Below The Surface

DEVASTATION SERIES #5

by Tina S. Transformation

He’s the kind of man you’d pass without a second glance. Quiet, reserved, always keeping to himself. But there’s something dark lurking behind his eyes, a twisted obsession that no one could ever suspect. He’s perfected his method, making sure the boiling geysers of Yellowstone leave nothing behind. No bodies. No evidence. Just silence.

When women start to disappear, one by one, they vanish without a trace. Then a stranger arrives. Strong. Confident. And full of secrets of his own. Their paths shouldn’t cross, but when they do, things start to spiral. The stranger sees something he shouldn’t. And he isn’t looking away.

What begins as an ordinary encounter twists into a deadly game, with lies, betrayal, and an attraction that feels more dangerous than the secrets they hide. In the shadow of the geysers, lines blur. Who’s the hunter? Who’s the prey? And when the truth finally erupts, it might just consume them both.

Below the Surface is a dark thriller that keeps you guessing until the very last page—because in Yellowstone, some things are better left buried

105 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2025

About the author

For 28 years, I kept my stories to myself, using them as a way to navigate life’s challenges and moments of hope. Writing has always been my passion—a way to dive into the raw, unfiltered truths most people can’t bear to face. Now, I’m sharing those stories with the world.

My words are not for the faint of heart. They delve deep into the human experience, exploring the darkness we often shy away from and the resilience it takes to rise above it. Every story I write comes with a trigger warning advisory, because these are tales that confront pain, loss, and the harsh realities of life head-on. But they also reveal the strength, hope, and transformation that can emerge from the depths of despair.

Inspired by real-life experiences and blended with dark fiction, my stories are emotional and gripping, shining a light on themes like resilience, redemption, and the complexities of human nature. Each word is a reflection of the truths I’ve encountered and the imagination that shapes them.

If you’re ready to journey through the darkest corners of the human soul and discover the light that can emerge, my stories are for you. Welcome to my world—a place where fiction feels real, and every word leaves a lasting impact.

I look forward to connecting with you—as an avid reader, writer, and fitness enthusiast—to share stories, inspiration, and a passion for growth and transformation.

Reviews

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Below The Surface” by Tina S. Transformation was such an easy, quick read that I couldn't put it down. The suspense kept me hooked from the very first page, and the dangerous attraction between the two strangers had me on edge the whole time. The plot twists were unpredictable, and the tension built beautifully as the search for the women who went missing without a trace continued on. What really got me, though, was the emotional punch towards the end. I had tears in my eyes—it was a kind of sadness that lingered. It's a perfect book for anyone looking for a thrilling, intense, mystery read that will also hit you right in the feels.

[Ali O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Below The Surface
by Tina S. Transformation
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This is a super intense and captivating thriller! The book has lots of suspense, mystery, lies and twists!
It easily held my interest from start to finish!
When woman begin to go missing from a national park, the FBI is called in to help look into these disappearances. Lots of secrets begin to unravel.
Will these mysteries be solved? Will all of the secrets be revealed?

I was lucky to listen to the audio version and the narrator is great!!
It’s a fast and exciting read and I can’t wait to grab more books from this author!!

*I highly recommend checking out this book!!*
🩸👠🩸👠

[Lori Albertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty satisfying. I was confused at times as I wasn’t sure who the ‘I’ narrator was, but I figured out the twist pretty quickly. It’s a short easy read.

[Erika Clements · Rating 3 out of 5]

Women are missing without a trace in one of America's national parks. A+ on grabbing my full attention. The premise for this story is so good-a monster in the shadows, no evidence, no clues. Thrilling at times, with a mystery layered beneath it. I was invested in the story enough to finish it. However, some parts of the book were unnecessarily duplicative & didn't add anything to the plot.

[Melissa Dressler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have thought it was great writing, very descriptive in an easy to understand way. The storyline itself was interesting. I gave it three stars because I found it very repetitive for some parts. I got confuses when the chapters changed point of view as the chapter didn’t indicate whose it was. And with the slow build to the end, I expected something more thrilling. But the overall book idea was a good one, and with some development I think the author could be very popular.

[Janelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting, unable to put ot down. The reading was smooth and definitely had a few twists. I was confused a few times but who the narrator was or whos point of view I was reading from, and some of the text seemed repetitive but it was a great story in all.

[Dina Ezzeddine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this. Tina's work is amazing. It was suspenseful, and I kept questioning what would happen next. It kept me on my toes for sure. I recommend this one.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book was extremely engaging. It draws you in from the first chapter, prompting you to uncover the mysteries that are unfolding. Who is behind these events, and what are their motivations? Do we ever truly possess a comprehensive understanding of someone? Everyone has secrets lurking beneath the surface, and there may be aspects of their lives that are unknown to us, including things we may prefer not to know.

[Literary Dystopia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me on the edge of my seat. Danger lurked in the shadows threatening to pull you in. A shrouded mystery that has you questioning everything. And a subtle romance that had me reeling. The twists and turns had me gasping. Kind of expected but also a little shocking. This book was amazing. Please read it.

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Below The Surface” by Tina S. Transformation kept me hooked from the very first word, and the dangerous attraction between the two strangers had me on edge the whole time. The plot twists were unpredictable, and the tension built beautifully as the search for the women who went missing without a trace continued on. What really got me, though, was the emotional punch towards the end. I had tears in my eyes—it was a kind of sadness that lingered. It's a perfect book for anyone looking for a thrilling, intense, mystery read that will also hit you right in the feels.
The narrator did an outstanding job—well-spoken, clear, and incredibly easy to understand, even at 1.7x speed, which is my go-to. They brought the same emotional depth and intensity to the performance that I experienced when reading the book myself. Every shift in tone and feeling was captured beautifully, making the story even more immersive.

[Emily The Enchanted Quill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Below the Surface by Tina S. Transformation is a dark, haunting thriller that pulls you into its depths and refuses to let go. The eerie setting and chilling twists create an atmosphere of pure suspense, where danger lurks in every shadow. This book is a masterclass in tension, blending psychological intrigue with raw emotion to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Tina S. Transformation weaves a narrative so gripping and unpredictable that you’ll find yourself questioning everything. Without giving anything away, I’ll just say: the ending will leave you breathless. Below the Surface is a must-read for anyone who craves a thriller with depth, darkness, and unforgettable twists.

[Joshua V · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a beautifully written love story between two men, handled with care and authenticity. The emotions feel real, and the connection between the characters is deeply moving. What really sets it apart, though, are the twists and turns that take you on an unforgettable ride. Just when you think you know where the story is going, it takes a sharp turn that leaves you stunned. It’s powerful, wild, and completely gripping—a story that’s as emotional as it is unpredictable.

[Carly Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

He’s the quiet type you’d barely notice, reserved, almost invisible. But behind his calm facade lies a chilling obsession. He’s engineered a perfect method using Yellowstone’s boiling geysers, leaving behind no bodies, no clues... just eerie silence.

Spillin’ the Book Tea:
This was a suspense blast from start to finish. Below the Surface zips along at a relentless pace. The plot, women disappearing around Yellowstone, is chilling and unpredictable. I was hooked immediately, waiting breathlessly for each twist. And that ending? It hit me right in the feels. What really impressed me was how much emotional depth the author packed into such a short book. It’s not just tension for tension’s sake; there’s weight behind the fear. Every page had me side-eyeing national parks and reconsidering solo hikes forever. Thank you to Tina S Transformation for the ALC and the opportunity to provide this candid review!

The Vibes It Brings:
🌋 Thriller set in Yellowstone
⏱ Fast‑paced suspense
🕵️ Mysterious disappearances
🔥 Obsessive killer
💔 Emotional, gut‑punch finale

Narration:
Ladon Reid’s smooth, velvety voice hooked me in moments. I expected it would soften the edge. Instead it added a hypnotic depth. I even searched for more narrated by him but found none. When people hear Reid’s narration, demand is going to skyrocket. I may have even referred to him as daddy. 🥵

Final Thoughts:
Below the Surface is a short but intense thriller that packs serious punch. The plot moves fast, tension stays high, and the emotional payoff lands hard. Yellowstone setting gives it a unique edge. Perfect for listeners craving pulse‑racing suspense.

TL;DR:
A fast-paced Yellowstone thriller with chilling disappearances, killer obsession, and narration that makes it unforgettable.

[VDKeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Below The Surface
by Tina S. Transformation

This is a gripping, atmospheric thriller that will leave you breathless and questioning everything. Set against the eerie backdrop of Yellowstone’s geysers, the novel immerses you in a cat-and-mouse game that’s as dangerous as it is electrifying.

The protagonist—a seemingly unremarkable man with a chilling secret—has perfected the art of erasure, using nature’s raw power to cover his tracks. But when a bold, enigmatic stranger crosses his path, the carefully constructed walls of his life begin to crumble. What follows is a tense battle of wits, fueled by unspoken truths, shifting power dynamics, and an undercurrent of twisted attraction.

Transformation masterfully weaves a narrative that blurs the lines between hunter and prey, good and evil, keeping readers guessing at every turn. The pacing is razor-sharp, with tension that simmers before erupting in unexpected ways. The setting itself feels like a character, its volatile beauty mirroring the danger lurking in every interaction.

While the central mystery is captivating, what truly elevates the story is the psychological depth of the characters. Both men are equally compelling and flawed, their secrets unfolding in a way that keeps you hooked. My only critique is that a few twists felt slightly predictable, but even then, the execution made them feel fresh.

If you’re drawn to dark thrillers that combine moral ambiguity, pulse-pounding suspense, and a touch of raw vulnerability, Below the Surface is a must-read. Transformation proves she’s a master of keeping readers on edge—and this story will stay with you long after the final page.

[Rowan Tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5-Star Review – A Dark, Twisted Thriller That Demands Your Full Attention

Let me start by saying Below the Surface is not a book for the casual reader. If you’re the type to skim or half-read while scrolling through your phone—don’t even bother. This book demands your attention, and if you don’t give it, you’ll miss the brilliance woven into every chilling page.

This is one of those thrillers where every single detail matters—and if you’re not paying attention, you might think you’re seeing duplicate scenes. Let me be clear: they are NOT duplicates. The shifting perspectives are part of the overall twist, and if you don’t catch on to what’s happening, that’s on you, not the writer. Tina S. Transformation did something bold—she didn’t label the POV shifts because they are meant to blend into the mystery itself. It’s a narrative trap for lazy readers, and I absolutely love that.

The tension is perfectly executed—dark, eerie, and unsettling in all the best ways. The main character? Terrifyingly subtle. The atmosphere? Pure psychological dread. And the final reveal? Jaw-dropping.

If you’re smart enough to keep up, Below the Surface is one of the best dark thrillers you’ll read this year. But if you’re the type to get confused easily, misread details, or need everything spoon-fed to you—this isn’t the book for you. 🔥💀

5/5. Absolutely recommend. But only if you can handle it. 😏

[C.K. Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

Below the Surface by Tina S. Transformation is an absolutely chilling and brilliantly written dark thriller. From the first page, I was hooked — the tension, the atmosphere, and the quiet dread that builds with every chapter kept me turning pages long after I should’ve stopped.

The characters completely drive the story. Each one feels layered and real, their motives slowly unraveling as the danger intensifies. Tina’s pacing is flawless — tight, tense, and cinematic, the kind of writing that makes you hold your breath without realizing it. She captures the eerie stillness of Yellowstone and turns it into the perfect backdrop for a haunting, psychological cat-and-mouse game.

What really stood out to me was the craftsmanship: the book is properly edited, formatted, and perfectly readable. Every scene flows seamlessly, and the writing never loses momentum. As a reader, I felt both captivated and unsettled in all the right ways.

Tina writes horror-thriller fiction that engages and holds her audience from start to finish. I absolutely loved this book — it gave me chills in the best possible way. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys dark, atmospheric thrillers that linger with you long after the last page.

[Mike C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Below the Surface was an amazing thriller forming around the disappearance of numerous women near Yellowstone National Park. Seemingly gone without a trace. They decide to call in the big guns from the FBI and send an agent out to investigate covertly. Unfortunately the locals are not much help around here and the agent will have to figure it out on their own. And with the pain and trauma motivating them, this killer won’t be walking free long if the FBI can help it.

This was a really fun read to me. Kept the pages turning and a lot of action to keep up with. I love how this story really makes you ponder who it is that you can trust sometimes.

I thought the character development was good. The only thing I wish there was a little more of was the “why”. That’s the only thing I feel I missed from the story, is the motive for the killer.

With all of that being said, I hands down recommend this to anyone. Great story and I love the darkness of this authors writing.

[Ashleigh Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Below the Surface takes place out in the wilderness of Yellowstone which personally drew me in right away. When reading the first few chapters I did have to go back because I realized while we were still in the first person POV, the character didn't speak the same. This is when I realized we were going back and forth between two characters. Once I realized that, I really liked the ambiguity of not knowing their names. Their identity almost a secret to us just like to everyone else around them.

I was intrigued the entire time and wanted to keep reading to solve who was behind the seemingly perfect disappearances of the women at Yellowstone. If you're looking for a fast paced little thriller, I recommend checking this one out soon.

[Kristi Guthrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review time!! Below the Surface by Tina Transformation! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Intense and fast paced! Smooth flowing read as you travel the woods of Yellowstone National Park! For what? For the mysterious disappearances! No bodies and no CLUES!

Relentlessly the Authorities search for an obsessive and chilling killer who taunts and haunts the minds of many!!!

I was 🪝 hooked into the intensity and bizarre behavior of this killer! The plot thickens as the suspense nearly kills you in fast paced chapters as fast as your heart ❤️ rate speeds up!

Tension filled with a charming voice, yet the silence beyond that throws you into panic!!

Highly recommended! Highly captivating as the Ending Squeezes your gut!!

Another book of Tina’s that words do no justice!!!

[Alex B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to start off by saying this book had me a bit confused in the beginning about who's pov we were going through in each chapter. But other than that, this was a great read! I did guess the big twist at the end, but only figured it out near the end haha. I loved it. The setting and crimes were very interesting and kept me invested. It plays out like an episode criminal minds or some other fbi show.
This is the second book I've read of Tina's and I'm already a huge fan. They're easy reads without missing any character or plot development, which is sometimes hard to do with shorter reads. Love all the twists and turns she puts into them.

[Nikki B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short, thrilling read. Women keep going missing from a National Park and an FBI agent is called in to help figure out what's happening. I enjoyed the process this story took us through. It was enjoyable all the way to the end, I just wish there was just a little more of a conclusion. We did find out who it was, but not the reason why it was happening. I was hoping to find more of a motive. I did suspect who was committing the crimes the moment the character was introduced to the story, but it didn't take away from the plot. Easy read and great story.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Below the Surface is a story about many women that have gone missing in Yellowstone. They just vanish. But who or what is doing this?? When an important woman goes missing during her retreat, it is finally determined that enough is enough! This book requires your deep concentration, so you need to pay attention to details! It is very full of suspense and will take you on a twisted ride!!

[Kev Valgard · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was my 1st book, I read by tina, and I was absolutely blown away by how well well it was written. The narrative the story characters' hands down are done wonderfully amazing, I say it's a must-read, and for anyone who curiosity is peaked yoh won't be disappointed and the plot twist is done so well.

[Larae Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 women are missing without a trace from Yellowstone National Park.
When a stranger comes to town, he gets an Erie feeling from the town folk.
Walking through the woods, he feels as if he is being watched.

Below the Surface is a spine tingling thriller/mystery that will you with chills until the bitter end. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

[Tiffani Nowak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and read it in just a couple days. It was a quick suspenseful read. The chapters were short and to the point. I would’ve liked more differentiation between the chapters as it was following different characters and got confusing at times but it all became clear halfway through!

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read! I enjoyed the twist, the suspense, and the mystery of the story. The author pulled me in from the very first chapter and kept me interested through the entire book. I can't wait to read more by Tina!

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark, tense, and addictive! Below the Surface dives into obsession, secrecy, and survival against the haunting backdrop of Yellowstone. What begins as a chance encounter spirals into a deadly, seductive game where nothing is as it seems. A sharp, chilling thriller!

[Serret · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 missing women in Yellowstone all disappeared without a trace. Nobody cares until someone important went missing. Can this case be solved before the public learns the truth.

[Manda Bourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! I didn't want to stop reading it!

[C.A. Powers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tina S. Transformation does it again. Below the Surface is a wild ride—equal parts suspenseful, intense, and totally unhinged (in the best way). Set against the beauty of Yellowstone, Tina knows how to turn such beauty into an eerie backdrop. This shorter story really packs a punch. Tina’s storytelling is fearless: she dives headfirst into chaos and somehow makes it feel poetic. The twists are jaw-dropping, the tension is relentless, and the setting adds a haunting layer that lingers long after the last page. If you love thrillers that go off the rails in all the right ways, this one’s a must.