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The Empty Couple: A One-Sitting Psychological Thriller in Verse
A Psychological Thriller Told in Verse
8,900 words.
One night.
A story designed to be read in a single sitting and considered afterward.
When Ruth Ezrah’s boyfriend, Michael, loses his job, irritation hardens into control. Control becomes violence. Police separate them, but distance does not equal safety.
Ruth moves carefully through her days until she meets Ashley, a coworker whose presence begins to name what Ruth has been surviving.
What follows is not rescue.
It is recognition.
And a decision that cannot be undone.
Told entirely in tense, restrained verse, The Empty Couple unfolds with the pressure of a psychological thriller and the precision of poetry. Each page tightens. Each line leaves less room to look away.
It does not explain everything.
It stays with the reader.
Selected Reader Response
“The mind blowing plot will keep you hooked to the storyline from the beginning till the end.”
— Komal Kumari
“I had never encountered a psychological thriller told entirely in verse, but to my surprise, the verses' conciseness contributes to a fast-paced, page-turning reading experience.”
— Eva Edge
“Nail-biting, page-turning energy that I would expect from a good thriller.”
— Kelly
“This book stands out because of its format, combining the high-stakes suspense of a thriller with the emotional depth and precision of poetry.”
— Eva Edge
The Empty Couple reached #1 in Amazon’s Domestic Relations category upon release.
8,900 words.
One night.
A story designed to be read in a single sitting and considered afterward.
When Ruth Ezrah’s boyfriend, Michael, loses his job, irritation hardens into control. Control becomes violence. Police separate them, but distance does not equal safety.
Ruth moves carefully through her days until she meets Ashley, a coworker whose presence begins to name what Ruth has been surviving.
What follows is not rescue.
It is recognition.
And a decision that cannot be undone.
Told entirely in tense, restrained verse, The Empty Couple unfolds with the pressure of a psychological thriller and the precision of poetry. Each page tightens. Each line leaves less room to look away.
It does not explain everything.
It stays with the reader.
Selected Reader Response
“The mind blowing plot will keep you hooked to the storyline from the beginning till the end.”
— Komal Kumari
“I had never encountered a psychological thriller told entirely in verse, but to my surprise, the verses' conciseness contributes to a fast-paced, page-turning reading experience.”
— Eva Edge
“Nail-biting, page-turning energy that I would expect from a good thriller.”
— Kelly
“This book stands out because of its format, combining the high-stakes suspense of a thriller with the emotional depth and precision of poetry.”
— Eva Edge
The Empty Couple reached #1 in Amazon’s Domestic Relations category upon release.
Audible Audio
Published July 16, 2025
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About the author
Oneal Walters
3 books8 followersOneal Walters is the Canadian author behind The Empty Couple, a psychological thriller in verse that reached #1 on Amazon in the Domestic Relations category. His work blends domestic suspense with the precision of verse, centering coercive control, survival, and the cost of love. Based in Toronto, Walters holds a BA in Film Studies (York University) and a Communications Certificate (George Brown College). He has published three books in verse, Frozen Stare, The Age Begins, and The Empty Couple) and shares new series and a monthly short story in The Blue Snowsuit newsletter.
Read and subscribe. Chase the thrill. thebluesnowsuit.substack.com
Follow @onealwalters on X
Read and subscribe. Chase the thrill. thebluesnowsuit.substack.com
Follow @onealwalters on X
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 19, 2025
The book narrates the turbulent life of Ruth, who endures an abusive relationship with her negligent partner Michael. While Ruth commits to her job, Michael's unemployment and alcohol-fueled aggression create a toxic domestic environment. Ruth hides the abuse and ultimately experiences a harrowing moment, during which she encounters benevolent spirits urging her to return to her life. After further emotional trauma inflicted by Michael, authorities recognize the signs of abuse on Ruth's body. It is just a little of it, there's something more; you need to read the book to get it!. The author successfully addresses a crucial topic with poetic flair. Overall, the straightforward language makes it accessible and valuable for those exploring domestic abuse issues.
Displaying 1 of 1 review