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The Case Study: a novel
The 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?
333 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 26, 2026
About the author
Nicole Lundrigan
11 books483 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 nine novels including the bestselling A MAN DOWNSTAIRS 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 nine novels including the bestselling A MAN DOWNSTAIRS 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
June 14, 2026
a web of hidden intentions
between well-built characters
and a very sad plot twist buried
under layers of past trauma and
scary pathological behaviors. ♡
between well-built characters
and a very sad plot twist buried
under layers of past trauma and
scary pathological behaviors. ♡
June 4, 2026
True to form, The Case Study is another five-star read by Nicole Lundrigan, just as I predicted!
Of course, there were some jaw-dropping twists and WTF moments, but that's really not what stands out to me...
This psychological thriller is dark, moody, and full of grit! It's propulsive, cutting-edge, gripping, and yes, it is a sexy little thing (in the most disturbing of ways)!
Really, I'd better just borrow Robyn Harding's words, because it is "A dark exploration of trauma, obsession, and psychological damage..."
Driven by characters who flip the script, manipulating you to feel, honestly, all the things, viewing marriage, friendship, and motherhood from under a microscope, spinning them from every angle, convincing you everything and nothing is true all at the same time... making one's head spin in the best of ways!
I really don't know what else to say besides: Lundrigan writes some of my favourite psychological thrillers of all time (and in her case "psychological" does not simply refer to the genre, but more so to readers' cognitive well-being; I mentioned manipulative, right!?)!
I'm such a big fan!
Thank you, Tandem Collective Global and Viking Books, for the complimentary copy to read and review.
Of course, there were some jaw-dropping twists and WTF moments, but that's really not what stands out to me...
This psychological thriller is dark, moody, and full of grit! It's propulsive, cutting-edge, gripping, and yes, it is a sexy little thing (in the most disturbing of ways)!
Really, I'd better just borrow Robyn Harding's words, because it is "A dark exploration of trauma, obsession, and psychological damage..."
Driven by characters who flip the script, manipulating you to feel, honestly, all the things, viewing marriage, friendship, and motherhood from under a microscope, spinning them from every angle, convincing you everything and nothing is true all at the same time... making one's head spin in the best of ways!
I really don't know what else to say besides: Lundrigan writes some of my favourite psychological thrillers of all time (and in her case "psychological" does not simply refer to the genre, but more so to readers' cognitive well-being; I mentioned manipulative, right!?)!
I'm such a big fan!
Thank you, Tandem Collective Global and Viking Books, for the complimentary copy to read and review.
June 1, 2026
What a whirlwind of a story! My mind feels like it went on a roller coaster ride while playing detective.
The Case Study is written by Canadian author Nicole Lundrigan. And although this is the first book I’ve read by this author, I plan to read more of her work.
This book was filled with twists, hidden agendas, secrets, lies, deceit and breadcrumbs slowly revealing the truth.
There are likely some things that will trigger some readers, so look that up before proceeding.
The Case Study is a psychological thriller that will capture your attention right from the start. The prologue had me right away. It was very captivating.
In this book you follow two POV with different lives, lifestyles that are showcased in different chapters. Each chapter heading having the name of the character in the title.
However, even with the differences in these woman’s life’s, there are some things they have in common. Some connections and it all revolves around an unfortunate past event that both main characters are aware of. It gets more and more interesting, confusing and chaotic the further the reader gets into the story.
I really enjoyed this book. It kept me on my toes with my head spinning in different directions. I was Continuously questioning what was going on, who did it, why, and how there was a connection and so on.
The Case Study is written by Canadian author Nicole Lundrigan. And although this is the first book I’ve read by this author, I plan to read more of her work.
This book was filled with twists, hidden agendas, secrets, lies, deceit and breadcrumbs slowly revealing the truth.
There are likely some things that will trigger some readers, so look that up before proceeding.
The Case Study is a psychological thriller that will capture your attention right from the start. The prologue had me right away. It was very captivating.
In this book you follow two POV with different lives, lifestyles that are showcased in different chapters. Each chapter heading having the name of the character in the title.
However, even with the differences in these woman’s life’s, there are some things they have in common. Some connections and it all revolves around an unfortunate past event that both main characters are aware of. It gets more and more interesting, confusing and chaotic the further the reader gets into the story.
I really enjoyed this book. It kept me on my toes with my head spinning in different directions. I was Continuously questioning what was going on, who did it, why, and how there was a connection and so on.
June 16, 2026
Warning: Do NOT marry the doctor just to get a peek at his patient files. 🚨
I read The Case Study by Nicole Lundrigan, and honestly? My jaw is still somewhere on the floor.
The premise hooked me immediately: twenty years ago, Mia read about a teenage girl with a terrifying psychiatric delusion, tracked down the treating psychiatrist, and married him. Fast forward to the present, and that famous patient, Lainey, is being re-released into the wild and back into their lives.
What follows is a deliciously twisted, slow-burn game of cat and mouse. I loved the dual perspectives here. On one side, you have Mia, who is basically treating her husband’s old therapy tapes like a Netflix true-crime documentary. On the other side, you have Lainey, who is quietly observing Mia’s perfect life. It’s creepy, it’s voyeuristic, and it made me deeply uncomfortable in the best way possible.
While the middle pace slowed down just a bit for me as the psychological chess pieces were being set up, the sheer tension kept me flipping pages late into the night. If you love unreliable narrators, deeply flawed characters, and stories that blur the line between curiosity and obsession, you need to add this to your TBR list immediately.
✨️Thank you, Tandem Collective, Viking Books, and Nicole Lundrigan, for sharing The Case Study with me!
I read The Case Study by Nicole Lundrigan, and honestly? My jaw is still somewhere on the floor.
The premise hooked me immediately: twenty years ago, Mia read about a teenage girl with a terrifying psychiatric delusion, tracked down the treating psychiatrist, and married him. Fast forward to the present, and that famous patient, Lainey, is being re-released into the wild and back into their lives.
What follows is a deliciously twisted, slow-burn game of cat and mouse. I loved the dual perspectives here. On one side, you have Mia, who is basically treating her husband’s old therapy tapes like a Netflix true-crime documentary. On the other side, you have Lainey, who is quietly observing Mia’s perfect life. It’s creepy, it’s voyeuristic, and it made me deeply uncomfortable in the best way possible.
While the middle pace slowed down just a bit for me as the psychological chess pieces were being set up, the sheer tension kept me flipping pages late into the night. If you love unreliable narrators, deeply flawed characters, and stories that blur the line between curiosity and obsession, you need to add this to your TBR list immediately.
✨️Thank you, Tandem Collective, Viking Books, and Nicole Lundrigan, for sharing The Case Study with me!
May 23, 2026
This psychological thriller had me questioning everyone and side-eyeing every character. Between a decades-old psychiatric case, obsession, buried secrets, recorded therapy sessions, and a woman slowly inserting herself into a seemingly perfect family… this book felt like watching a true crime documentary unfold in real time 👀
The tension is unsettling, the atmosphere is dark and the characters were all a bit unhinged. If you love thrillers that get under your skin and make you wonder who’s really telling the truth, this one deserves a spot on your TBR immediately.
I also want to point out that I have enjoyed all Nicole’s books that I have read and her writing in this one is TOP SHELF.
Note: there are some scenes of explicit nature but I skimmed through those (personal preference).
The tension is unsettling, the atmosphere is dark and the characters were all a bit unhinged. If you love thrillers that get under your skin and make you wonder who’s really telling the truth, this one deserves a spot on your TBR immediately.
I also want to point out that I have enjoyed all Nicole’s books that I have read and her writing in this one is TOP SHELF.
Note: there are some scenes of explicit nature but I skimmed through those (personal preference).
June 9, 2026
Khi đọc truyện này mình không có kì vọng gì nhiều vì có vẻ như nó theo một motif quen thuộc: bác sĩ tâm lý trị liệu cho kẻ giết người. Thế nhưng...
Tác giả đã biến đổi nó thành một motif mới hơn, có thể có một chút quen thuộc nhưng triển khai theo hướng bất ngờ, khó đoán. Cái hay của truyện chính là việc tác giả dẫn dắt người đọc xoay mòng mòng, định hướng người đọc rằng nhân vật này như thế này, nhân vật kia như thế kia mà chúng ta không biết là mình đang bị lừa dối. Một cách thần kì nào đó mà người đọc vừa bị lừa nhưng cũng vừa được biết sự thật, cùng một lúc luôn. Đây mới đúng nghĩa của "thao túng tâm lý". Không chỉ nhân vật đang thao túng nhau mà chính tác giả đang thao túng người đọc!
Một bên chúng ta có Mia có sự ám ảnh kì lạ về vụ án của Lainey nhiều năm về trước và mê mải xem trộm các cuộc trị liệu của Lainey với chồng mình Ian (bác sĩ trị liệu). Bên kia là Lainey bị coi đã giết chú mình và trở nên ám ảnh cuộc sống của Mia và Ian. Những ám ảnh này tạo nên một cảm giác căng thẳng rợn ngợp, len lỏi dần theo từng trang sách. Các nhân vật đều đang xâm phạm đến đời tư của nhau mà chẳng ai hay biết gì, điều đó vừa làm mình (người đọc) bất an nhưng cũng làm mình tò mò - tò mò vì muốn biết họ sẽ xáo trộn cuộc đời nhau thế nào. Khi đọc truyện mình không thích cả Mia và Lainey, nhưng đến cuối truyện, mình hoàn toàn thay đổi suy nghĩ về cả hai nhân vật. Mia và Lainey đều có nhiều khuyết điểm, họ khó ưa, hỗn độn, nhiều lúc làm mình phát bực, nhưng mình thích cảm giác đồng hành cùng họ, để bị họ thao túng - nhưng là để dẫn đến sự thật cuối cùng, dù sự thật đó có cay đắng đến đâu.
Mình thích cách tác giả kể quá khứ trong truyện, phần này được xử lý khéo léo và không biến thành một kiểu timeline kép (dual timeline) rối rắm như nhiều cuốn khác mà vẫn tạo sự hấp dẫn. Mình thấy nhiều review có nói rằng nhiều chỗ nhịp truyện hơi chậm nhưng mình thấy ngược lại, truyện được dẫn dắt ở nhịp độ hài hoà - chắc chắn là không nhanh dồn dập đâu, nhưng chậm rãi, nhấn nhá vừa phải, tập trung vào diễn biến tâm lý nhân vật. Mình rất hài lòng với cách các nhân vật xử lý v���n đề của mình. Có thể là bạn sẽ xâu chuỗi được tình tiết từ một vài manh mối, nhưng sẽ có những khoảnh khắc khiến bạn phải há mồm, mình đảm bảo luôn.
Đây cũng là một trong những cuốn hiếm hoi có nhân vật con gái tuổi teen không làm mình phát điên.
Tác giả đã biến đổi nó thành một motif mới hơn, có thể có một chút quen thuộc nhưng triển khai theo hướng bất ngờ, khó đoán. Cái hay của truyện chính là việc tác giả dẫn dắt người đọc xoay mòng mòng, định hướng người đọc rằng nhân vật này như thế này, nhân vật kia như thế kia mà chúng ta không biết là mình đang bị lừa dối. Một cách thần kì nào đó mà người đọc vừa bị lừa nhưng cũng vừa được biết sự thật, cùng một lúc luôn. Đây mới đúng nghĩa của "thao túng tâm lý". Không chỉ nhân vật đang thao túng nhau mà chính tác giả đang thao túng người đọc!
Một bên chúng ta có Mia có sự ám ảnh kì lạ về vụ án của Lainey nhiều năm về trước và mê mải xem trộm các cuộc trị liệu của Lainey với chồng mình Ian (bác sĩ trị liệu). Bên kia là Lainey bị coi đã giết chú mình và trở nên ám ảnh cuộc sống của Mia và Ian. Những ám ảnh này tạo nên một cảm giác căng thẳng rợn ngợp, len lỏi dần theo từng trang sách. Các nhân vật đều đang xâm phạm đến đời tư của nhau mà chẳng ai hay biết gì, điều đó vừa làm mình (người đọc) bất an nhưng cũng làm mình tò mò - tò mò vì muốn biết họ sẽ xáo trộn cuộc đời nhau thế nào. Khi đọc truyện mình không thích cả Mia và Lainey, nhưng đến cuối truyện, mình hoàn toàn thay đổi suy nghĩ về cả hai nhân vật. Mia và Lainey đều có nhiều khuyết điểm, họ khó ưa, hỗn độn, nhiều lúc làm mình phát bực, nhưng mình thích cảm giác đồng hành cùng họ, để bị họ thao túng - nhưng là để dẫn đến sự thật cuối cùng, dù sự thật đó có cay đắng đến đâu.
Mình thích cách tác giả kể quá khứ trong truyện, phần này được xử lý khéo léo và không biến thành một kiểu timeline kép (dual timeline) rối rắm như nhiều cuốn khác mà vẫn tạo sự hấp dẫn. Mình thấy nhiều review có nói rằng nhiều chỗ nhịp truyện hơi chậm nhưng mình thấy ngược lại, truyện được dẫn dắt ở nhịp độ hài hoà - chắc chắn là không nhanh dồn dập đâu, nhưng chậm rãi, nhấn nhá vừa phải, tập trung vào diễn biến tâm lý nhân vật. Mình rất hài lòng với cách các nhân vật xử lý v���n đề của mình. Có thể là bạn sẽ xâu chuỗi được tình tiết từ một vài manh mối, nhưng sẽ có những khoảnh khắc khiến bạn phải há mồm, mình đảm bảo luôn.
Đây cũng là một trong những cuốn hiếm hoi có nhân vật con gái tuổi teen không làm mình phát điên.
June 11, 2026
This was an atmospheric and unsettling psychological thriller with a unique premise that would be a good pick for readers who don't mind darker themes and a slow burn story.
The story is told in two timelines and includes interesting psychological elements with a bunch of dysfunctional and unlikeable characters whose sexual escapades were outside my comfort zone. But if you're looking for lots of deception, secrets and unsettling vibes, this is your book!
This story is all about sloooww building tension. Readers will have to be patient for the story to take shape and since I lack the patience reading gene, I found this story too slow burn for my tastes. The premise was darkly intriguing, but I never felt pulled into the story. This could be due to some of the changes in POV and timelines which felt abrupt and a bit confusing, pulling me out of the story as I tried to figure out who was speaking and in which time frame.
This was a character-driven read where the suspense is from a gradual build in tension and slowly revealed truths rather than fast-paced action and it has a heck of a good twist that took me by surprise. Despite this not being my favourite book by this author, I am sure it will find its readers who are looking for a darker read with psychological elements and a slow burn vibe.
The story is told in two timelines and includes interesting psychological elements with a bunch of dysfunctional and unlikeable characters whose sexual escapades were outside my comfort zone. But if you're looking for lots of deception, secrets and unsettling vibes, this is your book!
This story is all about sloooww building tension. Readers will have to be patient for the story to take shape and since I lack the patience reading gene, I found this story too slow burn for my tastes. The premise was darkly intriguing, but I never felt pulled into the story. This could be due to some of the changes in POV and timelines which felt abrupt and a bit confusing, pulling me out of the story as I tried to figure out who was speaking and in which time frame.
This was a character-driven read where the suspense is from a gradual build in tension and slowly revealed truths rather than fast-paced action and it has a heck of a good twist that took me by surprise. Despite this not being my favourite book by this author, I am sure it will find its readers who are looking for a darker read with psychological elements and a slow burn vibe.
May 16, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
This book is the epitome of a dysfunctional family. With unreliable characters (not just narrators), you’re left wondering who is telling the truth, and while I put some of the pieces together, there were moments where I was shocked. The way the past was revisited was done well and wasn’t a convoluted dual timeline like some books can be. I will say, I struggled with the pacing at times but the overall storyline held my interest throughout the book. Get ready to be introduced to some truly unlikable, messy, and sometimes frustrating characters.
*thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review*
This book is the epitome of a dysfunctional family. With unreliable characters (not just narrators), you’re left wondering who is telling the truth, and while I put some of the pieces together, there were moments where I was shocked. The way the past was revisited was done well and wasn’t a convoluted dual timeline like some books can be. I will say, I struggled with the pacing at times but the overall storyline held my interest throughout the book. Get ready to be introduced to some truly unlikable, messy, and sometimes frustrating characters.
*thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review*
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.
June 9, 2026
What a twisty book!! The book really felt like a case study as you slowly try to piece the story together and figure out everyone’s role. It’s full of dark pasts, long hidden secrets, and all the dysfunction. I quickly learned I couldn’t trust anyone and was always weary of what the characters said. I read this book as part of a read-along and it was so hard putting it down! It’s fast paced and easy to get sucked into the drama. I liked the inclusion of Cotard’s syndrome affecting one of the main characters. I had never heard of it until this book.
Buckle up for unhinged and unsettling: this book is full of it. A great psychological thriller to read this summer!
Buckle up for unhinged and unsettling: this book is full of it. A great psychological thriller to read this summer!
May 12, 2026
This was so good! I really couldn’t put it down after the half way point.
The plot was great, there were so many twists and turns that it really kept you guessing and once you thought you’d figured everything okay something else happened.
I loved the characters too, learning Lainey’s story made my heart ache for her.
Overall it was a really great book, so well written!
* full disclosure I was given this book in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley*
The plot was great, there were so many twists and turns that it really kept you guessing and once you thought you’d figured everything okay something else happened.
I loved the characters too, learning Lainey’s story made my heart ache for her.
Overall it was a really great book, so well written!
* full disclosure I was given this book in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley*
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 received from NetGalley
A couple of years ago I read A Man Downstairs, a psychological thriller by this Canadian author, and I really enjoyed it. When I noticed she had a new book scheduled for release, I was anxious to read it. It too proved to be an enjoyable read.
Mia, many years ago, read a magazine article about a murderous teenage girl suffering with Cotard’s Syndrome, a rare neuropsychiatric condition in which the affected person holds the delusional belief that s/he is deceased or does not exist. Fascinated, Mia sought out Ian Morrison, the psychiatrist who treated her, and ended up marrying him. Twenty years later, when Ian announces that his famous case study will be republished and he will be reconnecting with his former patient, Mia gains access to the therapy sessions and obsessively pores over them.
Lainey is that patient. When Ian reaches out, she decides to tell him the truth of what happened in her past which resulted in her diagnosis and her being confined for years to a psychiatric facility. She becomes fixated on Ian’s personal life. She takes an especial interest in learning what she can about his wife Mia and daughter Elise and tries to insert herself into their lives.
The book is a fast-paced read. The perspectives of the two women are provided, Mia’s in third person and Lainey’s in first-person. I suspected early on that neither is totally reliable because both have hidden agendas and are capable of deception. In fact, none of the main characters is totally trustworthy: besides Mia and Lainey, Mia’s husband, mother and daughter keep secrets.
For me, Ian is the most dislikeable character. He is not really trying to help Lainey; he wants her case to revitalize his career. He has a sense of superiority and he manipulates Mia. What is learned about his relationship with Faye, his mother-in-law, I found difficult to believe, though it certainly adds to my negative impression of him.
Like A Man Downstairs, this novel examines parent-child relationships. We learn about Lainey’s relationships with her mother and the uncle who adopted her and that of Mia’s with Faye. Then there’s Mia’s relationship with Elise.
There are several twists and turns which surprised me, but looking back, I found they explained actions which had bothered me. For instance, why is Mia so obsessed with Lainey’s case? Why does Lainey react as she does when she first sees Elise? What is not clear is clarified by those twists and turns.
I will recommend this as a perfect summer read. It grabs attention from the beginning and keeps the reader entertained throughout.
Note: I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
Please check out my reader's blog (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/).
Mia, many years ago, read a magazine article about a murderous teenage girl suffering with Cotard’s Syndrome, a rare neuropsychiatric condition in which the affected person holds the delusional belief that s/he is deceased or does not exist. Fascinated, Mia sought out Ian Morrison, the psychiatrist who treated her, and ended up marrying him. Twenty years later, when Ian announces that his famous case study will be republished and he will be reconnecting with his former patient, Mia gains access to the therapy sessions and obsessively pores over them.
Lainey is that patient. When Ian reaches out, she decides to tell him the truth of what happened in her past which resulted in her diagnosis and her being confined for years to a psychiatric facility. She becomes fixated on Ian’s personal life. She takes an especial interest in learning what she can about his wife Mia and daughter Elise and tries to insert herself into their lives.
The book is a fast-paced read. The perspectives of the two women are provided, Mia’s in third person and Lainey’s in first-person. I suspected early on that neither is totally reliable because both have hidden agendas and are capable of deception. In fact, none of the main characters is totally trustworthy: besides Mia and Lainey, Mia’s husband, mother and daughter keep secrets.
For me, Ian is the most dislikeable character. He is not really trying to help Lainey; he wants her case to revitalize his career. He has a sense of superiority and he manipulates Mia. What is learned about his relationship with Faye, his mother-in-law, I found difficult to believe, though it certainly adds to my negative impression of him.
Like A Man Downstairs, this novel examines parent-child relationships. We learn about Lainey’s relationships with her mother and the uncle who adopted her and that of Mia’s with Faye. Then there’s Mia’s relationship with Elise.
There are several twists and turns which surprised me, but looking back, I found they explained actions which had bothered me. For instance, why is Mia so obsessed with Lainey’s case? Why does Lainey react as she does when she first sees Elise? What is not clear is clarified by those twists and turns.
I will recommend this as a perfect summer read. It grabs attention from the beginning and keeps the reader entertained throughout.
Note: I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
Please check out my reader's blog (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/).
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A deeply twisted tale of dysfunctional families, disturbingly dark pasts, and long-buried secrets, The Case Study had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. You see, not only did this psychological thriller have me side-eyeing each and every character in turn, but the twisty plot felt like an all-too-real true-crime story come to life. Don’t get me wrong, there was plenty of fictional flair to keep the suspense level ratcheting higher and higher. With a chess-like game of cat-and-mouse, layers of manipulative schemes, and an impressive web of deceit, I was shocked into silence when the mind-blowing twist dropped at my feet. Deliciously unhinged but also perfectly set up, it was the kind of climax that I always crave in a thriller. After all, the almost Hitchockian twist showed flawless plotting for this bunch of seriously unreliable characters.
Diving deeper into this delightfully f***ed up story, I was head over heels for the messy, believably flawed individuals. Paired with the methodical, onion-like storyline, and it was impossible to guess what was coming next. That being said, in hindsight it was clear that the subtle clues are all there. Then again, I happily missed them all as I flew through this novel in one single sitting. A deceptive, fast-paced read of well-planned ploys, intriguing family drama, and scandalous acts, it was a doozy of a read from start to finish. The Silent Patient meets None of This Is True with the voyeuristic tension of You, it was a captivating read of toxic relationships, dark psychological tautness, and complex, morally gray women. So if you love any of the above, grab this one now. After all, I couldn’t put it down despite all of the spice. Rating of 4.25 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
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?
Thank you Nicole Lundrigan and Viking Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: May 26, 2026
Content warning: mental illness, sexual content, stalking, breaking and entering, death of a parent, murder, mention of: infidelity, cancer, pedophilia, molestation
Diving deeper into this delightfully f***ed up story, I was head over heels for the messy, believably flawed individuals. Paired with the methodical, onion-like storyline, and it was impossible to guess what was coming next. That being said, in hindsight it was clear that the subtle clues are all there. Then again, I happily missed them all as I flew through this novel in one single sitting. A deceptive, fast-paced read of well-planned ploys, intriguing family drama, and scandalous acts, it was a doozy of a read from start to finish. The Silent Patient meets None of This Is True with the voyeuristic tension of You, it was a captivating read of toxic relationships, dark psychological tautness, and complex, morally gray women. So if you love any of the above, grab this one now. After all, I couldn’t put it down despite all of the spice. Rating of 4.25 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
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?
Thank you Nicole Lundrigan and Viking Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: May 26, 2026
Content warning: mental illness, sexual content, stalking, breaking and entering, death of a parent, murder, mention of: infidelity, cancer, pedophilia, molestation
May 31, 2026
📖 “The Case Study” by Nicole Lundrigan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The second I saw the cover and blurb of this book, I knew I had to read it.
Give me a psychological thriller with mental illness, buried trauma, a psychiatric institution, and a doctor fascinated with his favorite patient, and I’m ready for a wild ride.
Thank you to Nicole Lundrigan and Viking for the ARC via Edelweiss. All opinions are my own.
Lainey’s childhood was a total disaster. Her mom was a walking red flag, and after she passed, Lainey ended up with an uncle she’d never even met. He took care of her basic needs, but he wasn’t exactly parenting material. Instead, he roped her into his wild scams because he didn’t give any thought to the trauma she’d already been through.
Just when things couldn’t get worse, comes the nightmare at the cabin in the woods.
That experience lands Lainey in a psychiatric facility at just 14, where Dr. Morrison enters the scene. Her case is instantly infamous, her rare Cotard’s Syndrome diagnosis makes waves, and Dr. Morrison becomes a minor celebrity. (Yes, I immediately Googled Cotard’s and down the rabbit hole I went.)
Fast forward to when Lainey turns 21, and she’s released. Dr. Morrison isn’t finished with her, and down the road, he wants a second shot at that academic spotlight and reaches out to her again. She agrees to talk to him, but this time she’s got her own agenda.
This book is a guessing game from start to finish, and I love that! Who’s telling the truth? Who’s playing games? Who���s actually in control? And just when you think things can’t get any messier, Dr. Morrison’s wife takes an interest in Lainey’s sessions. That’s strange, but I was sure I knew the reason. I thought I had it figured out, but I was way off.
It’s twisty, intimate, and just the right kind of disturbing. Every character is deliciously damaged, with secrets begging to come out. Lundrigan totally nails the obsession vibe, and the tug-of-war between curiosity and control gives this story a wicked edge.
If you crave your psychological thrillers messy and loaded with characters who should be in therapy, “The Case Study” is screaming your name.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The second I saw the cover and blurb of this book, I knew I had to read it.
Give me a psychological thriller with mental illness, buried trauma, a psychiatric institution, and a doctor fascinated with his favorite patient, and I’m ready for a wild ride.
Thank you to Nicole Lundrigan and Viking for the ARC via Edelweiss. All opinions are my own.
Lainey’s childhood was a total disaster. Her mom was a walking red flag, and after she passed, Lainey ended up with an uncle she’d never even met. He took care of her basic needs, but he wasn’t exactly parenting material. Instead, he roped her into his wild scams because he didn’t give any thought to the trauma she’d already been through.
Just when things couldn’t get worse, comes the nightmare at the cabin in the woods.
That experience lands Lainey in a psychiatric facility at just 14, where Dr. Morrison enters the scene. Her case is instantly infamous, her rare Cotard’s Syndrome diagnosis makes waves, and Dr. Morrison becomes a minor celebrity. (Yes, I immediately Googled Cotard’s and down the rabbit hole I went.)
Fast forward to when Lainey turns 21, and she’s released. Dr. Morrison isn’t finished with her, and down the road, he wants a second shot at that academic spotlight and reaches out to her again. She agrees to talk to him, but this time she’s got her own agenda.
This book is a guessing game from start to finish, and I love that! Who’s telling the truth? Who’s playing games? Who���s actually in control? And just when you think things can’t get any messier, Dr. Morrison’s wife takes an interest in Lainey’s sessions. That’s strange, but I was sure I knew the reason. I thought I had it figured out, but I was way off.
It’s twisty, intimate, and just the right kind of disturbing. Every character is deliciously damaged, with secrets begging to come out. Lundrigan totally nails the obsession vibe, and the tug-of-war between curiosity and control gives this story a wicked edge.
If you crave your psychological thrillers messy and loaded with characters who should be in therapy, “The Case Study” is screaming your name.
May 30, 2026
The Case Study is a taut, unsettling psychological thriller that thrives on tension, obsession, and the dangerous overlap between curiosity and intrusion. From the moment Mia learns that her husband’s most infamous case study is being republished—and that he plans to reconnect with the patient who once fascinated her—the story begins its slow, deliberate unravelling.
Mia’s interest in Lainey started decades earlier, when she read about the teenage girl with a chilling psychiatric delusion. That curiosity led her to the doctor who treated Lainey… and eventually to marriage. Now, watching old therapy sessions through mirroring software, Mia becomes both archivist and voyeur, studying Lainey with the intensity of someone watching a true‑crime documentary about her own life.
On the other side of the narrative, Lainey is equally compelling. Released from psychiatric care at twenty‑one, she has never quite found her footing. When her former doctor reaches out, she sees a chance to finally tell the truth about her past—and perhaps reclaim the parts of herself that were lost in it. But her growing interest in his family, and in Mia specifically, adds a creeping sense of danger that builds beautifully.
The novel’s strength lies in the magnetic push‑and‑pull between these two women: Mia, controlled and analytical, and Lainey, unstable yet strangely perceptive. Their secrets orbit each other, drawing closer with every chapter, until the collision feels both inevitable and shocking.
Twisty, atmospheric, and masterfully plotted, The Case Study is a gripping exploration of obsession, identity, and the blurred lines between patient and observer. It’s the kind of psychological thriller that keeps tightening its grip long after you’ve turned the final page.
With thanks to Nicole Lundrigan, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Mia’s interest in Lainey started decades earlier, when she read about the teenage girl with a chilling psychiatric delusion. That curiosity led her to the doctor who treated Lainey… and eventually to marriage. Now, watching old therapy sessions through mirroring software, Mia becomes both archivist and voyeur, studying Lainey with the intensity of someone watching a true‑crime documentary about her own life.
On the other side of the narrative, Lainey is equally compelling. Released from psychiatric care at twenty‑one, she has never quite found her footing. When her former doctor reaches out, she sees a chance to finally tell the truth about her past—and perhaps reclaim the parts of herself that were lost in it. But her growing interest in his family, and in Mia specifically, adds a creeping sense of danger that builds beautifully.
The novel’s strength lies in the magnetic push‑and‑pull between these two women: Mia, controlled and analytical, and Lainey, unstable yet strangely perceptive. Their secrets orbit each other, drawing closer with every chapter, until the collision feels both inevitable and shocking.
Twisty, atmospheric, and masterfully plotted, The Case Study is a gripping exploration of obsession, identity, and the blurred lines between patient and observer. It’s the kind of psychological thriller that keeps tightening its grip long after you’ve turned the final page.
With thanks to Nicole Lundrigan, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
June 5, 2026
First of all, thank you to Tandem Collective, Viking Books, Penguin Random House, and Nicole Lundrigan for the opportunity to participate in this readalong and for the gifted copy of this book .
This was my very first psychological thriller, and I was so excited to be selected for this experience.
The story follows Mia, a housewife and mother to a rebellious teenager, Elise. While trying to navigate motherhood and rebuild her relationship with her husband, Ian, Mia finds herself struggling with a bigger question: who is she outside of the roles she plays for everyone else?
When a publisher approaches Ian, a therapist and professor, to revisit a case he was involved with years ago, Mia becomes intrigued all over again. The case centers on Lainey, a woman who developed a rare syndrome following the murder of her uncle. As Ian begins meeting with Lainey, Mia's old obsession with the case resurfaces, pulling her deeper into a mystery that becomes increasingly difficult to ignore.
Adding to the tension are Mia's complicated relationship with her mother, Faye, and the growing questions surrounding Lainey's life. As the story unfolds, secrets emerge, perspectives shift, and the plot takes turns I never saw coming.
This book completely surprised me. It was captivating, addictive, and incredibly difficult to put down. More than once, I found myself gasping at a reveal or immediately needing to know what happened next. Nicole Lundrigan's writing kept me invested from beginning to end, and the discussion prompts and challenges throughout the readalong made the experience even more enjoyable.
If you're looking for a psychological thriller filled with family dynamics, obsession, secrets, and unexpected twists, I definitely recommend giving The Case Study a try.
This was my very first psychological thriller, and I was so excited to be selected for this experience.
The story follows Mia, a housewife and mother to a rebellious teenager, Elise. While trying to navigate motherhood and rebuild her relationship with her husband, Ian, Mia finds herself struggling with a bigger question: who is she outside of the roles she plays for everyone else?
When a publisher approaches Ian, a therapist and professor, to revisit a case he was involved with years ago, Mia becomes intrigued all over again. The case centers on Lainey, a woman who developed a rare syndrome following the murder of her uncle. As Ian begins meeting with Lainey, Mia's old obsession with the case resurfaces, pulling her deeper into a mystery that becomes increasingly difficult to ignore.
Adding to the tension are Mia's complicated relationship with her mother, Faye, and the growing questions surrounding Lainey's life. As the story unfolds, secrets emerge, perspectives shift, and the plot takes turns I never saw coming.
This book completely surprised me. It was captivating, addictive, and incredibly difficult to put down. More than once, I found myself gasping at a reveal or immediately needing to know what happened next. Nicole Lundrigan's writing kept me invested from beginning to end, and the discussion prompts and challenges throughout the readalong made the experience even more enjoyable.
If you're looking for a psychological thriller filled with family dynamics, obsession, secrets, and unexpected twists, I definitely recommend giving The Case Study a try.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️3.75
Family dysfunction. Complicated friendships. Deeply flawed people making messy, frustrating, painfully human decisions.
In other words: everything that makes for a truly engaging story.
The Case Study unfolds like a psychological evaluation where everyone is withholding something. At first, you think you’re observing the characters from a safe distance. Carefully studying their behavior, piecing together the mystery one detail at a time. But the deeper you get, the blurrier the truth becomes.
It’s such a layered, immersive mystery. Every revelation seems intentional. Every interaction carries weight. Little by little, the story peels itself apart, exposing uncomfortable truths, fractured relationships, and there’s this emotional tension simmering underneath it all.
It’s intriguing, fast-paced, deceptive, and just the right amount of wrong.
The characters feel incredibly real in all the best and worst ways; messy, vulnerable, frustrating, complicated. No one feels overly polished or predictable, which makes the emotional tension land just as hard as the mystery itself.
And because of that, the story keeps you constantly questioning: Did I miss something? Can this person be trusted? Am I seeing the full picture yet?
By the end, everything comes together in a way that feels both explosive and carefully earned.
Dark, sharp, methodical and quietly addictive, this is the kind of book that slowly pulls you under before you even realize how deep you’ve gone.
Thank you NetGalley and Viking for the opportunity and ARC.
Family dysfunction. Complicated friendships. Deeply flawed people making messy, frustrating, painfully human decisions.
In other words: everything that makes for a truly engaging story.
The Case Study unfolds like a psychological evaluation where everyone is withholding something. At first, you think you’re observing the characters from a safe distance. Carefully studying their behavior, piecing together the mystery one detail at a time. But the deeper you get, the blurrier the truth becomes.
It’s such a layered, immersive mystery. Every revelation seems intentional. Every interaction carries weight. Little by little, the story peels itself apart, exposing uncomfortable truths, fractured relationships, and there’s this emotional tension simmering underneath it all.
It’s intriguing, fast-paced, deceptive, and just the right amount of wrong.
The characters feel incredibly real in all the best and worst ways; messy, vulnerable, frustrating, complicated. No one feels overly polished or predictable, which makes the emotional tension land just as hard as the mystery itself.
And because of that, the story keeps you constantly questioning: Did I miss something? Can this person be trusted? Am I seeing the full picture yet?
By the end, everything comes together in a way that feels both explosive and carefully earned.
Dark, sharp, methodical and quietly addictive, this is the kind of book that slowly pulls you under before you even realize how deep you’ve gone.
Thank you NetGalley and Viking for the opportunity and ARC.
June 7, 2026
I found myself immediately engrossed in Lainey's story. Details of her past, of being found at a remote lake cabin with her dead uncle, her journey with the exceedingly rare Cotard's Syndrome making her think that she was a dead corpse - are interspersed in the story as we learn how Lainey is doing as an adult. Told in two points of view, we see the unraveling of secrets and truths coming out as we follow both Lainey as an adult as she reconnects with Ian, the doctor who treated her for Cotard's syndrome, and that of Ian's wife, Mia, who has a strange obsession with Ian's treatment of Lainey. The twists and turns of The Case Study kept me interested in this story, as we slowly watch Mia's life unravel (and honestly, a lot of her choices made me want to shake her), and Lainey as she relives what was arguably the most painful period of her life. These two women's lives intertwine in ways that I never could have imagined, and I was kept on edge waiting for what would be revealed next. While some plot twists felt a bit predictable, there were others that I never saw coming that left me floored once they were revealed.
This book is the perfect psychological thriller to throw into your beach bag this summer or to take along on vacation for a quick, easy read that will keep you guessing long into the novel. I finished this novel in a day, I was so invested in the characters that it was a chore to put the book down to attend to things that had to be done.
Thank you to NetGalley, Viking, and Nicole Lundrigan for the eARC of this novel to read and review.
This book is the perfect psychological thriller to throw into your beach bag this summer or to take along on vacation for a quick, easy read that will keep you guessing long into the novel. I finished this novel in a day, I was so invested in the characters that it was a chore to put the book down to attend to things that had to be done.
Thank you to NetGalley, Viking, and Nicole Lundrigan for the eARC of this novel to read and review.
May 14, 2026
📂 T A N G L E D T H U R S D A Y review 📂 featuring “The Case Study” by Nicole Lundrigan!
Mia will never forget about a psychiatric case that rocked the nation decades ago. A young girl named Lainey was found in the woods where she had laid next her to uncle’s dead body for days. Lainey was not only the prime suspect for his death, but also believed that she was dead and that her body was rotting like her uncle’s. Diagnosed with Cotard’s Syndrome (walking corpse), Lainey spent years under intense psychiatric treatment at a facility.
Mia’s obsession with the case led her to marrying the doctor who treated the girl. Now in present times, Mia’s husband’s famous case study is about to be re-published and Ian reaches out to Lainey to see how things turned out after the facility. After all these years, Lainey is finally ready to tell the truth about her childhood and what happened with her uncle the day that everything happened.
💭 OMG I’M DEAD! I WAS SCREAMING when reading this one! First off, I had never heard of Cotard’s Syndrome before and it added such a dark and disturbing element to the story. The multiple layers, unreliable characters, twisted back story and psychological manipulation is off the charts. Everyone has secrets to hide and this creates a gripping game of cat and mouse that is unhinged and unsettling like no other!
Thank you kindly to @nicolejlundrigan @vikingbooks @penguinrandomca @netgalley for my advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This book releases on May 26, 2026!
Mia will never forget about a psychiatric case that rocked the nation decades ago. A young girl named Lainey was found in the woods where she had laid next her to uncle’s dead body for days. Lainey was not only the prime suspect for his death, but also believed that she was dead and that her body was rotting like her uncle’s. Diagnosed with Cotard’s Syndrome (walking corpse), Lainey spent years under intense psychiatric treatment at a facility.
Mia’s obsession with the case led her to marrying the doctor who treated the girl. Now in present times, Mia’s husband’s famous case study is about to be re-published and Ian reaches out to Lainey to see how things turned out after the facility. After all these years, Lainey is finally ready to tell the truth about her childhood and what happened with her uncle the day that everything happened.
💭 OMG I’M DEAD! I WAS SCREAMING when reading this one! First off, I had never heard of Cotard’s Syndrome before and it added such a dark and disturbing element to the story. The multiple layers, unreliable characters, twisted back story and psychological manipulation is off the charts. Everyone has secrets to hide and this creates a gripping game of cat and mouse that is unhinged and unsettling like no other!
Thank you kindly to @nicolejlundrigan @vikingbooks @penguinrandomca @netgalley for my advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This book releases on May 26, 2026!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Over two decades ago, Mia became fascinated - indeed, borderline obsessed - with the case of a young girl accused of murdering her guardian. The girl was found to have a rare psychiatric disease, Cotard's Syndrome, according to the diagnosing psychiatrist.
Mia was so intrigued by the case that she went out and found Ian, the psychiatrist who was writing up this unusual situation. Not only that, she ultimately married him.
Now, years later, her husband has been given an opportunity to revisit and update that groundbreaking case study. Needless to say, the overly ambitious and somewhat repulsive Ian is all too keen to do so.
The young woman who was the subject of his case study, Lainey, has her own reasons for agreeing to work with him again. She feels she might be ready to tell the real story of what happened to her uncle, whom she was accused of murdering, and finally put the darkness of her early life truly to rest.
In the main time, Mia has once again become preoccupied with the case, figuring out a way of accessing her husband's materials on the case update. Unsurprisingly, it does not reflect well on her mental health status.
This story is decidedly creepy at many levels primarily due to the darkness of the people it portrays. The story features plenty of twists and turns, and provided you have the stomach for it, will most likely entertain thriller readers.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Mia was so intrigued by the case that she went out and found Ian, the psychiatrist who was writing up this unusual situation. Not only that, she ultimately married him.
Now, years later, her husband has been given an opportunity to revisit and update that groundbreaking case study. Needless to say, the overly ambitious and somewhat repulsive Ian is all too keen to do so.
The young woman who was the subject of his case study, Lainey, has her own reasons for agreeing to work with him again. She feels she might be ready to tell the real story of what happened to her uncle, whom she was accused of murdering, and finally put the darkness of her early life truly to rest.
In the main time, Mia has once again become preoccupied with the case, figuring out a way of accessing her husband's materials on the case update. Unsurprisingly, it does not reflect well on her mental health status.
This story is decidedly creepy at many levels primarily due to the darkness of the people it portrays. The story features plenty of twists and turns, and provided you have the stomach for it, will most likely entertain thriller readers.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
June 14, 2026
I enjoyed this author's last book, "A Man Downstairs" and was looking forward to reading her newest. It had quite a unique premise.
Mia was always obsessed with a story about a teenaged girl who killed her Uncle and suffered from a rare neuropsychiatric disorder called, "Cotard's Syndrome" (also known as walking corpse - this in itself was fascinating to read about but too bad there wasn't more focus on it.) In college she took a class by the Professor who treated the girl. Mia then goes on to marry the Professor. Now years later his famous case is getting re-published and he must contact his former patient and get her consent. The patient, Lainey now begins to tell a different story. She says it's the truth now. Meanwhile Mia is still obsessed and breaking into her husband's computer to hear the recorded sessions. No one is to be trusted in this one.
It's a slow-building thriller filled with dysfunction. I do enjoy Lundrigan's style of writing but this book was way different than her last one. I just have to be honest here. This particular story was not to my liking. It's quite dark and contains things that made me cringe and gag in some parts. Nevertheless many others have enjoyed it. This was probably more of a 2 1/2 stars for my personal enjoyment but I'll round up for the twists.
*🇨🇦 Author
I received my digital copy from Libby courtesy of the Toronto Public Library.
Mia was always obsessed with a story about a teenaged girl who killed her Uncle and suffered from a rare neuropsychiatric disorder called, "Cotard's Syndrome" (also known as walking corpse - this in itself was fascinating to read about but too bad there wasn't more focus on it.) In college she took a class by the Professor who treated the girl. Mia then goes on to marry the Professor. Now years later his famous case is getting re-published and he must contact his former patient and get her consent. The patient, Lainey now begins to tell a different story. She says it's the truth now. Meanwhile Mia is still obsessed and breaking into her husband's computer to hear the recorded sessions. No one is to be trusted in this one.
It's a slow-building thriller filled with dysfunction. I do enjoy Lundrigan's style of writing but this book was way different than her last one. I just have to be honest here. This particular story was not to my liking. It's quite dark and contains things that made me cringe and gag in some parts. Nevertheless many others have enjoyed it. This was probably more of a 2 1/2 stars for my personal enjoyment but I'll round up for the twists.
*🇨🇦 Author
I received my digital copy from Libby courtesy of the Toronto Public Library.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
thank you to NetGalley and Viking for the ARC!
Nicole Lundrigan may be one of the better mystery/thriller writers, non-Tana division. every time I read a book by her it's a total pleasure; her writing is gorgeous and very effective. The Case Study is no different. peeling back the layers of what's going on in this book was super interesting, as well as being in the heads of some... let's just say unreliable narrators. like part of what makes this book so great is how much is clearly being hidden, and how much everyone is sneaking around, so I was perpetually stressed out as a reader that people were gonna get caught out.
I do think this book was paced oddly. it's slow at the start and then at the end it just all kinda resolves itself in such a pat way. Lundrigan can get away with this more than most because of the extreme tension in her writing, but it's there. there is also one character who is just SO AWFUL every time she is on the page - you will absolutely know who I'm referring to when you read this - and like, not in an interesting way. she was just infuriating until the end. I also think part of the big twist relies on the book lying to you.
but I genuinely believe Lundrigan is one of the most underrated authors writing today. I'm so glad I saw she had a book coming out soon and I really devoured this one, as I have the other books of hers I've read.
Nicole Lundrigan may be one of the better mystery/thriller writers, non-Tana division. every time I read a book by her it's a total pleasure; her writing is gorgeous and very effective. The Case Study is no different. peeling back the layers of what's going on in this book was super interesting, as well as being in the heads of some... let's just say unreliable narrators. like part of what makes this book so great is how much is clearly being hidden, and how much everyone is sneaking around, so I was perpetually stressed out as a reader that people were gonna get caught out.
I do think this book was paced oddly. it's slow at the start and then at the end it just all kinda resolves itself in such a pat way. Lundrigan can get away with this more than most because of the extreme tension in her writing, but it's there. there is also one character who is just SO AWFUL every time she is on the page - you will absolutely know who I'm referring to when you read this - and like, not in an interesting way. she was just infuriating until the end. I also think part of the big twist relies on the book lying to you.
but I genuinely believe Lundrigan is one of the most underrated authors writing today. I'm so glad I saw she had a book coming out soon and I really devoured this one, as I have the other books of hers I've read.
June 8, 2026
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for this ARC!!
This book was fun and twisty and psychologically thrilled me in every way possible. Mia and Lainey are a dynamic duo really for main characters, loved both of their characters immensely even if they did take turns annoying me at some points in the book with their flaws. I was sucked into the book from the moment I knew a psychological case study would be involved and the journey of this story had me fully invested the entire time.
One thing I do wish is that the book had gone more into depth on Lainey’s diagnosis and what it entailed and how she acted when she was in it, I feel like there wasn’t enough explanation of it personally. That didn’t stop me from giving the book five stars though, I was obsessed.
I do think this was a perfect psychological thriller outside of my little picky complaint. This book gave me five star vibes and I knew it from page one. The twists had me mind-blown and shocked and questioning everything. I feel like I should have known something, but I was so unsuspecting and the twists really got me good. The ending also left me very satisfied with where the characters ended up and the book wrapped up beautifully.
I really hope Nicole Lundrigan’s other books are as amazing as this one was because I can’t wait to read more!!
This book was fun and twisty and psychologically thrilled me in every way possible. Mia and Lainey are a dynamic duo really for main characters, loved both of their characters immensely even if they did take turns annoying me at some points in the book with their flaws. I was sucked into the book from the moment I knew a psychological case study would be involved and the journey of this story had me fully invested the entire time.
One thing I do wish is that the book had gone more into depth on Lainey’s diagnosis and what it entailed and how she acted when she was in it, I feel like there wasn’t enough explanation of it personally. That didn’t stop me from giving the book five stars though, I was obsessed.
I do think this was a perfect psychological thriller outside of my little picky complaint. This book gave me five star vibes and I knew it from page one. The twists had me mind-blown and shocked and questioning everything. I feel like I should have known something, but I was so unsuspecting and the twists really got me good. The ending also left me very satisfied with where the characters ended up and the book wrapped up beautifully.
I really hope Nicole Lundrigan’s other books are as amazing as this one was because I can’t wait to read more!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Nicole Lundrigan has written a compelling thriller with The Case Study.
Mia was once obsessed with a case that riveted the nation. A young girl, found in the woods, believes she is dead - and that she killed her Uncle. Under the care of her mental health doctor, she grows into a young woman and is released from care.
Mia was so interested in the case that she just so happened to take a class taught by the doctor of the famous case, and later married him. Now, her husband wants to revisit the case, hoping for a book deal. But Mia's own life is filled with loneliness, angst from her teenage daughter, stress and strain from her own mother, so when she starts to spy on her husband's meeting with the patient, she's drawn into the story even more.
About 60% of the way through this book, I kind of figured it out, but wasn't prepared for the BIGGEST twist. WOAH. WOWOWOWOW.
Nicole Lundrigan, you really did it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Mia was once obsessed with a case that riveted the nation. A young girl, found in the woods, believes she is dead - and that she killed her Uncle. Under the care of her mental health doctor, she grows into a young woman and is released from care.
Mia was so interested in the case that she just so happened to take a class taught by the doctor of the famous case, and later married him. Now, her husband wants to revisit the case, hoping for a book deal. But Mia's own life is filled with loneliness, angst from her teenage daughter, stress and strain from her own mother, so when she starts to spy on her husband's meeting with the patient, she's drawn into the story even more.
About 60% of the way through this book, I kind of figured it out, but wasn't prepared for the BIGGEST twist. WOAH. WOWOWOWOW.
Nicole Lundrigan, you really did it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
May 27, 2026
I received this book from Goodreads and the publisher for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the concept of this book. The plot and characters were really unique. Parts MIGHT could have been fleshed out a bit more, but I think enough was implied that everything was understandable.
What I didn't like - the ending felt rushed enough to be forced. The book deserved a better ending after the buildup.
What I REALLY didn't like and hold against the editor more than the author were the horrible sentence fragments. A sentence fragment here or there can have a major impact on shifting tone or focus in a book, but almost every paragraph contained fragments. They weren't for effect. They weren't even in logical places (Part of a sentence end would be in the next fragment so you had to constantly edit as you read.) I am hoping this is because this is in an advanced reader version and the editor will do something to save the book and save future readers from the frustration of having to reconstruct the sentences in their own heads.
I really enjoyed the concept of this book. The plot and characters were really unique. Parts MIGHT could have been fleshed out a bit more, but I think enough was implied that everything was understandable.
What I didn't like - the ending felt rushed enough to be forced. The book deserved a better ending after the buildup.
What I REALLY didn't like and hold against the editor more than the author were the horrible sentence fragments. A sentence fragment here or there can have a major impact on shifting tone or focus in a book, but almost every paragraph contained fragments. They weren't for effect. They weren't even in logical places (Part of a sentence end would be in the next fragment so you had to constantly edit as you read.) I am hoping this is because this is in an advanced reader version and the editor will do something to save the book and save future readers from the frustration of having to reconstruct the sentences in their own heads.
May 26, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a slow-burn domestic thriller with an interesting premise and strong psychological elements. While the plot definitely kept my attention, it takes quite a while to get to the real meat and bones of the mystery. The pacing is deliberate, so readers looking for constant twists and fast action may find the beginning a bit slow.
That said, I think fans of psychology, abnormal disorders, and character-driven thrillers will really appreciate the way the story unfolds. The book focuses heavily on tension, relationships, and unraveling the characters’ mental and emotional complexities rather than nonstop suspense.
Overall, I would recommend this to readers who enjoy slow-burn domestic thrillers with psychological themes and don’t mind a gradual buildup before the major reveals hit.
This was a slow-burn domestic thriller with an interesting premise and strong psychological elements. While the plot definitely kept my attention, it takes quite a while to get to the real meat and bones of the mystery. The pacing is deliberate, so readers looking for constant twists and fast action may find the beginning a bit slow.
That said, I think fans of psychology, abnormal disorders, and character-driven thrillers will really appreciate the way the story unfolds. The book focuses heavily on tension, relationships, and unraveling the characters’ mental and emotional complexities rather than nonstop suspense.
Overall, I would recommend this to readers who enjoy slow-burn domestic thrillers with psychological themes and don’t mind a gradual buildup before the major reveals hit.
June 3, 2026
This is exactly the kind of psychological thriller I love. The Case Study hooked me from the start and kept me guessing the entire time.
The tension between Mia and Lainey was incredibly compelling, and I found myself constantly questioning who to trust and what had really happened. Nicole Lundrigan creates an unsettling atmosphere that builds steadily throughout the story, making it difficult to put down.
I listened to the audiobook version and absolutely loved the narration. The narrator captured the tone perfectly and brought both main characters to life, making an already suspenseful story even more immersive.
I also appreciated the book's exploration of obsession, perception, and hidden truths. The twists felt earned, and several caught me completely off guard.
Overall, this was a smart, addictive thriller that delivered on both suspense and character development. I highly recommend it, especially in audiobook format.
The tension between Mia and Lainey was incredibly compelling, and I found myself constantly questioning who to trust and what had really happened. Nicole Lundrigan creates an unsettling atmosphere that builds steadily throughout the story, making it difficult to put down.
I listened to the audiobook version and absolutely loved the narration. The narrator captured the tone perfectly and brought both main characters to life, making an already suspenseful story even more immersive.
I also appreciated the book's exploration of obsession, perception, and hidden truths. The twists felt earned, and several caught me completely off guard.
Overall, this was a smart, addictive thriller that delivered on both suspense and character development. I highly recommend it, especially in audiobook format.
June 11, 2026
A psychologically challenging story told from two women’s perspectives of a former Case Study of a teenage girl who suffered from Cotard’s syndrome after a traumatic event. Now, years later Lainey the former teen is contacted by her former psychiatrist Ian to reopen her Case Study, but did Lainey tell the whole truth the first time?
The other perspective comes from Mia, the wife of Ian and her obsession with this Case Study as well as her teenage daughter Elise. Definitely a slow build and not a single likable character in the whole book, there were large swaths of the book that were NSFW but over the character’s mental health they did not seem to be really consenting. The story did leave off where it could potentially have a sequel which would be intriguing if that happens, but overall it wasn’t my favorite thriller but I did enjoy discussing parts with the tandem collective as a readalong.
The other perspective comes from Mia, the wife of Ian and her obsession with this Case Study as well as her teenage daughter Elise. Definitely a slow build and not a single likable character in the whole book, there were large swaths of the book that were NSFW but over the character’s mental health they did not seem to be really consenting. The story did leave off where it could potentially have a sequel which would be intriguing if that happens, but overall it wasn’t my favorite thriller but I did enjoy discussing parts with the tandem collective as a readalong.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Case Study by Nicole Lundrigan is a cat and mouse game of truth and deception. Betrayal, secrets, and a murder that are all entangled. This book was a twisty and suspenseful as The Pretty Little Liars. As a reader, I thought I knew what I was believing until I didn't. The characters I wouldn't suspect...the characters who have many faces and how messed up everything became was well-done. Secrets have a way of being exposed and the consequences are darker than I expected. Intriguing, fun, and full of mystery Nicole Lundrigan's love, The Case Study, was incredible. Edgar Allan Poe would definitely approve of this story!
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
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