Torment

by Gypsy McKnight

A psychologically disturbed young woman wreaks havoc as she exacts her revenge on an unsuspecting family. She charms her way into their lives leaving a trail of lies and deception that tragically brings about the downfall of them all.

214 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2025

Reviews

[Tameaka (cozy_up_and_read)]

This one didn’t work for me. It was a great concept and I’m sure plenty will love it, it just wasn’t for me.

[Lucy Steele]

I read this in one sitting (I was on a plane, but still). I got wrapped into the story immediately and wanted to keep untangling the web that was appearing throughout the story. A few plot holes exist and the details start to seem thrown together, but if you don’t dig too deep it’s not that noticeable.

This was an exciting, engrossing, and entertaining read. I’m definitely going to check out more by this author!

[H2ArcReader]

Wow. Just wow.

This book is one of the most twisted revenge stories I’ve ever read. I do think it could use a few trigger warnings — there’s infidelity, drug use, attempted suicide, and murder, among other things.

That said, I loved it because of how dark and fascinating it was. Even though I figured out a few key pieces early on, it didn’t ruin the suspense at all. Instead, it made me wonder just how someone could be that clever… and that evil. My emotions were all over the place while reading, and the ending? I wasn’t prepared for that.

[Eileen Murphy-Schmehl]

A family is tormented by a woman who blamed them for all of her woes.

I wanted to like this book, but it didn’t work for me. There were plot holes, and the characters didn’t seem really concerned with anything going on around them. A great concept that never really came together.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

[Pheadra]

I received an advance copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Despite getting an updated ARC I found several spelling and grammatical errors in my copy which was in need of a sharp editor's eye. I did not allow these errors to affect my review as I assume the book will be reviewed again by a proofreader.
This is the tale of a mentally disturbed woman exacting revenge on a family. The question is why she is doing so and is this a type of Karma or vigilante action to ensure that they pay for their sins. 3 stars

[A.M. Lavender]

Torment is one of those books that keeps changing under your feet. It begins as an occult or paranormal story, with demons, curses, fairy milk, and haunted encounters, but underneath is a dark revenge thriller built around deception, gaslighting, and one woman’s obsession with destroying a family.

One of my favorite things was the Alice in Wonderland theme that ran through the story. The white rabbit, the diary, the imagery and especially the “We’re all mad here” link give the book a strong identity and make the ending hit harder. Speaking of the ending, it is probably the strongest part of the book. It’s dark and ironic and doesn’t tie everything up all nice and neat, which suited the story really well.

Stacy was also the character I sympathized with the most. It was really disturbing to see her being manipulated and made to doubt her sanity. Doug, however, was a little harder for me to root for because so many of his problems come from choices he willingly makes.

My main problem was that Beatrix's plan was a bit too intricate for me to totally buy into. She's juggling multiple identities, multiple disguises, multiple relationships, multiple schemes all at once and eventually it began to feel as if she had to be almost superhuman for any of it to work. The middle also gets a little repetitive with deception, suspicion and gaslighting happening in similar ways.

I also was a little surprised at how much of the paranormal setup finally has a real-world explanation. I liked the idea that the true horror is people and not literal demons, but I understand others may feel differently if they are expecting a full supernatural or occult story.

Overall, though, Torment is a creative, disturbing revenge thriller with some memorable imagery, some strong twists and a seriously dark ending. There were some issues with plausibility and pacing, but the underlying concept and symbolism kept me interested all the way through.

[Author Leila Kirkconnell]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Torment by Gypsy McKnight is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps you hooked from the very first page. The story delves into the lives of the Wingart family, uncovering their darkest secrets and exposing the flaws in their seemingly perfect world. With themes of love, betrayal, and revenge, the novel skillfully weaves a web of suspense that makes you question every character's motives.

The protagonist, Doug Wingart, is a man torn between his family and his dangerous affair, and his descent into chaos is both compelling and heartbreaking. The antagonist, Beatrix, is a brilliantly crafted character whose tragic backstory adds depth to her villainy. The twists and turns are relentless, and when you think you’ve figured it out, McKnight throws another curveball.

Although the pacing is intense and the plot complex, the novel sometimes feels overloaded with subplots, which can take away from the main story. Still, the emotional depth of the characters and the shocking reveals more than compensate for this.

If you enjoy dark, character-driven thrillers with a touch of psychological depth, Torment is a must-read.

[Huey Carroll]

A Slow-Burning Tale of Vengeance and Collapse

Torment by Gypsy McKnight carries a heavy, simmering tension from the very first page. There’s a weight to it—a kind of quiet, pulsing dread—that makes the story feel like it’s always on the verge of breaking open. The emotional gravity comes not from the explosions or corporate chaos, but from the characters who are already fractured long before anything goes wrong.

Beatrix, with her cold, early vow—“I want to know who to hate, Daddy”—is the book’s most haunting presence. Her bitterness is not loud; it’s precise, sharpened over years, and it drives the novel’s unsettling momentum. Doug Wingart, meanwhile, is painfully hopeful and painfully weak, a man whose flaws make every decision feel like a slow-motion disaster. Their internal storms matter more than the external plot twists.

McKnight’s prose is atmospheric and deliberate, leaning into tension rather than speed. The pacing is a true slow burn—never rushed, sometimes maddeningly patient, but always purposeful. The writing has a clean, cinematic quality, especially in scenes like: “I walk barefoot through the broken glass of my past, each step a promise of revenge.”

I’d recommend this book if you prefer characte

[Jenn]

Gypsy McKnight's novel Torment is a gripping story that shows the length one will go in order to seek revenge. This novel excels in character development and actually delivers a genuinely shocking conclusion. The story does kind of dip in pace around the middle, but I feel the stunning reveal of who the true antagonist is is well worth the wait.

From the start, McKnight introduces the reader to characters who feel authentic. Their emotions, struggles and decisions resonated with me, compelling me to know each character's outcome. I found the storyline between Doug and Kelley a little repetitive at times, but the author was able to instill a sense of dread and anticipation that compels the reader to move forward always wondering what would happen next.

Ultimately, Torment is a rewarding read as a powerful exploration of human flaws, hidden darkness and the dangers of unchecked mental illness. I would say come for the family drama, but stay for the surprising twist that you won't see coming.

Thank you to Gypsy McKnight, Twigen Publishing, and BookSirens for allowing me the opportunity to read this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[George]

Constructing a dark psychological thriller centered on systematic manipulation and covert revenge demands an effective structural framework that balances character deception with escalating narrative stakes. I deeply valued how this standalone volume operationalizes the antagonist's psychological invasion, establishing a compelling continuum between initial charm, strategic deception, and catastrophic domestic collapse. The chapters excel at formatting high-stakes psychological tension alongside interpersonal drama, providing readers with a dynamic lens to evaluate boundary erosion, trust exploitation, and family vulnerability under crisis. I was highly impressed by the relentless pacing of the narrative trajectory, which serves as a necessary baseline for maintaining dramatic investment as the deception unfolds. The author maintains an authoritative, structurally pristine, and deeply intense prose style throughout the text, rendering this work a compelling asset for enthusiasts of psychological suspense and domestic thrillers

[Vanessa The Great]

Torment by Gypsy McKnight is a fast-paced, drama-filled read that hooked me right from the beginning. The plot was engaging and easy to get into, with enough suspense to keep things interesting throughout. It’s definitely one of those books you can fly through in a day.

What held it back for me was the main male character. He felt overly naïve to the point of frustration — it was hard to believe he couldn’t see what was right in front of his face. That aspect made parts of the story less believable for me.

Still, if you're looking for a quick, entertaining escape with a good dose of drama and tension, I’d recommend giving this one a shot.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Terri]

This book literally sent me on an anxiety-filled ride! Just when I started cheering on the villain, my heart would break just a bit and I wasn't sure who I should be taking sides with. These characters definitely put the psycho in psychological issues. To say that most of this story was bat-shit crazy is an understatement! Not to give too much away, but with the daughter doing what she does at the end, I would almost expect a continuation of the story in another book - about how crazy she becomes and who is at the end of her psychotic torment. And why do men have to be such jerks!?

I received this book as an ARC from Hidden Gems for my honest review. The above is just that!

[Melanie Phillips]

Ok so this book was a bit hit and miss for me.

It’s the first book I’ve read from Gypsy McKnight. It tells the story of love, revenge and family.

Positives - The plot was what kept it going. The story was fast paced it gripped me immediately, interesting and easy to read.

Negatives - I felt there could have been a bit more character depth and at times the plot was a bit unbelievable. I personally don’t feel that the reasoning behind the behaviour in the book was very strong (I can’t delve more into it without giving the story away).

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rebecca Morel]

I feel bad, but this book was not up there on books I loved. From the first chapter, I saw where this book was headed. Throughout the book there was no reaction or surprise to major events. No fact checking on some very strange things happening. I could not relate to any of the characters, as their personalities seemed to change in each chapter. I wouldn't rule out reading more by this author, this book just felt rushed to be written.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Makayla Cardwell]

What an adventure cursed with revenge . This story had me on the edge of my sit as we followed a family , suddenly experiencing chaos of being cursed with “wrong place wrong time”. Someone’s out to get them and it seems like everything happens for a reason .
Through marriage , affairs and brief addictions and trauma we go on this twist an turn road of Beatrix. Or is she the nanny , the nurse , dance teacher , mistresses .
10/10 book siren never fails to bring me reads that are just page turners

[Di Paterson]

I liked the premise for this book, but ultimately it was a little too unbelievable. I can't say I really liked any of the characters, but that's not all bad, because I wasn't ambivalent about them either. The writing style is easy to read, although possibly a little simplistic in that everything is told, and there's not much the reader has to work out for themself. But for a few hours of escapism, this book fits the bill well. My thanks to BookSirens for the opportunity to read it.

[LaRae]

This was just the kind of psychological thriller I love! Explains thing well so I'm not confused as to what's going on but fascinated at the level of derangement this woman has! Crazy good! The dark side of me thinks the MMC deserved what he got because he has no loyalty or character! I didn't care for him too much! Feel bad for the rest of the family. I would have like a bit more closure at the end but it was a great read!!

[Catherine]

First, thanks to Gypsy McKnight and Goodreads for the opportunity to read this novel. I actually enjoyed reading it, however, it was slightly predictable. All of the characters in this story were faulty in their own way, so I ended up feeling sad and disappointed at the way it portrayed humankind. But it was really special that Gypsy autographed my copy and included a promotional mouse pad with my copy. Thanks very much Gypsy!

[Janet]

Torment follows a man who hires an assistant at his work. He is struggling to make ends meet for his family. He quickly finds himself in an affair with the assistant. Things are not always what they seem. Quickly his family luck starts to turn. Old secrets come out, and their family starts to crumble. I read this book quickly as it was an easy read. I really liked how the story unfolded. I would recommend it. I did receive a copy through the hidden gems program and am giving my honest review.

[Monica Mil-Homens]

A book that had EVERYTHING to be an amazing read! It grabbed me right from the start, but I was quickly put off by the strange, careless writing and by how the characters behaved… not caring at all about what was happening, in a rather crude way. I read it all, but by the end I was left with the feeling that a truly great story was lost, and I was disappointed because of that.
I hope the author takes my opinion as encouragement to improve the weaker aspects, because I loved how the story unfolds… it has great potential, it just needs some fine-tuning!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kristen C]

This book is intense, emotional, and full of raw energy. The writing pulls you right into the characters’ world, and the tension keeps things moving. It’s dark in all the right ways, with just enough heart to balance it out. A few rough edges, but overall, it’s a gripping and well-done read.

[Tanya]

A young woman is about to bring terror to an unsuspecting family as she is after revenge. She will charm her way into the family and gain their trust. Follow her as she wreck havoc on the family
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great horror story

[Brittany]

I received this as an arc and I absolutely loved it! I will definitely read more of Gypsy’s books.