Locksmith: A Psychological Thriller

by Danielle Fear

A psychological thriller where the killer is always one step ahead and hiding in plain sight.

Nobody hears the killer enter. There are no broken locks, no shattered glass, no signs of struggle. Every victim is found lying peacefully, as if they simply drifted away in their sleep... except for the missing body part, carefully taken with surgical precision and their slit throats.

With fear spreading faster than answers and no forensic trace to follow, Detective Dwight Cook and his team race against a predator who never forces entry, never wakes a soul, and never leaves without taking something.

Everyone locks their doors at night... but the Locksmith doesn't need permission to come in.

316 pages, Paperback

Published January 29, 2026

Reviews

[Kalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review: This one pulled me in in the beginning. Then there was twist after twist, all the way till the end. It leaves off on a cliffhanger, which leaves you guessing, but overall was a fast-paced, fun read. I felt there was a little too much filler and maybe could’ve been more suspense (that’s just me), but I enjoyed it :)

[Karen Brooks - TheTxLitChic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Locksmith
~ Danielle Fear

Fasten your seatbelt, because Locksmith is a ruthless, twist-laced descent into obsession, violence, and the terrifying intimacy of a crime scene with no broken doors.

Detectives Dwight Cook and Gordon Black are summoned to a murder that defies instinct and procedure alike. The victim’s throat is slashed. There is no sign of struggle. A grim souvenir has been taken. Most disturbing of all, there is no forced entry. The house is immaculate. Too immaculate. When a second body turns up with the same method, the same eerie precision, unease gives way to dread. By the third call, the unthinkable is unavoidable. They are hunting a serial killer known only as “the Locksmith.” The clock is ticking. Will they stop the killer before another door opens to death?

This was my first experience with Danielle Fear’s work, and it certainly won’t be my last. Her character development is exceptional. The Locksmith’s perspective is revealed early, guiding the reader through each murder as it unfolds, yet their identity remains concealed. Fear walks a razor’s edge, crafting a killer who is disturbingly human: raw, methodical, and savage in equal measure. You may even find yourself understanding their logic… briefly. That empathy evaporates quickly when you realize just how easily they can enter a home, kill without resistance, and vanish without a trace. Sleep may require a second check of your locks.

The detectives are equally compelling. Cook and Black are sharp, driven, and believable, but beneath their hardened exteriors lies vulnerability. The access to Detective Cook’s personal life, and the way his career has carved deep lines into it, adds emotional weight and authenticity to the investigation.

From the opening pages, Locksmith plays like a film in the mind. The transitions between the killer and the detectives are seamless, so fluid that point-of-view shifts never pull you out of the story. The immersion is total. The pacing is relentless, offering no room to breathe, and when the twists arrive, they land with brutal precision. You will not see them coming.

I am officially a fan of Danielle Fear, and I cannot wait to see what she delivers next.

If you’re craving a dark, psychologically intense thriller that crawls under your skin and refuses to leave, Locksmith deserves a place at the top of your list. It releases on Amazon January 27, 2026.

I would like to thank Danielle Fear for the opportunity to Alpha/Beta/ARC for Locksmith. As always, all opinions are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation, current or future, by the author or publisher for a fair and honest review.

 

[Bob Fendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

Locksmith

Author Danielle Fear

My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Oh my word, Locksmith is one Incredible psychological thriller, I was totally captivated by this brilliant book by Danielle.
An extremely fast-paced multi POV, short-chapter chapters suspense-filled filled and tense-filled story of a silent and invisible murderer.

Detective Dwight Cook and his team are up against it with the case of an invisible and silent serial killer who gains access to homes in the middle of the night while most of the world and the victims sleep.
How does the perpetrator gain entry? There is no sign of forced entry, no signs they have been there no DNA, nothing disturbed, just the body lying peacefully in bed, throat slit. The killer always leaves taking with them a different body part from each victim.
Is it a trophy or part of a story to be told?

This is a truly difficult and testing case for Dwight as there are no clues and apparently no connection between the victims.
The race is on for the detective team to come up with answers as the panic spreads.
The ending was completely unexpected and a real shocker, I was totally stunned.

I thoroughly enjoyed Locksmith, a brilliantly written thriller by Danielle Fear that's full of tension, incredibly believable characters in settings that are visually descriptive.
Danielle certainly knows how to keep you on the edge, this one is no exception, I did not want to put this book down.
I feel this is not the end of this story and I can't wait to find out.

[Kristi Guthrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review Time! 🧐👀. 🔒 Locksmith by Danielle Fear! Okay first of all wow 😮 I read this in two sittings ONLY because I needed sleep. This killer is one SILENT killer. Moving quickly and yet nothing
Leaves nothing behind! Oh! 😳 But takes something! Yet pure silence. No one hears a thing! It’s like a ghost of a killer making the rounds. Check your doors people!

Truth is it does not MATTER. At this point no wonder the community and Detective Cook are NOT sleeping?

What is really going on! The pages are soaked in Intensity! All we got is no forced entry! Nothing remotely at all resembling a break in! What we do have is many unexplained Murders. Yep. 👍

Get down to the nitty gritty on this one!

Can you imagine a KILLER sitting right in front of you and you DON’T even know it? You can’t even smell the lies or touch the truth? Crazy 🤪

Oh and don’t forget that PAST lurking!! The words so descriptive send out a whole lot of crazy and a revenge blue print that sets the level of death and karma way high!

Stakes? Shoot I do NOT want to be in this killer’s way! Mistakes made in past create a whole new scene going from one ☝️ two and three in no time

Five stars ⭐️ because of the —uck around and find out! Every twist and turn here lets a reader know you’re not safe at all!

Boundaries? You got to be kidding me? NONE

Cook will feel the rage and Demise, the lack of support!

The Killer will smile and sign off with Victory.

The pieces (no pun intended 🤣🤣🤣)
Will fall into place. LITERALLY

Strong 💪 PLOT, highly recommended and don’t bother locking your doors Readers!

If you messed up. You messed up.

Danielle another book you take to the highest satisfying a readers needs.

Key 🔑 note! You can’t hide 🫣

[Bookdragon_Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

This starts out very detail-oriented. Each chapter is a different POV and noted with the date and time. This is a story about a serial killer and the detective that is digging to find the truth, while dealing with demons from the beginning of his career. Between halfway and three-quarter way through the book, some things are revealed, giving this a twist I didn't see coming. At this point, I feel the story feels a bit rushed, considering the steady pacing for the majority of the book prior to the reveal. There are several twists in the last few chapters and an ending that left me feeling kind of angry. However, after sleeping on it, I am kind of hoping this leaves it open for the possibility of a sequel. Overall, this was a great, quick read, with some really good twists.

[Philomena Callan Cheekypee · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know when you’ve just finished a great book when you read the last page and think what have I just read, what has just happened. That’s me after finishing this story. I could spill plenty of spoilers by asking here why specific things happened in this story but then if they didn’t happen I probably wouldn’t be feeling the way I am now.

A new to me author Danielle Fear pulled me right in with her brilliant storyline and her twists that knocked me for six.

I will definitely be recommending this gem and looking to read more from this author in the future.

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Locksmith” by Danielle Fear grabbed me from the first page and never let go. This dark, gripping thriller follows a serial killer obsessed with giving people exactly what they deserve. As the body count rises, the tension builds—will the police put the pieces together before it’s too late, and will justice truly be served? Dark, intense, and impossible to put down.

[Kim Sloan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband's worst nightmare

I enjoyed this book from the beginning to the end! It kept me moving from page to page with details and suspense. My husband's worst nightmare is to be wrongly accused and sentenced and my heart ached for this "not guilty" person. Without giving details, I was almost in tears during the trial portion of the book! The loose ends, of course, left the story open for another book! Highly recommend!

[Lee Stackhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Danielle Fear’s Locksmith is the kind of psychological thriller that makes you double-check the deadbolt… and then lie awake anyway.

The premise alone is chilling: victims found peacefully in their beds, no forced entry, no shattered glass, no defensive wounds. Just a surgically precise throat slit and a missing body part taken like a macabre calling card. No noise. No trace. No explanation. The killer doesn’t break in. The killer doesn’t need to.

From the opening chapters, Fear wastes no time establishing tension. The short, punchy chapters and multi-POV structure keep the pace sharp and urgent, mirroring the rising panic in the community. Detective Dwight Cook and his team are chasing a predator who seems less like a person and more like a ghost. Always one step ahead, always invisible, always inside before anyone realizes they were never safe.

What works particularly well is the atmosphere. Fear understands that true terror often lies in implication. The horror isn’t just in the violence. It’s in the violation of security. Bedrooms become crime scenes. Locks become meaningless. Sleep becomes vulnerability. The idea that someone could enter your home without resistance or sound is deeply unsettling, and the novel leans into that fear with precision.

Detective Cook is a solid anchor for the story, carrying the weight of mounting pressure as the body count rises and the evidence remains nonexistent. The procedural elements feel urgent rather than bogged down, and when the investigation gains momentum, the book becomes nearly impossible to put down.

The twists land effectively, and while the ending leaves room for more, it does so in a way that feels intentional, unsettling rather than incomplete. Fear clearly enjoys keeping readers off-balance, and she succeeds. Just when you think you see the shape of the puzzle, she shifts it.

If you enjoy fast-paced psychological thrillers with an invasive, skin-crawling premise and a killer who operates in plain sight, Locksmith delivers. It’s creepy, addictive, and just paranoid enough to make bedtime feel like a calculated risk.

Lock your doors if it helps.

Just don’t expect it to matter.

[Eva Edge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Locksmith by Danielle Fear is a dark, unsettling, and emotionally charged thriller that doesn't just crawl under your skin—it stays there. While I’ve enjoyed Danielle Fear’s work before, this is a complete departure from her usual humour. There are no giggles to be found here; instead, we are met with tragedy, a heavy emotional lift, and a level of heartbreak that feels deeply unfair. This story is a haunting reminder that no matter how much good you do in the world, everything can vanish in the blink of an eye.

The narrative is masterfully structured, told from multiple points of view that primarily alternate between the lead detective and the killer. This multidimensional approach, peppered with backstories that twist the "truth" you think you know, forces you to work for every answer. It refuses to hand you a neat resolution on a silver tray. Instead, it breaks your heart and leaves you gasping in complete disbelief at the sheer audacity of the plot.

The story ends with an open possibility for a sequel, but regardless of what comes next, the impact of this standalone experience is undeniable. It possesses that rare, "extra" something—an emotional depth and a special touch that sets it apart from even the best 5-star thrillers. Locksmith is a stunning, 6-star masterpiece that left me breathless and unable to walk away until the very last page was turned. It is, quite simply, in a league of its own.

[Chapters_with_VDKeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’ALL! Imagine going to bed feeling safe… locked doors, cozy vibes… and then waking up dead. No forced entry. No noise. No struggle. Just a surgically precise nightmare and a missing body part like a calling card. 😳🩸 Yeah. THIS book.

Danielle Fear’s writing is razor-sharp, chilling, and deliciously cruel—short chapters that snap shut like a deadbolt and keep you flying forward whether you’re ready or not. The tension hums. The dread creeps. The fear? Oh, it seeps into your bones. You can practically hear the silence right before the kill. 😬

Detective Dwight Cook is racing against a killer who doesn’t smash windows or kick doors—he slips in, calm and methodical, like he owns the place. And honestly? That’s what makes this so terrifying. The Locksmith doesn’t need permission… and that idea will LIVE RENT FREE in your head at 2 a.m. 🫠🔪

This is a fast, brutal, smart thriller with a wicked premise and a writing style that wastes ZERO time being polite. Snappy. Dark. Surgical. And just the right amount of twisted.

Lock your doors if you want… but good luck sleeping after this one. 😏🔐💀

[Emily Chamberlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Locksmith by Danielle Fear is a relentlessly tense, edge-of-your-seat thriller that had me hooked from the very first chapter. The premise alone is terrifying — someone gaining access to locked homes without leaving a trace — but it’s the execution that makes this book truly unforgettable.

The pacing is razor-sharp, the murders are chilling without being gratuitous, and the cat-and-mouse dynamic between the ‘villain’ and the investigators kept me constantly guessing. Danielle Fear does an incredible job building dread — every locked door suddenly feels meaningless, and that sense of vulnerability follows you through every page.

What really elevates this story is how clever and controlled the villain is. She isn’t just killing — she’s orchestrating. The psychological tension, the twists, and the slow reveal of how she operates made this impossible to put down.

Danielle is easily becoming a favorite author to read. She’s methodical and I can truly appreciate the effort she puts into her writing.

[Elise Ballard · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a thriller, this one was harder for me to keep my attention than most. The biggest thing I struggled with some parts seemed overly repetitive. Once we get past this personal obstacle, the book is good.

I didn't expect a twist, but I also expected more than one. 3/4 of the way through the book, it really kept my attention, and I couldn't put it down. The ending is open, which leads me to believe another book could be written. The open ending wasn't left without answers, but there was potential for many more questions if one wanted to go down that road.

If you haven't read anything by Danielle Fear and you are a US reader, please keep in mind the book is written with UK English. It took me a couple of words before I realized it wasn't spelling errors.

I did have a few questions about the plot, and I am hoping it was because I fell asleep reading the book a few times and missed something, rather than it being missing from the book.

[Kirsty Blackburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Locksmith by Danielle Fear is an absolutely gripping psychological thriller that hooked me from the very first page and never let up. Fast-paced, tense, and relentlessly unsettling, this is the kind of book you end up racing through because you have to know what’s coming next. So much so that I stayed awake until 2am just to finish it.

The writing style is a standout — sharp, immersive, and perfectly paced to build psychological tension chapter by chapter. The chapters are short and from different POV’s which made it so easy to digest. There’s a constant sense of unease running through the story, and it only intensifies as you read. I flew through this in less than 24 hours. And was on the edge of my seat the ENTIRE time.

Thank you so much Danielle for the ARC — this is an honest review. Release date is 27th of Jan - be there or be square!!

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can hide in your houses. You can lock your doors. But nothing is keeping The Locksmith out.

Just thinking about someone stealthily lurking around your house, creeping into your bedroom while you're sleeping, sent shivers down my back. This book began as an investigation into a gruesome serial killer but turned into so much more. It explores the unknown impact our actions may have on others, the obsessions we hold while ignoring what should matter more to us, and the perceptions that blind us to facts.

The author built the story slowly, but by the end, things move so rapidly that you cannot avert your eyes quickly enough to the chaos that is about to unfold.

Thank you to the author, @daniellefearauthor for including me in the ARC group!

[Ali O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Locksmith by Danielle Fear
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is a twisty, suspenseful and gripping psychological thriller!
A mysterious serial killer is on the loose and seems to be one step ahead of the detectives. Detectives Cook & Black have their work cut out for them. This killer leaves nothing behind; no forced entries and kills the same way each time.
I enjoyed the multiple POV as well. It kept the storyline flowing nicely!

This book starts off with a bang, and kept me engaged throughout! There are some great twists in this story!
I was lucky to get an arc of this intense and exciting book!!

*It comes out January 27th and is a must read!!*
🗝️🔒🔪🩸🔓🔪🩸🔒🗝️

[Danielle Lundquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me engaged from the beginning. People are being murdered and the murderer is taking a body piece of theirs as a trophy. The detectives are trying desperately to find out who is doing this.

Then, the unthinkable happens to one of the detectives (I don’t want to add any spoilers). This caught me completely by surprise.

I read this book in less than 24 hours. It had me gripped til the ending. I was shocked at the ending, but I also feel like there is more to the story. Will we see a part 2?

Definitely check this one out. Danielle Fear is an amazing author. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Amy Hricko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alright Ms. Fear, I see what you did here. Playing with our minds and emotions. Taking us on this roller coaster of a book. Just know, I’m not mad about it. I was here for every single page of this book!

Every time I thought I had it figured out, I didn’t. And that ending…. Holy cow!

I’m not going to give any of it away. Anyone who loves a thriller absolutely needs to read this when it releases. Not even kidding… just read it.

[Country · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will have you questioning everything and wonder how safe are we really behind a locked door? There are so many twists and unexpected occurrences that I did not expect at all. I felt that the storyline was well detailed and kept me wanting more with each chapter I read! The ending was unexpected but exciting as I hope it means there is more to come in killers story. It's a great read and highly recommend checking it out !

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOCKSMITH is chilling and razor-sharp. The premise alone is terrifyingly clever, but it’s the execution that truly hooks—methodical, unsettling, and relentlessly tense. Dread builds, and trust evaporates with each page. Smart, dark, and deeply disturbing, this is a must-read for fans of atmospheric thrillers who like their fear quiet, precise, and unforgettable.

[Jolene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Locksmith was the perfect way to kick off my 2026 reading log. Creepy, fast paced, and completely addictive. The premise alone is chilling, but the real crime is thinking you can trust Danielle Fear. You can’t. She delivers a sucker punch twist that had me screaming at the book. Add this to your TBR immediately… and maybe double check your locks before bed. 🔐📖😱

[Natasha Stills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book had me from the first page. I had the hardest time putting it down. Such a quick read with short chapters. It will keep you hooked! There were a few shockers that made it impossible to stop reading. I am hoping to see a book 2! I highly recommend, Danielle Fear did not disappoint ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Laura Lindemulder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC. This is the first book i have read from the author.

This book will keep you on your toes from the start. It will have you rooting for the characters completely. The twists in the book is fantastic.

This read gave me a book hangover!

I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Koen Spinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.7⭐️
Release date 1.27.26
This book was great !!!
The cover is what got me to want to read it!!
I enjoyed the povs it was easy to keep up with! But was one that wanted me to keep reading to find out what was next to happen!! Had to know how it was going to end!!
This was my first book by this author and I look forward to digging into more of her work!!

[Terri Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you know if you are safe? Are you next? This book will have you checking your locks, questioning what you see. And the ending?! You won’t see that coming! And will making you ask a lot of questions.

I loved the book, the multi POVs. 4 stars for the ending…
I have one question for Ms. Fear: is there a book 2?!

[Tristen Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Read: I absolutely loved it! This was my first Danielle Fear book. It caught me right away! There were several twists I was not expecting, but definitely enjoyed! It does end on a cliffhanger. I would’ve loved a few more chapters to tie it all up, but I’m not unhappy with the ending. I will definitely be diving into more of her books!

[Brittany Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need time to process this one.
My first read by Danielle Fear and I can't even remember the last time I was so angry and disappointed with characters. I wanted to shout at them like "WTH is wrong with you....." Ugh. My frustration was high!
Very well written and 100% recommend haha

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ rounding up! The beginning of this book really pulled me in. It had a lot of twists and turns that I loved as well. I did feel it had a little too much filler in some areas and felt like I wanted more from the ending, but overall I enjoyed it!

[Lori Albertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so involved in this tale until the ending. I did not like the way it ended at all.

If you like police procedurals along with the killer’s side, you still might enjoy this one. That is the only reason for the three stars. This one ended up not working for me.

[Tanya Kolb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an intense, edge of your seat thriller! It's 1 am and I just finished it because I couldn't put it down! I hope there will be a sequel because I need more!