the twist would be - the main one. So I wasn't shocked.... I mean, I don't read psych thrillers to be shocked, although it's a fab feeling when you get that especially when you're stumped by it, you know?
For this particular story, I was absolutely enamoured of its narrative style - very Salinger, which works with this story perfectly! Great execution. Mock's writing structure and flow are tight so the reader is always kept on their toes at every step, every development, every stage. From the beginning until the very end.
I see you, A.G. Mock, I see you now. I will be checking out the rest of your work, mate, that's for sure!
But the "crown jewel" of this story that catapults Mock's already 5-star quality in my book?
3 words.
Jeremy. Carlisle. Parker.
Oh, JCP, I bow to you.
Honestly, Parker is truly one hell of a vocal performer!! To be able to transform her voice into different depths of emotional states in different scenarios, then play with different vocal textures, switching between vocal dynamics effortlessly, is something to behold. Especially when it comes to this particular story where stakes can't get any higher, with so many changing scenarios, shifts in behaviours, complexities, which are common in thrillers, most notably, psychological thrillers (2-in-1 genres).
As I listened to the story unfold, I had to remind myself that Mock's characters with their own distinct voices came from a singular vocalist. Parker not only gives the characters their own voices, she embodies them so completely that you can actually see what they look like in your mind's eye just by what they sound like. It's no wonder I had to constantly remind myself, whilst going through the book aurally, that all those characters came from 1 source!
As if that's not enough, Parker portrays the characters with such conviction that she manages to capture the raw authenticity of their emotional and psychological (mental) nuances, their inner psyches when facing increasing tension, intensity, suspense and potential harm, which are vital in psychological thrillers where there are unsubs, suspects, victims, law enforcement, and medical professionals/behaviourists, all appearing in one single story.
You can feel it when you find yourself sitting at the edge of your seat, listening intently to everything that's happening, the anticipation, the suspense, the fear... all palpable and acute, like you're in ground zero with the MC! Usually I only read psychological thrillers. This book is the exception. I don't know why but I was compelled to listen to this book. I feel like I lucked out because my 1st time is with an extraordinarily versatile vocal artist!
And now I'm spoiled because I will be expecting everyone voicing the thrillers to give me the same kind of satiation as Parker has in this book! Not likely, I know, as I'm particular. Well, here's hoping that JCP will perform more psych thrillers, eh?
One more thing...
Whilst I knew the twist already, I certainly did not expect to be caught completely off-guard, emotionally, when I reached the end of the book. The very last moment of the story hit me like a ton of bricks. Parker's voice depicting that moment was layered with so many different emotions on display that I found myself welling up uncontrollably. I felt what the characters did - an acute sense of melancholy and elation, grief/loss and freedom that resonated deeply within me.
Who knew that the ending, that brief moment, would have such a lasting impact on my emotional psyche. And it's all because of Parker's breathtakingly affecting performance in that emotionally-charged scene that encompassed all the visuals and sensations with only her voice. Gobsmacked, me!
I must say, the way Mock ended this book and how JCP brought it home with a bang is why it's one of my favourite endings in a thriller! Thank you, Mock! Thank you and bloody well done, JCP!
Do yourselves a favour especially if you're a fan of this genre, LISTEN to Jeremy Carlisle Parker bring this brilliantly written and crafted story to horrifying life! I guarantee you'll be reeling after listening to it in its entirety!
And now, I'm gonna go check out the rest of A.G. Mock's work and look forward to what's in-store from him when it comes to the psych, thriller, horror genres!
And JCP... I will definitely be on a look out for her upcoming work. Hopefully she does more psych thrillers and horror, my 2 all-time favourite genres! And I will continue to experience her work as QR in the sapphic romance genre!
May 31, 2025
Wow 🤯 So many twists and turns. I loved it.
July 10, 2025
What a series of twists. My mind is all over” didn’t see any of it coming. Definitely have unanswered questions. This kept me 2nd guessing everything!
October 24, 2025
Only giving this 2 stars bc the last chapter saved it from a 1 star lol. This book was SO all over the place, made zero sense, and I felt like every paragraph was a different POV. I wanted to DNF 101x but decided to stick it out since it has almost an overall 4 star review…. And now I’m just convinced people don’t know what a truly good book is 😂 this storyline had really good potential but was so poorly executed
March 17, 2025
4.5 Stars
The very definition of a thriller. Loved it. Kept me guessing all the way through.
A few typos and grammatical errors in the book which doesn't detract but for such a good book would be nice if the editing was stronger in this regard.
Highly recommend
The very definition of a thriller. Loved it. Kept me guessing all the way through.
A few typos and grammatical errors in the book which doesn't detract but for such a good book would be nice if the editing was stronger in this regard.
Highly recommend
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