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Imposter Syndrome: A Gripping Psychological Thriller
How far will someone go to steal a life?
Melody Reed had the perfect life-a devoted husband, a beautiful home in San Francisco's exclusive Pacific Heights, and a son she adores. But perfection is an illusion, and hers is starting to crack.
Michael Reed, her college sweetheart and a globally bestselling author, has changed. The man who once captivated readers with his psychological thrillers now stares at a blank page, unable to write. His warmth has vanished, replaced by an unsettling detachment. His habits are different. His touch unfamiliar.
At first, Melody chalks it up to stress, the weight of looming deadlines. But the longer she watches him, the stronger her unease grows. Something is off. Something is wrong.
Then she makes a discovery so chilling it upends everything she thought she knew.
The man she shares a bed with… isn't the man she married.
Or is he?
Imposter Syndrome is a pulse-pounding psychological thriller about obsession, deception, and a terrifying game of gaslighting that will have fans of Daniel Hurst, Freida McFadden, and Kiersten Modglin racing to uncover the truth.
Prepare to lose sleep as you turn the pages to discover how far someone will go to steal a life—and how it will all end.
Melody Reed had the perfect life-a devoted husband, a beautiful home in San Francisco's exclusive Pacific Heights, and a son she adores. But perfection is an illusion, and hers is starting to crack.
Michael Reed, her college sweetheart and a globally bestselling author, has changed. The man who once captivated readers with his psychological thrillers now stares at a blank page, unable to write. His warmth has vanished, replaced by an unsettling detachment. His habits are different. His touch unfamiliar.
At first, Melody chalks it up to stress, the weight of looming deadlines. But the longer she watches him, the stronger her unease grows. Something is off. Something is wrong.
Then she makes a discovery so chilling it upends everything she thought she knew.
The man she shares a bed with… isn't the man she married.
Or is he?
Imposter Syndrome is a pulse-pounding psychological thriller about obsession, deception, and a terrifying game of gaslighting that will have fans of Daniel Hurst, Freida McFadden, and Kiersten Modglin racing to uncover the truth.
Prepare to lose sleep as you turn the pages to discover how far someone will go to steal a life—and how it will all end.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2024
556 people are currently reading
254 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 2, 2025
i personally really enjoyed this book.
For me, I was hooked immediately and would have read it in one sitting if i didn’t have to take a break to study. I got right back to it because i literally didn’t want to stop.
I noticed in this book and in The Basement, there are similar themes about tying up and being trapped and held captive somewhere. Hopefully that’s not in The Good Mother or Casual Dating, and we’ll get some variety. But out of the two books I’ve read by Alan Petersen so far, this one was my favorite. So so good, thrilling nonstop.
Highly recommend
There are some issues on plot building around how the investigation was handled by law enforcement that seems a bit unrealistic and brainless but personally I felt like the story didn’t really need it to be thrilling. It was great, and
*spoiler below*
i’m glad michael didn’t magically survive. made it all the more real for me. i did have a qualm when dexter randomly showed up right before the knife plunged into their son because that seemed super fake. but i was glad the son didn’t die. i would’ve hated a childless depressed widow at the ending
For me, I was hooked immediately and would have read it in one sitting if i didn’t have to take a break to study. I got right back to it because i literally didn’t want to stop.
I noticed in this book and in The Basement, there are similar themes about tying up and being trapped and held captive somewhere. Hopefully that’s not in The Good Mother or Casual Dating, and we’ll get some variety. But out of the two books I’ve read by Alan Petersen so far, this one was my favorite. So so good, thrilling nonstop.
Highly recommend
There are some issues on plot building around how the investigation was handled by law enforcement that seems a bit unrealistic and brainless but personally I felt like the story didn’t really need it to be thrilling. It was great, and
*spoiler below*
i’m glad michael didn’t magically survive. made it all the more real for me. i did have a qualm when dexter randomly showed up right before the knife plunged into their son because that seemed super fake. but i was glad the son didn’t die. i would’ve hated a childless depressed widow at the ending
July 9, 2025
Incredibly Readable
I started the book on Tuesday afternoon and had read all of it by Mid-day Wednesday. I just couldn't put it down.
There is two threads that actually aren't tied up which disappointed me. But most threads were. I recommend this book-but be aware that you'll need to dedicate real time to reading it because when you start you'll even stay up past your bedtime to keep reading it.
I started the book on Tuesday afternoon and had read all of it by Mid-day Wednesday. I just couldn't put it down.
There is two threads that actually aren't tied up which disappointed me. But most threads were. I recommend this book-but be aware that you'll need to dedicate real time to reading it because when you start you'll even stay up past your bedtime to keep reading it.
July 10, 2025
Alan has an easy writing style that I like. The twists take pace earlier than I anticipated, but it made sense. The plot is something out of a horror novel. Do we have doppelgängers? I hope not! But, if we did, hopefully they are good!
June 12, 2025
Great Author Great Story
This is my third book written my Mr. Petersen. I just wish he had a million more for me to read. This book, like the others, grabs you from the beginning and carries you right on through, never stopping, never mundane or boring. What a thrill ride this was. Keep on writing the psych thrillers please Mr. Petersen!!!!
This is my third book written my Mr. Petersen. I just wish he had a million more for me to read. This book, like the others, grabs you from the beginning and carries you right on through, never stopping, never mundane or boring. What a thrill ride this was. Keep on writing the psych thrillers please Mr. Petersen!!!!
September 22, 2025
Enjoyed it but somewhat predictable
I enjoyed this book. Got halfway through it and wondered what else there was to cover, it was pretty obvious but the ending was really good and I am glad I stuck with it
I enjoyed this book. Got halfway through it and wondered what else there was to cover, it was pretty obvious but the ending was really good and I am glad I stuck with it
November 18, 2024
Would be decent, if not for a giant, glaring plot hole
The idea is interesting, and every effort is made to explain away the obvious issues with it
Leave it at that if you don't want a spoiler.
Now, even if the DNA test took weeks, it takes some wilful suspension of disbelief to think police would not take a case seriously when it would be paramount to establish someone's identity beyond a shadow of a doubt. But what if there a simple solution existed that could establish who was who in a matter of minutes? Maybe, some old-fashioned technology, one that could even be analysed with the naked eye. I don't know, something like... Fingerprints?
Among other issues, this obvious one made it hard for me to maintain any interest in the book.
The idea is interesting, and every effort is made to explain away the obvious issues with it
Leave it at that if you don't want a spoiler.
Now, even if the DNA test took weeks, it takes some wilful suspension of disbelief to think police would not take a case seriously when it would be paramount to establish someone's identity beyond a shadow of a doubt. But what if there a simple solution existed that could establish who was who in a matter of minutes? Maybe, some old-fashioned technology, one that could even be analysed with the naked eye. I don't know, something like... Fingerprints?
Among other issues, this obvious one made it hard for me to maintain any interest in the book.
January 20, 2025
Not really much of a thriller when it’s clear what’s happening by the end of chapter 2. It has the bones to be good, but the writing is fast and predictable. Way too many plot holes when it came to the (exceedingly quick) investigation. This would have, after all, been a high-profile case. I feel like an editor wasn’t involved.
Entertaining? Yes. And I rarely, if ever, say this but a movie adaption would probably be better than the book.
Entertaining? Yes. And I rarely, if ever, say this but a movie adaption would probably be better than the book.
Read
July 16, 2025Great Storyline
The author created a great storyline, and I wanted to like it, but it felt a little flat and sometimes redundant.
A proofreader by profession, I am turned off by errors, and they seemed to multiply near the end. Words were missing, like the reader was in a hurry to finish.
Sorry to be so critical, but with a little more work, I believe it could have been quite good.
The author created a great storyline, and I wanted to like it, but it felt a little flat and sometimes redundant.
A proofreader by profession, I am turned off by errors, and they seemed to multiply near the end. Words were missing, like the reader was in a hurry to finish.
Sorry to be so critical, but with a little more work, I believe it could have been quite good.
February 1, 2025
Really good book. There were moments when I couldn’t put the book down. Lots of twists and turns and really well written. The author uses his knowledge to create very detailed and realistic characters. If you like intrigue and unexpected surprises this book is for you
July 19, 2025
Seems Impossible
How do you live with someone that is an evil imposter? While this story was fiction, it seemed unlikely in real life. I had to skim through a lot of the book when I was half way through.
How do you live with someone that is an evil imposter? While this story was fiction, it seemed unlikely in real life. I had to skim through a lot of the book when I was half way through.
July 20, 2025
Scared the daylights out of me
When they were recovering from the hospital, it took me the longest time to find out that Michael was really Skaggs. Very gripping writing. This was the first book I’ve read of this author and I want to read more by him.
When they were recovering from the hospital, it took me the longest time to find out that Michael was really Skaggs. Very gripping writing. This was the first book I’ve read of this author and I want to read more by him.
September 13, 2025
What a book
This may sound strange. You can't put the book down but then you get so scared for the character that you can't read further. Very well written. You feel like you are living right there with them. Well done to the author. Will read more of your books.
This may sound strange. You can't put the book down but then you get so scared for the character that you can't read further. Very well written. You feel like you are living right there with them. Well done to the author. Will read more of your books.
October 25, 2025
Well crafted throughout
I highly recommend this one. I literally could not stop reading. The characters were believable, even though I could not imagine having that kind of money. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.
I highly recommend this one. I literally could not stop reading. The characters were believable, even though I could not imagine having that kind of money. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.
December 4, 2024
Excellent Thriller!
I truly enjoyed this book! I think the psychological impact was fantastic. I was right there with the characters living their nightmare! I loved it !
I truly enjoyed this book! I think the psychological impact was fantastic. I was right there with the characters living their nightmare! I loved it !
April 11, 2025
Good read
Started out slow and wordy. But quickly became put downable. I enjoyed all the twists and turns, I enjoyed the story line.
Started out slow and wordy. But quickly became put downable. I enjoyed all the twists and turns, I enjoyed the story line.
July 11, 2025
A unique story of twisted nature that is unbelievably brilliant, compellingly intriguing, and wildly unpredictable in ways that are unthinkable and unfathomable!
July 15, 2025
Gripping
I like to read books that are not run-of-the-mill plots. Throughout this story, I was wondering what came next. It was an interesting premise and well-written.
I like to read books that are not run-of-the-mill plots. Throughout this story, I was wondering what came next. It was an interesting premise and well-written.
July 16, 2025
Breath taking
I was white knuckled and held my breath for the last couple of chapters.
I was ready to pray for Melody and Dash as if they were family.
I was white knuckled and held my breath for the last couple of chapters.
I was ready to pray for Melody and Dash as if they were family.
July 19, 2025
Amazing Read
I’ve been in a bad book slump for a month and finally found Alan Petersen. An amazing Author! Great Read!!!!!!!!
I’ve been in a bad book slump for a month and finally found Alan Petersen. An amazing Author! Great Read!!!!!!!!
July 25, 2025
All I can say is WOW! I started reading it before bed…. Went to sleep when I finished it!! Excellent book
August 1, 2025
Exciting and suspenseful but bad language was annoying!
August 27, 2025
Absolutely amazing and terrifying book
August 29, 2025
Interesting storyline. Who is the imposter and who is the real person?
There were a few places where you had to suspend belief, but well done
There were a few places where you had to suspend belief, but well done
September 27, 2025
This was another fast, easy, and reasonably entertaining, it highly predictable read.
October 3, 2025
Very good, scary stuff as to how easily this could be done.
November 2, 2025
Edge of your seat reading
This is the 3rd book in a row I've read by Alan Petersen. All 3 have kept me reading late into the night. I couldn't put them down!
This is the 3rd book in a row I've read by Alan Petersen. All 3 have kept me reading late into the night. I couldn't put them down!
December 8, 2025
Just very average and I guessed the plot from the beginning
December 17, 2025
This book should be a movie. I rated it 5. Wonderful
January 4, 2026
fantastic book
I have read a lot of books and they were good but this one was and is excellent !!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope to read more like this!
I have read a lot of books and they were good but this one was and is excellent !!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope to read more like this!
July 21, 2025
This was a super creepy thought experiment on what happens when the spouse you wake up to every morning suddenly isn't the same person!! Which sounds hella cool and got me interested immediately. But the plot holes around were just too glaring and the ending felt forced, so I had to give it a 3 star rating.
It's got some great jump scares and moments when I couldn't stop turning the pages, so I still would recommend it but with the caveat that the investigation/police procedural aspects are just incomplete. So if that's not a deal breaker, then go for it!
It's got some great jump scares and moments when I couldn't stop turning the pages, so I still would recommend it but with the caveat that the investigation/police procedural aspects are just incomplete. So if that's not a deal breaker, then go for it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews