The 13 Power Moves of Dark Psychology: Learn the Tricks to Protect Yourself from Abuse and Covertly Influence Anyone

by Lena Sisco

A Simon & Schuster eBook. Simon & Schuster has a great book for every reader.

Genres: Audiobook, Psychology, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

Published July 8, 2025

Reviews

[KDub · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, the 13 Power Moves don't come into play in this book until around 55%. The first half is a lot of information about "dark psychology". If you've taken any psychology courses, you've probably heard a lot of this information before. It's a decent overview. 

However, I'm unsure how to rate this one overall. Some inconsistencies make me question the validity of all the other information. I don't feel like deep diving into every concept, so I'll have to take most of this information with a grain of salt.

Two specific examples I remember:

Lie detectors are brought up, and how inaccurate they can be, especially with narcissistic people (since they won't have an anxiety response to lying). But then she brings up the fact that Casey Anthony's parents failed their polygraph tests, as if that is some smoking gun to prove that she's guilty. Note: I don't think Casey is innocent, but my reasons are unrelated to polygraph tests. Also, none of this even matters since she wasn't found guilty in court. 

Then they're brought up again to show that some guy was cheating on his girlfriend, and his failed polygraph is mentioned as proof. You can't have it both ways. They either work or they don't. Either trust them or don't. I've always heard you should never take one, since they're not admissible in court. So why are they brought up in this contradictory way? It's just confusing. 

Another issue is that the author brings up neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). It's brought up about one of the leaders of NXIVM and how she used it to manipulate people. NLP has no scientific evidence to support it and is often referred to as a pseudoscience. Why is this even being mentioned?

While I'm sure Lena Sisco is great at her job, presenting information like this without providing the whole picture feels irresponsible. It makes for a confusing narrative, and I'm unsure what to trust about the rest of the book.

Jennifer Jill Araya narrates. Her voice is clear and easy to understand. She generally keeps emotion out of her voice, which is what I prefer for nonfiction audiobooks. 

I can't say I necessarily recommend this. I'm sure some of the information is helpful for those in volatile relationships or who need help recognizing when they may be manipulated. Still, there are probably better books for those instances.

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ALC.

[Sab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing an ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review. 🎧

3.5 rounded up. The audiobook was narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya & I enjoyed the pacing. The first half of the book goes over Lena Sisco's experience in the field & provides background on dark psychology.

The second half goes over the 13 power moves. There were examples on how to apply and various descriptions on when & where they would be applicable. I retained some of the power moves and reframed the way I communicate in some areas but it would require rereads for me to remember everything. There are also areas that thankfully don't apply to me but I'm not sure if facing dark psychology that I'll remember the techniques.

Overall, I enjoyed this novel and retained some of the power moves.

[Laura Pengwyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good overview about dark psychology and how people with personality disorders, such as narcissism, operate. It mentions the use of dark psychology in "romantic" relationships, friendships, families and workplaces. It provides real examples on how dark psychology affected these people involved in such environments and relationships. Finally, it provides strategies to overcome these people and situations, with their relative examples of how we may answer, together with strategies to recover.
For all these reasons I think it's a good book, because it also offers an overview of how dark psychology works and what it is, so it's useful for everyone.

[Haley Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The 13 Power Moves of Dark Psychology by Lena Sisco is an incredibly informative and empowering read that breaks down the psychology behind manipulation in a way that is both accessible and deeply insightful. Drawing from her experience as a military interrogator and intelligence officer, Sisco delivers real tools to help readers identify and defend themselves against deceit and emotional control.

What stood out most to me was how much this book covered family-based manipulation. That angle was especially interesting and relevant, since it’s something so many people deal with but don’t always recognize. Sisco explains how manipulation can be subtle and deeply ingrained in family dynamics, and she gives readers the knowledge to spot these behaviors and break free from toxic patterns.

The book covers a wide range of manipulation tactics, from gaslighting and guilt-tripping to more covert behaviors, all explained through examples like Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, Lance Armstrong, and the Stanford Prison Experiment. These references help ground the psychological concepts in real-world events, making them easier to understand and harder to forget.

Each of the 13 “power moves” is actionable and practical. Whether you're navigating a new relationship, recovering from emotional harm, or simply want to be more aware of the people around you, this book gives you the tools to stay in control and protect your peace.

Lena Sisco writes with authority and clarity. You can tell she truly knows what she’s talking about, but she never makes the reader feel overwhelmed. Instead, she gives you the confidence to trust your instincts and take back control of your interactions.

I highly recommend this to anyone dealing with toxic people, especially within families, workplaces, or romantic relationships. It’s a powerful reminder that knowledge really is power.

[J Kromrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

The 13 Power Moves of Dark Psychology by Lena Sisco, narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya

Lena Sisco’s The 13 Power Moves of Dark Psychology is not your average self-help listen—it’s a tactical field guide for navigating the murky waters of manipulation, deception, and psychological warfare. Drawing on her experience as a military interrogator and intelligence officer, Sisco distills years of high-stakes human behavior analysis into thirteen sharp-edged strategies designed to help listeners recognize, resist, and—if necessary—wield the tools of dark psychology.

This isn’t about turning listeners into Machiavellian masterminds. It’s about awareness. Sisco walks a fine line between empowerment and ethics, offering real-world examples of gaslighting, coercion, and emotional abuse while emphasizing the importance of using knowledge responsibly. Whether you’re dealing with a toxic boss, a narcissistic partner, or just trying to sharpen your instincts in a world full of subtle power plays, this audiobook delivers both insight and armor.

Jennifer Jill Araya’s narration is a standout. Her delivery is crisp, confident, and never clinical—striking the right balance between authority and accessibility. She brings clarity to complex psychological concepts and lends a steady, reassuring tone to even the most unsettling scenarios. It’s the kind of voice you want in your ear when decoding a manipulator’s next move.

What makes this audiobook especially compelling is its structure. Each “power move” is framed not just as a tactic to watch for, but as a lens through which to examine your own boundaries and blind spots. It’s part psychology, part self-defense, and entirely relevant in an age where influence often hides in plain sight.

[Shannon Huard · Rating 4 out of 5]

“13 Power Moves of Dark Psychology” by Lena Sisco is a compelling and eye-opening exploration into the manipulative tactics used in everyday interactions. The book offers a detailed look at how dark psychology can be used to influence, control, and even dominate others—whether intentionally or subconsciously. Sisco presents each of the 13 “power moves” with clear examples, psychological backing, and practical insight, making it an accessible read for both beginners and those with a budding interest in behavioral psychology.

What stands out is how the author balances the informational content without glorifying manipulation. Instead, Sisco often highlights how to recognize these tactics in others and protect yourself from emotional exploitation. The tone is confident, and the structure is easy to follow, with a nice balance between theory and real-life application.

One area that could use improvement is the depth of analysis in certain sections. Some power moves felt more surface-level, and additional case studies or expanded discussion would have made the impact even stronger. Still, it’s a useful resource for anyone interested in understanding the darker side of human interaction—especially in business, relationships, or leadership dynamics.

Overall, a thought-provoking and informative read that encourages readers to be more mindful of psychological influence in their daily lives.

[bookreader_nix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and BenBella Books for a complimentary copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Military investigator and intelligence officer Lena Sisco uses her expertise in detecting deception to bring us this book, teaching us ways to determine whether someone is lying and how to combat the dark triad if we ever come across people who exhibit the signs of dark psychology.

As a person who is very fascinated with psychology, has a masters in Forensic Psychology, and has read many books pertaining to personality disorders, psychopathy, etc., this book took it to a whole new level. Not only did the author teach us what dark psychology was, but she also provided examples of each that could show up in any life situation (romantic relationships, first dates, colleagues/bosses, friendships, family members, etc.). It's almost eerie how spot on she is in some of her examples. I found myself going "Oh, I've heard that before" quite a bit. She also provides encouragement and tips/tricks to use if you're stuck in a situation where these tips would help. She also touches on what kind of responses you could get from the person exhibiting dark psychological traits and how to combat those.

If anyone is in an abusive relationship, wanting to establish boundaries, wanting to know how to gain their light back, this is for you. This book is for everyone, but I think it will hit different to those who have experience in these situations.

[Kisti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Brilliance Audio & Publishing for a copy of this book in audio in exchange for an honest review!

This was a highly informative novel when it comes to recognizing, discerning, dealing with/being in situations with individuals that have or exhibits signs of dark psychology. I have personally dealt with individuals such as this, and this audiobook is a great tool to review and even to have as a reference. It broke situations and signs for discernment and recognition down into easy bite size pieces. It gave examples of scenarios and how to handle them. This book also delves into the psychology of these individuals, how they manipulate, extort others, but also how special agents have managed to manipulate and ensure that these individuals comply in investigations, etc. At the end, there is also a small section about how to pursue charges against these individuals (of course this mostly applies to the US legal system) and pitfalls the victims may find themselves in plus how to persevere during to ensure maximum safety and peace.

Overall, this is extremely informative and interesting and a great way to understand these individuals and how to recognize and deal with them. I would re-read this again and keep this as a reference novel as well.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like so many of us unfortunately I’ve been a victim of dark psychology, and I’ve read a fair number of books about antisocial personality disorder, liars and dark manipulators, but what I appreciate most about the 13 Power Moves of Dark Psychology is all of the strategies around questioning / interviewing and holding these people accountable. This is the part I’ve always been stuck in, and felt I lacked resources around. I took a bunch of notes, but I will have to re-read or listen to it again to really digest.

The book offers a clear, practical guide to recognizing and approaching individuals exhibiting dark psychology, breaking down their behaviors, example scenarios, and questions to ask them. It’s a great reference for personal safety and understanding psychological manipulation.

The narration was great - very clear and articulate with good intonation, and it felt / read as very factual.

Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for the gifted audio copy, all thoughts and opinions are mine.

[Stacey (Bookalorian) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 13 Power Moves of Dark Psychology by Lena Sisco
Have you ever been the victim of gaslighting? Manipulation? Deception?
This book will give you the tools you need to recognize when dark psychology is being used on you and strategies to help you navigate your way through without falling prey to people looking to fool you.


Protect yourself from narcissists, scammers, users and more.
As someone who was married to a narcissist.. I wish I had had this book back then. It would have given me the map to being able to protect myself sooner.


I love that the author has a background in intelligence and the whole book was really well laid out and was easy to follow. I felt empowered by it. I grabbed a copy to keep on my shelf but the audio book was absolutely phenomenal. Everyone deserves to be treated properly but not everyone is a good person so having the strategies you need to protect your peace!


Awesome book


5 stars

[Erin Matson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a strange book, and I don’t know quite what to think. Upon finishing it, I was left with the impression that the author had set out to write a heartfelt, factual, tangible book grounded in her personal and professional experience about how men treat women like shit, how to understand such a situation if you’re in it, and how to take control. And I feel like an editor either came in and got overbearing with gimmicks, or conversely that an editor hit the snooze button and let the ‘throw the sink at it’ approach run wild. In any case there are too many things happening at once in this book—part memoir, part true-crime analysis, part listicle. The whole feels less for all these parts. What makes me most sad is I think there’s a really good book in what the author most wanted to say, but the execution fell apart.

[Victoria (storieswithtorie) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a really interesting and eye-opening read. It breaks down the psychology behind manipulation in a way that feels practical and easy to follow. I liked how it focused on both recognizing toxic behaviors in others and checking your own blind spots too. The real-world examples helped drive it home and made it feel more grounded.

Some parts felt a little repetitive but overall I liked the structure and how each “power move” had clear takeaways. It gave me a lot to think about when it comes to protecting myself and being more aware of subtle mind games.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Liz Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am grateful to have received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This was a phenomenal book. It was full of information that was thorough and also accessible for a wide range of readers. It not only explains the intentions behind the use of dark psychology, but also provides the reader insight into how to recognize it and defend themselves against it with numerous options for action or inaction. I appreciate this information in a world in which dark psychology seems to be increasingly evident in daily interactions both in personal and professional relationships and interactions.

[Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I approached the book without much expectation. But the words, experience, and examples the author gave immediately convinced me that I had found exactly what I was looking for. Brilliant, insightful, instructive: the powerful moves of behavioral psychology become a lifesaver for our daily thinking.

[Aimee | aimeeds.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such an interesting one to listen to. I have always had an interest in psychology and enjoyed this deep dive into dark psychology and the ways people use it to either get their way or control those around them.

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance for the audiobook for review.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mixed bag: a good overview of different toxic types to look out for, and some helpful strategies to avoid and/or deal with them; but also, not a lot of new information that I haven't already read or heard elsewhere.