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Distortion from the truth

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Nothing is as dangerous as a reality you can’t trust!

Distortion From the Truth is a harrowing psychological thriller about trauma, obsession, and the weaponization of mental illness. Prepare to question everything you read—because in Lucy’s world, nothing is as it seems.

This gripping tale invites you into a chilling psychological labyrinth where reality is slippery, trust is dangerous, and every page dares you to guess again.

When Lucy’s world begins to unravel, she’s forced to navigate a nightmare of obsession, manipulation, and mental warfare—all while trying to decipher what’s real and what’s just a trick of the mind. The line between victim and perpetrator blurs as trauma and paranoia close in, making every relationship suspect and every memory suspect.

Perfect for fans of dark, cerebral thrillers, Distortion From the Truth is more than a story—it’s an experience. Prepare to question your own perceptions as you follow Lucy down dark alleys, into haunted rooms, and through the twisting corridors of her mind. This is not just a thriller—it’s a can you separate reality from distortion before the final page?

Dare to enter Lucy’s world. Once you do, nothing will ever seem quite the same.

241 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 21, 2025

18 people are currently reading
58 people want to read

About the author

Richard Henderson

60 books3 followers

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5 stars
25 (41%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for Rayven.
54 reviews1 follower
July 6, 2025
This book takes you down a rabbit hole. So many twists and turns and then allows you to breathe and believe your following the story to be drowned again by the darkness the main characters are haunted by! This book is beautifully written, leaving the reader to become just as disturbed as the characters... believing what they see to be real is the case! I was gripped on this book from chapter 1... take the trigger warnings seriously, but if you can handle it, I recommend it.
Profile Image for Ilyana Guinn.
119 reviews2 followers
October 19, 2025
What’s real and whats a figment of her imagination. Lucy suffers psychosis and in this story we began with her causing someone’s demise, but did she really did such a thing? In need of an escape of everything she has experienced and continues doing plus the voices in her head, she is in need of connection and that’s when Peter comes into the picture. He makes it his mission to help her. Little did they know that their escape will soon turn into something so much worse. Will Peter be a victim? Will Lucy succumb to her mental state? And who is David and what’s his role in all of this? Everything is merely an illusion…or not. Maybe having control over one’s action is the illusion.
1 review
October 14, 2025
This book is absolutely amazing, it can be quite dark but if you are okay with that I would definitely recommend it amazing writing, would read again
Profile Image for Amber Holly.
1 review2 followers
October 6, 2025
Distortion from the truth is a psychological thriller that takes you down so many rabbit holes, leaving you questioning who you can and cannot trust. Equal parts chilling, clever and addictive from the start.
Blurring the lines of reality and pyshosis from a third person perspective, it leaves you questioning what is real and what is delusion in Lucy's world.
Henderson plays with your perception, throughout, I was left guessing and did not know which way the story would go.
It delves into trauma and mental health so definitely read the trigger warnings before starting.

I thoroughly enjoyed this, and would recommend if you love a psychological thriller that leaves you questioning reality.
Profile Image for Stephanie Betschart.
18 reviews1 follower
October 4, 2025
Such a thrilling ride! From the beginning I was drawn into the characters and what they were experiencing throughout the story! Just when you think their reality is real the story twists it's just written so well to keep you reading and surprising you with every chapter!
1 review
September 25, 2025
Raw, truthful, real

It took a while to read as I'm a slow reader and life happens. But I found it intriguing, when I picked it up I couldn't put it down. A few twists in it. Its raw, its truthful, its also very real. Real people go through the exact same on a daily basis. And the ending I wasn't expecting that. Hats off to you Richard. Good book
Profile Image for Grace.
42 reviews
September 20, 2025
4 from me!

This had me gripped and gave a real insight to psychosis and how those who experience it.
Profile Image for L.Hollo.
9 reviews3 followers
September 12, 2025
I went into this book completely blind (like I do with every book) and I loved it! Entering Lucy's world had me questioning her reality for her; wondering what is really happening and trying to piece together moments to make sense of things.

This book is heavy on the psychological aspect and at times throughout the book I wondered if it was too heavy. But after finishing this book I feel the heaviness of it really pulled you into Lucy's world even more and allowed the reader to really connect with what she was experiencing.

I absolutely loved the ending! Once I realized what was going on I had to take a second to really think about the concept of that. Also, I LOVE when an author isn't scared to end a book without wrapping everything up and making it feel good.

Distortion from the Truth is a book I won't ever forget!
9 reviews
September 13, 2025
loved this book so well written and such good plot twists wish I could read it again.origanal concept which is hard to come across now days
Profile Image for Alana.
22 reviews
August 20, 2025
A psychological thriller that isn’t just psychological — it actually explores psychology in a real, grounded way. It dives into how mental health not only affects the individual, but everyone who crosses their path.

The depictions of different mental states and diagnoses throughout this story were incredibly well done. The nuance, the layers, the understanding that a diagnosis looks different in every person depending on their lived experience and comorbidities. It was devastating and beautiful to see that handled so respectfully in fiction.

The blurring between reality and psychosis was intentionally disorienting, and it absolutely worked. At no point did I feel that my confusion as a reader was accidental. The author clearly wanted us to feel unsteady, and they delivered that atmosphere flawlessly.

I genuinely enjoyed the majority of this book and felt it started so, so strong. Unfortunately, it lost me a bit in the final chapters — not because it wasn’t impactful, but because the twist didn’t fully land for me. I just didn’t believe it. Maybe that makes it more shocking for some, but after such rich psychological depth, I wanted a little more explanation around what was revealed toward the end.

That said, this book offered some truly beautiful reflections on mental health, humanity, socialism, and morality. So much so that — for the first time in over three years of owning a Kindle — I actually highlighted passages.
Profile Image for Abhay Singh.
1,018 reviews64 followers
August 17, 2025

⚫️"Distortion from the Truth" grabs you right from the first page and doesn’t let go. Richard Henderson crafts a dark, clever thriller where nothing and no one can be trusted. It’s the kind of discomfort that pulls you into Lucy’s crumbling reality, where everything starts to twist and turn, making you question your own perceptions.

⚫️What makes this story so compelling is how it blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, victim and abuser. Each chapter cranks up the tension, leaving you second-guessing every character, every motive, and even Lucy’s own mind. Henderson’s writing is sharp, vivid, and deeply immersive you can feel the paranoia creeping in, the stifling uncertainty of not knowing what’s real, and the heavy weight of trauma and obsession.

⚫️This isn’t just a thriller; it’s an experience. It pushes you to question, to think, and to embrace discomfort. Fans of psychological suspense and mind-bending tales will find themselves on the edge of their seats until the very last page.

⚫️If you’re into dark, thought-provoking thrillers that challenge your perspective and keep you guessing, "Distortion from the Truth" is an absolute must-read. It lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page exactly what a great psychological thriller should do.


Happy reading ❤️✨
8 reviews2 followers
September 2, 2025
Was it real? This book had my head spinning! A dark psychological thriller that beautifully delves into mental health, obsession and manipulation. Richard bends the line between truth and reality and will keep you doubting yourself.
The story follows Lucy and her distortion of reality in a battle with her mental health that will have you gripped throughout and knocked off your seat with twists and turns.
341 reviews42 followers
July 19, 2025
Nothing messes with your head like a thriller where nothing is what it seems 🧠🔪😱

Distortion from the Truth by Richard Henderson is an absolute mind-bender — equal parts chilling, clever, and totally addictive.

We meet Lucy as her carefully held-together world begins to crack.

But here’s the catch: we’re never sure if what she sees is real… or just a cruel trick of the mind.

Trauma, obsession, and mental warfare swirl into a psychological maze that had me questioning everything. 😳

Every page drips with tension: who’s the victim? Who’s the villain? And what if Lucy herself can’t even tell?

Henderson doesn’t just tell a story — he plays with your perception until you start doubting your own instincts. It’s unsettling, haunting, and impossible to put down.

Perfect for fans of dark, cerebral thrillers that challenge you to read between the lines and question your reality.

By the time you reach the end, you won’t just be asking “what happened?” — you’ll be asking “can we ever really trust our own minds?” 🤯

If you love books that mess with your head, don’t miss this.
Profile Image for Meg B.
16 reviews
August 13, 2025
This book is a niche psychological thriller exploring Lucy’s decent and struggle with psychosis.
Check the trigger warnings!

It keeps you guessing with every page! So many twists and turns throughout which makes you question reality.

I understand this is probably intentional as nothing is as it seems, but as this is a running theme throughout the book, it felt a little repetitive, but that is the only reason this isn’t 5 stars! (And it’s mostly personal preference than anything to do with the book or writing!)

Henderson draws you in, his style of writing is gripping and there’s always something constantly going on! I never felt like there was a dull moment.

I was reading a couple of other books that had deadlines for reviews, so had to set this aside for a bit, but I was always eager to pick it back up to finish, and I’m so glad I finally did!

Definitely worth a read as it’s on kindle unlimited, I bought it for my kindle for 97p! Absolutely worth more than that, and I hope this author and book gets the recognition it deserves 🫶
Profile Image for MaRissa Williams.
73 reviews3 followers
August 7, 2025
As usual I go through books blindly, so here are my thoughts.

This book is brilliant and I was hooked from the start. I will say I did feel as some parts were rushed, but it’s okay because honestly it was addicting.

We are met with the FMC Lucy, who is stuck in a psychosis. She doesn’t know what’s real and what’s fake.
Reading into what she goes through and what she sees and deals with in the details will make you very uncomfortable and feel anxious, yet it is fascinating. Knowing that people really do go through things like this. I felt a sense of dread a few times there.

The MMC Peter, the lonely man who just wanted to feel a connection with a woman, puts his life at risk for a woman, who is Lucy, that he barely even knows.

I won’t spoil anything, but the details were brilliant and so was the word building. I very much recommend this author and I’m so happy he reached out to me on TikTok.
Profile Image for MaRissa Williams.
10 reviews
August 7, 2025
Hooked

As usual I go through books blindly, so here are my thoughts.

This book is brilliant and I was hooked from the start. I will say I did feel as some parts were rushed, but it’s okay because honestly it was addicting.

We are met with the FMC Lucy, who is stuck in a psychosis. She doesn’t know what’s real and what’s fake.
Reading into what she goes through and what she sees and deals with in the details will make you very uncomfortable and feel anxious, yet it is fascinating. Knowing that people really do go through things like this. I felt a sense of dread a few times there.

The MMC Peter, the lonely man who just wanted to feel a connection with a woman, puts his life at risk for a woman, who is Lucy, that he barely even knows.

I won’t spoil anything, but the details were brilliant and so was the word building. I very much recommend this author and I’m so happy he reached out to me on TikTok.
Profile Image for Kira.
112 reviews2 followers
July 7, 2025
4.5⭐️ This book was a wild haunting ride!! Check your trigger warnings. This is a beautifully written novel that takes you for so many twists and turns, you will have trouble keeping up with what is real and what is going on in the minds of the characters. Lucy is on the run from a terrible mistake and find solace and comfort in the arms of Peter. Peter is a lonely soul who is drawn to Lucy’s brokenness. Together they try to escape and nagviagte this cruel world. But will Lucy’s brokenness just led them to more tragedy and trouble. Get ready to question everything you read!!
Profile Image for Keri.
23 reviews6 followers
July 13, 2025
This was the first thriller book I have read, and I am so glad I did read it 😊

From the get-go, I was captivated/intrigued.

It was written perfectly. It definitely had me second-guessing events that happened. Let me question if I read that right

The ending 🤯😳
I was not expecting to end with Lucy going the same way her mum did.
I loved how the relationship between Peter and Lucy was written, I truly felt bad for both characters.

I also liked how we got a little insight into Marie's and the Landlords life at the end. It makes everything make more sense.

I highly recommend the book ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Megan Ray.
81 reviews1 follower
July 21, 2025
Take a haunted house and a mirror maze put them together and you have a distortion of truth. What a ride, like when you think you figured the maze out and WHAM SMACK, right into another mirror. This book had me flipping back pages going what?!?!? If you want a book that is gonna make you think and feel and question, then this is the book for you. Thank you so much to the author for the recommendation it was truly worth all my tickets!!
Profile Image for Summer Ashton.
2 reviews
July 26, 2025
I devoured this book in like an hour and a half! I didn’t know what was going on but in a good way. The way Richard has written the psychosis aspects on Lucy, really made me feel like i was going insane! I never would’ve guessed the ending as I felt like nothing was adding up, but it did in the end. It reminded me of House of Leaves! Check your trigger warnings but this was such a quick, suspenseful and thrilling read.
Profile Image for Anete Štelle.
Author 1 book7 followers
August 16, 2025
I loved how lost I felt reading the story. Since the story is about a woman named Lucy who can't separate the reality from her imagination, I felt the same. I could never tell which of all the events are trully happening. The ending came unecpected. I really thought she is simply mental, but it wasn't the case.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kara.
25 reviews2 followers
September 18, 2025
Distortion From the Truth will absolutely appeal to certain psychological thriller readers. It starts out with sequence if events that immediately sets the stage for the theme of being unable to tell truth from reality. The opening is truly wild. Through the book you will wonder which things happen and which don’t to an extreme level, and you don’t always find out right away. The book jumps around to give the reader a feeling similar to what the characters are experiencing. That may be a problem for a lot of readers, but will specifically appeal to those that are okay letting go and enjoying the ride. Readers who struggle with plot holes may also find it difficult. There are several as you read, and while a lot are tied up by the end, either explained/excused in relation to the main character’s mental health or through additional details that are introduced, there are still some bug questions left at the end.
I do tend to be a very critical reader, and there were some technical issues for me. There are potential subplots that get introduced, but then just kind of left off. It would be better not to introduce them at all. I’m specifically bothered by a situation by a scene where the male character finds out some major news about a friend, but there is really no reason to include it. It doesn’t help explain anything that happened before and doesn’t contribute to the rest of the plot. Then there were small items like referring to a location as “the city by the sea” even when directing a cab there that felt off. Some of those details may be part of the experience, but it’s hard to tell if they are intentional.
Overall, the plot and concept are great, and I definitely think there is an audience for this book. I personally enjoyed the book, but would have liked it more without the issues mentioned above.
Profile Image for Darina’s Reads.
239 reviews12 followers
August 20, 2025
Full review is available @DarinasReads BookTok.

A thought provoking psychological thriller in a slow pace Hitchcock style heavy on the psychological part. It even has written camera focus and ominous music into the plot to amplify the effect.
We follow a story of a young woman whose mind is playing tricks on her to the point that she (and the reader at the beginning) can’t distinguish the reality from her hallucinations.
In the process she attacks a homeless man.
She is lonely and is desperate for a human connection.
She uses the date app and connects with another broken sole - Peter who makes it his mission to help Lucy. By helping her he is helping himself.

This book is for all those who are interested in how mind works, to those who want to know more about mental health. The author has a degree in psychology and he shapes the plot around deep analysis of inner turmoil of the main characters.

It requires a special mindset. You need to be aware that it is not an easy read, not your regular page-turner. The topic is heavy and the emotions the characters bring are not always pleasant.

I would say it is very niche and appealing to all interested in mental health - whether you have your own experience, or studying psychology, or just curious.

You need to be ready to the difficult to like characters and deep analysis of their personalities and their perceptions of the world.

This book was not for me. It it dark. Not spicy romance dark. It’s heavy feeling of despair dark. Too dark for me. And also because I couldn’t connect with the characters. I and characters that use too many non-prescribed chemical substances and alcohol don’t go along. I can’t justify this and I don’t want this in my life even in books.

Also, there was not enough well-balanced action for my liking because a large portion of the book is dedicated to inner thoughts and battles.

I read it because I was curious to see what actually happened and if any of it was real or all figments of Lucy’s mind. But I don’t like this Peter character and her actions were also too unhinged for me.

The twist at the end refreshing and imaginative. I can’t say I like the ending though.

This book also gave in an insight of what it must be like to work as a psychologist or psychiatrist. Reading an analysis of a troubled mind gave me a headache. But to deal with all this on a daily basis… it must be really hard. Being an empathetic person, I wouldn’t last long.
23 reviews1 follower
August 3, 2025
So where do I begin. I hate these reviews but I’m an honest reviewer so here it goes

Though I can see the potential for the story within I feel it may have been lost on me. I really struggled to get through the book and had I not been asked to read it (meaning had I picked up for myself I most likely would have DNF’d - however I pushed through to give an honest review of it. Again this is just my PERSONAL review of it. I found the story VERY hard to follow which at first thought was maybe intentional as to go with the storyline (which I struggled to nail down the actual story line) the last few chapters brought some clarity though I felt there were still major areas that were missing clarity or just missing all together. However the plot twist that came was not what I expected. I fully expected a different result in the end. So that was refreshing. In short it felt like a fever dream from a mental health perspective and just hard to follow AGAIN MY PERSONAL TAKE NOT TO SAY YOU SHOULDN’T TRY IT especially since it is available on KU it might be more your style of writing just missed the mark for me personally
Profile Image for Holly Parker.
99 reviews1 follower
October 27, 2025
SERIOUS CONTENT WARNINGS AND TRIGGERS

This was a heavy and very emotional book. I found it hard to get into initially because we are quite literally thrown in the deep end with Lucy, our main character. At first it seems somewhat obvious that Lucy is having an episode of psychosis/ schizophrenia? It’s constant and the confusion on what was real or not was uncomfortable to read- but this is what makes it fantastic. It’s a real insight into someone’s mind when they are experiencing delusions and are unable to tell what’s real.

I got into the book more when we got into the plot and for some reason it gave me vibes like The Shining- a hotel in the middle of nowhere, very isolated. The plot and subplot were twisty and shocking. Yes I anticipated something but it was a big shock to discover what it was. Throughout we see Lucy’s struggle on grasping what reality is and how she finds solace in Peter.

The ending was just a mic-drop and a half. This is what made it a true thriller/horror in my opinion and I still can’t get over the ending.

But yes, serious content warnings for anyone wanting to read!
4 reviews
December 19, 2025
I recently read Distortion from the Truth by Richard Henderson, and I was absolutely captivated! As an indie author, Henderson masterfully weaves a complex narrative that keeps you guessing.

What I Loved:
The book brilliantly explores the main character Lucy’s schizophrenic episodes, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. This psychological depth made the reading experience incredibly immersive. I also appreciated the dual perspectives of Lucy and Peter, adding layers to the story and giving a richer understanding of the characters.

Character Development:
The evolving relationship between Lucy and Peter kept me intrigued. I found myself constantly questioning Peter’s intentions and the truth behind each character’s motives.

Final Verdict:
This book is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. It’s intense, thought-provoking, and doesn’t shy away from a powerful, impactful ending. While it doesn’t have a traditional happy ending, it’s exactly the conclusion the story demands.
Profile Image for Ayu.
1 review
November 2, 2025
Distortion From the Truth is a haunting, thought-provoking psychological thriller that completely drew me in. Richard Henderson masterfully blends his background in psychology with powerful storytelling, exploring the fragile line between sanity and delusion.
Lucy’s character felt incredibly real. Her trauma and confusion were portrayed with raw honesty, making me question what was real right alongside her. I loved how trust and perception constantly shifted, keeping me guessing until the very end.
This isn’t just a thriller; it’s an exploration of the human mind and how trauma can distort reality. Gripping, emotional, and deeply insightful. An easy 5 star from me.
4 reviews
July 28, 2025
Thank you for allowing me to read this
This story follows Lucy who is on the run after a terrible mistake.
Lucy meets Peter who she finds comfort in, he is lonely and he is drawn to Lucy and how broken she is.
Can they escape the past and more tragedy.
This story makes you think twice about everything you read
I was hooked from the first page.
This is a perfect book for fans of dark thrillers, it has short chapters and you definitely won't want to put this one down
Rating 4⭐️
1 review
November 4, 2025
If you like psychological thrillers, then this is for you!

This book had me gripped from the first page, I could not put it down!
The way the author has projected this story is just amazing! The battles between Lucy's mind and reality was incredible, had me on the edge of my seat.
It really had me questioning so much in life
Hats off to Richard he has done a fantastic job with this and has a brilliant mind.
Profile Image for Megan Thorpe.
10 reviews
November 14, 2025
Not the ending I expected

Oh my. I was hooked with the first few pages and was not released until after I finished the book. In one sitting. I literally could not put it down. The descriptions are so vivid that at times I wasn’t sure what was reality or hallucinations in this book. I also did not expect the ending I received. This was such a good read for me and I would recommend taking the time to read it.
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