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The Nudge: A Psychological Thriller
Not yet published
Expected 1 Sep 26A new horror novella from the creator of
Welcome to Night Vale
and
Alice Isn't Dead
.
On the open road, evil doesn't chase you. It waits . . .
Late one night, a wounded man checks into a remote roadside hotel. He's running from something he can't explain or escape. And over the course of a night, he'll tell the hotel's proprietor how his life fell apart.
It started with his wife. Subtle changes. Smiles that didn't belong to her. Then violence—sudden, intimate, almost casual. Therapy offered hope. Recovery seemed possible. Until it wasn't. He believes a hidden influence has attached itself to him, one that never forces, never commands. It whispers. It suggests. Nudges people toward their worst impulses.
Now the man wanders the country as a fugitive, hoping to break free from the evil that's wormed its way into him. But as our narrator's story unfolds, he begins to question whether he's fled far enough . . .
Tense, atmospheric, and chilling, The Nudge is a slow-burn tale of suspense that will linger like a whisper in the dark, long after the story is over.
On the open road, evil doesn't chase you. It waits . . .
Late one night, a wounded man checks into a remote roadside hotel. He's running from something he can't explain or escape. And over the course of a night, he'll tell the hotel's proprietor how his life fell apart.
It started with his wife. Subtle changes. Smiles that didn't belong to her. Then violence—sudden, intimate, almost casual. Therapy offered hope. Recovery seemed possible. Until it wasn't. He believes a hidden influence has attached itself to him, one that never forces, never commands. It whispers. It suggests. Nudges people toward their worst impulses.
Now the man wanders the country as a fugitive, hoping to break free from the evil that's wormed its way into him. But as our narrator's story unfolds, he begins to question whether he's fled far enough . . .
Tense, atmospheric, and chilling, The Nudge is a slow-burn tale of suspense that will linger like a whisper in the dark, long after the story is over.
- GenresHorror
144 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication September 1, 2026
About the author
Joseph Fink
20 books2,592 followersJoseph Fink is the creator of the Welcome to Night Vale and Alice Isn't Dead podcasts, and the author of the New York Times bestselling novels Welcome to Night Vale, It Devours!, and The Faceless Old Woman Who Secretly Lives in Your Home (all written with Jeffrey Cranor) and Alice Isn’t Dead. He is also the author of the children’s novel, The Halloween Moon. He and his wife, Meg Bashwiner have written the memoir, The First Ten Years. They live together in the Hudson River Valley.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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May 6, 2026I received this through NetGalley
The Nudge was a solid, super quick read. It kept me intrigued because I wasn’t sure if he was losing his mind or if something was really there.
The atmosphere and uncertainty worked well, and for such a short novella, it was easy to stay invested.
The ending did feel abrupt, though. It happened so quickly that I was left sitting there like… wait, that’s it?
I did really liked the artwork scattered throughout some sections. Since I have aphantasia, those visuals added something to the experience that I otherwise would not have had while reading.
Overall, a solid short psychological horror read for people who like unsettling setups and very quick reads.
The Nudge was a solid, super quick read. It kept me intrigued because I wasn’t sure if he was losing his mind or if something was really there.
The atmosphere and uncertainty worked well, and for such a short novella, it was easy to stay invested.
The ending did feel abrupt, though. It happened so quickly that I was left sitting there like… wait, that’s it?
I did really liked the artwork scattered throughout some sections. Since I have aphantasia, those visuals added something to the experience that I otherwise would not have had while reading.
Overall, a solid short psychological horror read for people who like unsettling setups and very quick reads.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I had so many thoughts while reading this. I love stories that leave room for interpretation, and The Nudge does exactly that.
A man recounts his story to the hotel clerk. The man is sure that something is chasing him. Something very evil, which he calls The Nudge.
It started with his wife, a creepy grin, which quickly escalated to a knife attack. He thought she was crazy, but no, something sinister is in her head.
Now, what if the Nudge is those strange thoughts that pop up? Instead of a supernatural being, what if it were the thoughts that we indulged? The protagonist thought the changes in his wife's behaviour were because of a ghost, but it was just her acting out her thoughts. The author hints at something similar -
Haven't we all got such thoughts? One that pops out of nowhere and even sometimes takes you by surprise? A thought that is ever so slightly cruel/evil?
When I was a kid, I used to tell funny and cheerful stories to my younger brother before bed. Then one day, I had a thought: why not tell him scary stories? I knew it would scare him, and I started spinning stories about ghosts, spiders and whatnot. Even now, my brother sleeps as far away from the edge of the bed and the door as possible. (I actually regret doing that now...) 🙄🙈
As the story progressed, the earlier interpretation faded, and I started wondering- what if the man himself was crazy?
Then came the ending, which wasn't what I expected because I was anticipating something bigger. The ending left me with more questions. I do think the hotel can be interpreted as an asylum or even his own mind.
The story was told in an unsettling calm. I was completely mesmerised by the writing style and story. Although the ending might not have been what I wanted, I loved reading this book and will certainly try the Author's other works!
A man recounts his story to the hotel clerk. The man is sure that something is chasing him. Something very evil, which he calls The Nudge.
Safety is a funny thing. When you have it, you hardly even notice. And when the moment it's gone, it's all you can think about.
It started with his wife, a creepy grin, which quickly escalated to a knife attack. He thought she was crazy, but no, something sinister is in her head.
Nothing big. It wouldn't run your car off the road or blow up a gas line. No, it works in subtler, smaller movements. It reaches out to someone close to you, and it gives a little nudge.
Now, what if the Nudge is those strange thoughts that pop up? Instead of a supernatural being, what if it were the thoughts that we indulged? The protagonist thought the changes in his wife's behaviour were because of a ghost, but it was just her acting out her thoughts. The author hints at something similar -
It wasn't something she wanted to do, obviously, but once the thought existed it was impossible to ignore.
Haven't we all got such thoughts? One that pops out of nowhere and even sometimes takes you by surprise? A thought that is ever so slightly cruel/evil?
When I was a kid, I used to tell funny and cheerful stories to my younger brother before bed. Then one day, I had a thought: why not tell him scary stories? I knew it would scare him, and I started spinning stories about ghosts, spiders and whatnot. Even now, my brother sleeps as far away from the edge of the bed and the door as possible. (I actually regret doing that now...) 🙄🙈
As the story progressed, the earlier interpretation faded, and I started wondering- what if the man himself was crazy?
Then came the ending, which wasn't what I expected because I was anticipating something bigger. The ending left me with more questions. I do think the hotel can be interpreted as an asylum or even his own mind.
The story was told in an unsettling calm. I was completely mesmerised by the writing style and story. Although the ending might not have been what I wanted, I loved reading this book and will certainly try the Author's other works!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A lot of people might talk about the supernatural element of this novella, and it has that, but I think at its heart, this book is a horrifying love story.
A man checks into a hotel and as he and the clerk are headed to his room the man tells his rather terrifying story. That's BASICALLY what this book entails as it's only around seventy pages. But it turns into something much more horrific as it's being told.
To say anything about what the Nudge is or what led this man to flee from the only woman he's ever loved after years of blissful marriage would not do it justice. I don't want to spoil anything about this incredibly creepy book.
Suffice it to say that this story the man tells goes from odd, to creepy, to violent and bloody. But there's more! Right at the end there's a twist that will change your perception about what you've just read and will have you thinking about it long after you've finished reading.
Just prepare yourself because once you start you won't want to stop reading until the very end. I highly recommend it. I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
A man checks into a hotel and as he and the clerk are headed to his room the man tells his rather terrifying story. That's BASICALLY what this book entails as it's only around seventy pages. But it turns into something much more horrific as it's being told.
To say anything about what the Nudge is or what led this man to flee from the only woman he's ever loved after years of blissful marriage would not do it justice. I don't want to spoil anything about this incredibly creepy book.
Suffice it to say that this story the man tells goes from odd, to creepy, to violent and bloody. But there's more! Right at the end there's a twist that will change your perception about what you've just read and will have you thinking about it long after you've finished reading.
Just prepare yourself because once you start you won't want to stop reading until the very end. I highly recommend it. I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
thank you netgalley for the arc in exchange for review!
right away, the unique back-and-forth format of this short story grabbed my attention. the fact that the entire thing is told purely between two characters highlights the feeling of isolation that follows the narrative, a presence so heavy that perhaps it is even a silent third character.
i wasnt entirely sure what direction this was going at any point in the story, not until the very last page. and while i would love a little more context or explanation, its because the ending comes so abruptly and leaves the reader with as much uncertainty as the main character that it fulfills its role as a psychological thriller.
i wish id read this in a high school english class because now i just want to sit for 45 minutes and talk about the different meanings one could interpret from this.
in sum, ill say: so eerie! so twilight zoney! an entertaining and thought-provoking read that can be knocked out in an hour or two but will linger for a few days afterward.
right away, the unique back-and-forth format of this short story grabbed my attention. the fact that the entire thing is told purely between two characters highlights the feeling of isolation that follows the narrative, a presence so heavy that perhaps it is even a silent third character.
i wasnt entirely sure what direction this was going at any point in the story, not until the very last page. and while i would love a little more context or explanation, its because the ending comes so abruptly and leaves the reader with as much uncertainty as the main character that it fulfills its role as a psychological thriller.
i wish id read this in a high school english class because now i just want to sit for 45 minutes and talk about the different meanings one could interpret from this.
in sum, ill say: so eerie! so twilight zoney! an entertaining and thought-provoking read that can be knocked out in an hour or two but will linger for a few days afterward.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A bite-sized horror experience with creepy characters, written skaz-style.
The Nudge is narrated by a man on the run from an evil supernatural force, as he recounts the possession of his wife to a bellhop. His week-long harrowing experience involves nightmare-inducing imagery of those the "nudge" possesses.
The story is predicatable, and the ending is abrupt. That is to say, while the conclusion did feel inevitable, it felt rushed compared to the rest of the story. At the last page, my genuine reaction was: so, that's it?.
Still, the middle is the perfect downward spiral set-up to a grim-end. Literally. They keep walking in that hotel forever. The back-and-forth exchange with the bellhop has an uncanny undercurrent to it, and keeps you reading to know what else can possibly go wrong next. The illustrations were also immersive (The one with the sewing needle sticking out? Morbid and perfect).
It is a quick fix for horror-lovers, that's certain.
The Nudge is narrated by a man on the run from an evil supernatural force, as he recounts the possession of his wife to a bellhop. His week-long harrowing experience involves nightmare-inducing imagery of those the "nudge" possesses.
The story is predicatable, and the ending is abrupt. That is to say, while the conclusion did feel inevitable, it felt rushed compared to the rest of the story. At the last page, my genuine reaction was: so, that's it?.
Still, the middle is the perfect downward spiral set-up to a grim-end. Literally. They keep walking in that hotel forever. The back-and-forth exchange with the bellhop has an uncanny undercurrent to it, and keeps you reading to know what else can possibly go wrong next. The illustrations were also immersive (The one with the sewing needle sticking out? Morbid and perfect).
It is a quick fix for horror-lovers, that's certain.
May 6, 2026
Thanks to Podium Entertainment and Netgalley for a copy of this arc
The nudge is a slick little possession story with an interesting format.
I think a lot of your enjoyment will hinge on whether or not you enjoy more experimental formats.
Im not the biggest fan of them but I can see who it would work for. Luckily I see it really working for the fans of some of finks previous work on the welcome to night vale podcast.
There is something so funny to me about a man whose wife is possessed and makes it about himself that made chuckle. There is a lot of leaping to conclusions that feel very yes and.
The beginning of this novella is the strongest in my opinion but fans of liminal space horror will probably enjoy the second half a little more than I do
I’d recommend to fans of Uketsus strange books.
The nudge is a slick little possession story with an interesting format.
I think a lot of your enjoyment will hinge on whether or not you enjoy more experimental formats.
Im not the biggest fan of them but I can see who it would work for. Luckily I see it really working for the fans of some of finks previous work on the welcome to night vale podcast.
There is something so funny to me about a man whose wife is possessed and makes it about himself that made chuckle. There is a lot of leaping to conclusions that feel very yes and.
The beginning of this novella is the strongest in my opinion but fans of liminal space horror will probably enjoy the second half a little more than I do
I’d recommend to fans of Uketsus strange books.
May 18, 2026
Thank you so much to NetGalley & the publisher for the eARC 🖤
okay this was DEEPLY unsettling and I absolutely ate it up 😭
70-ish pages?? excuse me??? how did this manage to make me this uncomfortable in basically one sitting 💀
This has that weird liminal, something-is-not-right, skin-crawly energy that gets under your skin FAST. The kind of story where you keep thinking “surely it can’t get weirder from here” and then it absolutely does.
I went in expecting a quick creepy little read and instead got psychological horror + emotional damage + me side-eyeing literally everything 😃
Also I LOVE when a novella doesn’t waste time. No filler, straight into the weirdness.
The Nudge itself??? nope. absolutely not. don’t want it. keep it away from me.
Such a ridiculously bingeable little horror read. Weird, creepy, unsettling, and somehow way more emotionally messy than I expected.
okay this was DEEPLY unsettling and I absolutely ate it up 😭
70-ish pages?? excuse me??? how did this manage to make me this uncomfortable in basically one sitting 💀
This has that weird liminal, something-is-not-right, skin-crawly energy that gets under your skin FAST. The kind of story where you keep thinking “surely it can’t get weirder from here” and then it absolutely does.
I went in expecting a quick creepy little read and instead got psychological horror + emotional damage + me side-eyeing literally everything 😃
Also I LOVE when a novella doesn’t waste time. No filler, straight into the weirdness.
The Nudge itself??? nope. absolutely not. don’t want it. keep it away from me.
Such a ridiculously bingeable little horror read. Weird, creepy, unsettling, and somehow way more emotionally messy than I expected.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.5 stars. Love the fun, strange, creepy, mysterious world of Welcome to Nightvale, so I was really excited to arc read this book. It definitely had a strong atmosphere and fun way of telling the story and I appreciated that. I also enjoyed the fun twist, so I gave it an extra half star for that reason. Unfortunately I just didn’t love the story, I wasn’t super invested, maybe just not for me! But I still very much am glad I got to read this. Thank you, NetGalley and Podium Entertainment for the ARC!
May 13, 2026
I really loved this novella. I read it all in one go - not hard to do as it’s short but it was very late at night and I couldn’t put it down to go to sleep. The liminal House of Leaves-esque hotel setting, the bittersweet love story, the suspense, a couple of genuinely creepy moments… so good! I was more invested in these characters than I am with most novels. The ending was a little abrupt and left me wishing for a little bit more lore about The Nudge itself. Otherwise an all around enjoyable, quick read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow this novella was so good! The right amount of horror and suspense that kept me reading from start to finish. 70 pages made this a supper quick read.
The main character is trying to escape The Nudge and the storyline is just intense with the plot and everything that happens throughout.
A must read! Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC of this novella.
The main character is trying to escape The Nudge and the storyline is just intense with the plot and everything that happens throughout.
A must read! Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC of this novella.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
be back to write a review! fantastic. creepy.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews