Lucky Number Six: A Psychological Thriller

by Julia Shraybman

“It was difficult to put this well-written book down, and it kept me turning the pages as fast as possible. The ending was a big surprise. I did not see it coming or expect it at all.” –Readers’ Favorite

MATT. ALEXANDRA. OLIVIA. CHARLIE.

The only survivors when two gunmen opened fire in a Chicago coffee shop, leaving fourteen people dead. Matt, Alexandra, and Olivia are the "lucky" ones—spared when the gunmen forced hostages to count off, releasing only those marked with the number six. Charlie isn’t as fortunate, miraculously surviving a bullet to her spine, which leaves her in a coma.

Two years later, their lives are in turmoil.

Matt struggles to open the bar he and his late friend had planned. Alexandra's dream job has turned into a nightmare of PTSD with a tyrannical boss. Olivia's marriage crumbled under the weight of guilt. And Charlie lies in a coma, paralyzed, trapped in a world no one can reach.

Then, a chance encounter with a mysterious woman changes everything. A fluke roulette win gives Matt the funds he needs. Alexandra's terrible boss is suddenly fired, and she's promoted. Olivia's husband returns. And Charlie begins to show signs of waking up. But the woman who brought them this luck has a dark secret—and a vendetta.

In this psychological thriller with a supernatural twist, survival is just the beginning...

Genres: Horror, Fiction

257 pages, Paperback

Published September 18, 2025

About the author

Julia Shraybman is a psychological thriller writer who believes the most gripping stories are born at the intersection of heritage and imagination.

Born in Belarus and raised in Chicago, she grew up bilingual—and book-obsessed. From a young age, she found comfort and excitement in stories, often disappearing into pages where danger loomed, secrets unraveled, and tension never let up.

Her debut novel, Lucky Number 6, releases this September. It’s a twisty, high-stakes thriller that pulls readers into a world where nothing—and no one—is as it seems.

“I’ve always been drawn to questions of identity, risk, and reinvention,” Julia says. “This book came from a place of wondering how far someone might go when the odds are stacked against them—and what luck really means when lives are on the line.”

Reviews

[Susan Z (webreakforbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book starts out utterly horrifying, it was so intense. Four strangers are thrown together, their lives forever changed when they are only survivors of a shooting in a coffee shop.

This is dark and disturbing with a supernatural spin.

I loved the Chicago setting.

This was a solid debut, a very creative story line. I do think some of the dialog could have been improved to feel more authentic.

[Lucille Guarino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Shraybman's novel, Lucky Number 6, is a wild ride filled with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat with its blend of horror, suspense, and dark thriller elements. The pieces were all there, and as the competing themes converged, I became more intent on learning how it would all end. Or does it?

Matt, Alex and Olivia are the lucky ones who survived a horrific shooting. But their survival came at a tremendous cost: trauma, guilt, and a malevolent presence that plagued them. Written concisely, from each character's perspective, the pages turned quickly. My only advice is: maybe you should avoid reading this late at night. For fans of psychological suspense with supernatural elements, this one definitely delivers!

[2manybooks2littletime · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one that will have you on the edge of your seat with your mind whirling about what is to come! Grab your copy today!

1. 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 • The opening scenes of this story are terrifying. A real-life possibility that will have you looking over your shoulder at every moment. I like how we initially see the event through the eyes of each of our main characters. It ties them together from the get-go.

2. 𝐋𝐮𝐜𝐤 • At what point would you begin to question if it’s luck or if it’s misfortune disguised as luck? The things that begin to happen to the lucky three are such unbelievable, yet elating, occurrences that I think I’d be leery. Or maybe I’d just celebrate, too…

3. 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥 • There is definitely a supernatural basis to this story. It is cleverly written and will make you think a little more about what happens around you. The moral of the story may be lurking around this aspect - who is Fate and should she be trusted?!

4. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐲 𝐎𝐧𝐞𝐬 • After such a horrifying experience, I am not sure I would want to become friends with those strangers who became your survival cohort. It makes sense that they initially pull away from one another because the memories are at the forefront.

5. 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 • There comes a point where I had to question what was a dream and what was the reality at hand. I was shocked and saddened and couldn’t believe what was happening! I couldn’t even fathom where the story was going to go from there!

[Kelly Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man, this book had me sitting here staring at the wall like I just seen a ghost with bad intentions. My head was spinning and my heart was pounding like I just dodged a bullet in a coffee shop myself.

So it starts out wild. Two gunmen bust in a coffee shop and started shooting up the place. Fourteen folks gone just like that, and the ones that lived only made it out because they got lucky number six. Like that number meant something bigger than them.

You got Matt, Alexandra, Olivia, and Charlie. Poor Charlie got hit bad and ends up in a coma. The rest of them, they all are messed up in the head after what happened. Matt trying to open a bar like him and his buddy planned before things went south. Alexandra losing her mind at work with some boss from the dark side. Olivia’s marriage falling apart faster than my first car. And Charlie just laying there, breathing like life hit pause on her.

Then this strange woman shows up out of nowhere, and suddenly everything starts going right. Matt hitting a roulette win, Alexandra getting promoted, Olivia’s man came crawling back, and Charlie starting to wake up from her coma like some kind of miracle. But let me tell you, I knew right then that woman wasn’t no good luck sign. She was the kind of person that walks in smelling like trouble and leaving folks wondering where their peace went.

The story pulls you in and doesn’t let go. The way it messes with your head, I was sitting there thinking what would I do if luck came knocking like that. Because every bit of luck has a price tag, and this book proves it. You might get what you want at first, but you sure won’t keep it.

Lucky Number Six isn't a bedtime read. It’s one of them books that makes you stare off after the last page wondering if maybe your own luck’s about to run out too. It’s sharp, wild, and kinda spooky in that quiet way where your stomach drops a little.

I give it 4 outta 5 catfish!

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about making me feel anxious to turn them pages. Be prepared for this and its a real page turner and gripping and i felt very on edge all the way through.

The synopsis is very real and the book doesnt entirely focus on the tragic event but it takes each character to show their lives and how they adapt and manage, the great focus on mental health and trauma is expertly written you can feel the deepness, the emotion, the turnmoil and the struggle in each character. It also sheds light on who stays with you during your darkest hour of need. Again we all know that some people either show up to stay or they dont. Again the realness in the book is something every reader can relate too. The main characters all have their story and are at different stages in their lives , they just want to get on but this lady keeps appearing and when she does other things start to occur , is it really just a coincidence or it is linked ?

This book combines a life changing event with a supernatural horror element, the lady who wears to much makeup who seems to appear when it suits her. She seems to pull the strings at different times, why is that. I almost felt like everytime this women appeared it made the hairs on my arms stand up she gave such an errie feel in the book. Its a unique book and storyline which will make it a success.

The page turning element gives the book a good pace and before i knew it 2 days had passed and i had finished it! Thanks to Booksirens for this advanced reader copy as always i am really enjoying my reader journey and a chance to support authors.

[Thrillerswineandchill · Rating 4 out of 5]

👿 M A L E V O L E N T M O N D A Y review 👿 featuring “Lucky Number 6” by Julia Shraybman!

Two gunmen enter a coffee shop in Chicago and start shooting up the place. 14 people ended up dead and 4 people made it out alive.

Matt, Olivia and Alexandra were considered the “lucky ones” and spared because they were counted off by the gunmen and marked with the number 6 before being released out onto the street. Charlie was the fourth (and not planned) survivor, but has been in a coma after a bullet hit her spine.

Now it’s been two years since the traumatizing shooting, and all 4 survivors are facing complete upheaval. They are all visited by a mysterious woman who taunts them by reminding them that their luck is about to run out. This woman has a vendetta against them all and just because they survived once, doesn’t mean they will survive twice.

“Because six is the number of the Devil. We’re Satanists, and we’re selecting three sixes from the crowd to survive. Consider yourself lucky that you’re one of them”.

💭 Wow, this book took me by complete surprise! I enjoyed the mash up of horror and psychological thriller with a menacing supernatural twist! The story is told through the alternating perspectives of all four survivors and their constant battle with feelings of trauma and guilt. The mysterious entity messes with your head and seems to linger as you read not knowing when she will strike next!

Thank you kindly to @juliashraybman @blackrosewriting for my #gifted copy in the exchange for my honest review. This book is out now!

[Diane Nagatomo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I started reading “Lucky Number 6” by Julia Shraybman, I couldn’t stop until I had finished. This is not my usual reading genre, but I was drawn into the story from the very first page. The story follows a group of so-called “lucky” people who survived a mass shooting in a Chicago café because they were released by their captors by having the lucky number 6 in a count off with the other people in the cafe. Such a horrific incident could easily be considered the worst thing that could possibly happen to a person, and these survivors are struggling, coming to terms with the fact that while many others were murdered, they were not. But then, a mysterious woman enters their lives, a woman no one but they can see. Why is she there and what will she do?

This book is such a suspenseful page turner, but it is not graphically violent or too scary (because if that was the case, I probably would’ve stopped reading). Each character was fully developed, and I was rooting for all of them. A strong five-stars! I can definitely see “Lucky Number 6” becoming a hit movie. I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author. I’m grateful to have received an ARC of this novel and my opinions are my own.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucky Number Six is one of those thrillers that pulls you in from the very first page and refuses to let go. The premise—a group of survivors bound together by chance after a devastating shooting—is chilling, but Julia Shraybman layers it with a supernatural twist that keeps the story fresh and unpredictable.

What I loved most is how the novel balances suspense with character depth. Matt, Alexandra, Olivia, and Charlie aren’t just survivors; they’re fractured people trying to rebuild their lives, and their struggles feel raw and real. The mysterious woman who enters their orbit adds a delicious sense of unease, and the way luck and fate intertwine makes the narrative feel almost mythic.

The pacing is sharp, the atmosphere tense yet intimate, and the ending delivers a genuine surprise that lingers long after you’ve closed the book. It’s the kind of story that makes you question chance, destiny, and the hidden costs of survival.

Casual readers will find it compulsively readable, while those who enjoy elegant psychological thrillers will appreciate its layered themes. A gripping, haunting tale with just the right touch of the uncanny.

With thanks to Julia Shraybman, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Lea O'Harra · Rating 5 out of 5]

his novel is one of the proverbial page-turners that captures the attention from the start and holds it relentlessly until the end.
Its four protagonists – Charlie, Alex, Olivia and Matt – strangers to each other, find themselves caught up in the type of atrocity that has become alarmingly frequent in recent times. Two young men wearing balaclavas and carrying guns burst into the Chicago coffee shop where the four are, ironically, luxuriating in the place’s friendly, comfortable vibes. The gunmen release Alex, Olivia and Matt and then kill all the other customers and themselves. Charlie has been shot but she survives: paralyzed and in a coma.
The narrative is one of alternating viewpoints as Alex, Olivia and Matt struggle to cope with PTSD and to account for the troubling presence in their lives of a mysterious woman whose appearance signals either good or terrible luck.
I was gripped until the last page of this story that is at once a thrilling mystery and a psychological portrait of individuals under unbearable stress.

[Marisa Dondlinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matt, Alexandra, and Olivia all miraculously survive a mass shooting after the assailants count by sixes and let every sixth person leave—666 being the number of the devil. But their luck is short-lived, as some force—no spoilers here!—is set on revenge, slowly wreaking havoc on their personal, professional, and financial lives.

Shraybman writes a compelling, yet original thriller that surprises at many turns. Just as the reader thinks they have a grasp of the situation, much like the characters, a new wrinkle appears. Atmospheric, suspenseful, and creepy, Lucky Number 6 will keep readers up late at night wondering whether the characters are slowly descending into madness, whether there is a higher purpose that they survived the shooting, or whether the tentacles of evil can infiltrate the living even after death.

With tight prose and an original plot, I highly recommend giving this debut author a try.

[Oleg Linnik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky Number 6 grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. Julia Shraybman builds tension so skillfully that even the quiet moments feel charged. The story follows four strangers who survive a mass shooting that began as a hostage situation, their lives colliding in unexpected ways. Three of them are trying to piece together their lives—with a little mysterious help from a stranger—while the fourth lies in a coma, aware of everything but unable to move. As the threads of their stories tighten, something supernatural begins to pull them together, demanding answers and, ultimately, justice.
What really stands out is how Shraybman balances emotional depth with nonstop suspense. The characters feel real and flawed, the writing is vivid, and the twists keep coming right up to the end. Lucky Number 6 is part thriller, part ghost story, and completely addictive—I tore through it in a couple of sittings.

[Scott Eveloff MD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky Number 6 is an intriguing and mysterious debut novel that takes on the legends of the occult and tackles the mysteries of good versus evil, justice versus coincidence. Author Julia Shraybman brings to life her own version of the Devil, the meaning of the infamous 666, and the source of evil itself through characters so well-developed you can’t help but experience their triumphs, fears, and tragedies. Is life a well-planned out series of pre-destined events or the culmination of choice and free will? The intricately woven characters and events in this story lay out a disturbing but engrossing answer. One remains captivated throughout as the fates of her characters remain tantalizingly in question literally up to the last page.
Scott Eveloff MD, author of Do Not Resuscitate and The Golem’s Holocaust

[Paulette Mahurin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a read! What starts out like a mafia sit job turns into a chilling psychological thriller with chapters fluctuating between four characters: Charlie, Matt, Olivia and Alex. The characters and storylines unfold, intertwining in ways that move this already fast paced story along with love interests, altruistic medical interests, a caring surgeon, an advertising job’s insecurity and toxic boss, the excitement of money made and anxiety of its loss, relationship lies and cheating, and a manipulative fifth character who comes and goes controlling the characters. It all comes together in a well sewn tapestry of mystery right down to the surprising ending. Where this author shines is in keeping the reader guessing, a sign of a great storyteller. And that is what the very talented Julie Shraybman is, a great storyteller.

[Bill Schweitzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky number 6
By Julia Shraybman
Spooky with a delicious twist!
When the peace and camaraderie of a beloved coffee shop is shattered by a seemingly senseless shooting, there are three lucky survivors, four if you count the girl in the coma.
Shraybman’s exceptional first novel follows the lives of the four as they become more and more intertwined after meeting a mysterious gypsy-like stranger who brings unexpected luck. But is there a price to be paid?
Shraybman skillfully transitions among the narratives of the four engaging characters, with tension and mystery growing by the page. This first effort ends with a gut-wrenching twist you won’t see coming. My only question for Shraybman is “What took you so long?” I’m hoping she will follow this with more of the same!
— Bill Schweitzer, author of Doves in a Tempest

[Travis Tougaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

From its explosive opening to the final page, Julia Shraybman’s Lucky Number 6 is a tension-fueled sprint you won’t be able to put down. When four strangers survive a hostage-situation-turned-mass-shooting, their lives weave together unexpectedly. While three of them try to put their lives back together—with a little luck brought on by a stranger—the fourth remains in a coma but is conscious of the visits from the same stranger. None of them are prepared for the supernatural force that will draw them together and demand justice.

Shraybman excels at creating conflicts large and small and using those conflicts to propel the story forward to its surprising conclusion. Her lively writing and superb character development make Lucky Number 6 a must-read for fans of supernatural thrillers.

[Laura Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky 6 starts off with a bang and never lets up. Told from multiple points of view, the story follows four survivors of a mass shooting trying to put the past behind them and move forward with their lives. They each cross paths with a mysterious woman who promises that their luck is about to change. For a while, things do in fact seem better––until everything comes crashing down. With one calamity following another, the survivors join forces to discover the identity of the woman and stop the suffering she has set in motion. Blending elements of mystery and paranormal thriller, Lucky 6 is an exciting page-turner that steadily builds tension right up to the unexpected and shattering conclusion. I highly recommend this fast-paced read.

[Laura Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky 6 starts off with a bang and never lets up. Told from multiple points of view, the story follows four survivors of a mass shooting trying to put the past behind them and move forward with their lives. They each cross paths with a mysterious woman who promises that their luck is about to change. For a while, things do in fact seem better––until everything comes crashing down. With one calamity following another, the survivors join forces to discover the identity of the woman and stop the suffering she has set in motion. Blending elements of mystery and paranormal thriller, Lucky 6 is an exciting page-turner that steadily builds tension right up to the unexpected and shattering conclusion. I highly recommend this fast-paced read.

[andshe.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you read this book, you need to go in completely blind. It starts out truly horrifying and progresses into a superb twisty psychological mind boggling thriller.

I read this book in one sitting, I just couldn't put it down. Gripped to the edge of my seat eager to read how it ends.. if it does...

Written from multiple POV'S we get a deeper connection from each of the 'Lucky ones' which only drew me in deeper.

We've all wished for luck, wished good things would happen however this book is proof that with luck theres a price to pay.

An outstanding thriller not for the faint hearted, perhaps not a bedtime read for sure. Thank you to Julia Shraybman for a digital copy of the book.

** All thoughts are my own **

[Sarah Nakawatase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through author Julia Straybman’s focused and powerful writing, Lucky Number 6 comes alive, pulling at the reader’s senses. Each chapter is essential and captivating, propelling this fascinating story forward with every page—absolutely no filler!

The novel starts off with a bang—literally, as an inviting coffee shop transforms into the setting of a mass shooting. Three individuals are spared, but as the story progresses, we learn the true motive behind their selection.

The architecture of the story keeps you turning the pages until the very end. I read this book on the beach in one day! It was a wonderfully fresh thriller that was both thought-provoking and entertaining.

[Gary Gerlacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky Number 6 is a paranormal thriller that follows the lives of three lucky survivors of a mass shooting. Given a second chance, their lives flourish as they enjoy good luck, but dark forces are about to intervene. A mysterious lady that brought them good luck is now sabotaging and threatening their lives. The three survivors join forces to battle the evil that is trying to destroy their lives.

Shraybman weaves a tale of terror as she writes from the perspective of each character, building to an eerie climax. Fans of paranormal thrillers will not want to put this book down, or turn off the lights when they are done reading.

[Cam Torrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hats off to Julia Shraybman and her killer debut--a heartpounding psychological thriller that masterfully balances tension and pacing from start to finish!

Two years after surviving a horrific mass shooting, four strangers grapple with trauma, guilt, and fractured lives—until a mysterious woman offers them a streak of improbable luck that feels too good to be true. Shraybman ratchets up the suspense with every chapter. She literally sucked me into this story, one where survival is only the beginning, and discovering each character's fate was what kept me from putting the book down.

Riley Sager fans will appreciate Shraybman's tight plotting and escalating stakes!

[Hannah McNamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a unique and thrilling reading experience, look no further. Lucky Number 6 immediately engrossed me, and I found myself on the edge of my seat the entire time, desperately wondering how the pieces were going to come together at the end. Follow Matt, Alex, and Dr. Olivia as their lives are upended after surviving a mass shooting in a coffee shop. The writing is compelling and suspenseful, and right when you think you have the plot figured out, a new twist occurs. Shraybman knocked it out of the park with this one. I'd highly recommend this book to all psychological thriller lovers!

[Dmitriy Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky Number 6 is a fast-paced, addictive psychological thriller with a supernatural edge.
The story follows four survivors of a mass shooting whose lives take a turn for the better—until a mysterious woman shows up and things begin to spiral. What starts as a stroke of luck quickly turns into a dark, twisting mystery full of tension and unease.
The characters are well-drawn, the pacing is tight, and the suspense keeps you turning pages. Shraybman does a great job balancing emotion, intrigue, and a growing sense of dread. It all leads to a bold, unexpected ending that really sticks with you.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first, I was nervous about so many main characters to keep track of, but author Julia Shraybman made the transitions from POV seamless. This story starts out with a horrifying and unfortunately (in our current state of the world) rather “normal” scene. Following each of the four main characters highs and lows after moving forward from their traumatic event, we see spikes of luck associated with a mysterious black haired woman. High tension wrapped with raw emotion ribbons through this novel. A twisted, and bumpy road.

Thank you to the author, and booksirens for the advanced copy. I am happily leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky Number Six by Julia Shraybman

The story moves at a fast pace, told in alternating chapters from the voices of the main characters. With multiple points of view, I was able to feel what each character was experiencing.

Original plot, well-developed characters, mystery, suspense, surprises, and supernatural elements made for a great read. I could not put it down.

Overall, I found Lucky Number Six quite enjoyable. I highly recommend it to those who love a thrilling psychological thriller with a supernatural twist. A good read!

Also, the cover art is spectacular and captures the essence of the story perfectly.

[Mike S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matt, Alexandra, and Olivia survive a horrific mass shooting after the gunmen mysteriously spare every sixth person, a chilling pattern tied to 666. What seems like a miracle quickly turns sinister as an unseen force begins unraveling their lives.

In this gripping and original thriller, Shraybman layers unexpected twists that blur the line between coincidence and evil. Dark, atmospheric, and deeply unsettling, Lucky Number 6 keeps readers questioning why the survivors lived and whether something far darker followed them home.

With taut writing and a unique premise, this debut is well worth your time.

[DL Heim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky Number 6 follows four characters, employing the immediacy of first-person narrative, as they navigate the trauma of surviving a mass shooting. The gunmen let three of the hostages go, wound a fourth, then claim that Satan made them commit this crime before they turned their guns on themselves. As the protagonists’ lives implode over the following two years, the author deftly explores how dealing with unresolved trauma can make us susceptible to our worst impulses. The question for each of them is- if the devil offered you everything you wanted, would you make a deal?

[Gail Olmsted · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four strangers miraculously survive a mass shooting in a Chicago coffee house. They were the chosen, the lucky ones. But two years later, none of them would consider themselves as particularly lucky. Alex struggles working for a demanding boss, Olivia is a doctor with a failing marriage, Matt has dreams of opening as bar to honor his dead friend, and Charlie is in a coma. Then a mysterious woman appears, and everyone's luck seems to change. Part fantasy, part psychological thriller, Lucky Number Six is a page-turner you'll never forget.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky Number 6 is a psychological thriller by Julia Shraybman. This was an excellent thriller that has twist and turns with an unexpected ending. Every 6th person is released and the other hostages are murdered. I couldn't put the book down because it was so intense and I didn't know what was going to happen next. In my opinion, Lucky Number 6 is outstanding and should be on everyone's TBR list. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Liliya Rechitsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about the book! Getting to know each of the characters and their life stories, the details used for scene and mood setting, how easy it is to read the book, the fact that it’s a perfect mix of keeping you on the edge of your seat thriller, and ultimately the fact that ending is a big surprise. Bravo to the author!