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The Case Study: a novel
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Expected 26 May 26The shocking new psychological thriller from the bestselling author of A Man Downstairs and An Unthinkable Thing: a twisty, unsettling, and masterfully plotted game of magnetic push-and-pull between two women whose secrets threaten to collide.
When Mia was a young woman, she read a magazine article about a murderous teenage girl with a rare and disturbing psychiatric delusion. Fascinated by the details, she sought out the doctor who’d treated the girl, and eventually married him. Twenty years later, Mia’s curiosity is piqued once again when her husband announces that his famous case study will be republished—and that he will be reconnecting with his former patient.
Lainey has never felt that her feet are fully on the ground—not since she was released from a psychiatric institution at the age of twenty-one. When her former doctor reaches out, she decides to tell him the truth about what happened all those years ago. Perhaps she can finally lighten the darkness that has defined her entire existence.
With mirroring software, Mia pores over every recorded therapy session with Lainey, almost as though she’s watching a true crime drama unfold. On the opposite side, Lainey becomes intensely interested in her doctor’s family. How far will she go to insert herself into his seemingly perfect life?
When Mia was a young woman, she read a magazine article about a murderous teenage girl with a rare and disturbing psychiatric delusion. Fascinated by the details, she sought out the doctor who’d treated the girl, and eventually married him. Twenty years later, Mia’s curiosity is piqued once again when her husband announces that his famous case study will be republished—and that he will be reconnecting with his former patient.
Lainey has never felt that her feet are fully on the ground—not since she was released from a psychiatric institution at the age of twenty-one. When her former doctor reaches out, she decides to tell him the truth about what happened all those years ago. Perhaps she can finally lighten the darkness that has defined her entire existence.
With mirroring software, Mia pores over every recorded therapy session with Lainey, almost as though she’s watching a true crime drama unfold. On the opposite side, Lainey becomes intensely interested in her doctor’s family. How far will she go to insert herself into his seemingly perfect life?
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication May 26, 2026
1 person is currently reading
5797 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Lundrigan
11 books467 followers“Lundrigan’s skillfully balanced blend of psychological thriller and haunting coming-of-age story is infused with creepy, small-town atmospheric suspense. . . . [Her] writing is both elegant and darkly humorous, delivering bareknuckle social commentary that will appeal to fans of Gillian Flynn, Karin Fossum, and Laura Lippman.”
Booklist, Starred review
Nicole is the author of eight novels including THE SUBSTITUTE, HIDEAWAY, and AN UNTHINKABLE THING. Her work has been selected as a Top 10 pick by Canada’s national newspaper the Globe & Mail, a top 100 on amazon.ca, a top 10 by Now Magazine, and was shortlisted for the Arthur Ellis Award (best crime novel).
If you'd like to connect with Nicole, you can do so through her website.
Booklist, Starred review
Nicole is the author of eight novels including THE SUBSTITUTE, HIDEAWAY, and AN UNTHINKABLE THING. Her work has been selected as a Top 10 pick by Canada’s national newspaper the Globe & Mail, a top 100 on amazon.ca, a top 10 by Now Magazine, and was shortlisted for the Arthur Ellis Award (best crime novel).
If you'd like to connect with Nicole, you can do so through her website.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 30, 2026
“The Case Study” by Nicole Lundrigan is an intense, twisty psychological thriller that pulls you in and doesn’t let go. It’s layered with deception, and just when you think you have a handle on what’s going on, something shifts.
The story shifts between Mia, who becomes obsessed with her husband’s infamous case study, and Lainey, the former patient whose past is far more complicated and unsettling than it first appears. Lainey’s growing fixation on the doctor’s life adds an eerie, creeping tension.
The tension between the two perspectives keeps the suspense high, and the psychological elements make it even more gripping. It’s dark, unsettling, and full of surprises. Definitely an intriguing read if you enjoy twisty stories with unreliable characters and hidden truths.
The story shifts between Mia, who becomes obsessed with her husband’s infamous case study, and Lainey, the former patient whose past is far more complicated and unsettling than it first appears. Lainey’s growing fixation on the doctor’s life adds an eerie, creeping tension.
The tension between the two perspectives keeps the suspense high, and the psychological elements make it even more gripping. It’s dark, unsettling, and full of surprises. Definitely an intriguing read if you enjoy twisty stories with unreliable characters and hidden truths.
March 27, 2026
I’ve read all the published books by this author. An Unthinkable Thing is one of the best books I’ve read. Get that one along with The Case Study if you haven’t read it. Then attack her backlist!
The Case Study has a plot filled with tension. It took me some time to figure out how the characters relate to one another, but the reveals were well worth the wait! I loved how this story unfolded and I found the ending to be completely satisfying. I am eagerly anticipating Nicole Lundrigan’s next book.
The Case Study has a plot filled with tension. It took me some time to figure out how the characters relate to one another, but the reveals were well worth the wait! I loved how this story unfolded and I found the ending to be completely satisfying. I am eagerly anticipating Nicole Lundrigan’s next book.
Review of advance copy
I finished this book in under two hours! I was absolutely riveted and when I tell you my pearls were grasped with the twist that popped up?? This book is perfect for the person who loves to figure out the ending, or anticipate the twists as you read - I’ll tell you now though you definitely won’t with this one!
Review of advance copy
Kept me guessing until the last pages. With an unreliable narrator, this fast-paced thriller is perfect for Summer - I'd recommend for anyone ready to sleep with the lights on
Want to Read
March 30, 2026Stop this sounds so fucking good! How come i love crazy teenage girl stories?! Could it be bc i was one, or bc i wanted to be one? Hmm to ponder 🤪
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews