The Psychotic Son

Victim Advocate Colleen Heenan #1

by Deborah Dobbs

Carter Wilson, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of Tell Me What You Did raves about the Psychotic Son.

“Deborah Dobbs’ THE PSYCHOTIC SON is a force to be reckoned with, the kind of book that pulls you in, sinks its fangs, and doesn’t let up until the final page … With a gifted flair for writing about the dark side of humanity, Dobbs is an author to watch.”
--
It's the summer of 1996, and Colleen Heenan steps into the Alwin Police Department as the department's first victim advocate. On day one, she discovers the small Texas town has more than its fair share of violence.

At the center of Colleen's cases are the victims of a teen psychopath, emboldened by an inept detective and an apathetic police force. Colleen might be new to the job, but she's no stranger to criminals without conscience. She refuses to allow the system to fail the predator's victims, as it failed her. The more committed Colleen is to bringing the psychopath to justice, the more violent he becomes, and ultimately, setting his sights on her.

Will she be able to stop him before becoming his next victim?

If you enjoy the works of Thomas Harris,, J.D Barker, Chelsea Cain or Paul Cleave, you’ll love this edge of your seat novel.

Genres: Thriller, Horror

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 28, 2025

About the author

Deborah writes gritty, realistic thrillers and crime fiction that lean into horror (think Stephen King's MISERY). While indeed fiction, her Victim Advocate Colleen Heenan series is inspired by cases she worked during her career as a victim advocate at a mental health organization in Texas. Her novels provide readers with a unique perspective on the criminal justice system.

"With a gifted flair for writing about the dark side of humanity, Dobbs is an author to watch." - Carter Wilson, USA Today Bestselling Author of Tell Me What You Did.

Reviews

[Betty · Rating 2 out of 5]

So boring. Literally nothing happens until 91% in and then it’s mediocre.

[Kimberly Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how the story unfolded and got more exciting as the book went on. What great characters and not naming the bad guy right away was awesome. Loved that so so much! Can't wait to read another book but to author.

[C.D. McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

*SPOIL FREE REVIEW*

An exceptional read!!

This was an enticing read from the very first page - multiple POVs with complexity, a gripping storyline, and a deep dive into some of the most fascinating themes humanity has laid eyes on.

This is a book that is a page-turner and WILL keep you up at night. With such a deliberate construction of chapters and character POVs, it keeps you hooked.

Well done!!!! I read Notes of an Execution just beforehand and with both stories possessing a similar theme and style, I believe hands down that The Psychotic Son outdoes the prior - this was an incredible read and I cannot recommend it enough!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended by a friend, and I couldn’t put it down! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Very quick read. The story takes place in a small Texas town and involves three families, the psychotic son’s family, the victim’s family and the victim’s advocate. The author is very detailed and makes the characters real. I particularly found myself pulling for the victim as most do. I worked in a police department for several years and could relate to this book. My heart always broke for any victim who had experienced a sexual assault and were afraid to come forward. Without giving away any spoilers it is a must read for anyone raising children. Loved the ending!!

[Luke Eckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Psychotic Son was an intensely scary read that kept me captivated and on edge from beginning to end! The emotional trauma of the characters was real, and the tension was palpable throughout the story. I really loved the pace of the book and the different character perspectives. Everything that a psychological thriller should be, including an ending that completely satisfied! If you like an edge-of-your-seat thriller with an antagonist that you’ll love to hate, pick this book up! But be warned, once you start reading, it’s difficult to put down!
What a fantastic debut for Deborah Dobbs…I can’t wait to read her next one!!

[JWinter · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not good. I understand a mother's love, but there's a point where love is taken over by survival instincts. This read like an account of someone's opinion about something that happened. Meaning there was little plot, and character development was almost non-existent. We don't learn the sons name until almost the end. Was the name itself a twist that I missed?
The cops were awful, which I know was the point. However, the victims support lady was not good either. She was way too easily rattles, made rookie mistakes and seemed to be new at her job.
The psycho kid was creepy, so at least that was well done.
Honestly, I didn't see the point of this book.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

An AMAZING first novel!

I LOVED this book and literally could not put it down. The characters were intriguing and I found it fascinating to experience a psychopath from the point of view of his mother and brother as well as in the workings of his own terrifying mind. I read a great deal and love psychological thrillers. “The Psychotic Son” left me wanting more from the author - I can’t wait to read her next book!

[Daniel Bautz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A frightening delve into real terror

This tense thriller reads real. It scares and builds tension as the dread and trauma mounts through adept character development and storytelling.
This read as though it was real and you felt for the characters and hoped for their safety. This was a suspenseful ride and one that had the pages turning and me waiting to find out what happens next.

[Tara C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart wrenching, frightening, frustrating, thrilling

I could not put The Psychotic Son down. It was a page turner and now I have 2 days of housework to catch up on! The events in this book are truly terrifying but feel so real; I felt all the emotions while reading.
Definitely recommend.

[Jennifer Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book in one day. I couldn’t put it down! It was very well written and held my attention from the very first page. I loved the dual perspectives and the character development. It sucks you in and keeps you hooked from beginning to end! I look forward to reading more from this author!!

[darren gussy]

A great holiday read

I really enjoyed this book. Moves at a good pace, with change of character perspectives that keep you engaged and turning pages. The story pulls you in and I love a book that almost reads itself, that way you can just go along for the ride. Look forward to reading this Author again.

[Renee Dains · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing! I worked as a transcriber for a psychiatrist for many years & found it always interesting. This book was an easy read w/ a story that one might think “there’s no way something like this could happen” but there are some sick people out there! Beautifully written!

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Fast paced and suspenseful.

Its been a while since I read a book that called to me. This one was hard to put down. A few typos but overall it was very well written. I'm looking forward to reading more of her books.

[BJ Moreland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced and kept my attention

Book well organized, thought provoking and excellent reflection of psychopaths that live among us. Look forward to next book in the series

[Lori Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book!

Wow! Had me hooked from the very beginning. I devoured this book in a couple days! If you like crime/suspense/thriller this book will not disappoint!

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too drawn out. No twists. Anticlimactic at the end. The pount of view kept changing so quickly it was somewhat confusing.

[Veronica DeLong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! Just finished it tonight. It really held my attention. Very realistic and believable, and I loved the descriptors used to describe characters. Really great!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

[Taylor Kwon · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVED this book. kept me on my toes the whole time and the ending was unexpected and I loved it

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Psychotic Son, by author Deborah Dobbs, takes the reader to a place we all want to go but are scared when we arrive. Imagine the kid next door who was proud to show you what he would do with a magnifying glass and ants, then a few years later that same kid would find a stray cat or kitten and stomp it to death without a thought, no remorse, no empathy, in fact with a smile on their face. This is what The Psychotic Son is about, only 10 times worse. The mother of her son knows that something is not right with her son, and from an early age, countless counselors, psychologists, and even law enforcement offer no help as the son's crimes become increasingly heinous. Until rape and murder become the fare of the day. This book reads like a screenplay, a movie that draws you in because the actions of the sick child, soon to be an adult, are so serious, and yet nobody offers help to his victims, which include small children, random people, and even his own so-called friends. I highly recommend this book to anybody who wants to get an insight into how law enforcement and a heroic victims advocate, who does all that is in her power to prevent further crimes. The reader gets an accurate look at what a victim advocate does, how it is done, and why every law enforcement agency should have a victims' advocate department, somebody trained to deal with the aftermath of crime. Not only do we get a great story about crime and its victims, but we also get an education about a heroic young woman/a victim's advocate, and how vital a victim's advocate is in mitigating the damage done by criminals of all stripes. This book should be read by anybody fascinated by procedurals and a new look at how law enforcement agencies can use a victims' advocate department to lessen crime—five stars to Deborah Dobbs and The Psychotic Son.