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Don't Forget the Crazy: The gripping, psychological thriller short story about obsession and losing control
Her lists are life or death.
“If it’s on the list, I have to do it.”
Milli Morgan lives by her lists. Groceries, goals, organising her boss – nothing escapes being ticked off her ever-growing to-do lists. Order brings her comfort; control keeps the chaos at bay. Everyone can rely on Milli.
Until the day new items start appearing on her list in red ink.
At first, she blames stress. A prank. Someone playing mind-games. But one instruction on the list refuses to be erased and demands to be completed.
A command so terrible she would have to be crazy to tick it off.
Don’t Forget the Crazy is a dark psychological suspense short story about obsession, perfection, and the dangerous pressure of always being “the good girl.” Fans of Gillian Flynn, Lisa Jewell, Patricia Highsmith, and Shirley Jackson will devour this chilling portrait of order unravelling into darkness.
“If it’s on the list, I have to do it.”
Milli Morgan lives by her lists. Groceries, goals, organising her boss – nothing escapes being ticked off her ever-growing to-do lists. Order brings her comfort; control keeps the chaos at bay. Everyone can rely on Milli.
Until the day new items start appearing on her list in red ink.
At first, she blames stress. A prank. Someone playing mind-games. But one instruction on the list refuses to be erased and demands to be completed.
A command so terrible she would have to be crazy to tick it off.
Don’t Forget the Crazy is a dark psychological suspense short story about obsession, perfection, and the dangerous pressure of always being “the good girl.” Fans of Gillian Flynn, Lisa Jewell, Patricia Highsmith, and Shirley Jackson will devour this chilling portrait of order unravelling into darkness.
56 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 30, 2025
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 20, 2025
Milli has high expectations of herself, she’s a people pleaser to say the least but she’s organised, super organised. She’s relied upon for everything even organising the Secret Santa and food for the Christmas party, with limited gratitude….
But the Christmas party is where everything changes. Milli has more than her one glass of wine and life isn’t the same. Random tasks being added to her personal to-do lists. I’ll admit, I thought it was a joke but then it turned a little unnerving for me.
I liked Milli – to start with I felt sorry for her, slightly identified with her but then I wanted to step away from those feelings. Was I wrong about this woman? Kaufman has written a cracking novella which is pacey and left me thinking about what next.
But the Christmas party is where everything changes. Milli has more than her one glass of wine and life isn’t the same. Random tasks being added to her personal to-do lists. I’ll admit, I thought it was a joke but then it turned a little unnerving for me.
I liked Milli – to start with I felt sorry for her, slightly identified with her but then I wanted to step away from those feelings. Was I wrong about this woman? Kaufman has written a cracking novella which is pacey and left me thinking about what next.
December 8, 2025
This story sucked me in right away. I was interested and wanted to know what was going to happen.
The premise was unique and different. It was refreshing to read something different with a unique storyline.
This is a short story so it was a very quick read.
The ending was sadly a let down for me which impacted my rating a bit. A few more pages fleshing out some of the issues raised would have made this a rare 5 star rating for me.
I look forward to reading more things written by this author.
The premise was unique and different. It was refreshing to read something different with a unique storyline.
This is a short story so it was a very quick read.
The ending was sadly a let down for me which impacted my rating a bit. A few more pages fleshing out some of the issues raised would have made this a rare 5 star rating for me.
I look forward to reading more things written by this author.
November 19, 2025
Some people really need to make lists, and this can be for all kinds of reasons. I’m not one of them. I do make a shopping list, but I only use it to quickly check—right before heading to the checkout—whether I’ve got everything. Usually everything is still in my head anyway, or I even remember things that weren’t on my list but that I did need.
So no, I’m not a list-maker, though I can see how it might be useful in certain situations.
Milli, the main character in this short story, is a list-maker. She makes lists for absolutely everything, and she sometimes even seems to think in bullet points. I found that quite a funny idea.
I can totally understand how ticking things off a to-do list can give you a sense of satisfaction, how it allows you to look back proudly at everything you accomplished that day. But sometimes it can become obsessive—so much so that it starts to feel as if your lists have a mind of their own… Is it your subconscious taking over, or is someone playing games with you?
Milli refuses to go along with what’s written on her list, because it’s simply too ridiculous… right???
It was a good story with a rather shocking twist, because I did not see that coming. It just goes to show that a sly fox can be hiding inside the quietest little mouse, and that completely blindsided me.
I’m the kind of reader who likes tied-up endings—if you know what I mean. I like everything laid out from A to Z, and I’m not a big fan of having to guess or imagine how things actually end. It leaves me wondering whether it went this way or that way, and that bothers me a little. Of course, I fully understand that many readers enjoy creating their own ending. The author is the boss of the story, and I respect her choice for this type of conclusion.
It doesn’t take away from the fact that I enjoyed reading the book, and I’m happy to give it a well-deserved 4.5 stars.
Thank you.
So no, I’m not a list-maker, though I can see how it might be useful in certain situations.
Milli, the main character in this short story, is a list-maker. She makes lists for absolutely everything, and she sometimes even seems to think in bullet points. I found that quite a funny idea.
I can totally understand how ticking things off a to-do list can give you a sense of satisfaction, how it allows you to look back proudly at everything you accomplished that day. But sometimes it can become obsessive—so much so that it starts to feel as if your lists have a mind of their own… Is it your subconscious taking over, or is someone playing games with you?
Milli refuses to go along with what’s written on her list, because it’s simply too ridiculous… right???
It was a good story with a rather shocking twist, because I did not see that coming. It just goes to show that a sly fox can be hiding inside the quietest little mouse, and that completely blindsided me.
I’m the kind of reader who likes tied-up endings—if you know what I mean. I like everything laid out from A to Z, and I’m not a big fan of having to guess or imagine how things actually end. It leaves me wondering whether it went this way or that way, and that bothers me a little. Of course, I fully understand that many readers enjoy creating their own ending. The author is the boss of the story, and I respect her choice for this type of conclusion.
It doesn’t take away from the fact that I enjoyed reading the book, and I’m happy to give it a well-deserved 4.5 stars.
Thank you.
December 10, 2025
All my reviews can be found at: http://www.jessicasreadingroom.com.
This review will appear on my site on December 10, 2025 as a part of the blog blitz.
~~~~
This was a fun and quick read. Milli Morgan writes downlists. Not on her phone, but on paper in blue ink. She lives by these lists, everything she does is part of a list. Until strange things start showing up on her list. Not in the blue ink she uses, but red ink. These add ons get stranger until one item that appears on her list demands to be done.
I did enjoy this short story. I myself make lists on paper, yet not as extreme as Milli. I have to have physical lists! This short story starts by taking place at Christmastime, and its that time of year currently, so that added to my enjoyment. I did giggle out loud a couple of times, but then we get serious with the very demanding item. Will Millie do this demand? What will happen? And why is there a cat on the cover??!?!! If you read this short story then you will find the answers!
I’m a reader who doesn’t have to have a definitive conclusion, but in the case of this short story a few more pages with a definitive conclusion would have worked best for me. I look forward to seeing what Kaufman writes next.
Many thanks to the author and Rachel of Rachel’s Random Resources for a copy that I could read for the blog blitz.
This review will appear on my site on December 10, 2025 as a part of the blog blitz.
~~~~
This was a fun and quick read. Milli Morgan writes downlists. Not on her phone, but on paper in blue ink. She lives by these lists, everything she does is part of a list. Until strange things start showing up on her list. Not in the blue ink she uses, but red ink. These add ons get stranger until one item that appears on her list demands to be done.
I did enjoy this short story. I myself make lists on paper, yet not as extreme as Milli. I have to have physical lists! This short story starts by taking place at Christmastime, and its that time of year currently, so that added to my enjoyment. I did giggle out loud a couple of times, but then we get serious with the very demanding item. Will Millie do this demand? What will happen? And why is there a cat on the cover??!?!! If you read this short story then you will find the answers!
I’m a reader who doesn’t have to have a definitive conclusion, but in the case of this short story a few more pages with a definitive conclusion would have worked best for me. I look forward to seeing what Kaufman writes next.
Many thanks to the author and Rachel of Rachel’s Random Resources for a copy that I could read for the blog blitz.
December 10, 2025
Amelia Morgan, aka Milli, is a super organised PA, with a permanent reservoir of to-do-lists. It gives her clarity and makes her valuable at work. She is 37, single, with Celtie as her best friend. Her life is about to change, as strange things are happening: a bizarre present at the office Secret Santa party, and the list is getting crazy, with bizarre adds-on. And this is just the beginning.
Even since I took part at the cover reveal virtual event I couldn´t wait to read the full short crime story by Lucy Kaufman. It was really worth the waiting, as it is a skillfull example of using the storytelling for developing a story with a very unexpected denouement.
Don´t Forget the Crazy is less than 40 pages long, but it has a very clear plot direction and development, as well as some scarrier episodes happening towards the end. I really enjoyed reading it, and even read it twice. I am not a fan of Milli, especially her reactions are odd, especially in social contexts although I love and need lists. But it seems that lists doesn´t have to be followed always to the letter; better leave some priorities for the imagination only or just forget that they were ever written.
A recommended read to anyone looking to a short crime story that comes with a crazy bunch of lists.
Disclaimer: Book offered as part of a book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own
Even since I took part at the cover reveal virtual event I couldn´t wait to read the full short crime story by Lucy Kaufman. It was really worth the waiting, as it is a skillfull example of using the storytelling for developing a story with a very unexpected denouement.
Don´t Forget the Crazy is less than 40 pages long, but it has a very clear plot direction and development, as well as some scarrier episodes happening towards the end. I really enjoyed reading it, and even read it twice. I am not a fan of Milli, especially her reactions are odd, especially in social contexts although I love and need lists. But it seems that lists doesn´t have to be followed always to the letter; better leave some priorities for the imagination only or just forget that they were ever written.
A recommended read to anyone looking to a short crime story that comes with a crazy bunch of lists.
Disclaimer: Book offered as part of a book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own
December 13, 2025
Thank you @rararesources For letting me be part of this tour and reviewing this book. Don’t forget the crazy is a short story and is 57 pages long. The story is about Milli, who likes order in her life until one day something strange happens on her list. This is a great short story that grabbed my attention from the first sentence. There is a significant amount of tension that flows through the book, and I really liked Millie as a character. I love the twist. I didn’t see that coming at all. I completely understand why Millie did lists, and there are people that I know that do them, so I could relate to her straight away. Furthermore, I don’t forget the crazy is a very entertaining and different read from what I normally read, and I’m so glad that I got to read it. I like the title; it’s quite catchy, and the front cover goes really well with it, and the plot. I would like to read more from Lucie Kaufman in the future. Five stars.
December 10, 2025
I really enjoyed this read to say it was short it packed a punch! Milli was a peculiar main character and her love of lists was wonderfully interwoven into the story. I loved how she would be making lists in her head while thinking about the person in front of her that she was interacting with at that point of the story. It was really creative. Celtie was also a great character as Milli’s best friend.
As a reader I was really immersed in the storyline and couldn’t wait to find out how it was going to end. The book keeps the reader guessing with Milli’s dilemma of what she will do with the tasks appearing on her list.
The ending was quiet shocking to me but Lucy has tied up the story really well.
If you have a hour spare I would definitely recommend getting cosy and picking up this book. I flew through it it can’t be put down until the final page.
As a reader I was really immersed in the storyline and couldn’t wait to find out how it was going to end. The book keeps the reader guessing with Milli’s dilemma of what she will do with the tasks appearing on her list.
The ending was quiet shocking to me but Lucy has tied up the story really well.
If you have a hour spare I would definitely recommend getting cosy and picking up this book. I flew through it it can’t be put down until the final page.
December 10, 2025
''If its on the list I have to do it."
I'm such a Milli myself, I live my life by lists, for everything. Although bullet pointing people may be a little extreme. Fun to read about, but nevertheless extreme.
It may only be a short fifty seven pages but it's surprising how much you can pack into such a small space. It was fun, twisty and enjoyable.
I had an idea of which way the plot was going so wasn't surprised by the ending. However I did find the ending rushed and it left me feeling a little deflated.
I'm such a Milli myself, I live my life by lists, for everything. Although bullet pointing people may be a little extreme. Fun to read about, but nevertheless extreme.
It may only be a short fifty seven pages but it's surprising how much you can pack into such a small space. It was fun, twisty and enjoyable.
I had an idea of which way the plot was going so wasn't surprised by the ending. However I did find the ending rushed and it left me feeling a little deflated.
December 9, 2025
This is a fun, twisty, ‘didn’t see that coming’ read that lulls you into a false sense of security with it’s seemingly easy plot line.
I found Milli interesting as I am a bit of a ‘listaholic’, (saves my brain worrying about trying to remember things) so empathised with that part of the story (not quite as nerdy with lists as I thought after reading this!)
Milli has a fabulous friend in Celtie, who adds colour and flamboyance to the story.
The Christmas party is described so well that it must resound in many people’s memories, even the taken for granted feeling. The behaviours of Milli and her colleagues is quite predictable as office parties go, but that is where the predictability ends! Events gather pace, taking some strange turns and give the story some real suspense.
A great fun, quick read!
I found Milli interesting as I am a bit of a ‘listaholic’, (saves my brain worrying about trying to remember things) so empathised with that part of the story (not quite as nerdy with lists as I thought after reading this!)
Milli has a fabulous friend in Celtie, who adds colour and flamboyance to the story.
The Christmas party is described so well that it must resound in many people’s memories, even the taken for granted feeling. The behaviours of Milli and her colleagues is quite predictable as office parties go, but that is where the predictability ends! Events gather pace, taking some strange turns and give the story some real suspense.
A great fun, quick read!
December 7, 2025
This is a really quick and easy but intense read. Milli Morgan is the queen of making lists and it’s obvious that this is how she stays in control. Making the lists gives her comfort and a sense of belonging until new items start to appear on her list. Certain that it’s not her, and the fact they’re written in red ink and not her usual blue, initially she dismisses them. However things soon take a sinister turn as the new items in red become demanding…… I thought this had a great plot and flowed well. Even though it packed a lot in it worked well. An enjoyable and actually quite a thought provoking read.
January 8, 2026
witty and surprising
Hard to review without any spoilers , suffice to say I raced through this story and thoroughly enjoyed it! The list-obsessed protagonist is unique, darkly funny and fascinating.
Hard to review without any spoilers , suffice to say I raced through this story and thoroughly enjoyed it! The list-obsessed protagonist is unique, darkly funny and fascinating.
December 10, 2025
I enjoyed this quick read immensely. It’s only a short story of under sixty pages but the premise is interesting and very cleverly written. The plot is actually a little dark yet the book had me laughing. I love the way Milli writes a list for everything. I love a list myself, although not quite to her extreme. The way in which she describes her co-workers is so comical. I was gripped throughout and raced through this in one go, eager to discover how the story would play out. Well worth a read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews