Men of Evil Mind: A Psychological Thriller with a Gothic Edge

by Bonnie Callahan

Tori Jacobs knows the dead are always close. She’s made sure of it.

Her dance with the deceased began with the traumatic death of her twin sister. Now, a decade later, Tori is shaken by another loss. Plagued by nightmares and desperate to leave her ghosts behind, she abandons her career as a hospice nurse and flees to a small town in Italy. But when she becomes entangled in the unsolved murder of her landlord’s daughter, she realizes she isn’t the only one who’s haunted.

Despite her need to prove her sanity to herself and her increasingly worried family, Tori is drawn deeper into the mystery. Soon, sleepless nights, copious wine, and the company of an alluring winemaker blur the lines between dream and reality, and her nightmares begin to bleed into waking life.

Tori can’t trust anyone—not her lover, not her landlord, not even the dead. Least of all, herself. But if she can hold on to her precarious grasp on reality just long enough, she’ll ensure that the person responsible for the evil she’s unburied suffers the justice they deserve—no matter the cost.

Genres: Thriller

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 13, 2025

About the author

Bonnie was born in Tucson, where she went on to study Classics and Italian at the University of Arizona. After seven years in Italy, she is back in the Sonoran Desert, where she lives with her Italian study abroad sweetheart, their two kids, and a few bilingual pets.

She writes love stories in multiple genres (yes, even horror) with LGBTQIA+, mental health, ND, and chronic health rep. In her spare time, she's probably trying to remember where she put her phone.

You can find her on Instagram @authorbonniecallahan or visit her website at www.bonniecallahanbooks.com.

Reviews

[Spenser Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly really enjoyed this. It was a thriller but some romance drama sprinkled in that wasn’t overwhelming. I think I had an idea of how it would end but still didn’t figure it all the way out. Also I love Paul and her neighbor

[Sara | Pages and Spill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get yourself an author who can do it all! This departure into an Italian Gothic Horror Romance was just what I needed to start spooky season off right. The way I devoured this book... it was phenomenal! The Italian setting was so vivid, I felt truly immersed in the culture. For a chronic guesser of all plot twists, Men of Evil Mind kept me on the edge of my seat, page turning and wondering what was coming next throughout the entire book. I never imagined that I would yearn to go be one with a pack of wild boars but here we are...

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Bonnie Callahan's book, On Principle, and loved it, so I was excited about this book, an exploration into Italian gothic spookiness, and wow, did I absolutely adore EVERYTHING about this story! It was so well-written, so good, so compelling that I didn't want to put the book down for even a second! Callahan's characters are extremely well-developed, even the more minor characters -- I, for one, loved Miresi -- and the banter between all of the characters is among some of the best I've ever read. The story revolves around an unreliable narrator, who second-guesses herself so much and so often that, as a reader, one is left second-guessing oneself, which makes the plot of the book eerily propulsive. Add in a potentially haunted apartment, a parade of possible suspects in a young girl's disappearance, and a romantic love triangle, and the story is perfect as an October read, or, really, for any time of the year! And, just when I thought I had the story figured out, based on clues dropped here and there, Callahan revealed a new angle, one I had not thought of before in the story. In short, this book was so, so good! I read it on my Kindle, but I must buy myself a physical copy to keep on my shelf for all time! I will also be buying multiple copies for friends. And I cannot wait to see what Callahan writes next. Five big stars! Highly recommend!

[Danielle Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this psychological thriller meets gothic horror, Tori Jacobs, eager to leave the ghosts of her past behind, flees to a small town in Italy. But when Tori stumbles upon the unsolved murder of her landlord’s daughter, she is consumed by the mystery. Her nightmares increase and strange happenings abound, and Tori begins to wonder: Can she trust those closest to her? Can she even trust herself?
It is thrilling to witness Bonnie Callahan take on this new genre with the same incredible attention to detail, unforgettable characters, and vivid imagery present in her other novels. Like the settings in her other books, Tori's world in Orvieto comes alive—it is a character in itself—and I never wanted to leave.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unsurprisingly another 5-star read from Bonnie Callahan. What CAN'T this woman write?! Her romance books already have me in a chokehold and it turns out she can also knock spooky thrillers out of the park? MEN OF EVIL MIND is atmospheric, lush, and creepy as hell. At 91% I still had more questions than answers, and then everything ties together so satisfyingly at the end. I binged this in a day because once I started I could NOT put it down and now I'm weirdly emotional, so!! I can already tell that this one is going to stay with me for a while. THE PERFECT book for spooky season.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

What struck me most about Men of Evil Mind was the quiet evolution of Tori’s relationships — not just with the men orbiting her story, but with the animals that mirror her instincts, fears, and strength. There’s a haunting beauty in how these bonds, both human and otherwise, unfold without the need for understanding or words — a reminder that connection can exist beyond logic, built instead on shared survival.
Callahan’s allegory of womanhood runs deep: how our empathy can tether us to one another, how that same compassion can both endanger and save us. And beneath it all is the unsettling truth that even in our own stories, we are unreliable narrators — shaped by what we see, what we choose to ignore, and what the darkness hides.
Knowing who to trust becomes the ultimate danger. And sometimes, as Men of Evil Mind suggests, it’s the creatures — feathered, silent, or fierce — who see us most clearly. (Looking at you, Paul the Peacock 🦚).

[Ashley Azzone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohhhh boy. I loved this book! Just enough eerieness to keep me guessing. Bonnie has such a gift when it comes to setting the scene, her descriptiveness brought me back to the small town in Italy where I lived. The narrow roads, the many different tiles, the way nature is woven into such an old place was so visceral. The way grief, love, and mystery was woven into this story was so engaging. I loved how time seemed to be lost at points when Tori was really going through it. I couldn’t tell if it was morning or evening and it seemed as though she had lost track herself. There were many times where I thought I had it figured out, but the ending really took me by surprise. Which I’m always grateful for! I loved Tibi, the way she floats through her life but always showed up when Tori needed her- even if she didn’t know it. I loved Mirësi and Tony, their back and forths, the way they didn’t give too much away, but supported, and met Tori with curiosity so she could figure it out herself. The way Bonnie wrote the intimate moments between Edo and Tori were so good because I didn’t realize what was missing… until I did. 🍇🐗✨

[Caitlin G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t think thrillers or horrors were my thing… until MOEM. Packed with just the right amount of creepiness, stress, and mystery to keep my palms sweaty and my nose between the pages, I think this book just might have turned me into a spooky gal by the end. The sudden twists, unexpected turns, and little bread crumbs dropped along the way were the work of a genius. The plot was a beautiful tapestry of grief, love, betrayal, friendship, mystery, and ghosts set in a gorgeous and old small town in Italy. The descriptions of the places and food had me dreaming of an Italian getaway and had me cooking zucchini pizza from scratch on a whim (um, yum!). I fell in love with so many of the characters: Tori’s wild best friend, her all-knowing neighbor, the sweet winemaker, and her dream guy among others—I truly fell in love with all of them, and although I feared my heart might break a few times, I don’t think I could have asked for a more disturbingly satisfying ending. Really an incredible adventure into the land of scary stories for me. I can’t recommend this read enough.

[Stacy Teet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.

I’m at a total loss for words. I may return again to do this review more justice, but know this one had me hooked. I have both savored, and then devoured this book. Forcing myself not to read too fast, then waking myself up in the middle of the night to sneak down and read just a little bit more. It consumed my thoughts. So enthralled in the eeriness, comforted by the only borderline creepiness, second guessing myself along with FMC. This book delivered on every single level. As this author, one of my favorites, has done again and again. No one packs in so much, so well. Each book a new & delicious treat for your senses. This one a forever fall favorite from here on out. Looking for something just a little but spooky, pick this one up! Then find me & let’s chat. Dying to discuss it with someone else.

[Natalie Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredible. Callahan masterfully combines all of the earthy, magical, ancient spirit of Oriveto, Italy with her surprising, enchanting, magnetic characters. MOEM is full of thoughtful and brilliant details that make you feel as though you're there. You genuinely never know where her story will take you next, which is why I could not put it down. Five freaking stars!

[Maritsa Daumer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ending 👏

Really enjoyed this one from the start, it was interesting and mysterious lots of mental trauma issues and grief It kept me wondering if she really was just crazy or if something more was actually going on, I did feel like it got dragged out a little and then sorted too fast in the last chapters so that knocked a rating for me

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I flew through this book! There is romantic tension, a beautiful Italian town, and fabulous wine all paired with mystery and intrigue. The plot will keep you guessing as you read and keep you thinking about it long after you have finished.

[Stacey Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little slow at the beginning but OH. MY. GOD. The ending was phenomenal. The twists & psychological turns kept me yearning for more. I will forever love the writing style of Bonnie Callahan & read whatever she writes.

[Mercedes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me on edge for days after finishing!
The house, the people, even the coffee had me questioning everything!
I kept going back and forth on who I thought did it and didn’t get a solid grip until it smacked me right in the face.

I absolutely loved feeling like I was transported to a little town in Italy, the descriptions of everything were so well written!

Everything about this book was the vibes I needed for a cozy, yet creepy read!
Definitely a must add for your fall TBR!

[Savannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a fantastic read. Romance, mystery, and the perfect amount of thrill and suspense.

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t read many psychological thrillers so this was a nice break from my norm. I liked the Italian setting and I felt that suspenseful feeling the whole book.

[Hailey Ciric · Rating 5 out of 5]

🐗🐗🐗🐗🐗/5

Reading this book was fascinating and fun and anxiety inducing. Idk how many times I would look up from the page and just say “what the helly?!” Like it was so good I couldn’t stop reading. But also I was so confused (in a good way) too many times to count.

This story is packed with creepy things, creepy people, and creepy happenings all around. And I was stressed tf out for our main character, Tori, who was mostly unbothered this whole time. Like I loved her because she was all “huh wonder how those medically prescribed sleeping pills went missing because I didn’t take them” and then just poured herself a glass of wine and kicked up her feet. Girl what??!! But also I loved her because she might have seemed dumb or unbothered or uninterested. But she figured out the crux of a decade long unsolved mystery. And boy was I standing there while reading and whooping my arms in the air to her “plan” the second I figured out what she was doing. I’m her #1 biggest fan for that!

I must say, this book was written so well that I literally thought I was crazy. I would say “oh this is it” just to be proven wrong by the end of the chapter. There were so many clues and hints and things to discover that we were constantly looking for them and trying to connect the dots. Not to toot my own horn, but I did guess it right. So I’m super proud of myself!

But I’m so glad that it wasn’t an easy guess and while I suspected the villain and some of the other parts of the story before it ended, I LOVED that I was constantly not sure of myself. It proves just how good it was written and how much there was to find within this story that really made everything fall so perfectly in line. Because man, nothing was as it seemed and I trusted no one. Half the time I didn’t even trust Tori, because she often discredited herself.

This story was more psychological than I expected but I loved it and would gladly read something else like this again! Plus, who doesn’t love Italy and hot Italian men?!