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Obsession
Grief never loosens its grip. But for some, it becomes an obsession that refuses to stay hidden.
Teddy was once a loving husband and devoted brother. He's now locked inside a psychiatric facility, haunted by his memories and accused of multiple murders.
To Dr Flack, the ambitious psychiatrist assigned to his case, Teddy is more than a patient — he's an opportunity. He's a chance of professional recognition that could define her career. Because she alone believes she can cure him.
But Teddy's story is darker than she could ever imagine.
Three years ago, Teddy found his sister Hannah dead. Since then, his life has unravelled — plagued by grief and disturbing images he can't escape. When women who resemble Hannah begin to appear in his life, the past refuses to stay contained. Even his wife, Olivia, fears how far he's slipping away. But Teddy insists he's in control.
Now, the deeper Dr Flack pushes, the more dangerous finding the truth becomes. Because once obsession takes hold, it can destroy everything.
Perfect for fans of Alex Michaelides and Caroline Kepnes, Obsession is a chilling psychological thriller about grief, control and the fine line between sanity and madness.
Teddy was once a loving husband and devoted brother. He's now locked inside a psychiatric facility, haunted by his memories and accused of multiple murders.
To Dr Flack, the ambitious psychiatrist assigned to his case, Teddy is more than a patient — he's an opportunity. He's a chance of professional recognition that could define her career. Because she alone believes she can cure him.
But Teddy's story is darker than she could ever imagine.
Three years ago, Teddy found his sister Hannah dead. Since then, his life has unravelled — plagued by grief and disturbing images he can't escape. When women who resemble Hannah begin to appear in his life, the past refuses to stay contained. Even his wife, Olivia, fears how far he's slipping away. But Teddy insists he's in control.
Now, the deeper Dr Flack pushes, the more dangerous finding the truth becomes. Because once obsession takes hold, it can destroy everything.
Perfect for fans of Alex Michaelides and Caroline Kepnes, Obsession is a chilling psychological thriller about grief, control and the fine line between sanity and madness.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 18, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
June 16, 2026
A very suspenseful read. I enjoyed the different timelines in this book which helped with the pacing. I did find certain characters a little less likeable and a bit repetitive at times. Overall, not a bad read if you are after something fast paced.
June 26, 2026
Wtf was this???? GINA I SWEAR TO GOD IF YOU LIKE THIS!!!!
Soo boring, no real twist ???
Soo boring, no real twist ???
July 2, 2026
I went into this with high hopes, the first few chapters were gripping but I feel it lost its momentum as the book went on as it becomes repetitive. That being said, it is a very interesting storyline, very different from all the usual tropes you find in the psychological domain.
The book starts with Dr Flack discussing her favourite patient- Teddy, we then learn exactly why the crazy main character Teddy is actually on the psychiatric ward. Told on now and then timelines at various stages of Teddys life, we are told about the death of his younger sister Hannah whom he was and still is obsessed with. We have multiple pov and are dropped off on different timelines but it flows well. It’s the kind of book you need to finish as you’re desperately wanting to know what happens.
The book starts with Dr Flack discussing her favourite patient- Teddy, we then learn exactly why the crazy main character Teddy is actually on the psychiatric ward. Told on now and then timelines at various stages of Teddys life, we are told about the death of his younger sister Hannah whom he was and still is obsessed with. We have multiple pov and are dropped off on different timelines but it flows well. It’s the kind of book you need to finish as you’re desperately wanting to know what happens.
June 30, 2026
This one lived up to the hype for me! I kept seeing it recommended in one of my book groups, so I finally decided to pick it up and I'm so glad I did. The twists just kept coming, I did have a suspicion about what was really going on, but the way everything was described had me genuinely creeped out at times not gonna lie! There were a few chapters that felt like they dragged a little, but once everything came together, it was absolutely worth sticking with. The ending tied everything together and made the slower moments worthwhile. Overall, this was a fast paced, entertaining thriller that kept me invested from beginning to end.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If someone ever tells you “I can fix him,” hand them a copy of Obsession.
This book was an absolute spiral in the best way. Teddy is the kind of character that makes you uncomfortable, concerned, and weirdly invested all at once. One minute I felt bad for him, the next I was thinking, “sir, absolutely not.” Ms. Dexter really knows how to write a character who is completely unraveling while still keeping you glued to the page.
I’ll admit, I figured out part of the twist fairly early, but honestly? It didn’t matter. Watching everything crash together was still ridiculously addictive. The real fun was seeing how far Teddy would go, what was up with Dr Flack and whether anyone in this story had a single stable thought left. Spoiler. probably not.
Dr. Flack especially fascinated me because her ambition almost felt as dangerous as Teddy’s obsession. Their scenes together had this constant tension where you just knew things were heading somewhere bad, and you are so invested.
Dark, creepy, chaotic, and impossible to put down. Definitely my favorite Jocelyn Dexter book so far. Perfect for anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers that make you question every character’s sanity
This book was an absolute spiral in the best way. Teddy is the kind of character that makes you uncomfortable, concerned, and weirdly invested all at once. One minute I felt bad for him, the next I was thinking, “sir, absolutely not.” Ms. Dexter really knows how to write a character who is completely unraveling while still keeping you glued to the page.
I’ll admit, I figured out part of the twist fairly early, but honestly? It didn’t matter. Watching everything crash together was still ridiculously addictive. The real fun was seeing how far Teddy would go, what was up with Dr Flack and whether anyone in this story had a single stable thought left. Spoiler. probably not.
Dr. Flack especially fascinated me because her ambition almost felt as dangerous as Teddy’s obsession. Their scenes together had this constant tension where you just knew things were heading somewhere bad, and you are so invested.
Dark, creepy, chaotic, and impossible to put down. Definitely my favorite Jocelyn Dexter book so far. Perfect for anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers that make you question every character’s sanity
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This story was very different from what I expected. I initially thought the focus would be more on the psychiatric treatment itself, but instead the novel mainly explores the events leading up to it, following Teddy’s disturbing journey and revealing how he comes to target women who resemble or remind him of his younger sister, Hannah, who died years earlier.
The story is told largely from Teddy’s perspective, which made it both unsettling and compelling. Alongside him is Abbie, a mysterious and manipulative figure whose motives remain unclear for much of the novel. I kept questioning what she truly wanted and what she gained from helping Teddy in such horrific ways.
Olivia, Teddy’s wife, was another interesting character. She genuinely wants to support her husband, but becomes increasingly troubled by the dramatic changes in his personality and behaviour. Meanwhile, her friend Molly is extremely outspoken and impulsive, and at times I found her quite irritating. Her brash approach seemed likely to put both herself and Olivia in danger, especially as they begin trying to uncover the truth behind Teddy’s actions and the cryptic letter he leaves behind.
Dr Flack, Teddy’s psychiatrist, was also a fascinating character, though not a particularly likeable one. She comes across as arrogant and more concerned with career advancement and professional prestige than genuinely helping her patients, which added another unsettling layer to the story.
The novel explores a very interesting and unusual subject, and it felt different from anything else I’ve read. I did feel that some sections could have been shortened to improve the pacing, and I would have liked more focus on Teddy’s actual treatment and sessions with Dr Flack. Unfortunately, I also worked out much of what was happening fairly early on, including aspects of the ending, which reduced some of the suspense for me.
Overall though, this was still an intriguing and disturbing psychological thriller with an original premise and plenty of darker themes to keep me engaged.
I received an ARC from Bloodhound Books for an honest review, thank you, and all thoughts are my own.
The story is told largely from Teddy’s perspective, which made it both unsettling and compelling. Alongside him is Abbie, a mysterious and manipulative figure whose motives remain unclear for much of the novel. I kept questioning what she truly wanted and what she gained from helping Teddy in such horrific ways.
Olivia, Teddy’s wife, was another interesting character. She genuinely wants to support her husband, but becomes increasingly troubled by the dramatic changes in his personality and behaviour. Meanwhile, her friend Molly is extremely outspoken and impulsive, and at times I found her quite irritating. Her brash approach seemed likely to put both herself and Olivia in danger, especially as they begin trying to uncover the truth behind Teddy’s actions and the cryptic letter he leaves behind.
Dr Flack, Teddy’s psychiatrist, was also a fascinating character, though not a particularly likeable one. She comes across as arrogant and more concerned with career advancement and professional prestige than genuinely helping her patients, which added another unsettling layer to the story.
The novel explores a very interesting and unusual subject, and it felt different from anything else I’ve read. I did feel that some sections could have been shortened to improve the pacing, and I would have liked more focus on Teddy’s actual treatment and sessions with Dr Flack. Unfortunately, I also worked out much of what was happening fairly early on, including aspects of the ending, which reduced some of the suspense for me.
Overall though, this was still an intriguing and disturbing psychological thriller with an original premise and plenty of darker themes to keep me engaged.
I received an ARC from Bloodhound Books for an honest review, thank you, and all thoughts are my own.
June 20, 2026
Excuse me for a moment, I need to relax my shoulders from up around my ears. Phew, that was a tense, unsettling read. To say I enjoyed this book feels slightly wrong as it’s pretty dark in places and I read with a knot of anxiety in my stomach throughout. But in a strange way, I did enjoy it and here’s why:
Firstly, let’s talk about the characters. They felt unlikeable to me but I don’t think we were meant to fall in love with them. I loathed Teddy, even though I was perhaps meant to feel a bit of empathy for him, no. Just no. His wife Olivia was more relatable, although I wanted to shake her and get her to take serious action from early on! Seeing Teddy’s demons and bizarre, cruel behaviour through her eyes, and that of his younger sister, were powerful storytelling tools here. He made my skin crawl, and I appreciate the skill of the author in creating such visceral feelings. And his psychiatrist, Dr Flack provoked a similar reaction - ironically, I felt that she may have her own significant issues and her elevated sense of superiority enabled her to treat Teddy almost like a pet.
Now the plot: Did I see where it was heading? Yes, but I didn’t guess everything correctly. Some readers see that as a negative but it actually made me feel like an armchair detective, surprising my cat when I punched the air and shouted, “I called it!”
If you like your psychological thrillers on the dark side, with characters you’ll love to hate, or who make you want to climb into the book to stop what’s happening in the story, this one is for you. It’s ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.
Firstly, let’s talk about the characters. They felt unlikeable to me but I don’t think we were meant to fall in love with them. I loathed Teddy, even though I was perhaps meant to feel a bit of empathy for him, no. Just no. His wife Olivia was more relatable, although I wanted to shake her and get her to take serious action from early on! Seeing Teddy’s demons and bizarre, cruel behaviour through her eyes, and that of his younger sister, were powerful storytelling tools here. He made my skin crawl, and I appreciate the skill of the author in creating such visceral feelings. And his psychiatrist, Dr Flack provoked a similar reaction - ironically, I felt that she may have her own significant issues and her elevated sense of superiority enabled her to treat Teddy almost like a pet.
Now the plot: Did I see where it was heading? Yes, but I didn’t guess everything correctly. Some readers see that as a negative but it actually made me feel like an armchair detective, surprising my cat when I punched the air and shouted, “I called it!”
If you like your psychological thrillers on the dark side, with characters you’ll love to hate, or who make you want to climb into the book to stop what’s happening in the story, this one is for you. It’s ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Jocelyn Dexter delivers an unsettling psychological thriller that explores OCD, & how destructive grief & trauma can be. This story had me second guessing every other chapter, I wasn't sure what was reality & what was delusion. It actually freaked me out a little bit 😳
Teddy our MC confined to a psychiatric hospital is an unreliable character. His perspective creates the most tension & a constant feeling of uncertainty all the way through the book. He's a very complex character with his mental health, his struggles with grief & his obsessions.
Dr Flack also gave me the chills. She thought she was a hero but I had a feeling from early on she was anything but. I kept imagining her sitting there with a crazy grin on her face rubbing her hands together like all her Christmases had come at once. Eerie im telling you lol.
The story slowly unravels as Dexter increases the sense of dread with well paced suspense throughout rather than shocking twists. I think this pacing worked well as the majority of the story focuses on psychological exploration.
Overall this was a winner for me, that lingering feeling of dread from the beginning as I was left wondering what was real & what wasn't gave me goosebumps. It's a must read for thriller readers who like mind bending mystery or emotionally dark stories.
Thank you to InstaBookTours Blood Hound Books & the Author for a copy of the book.
Teddy our MC confined to a psychiatric hospital is an unreliable character. His perspective creates the most tension & a constant feeling of uncertainty all the way through the book. He's a very complex character with his mental health, his struggles with grief & his obsessions.
Dr Flack also gave me the chills. She thought she was a hero but I had a feeling from early on she was anything but. I kept imagining her sitting there with a crazy grin on her face rubbing her hands together like all her Christmases had come at once. Eerie im telling you lol.
The story slowly unravels as Dexter increases the sense of dread with well paced suspense throughout rather than shocking twists. I think this pacing worked well as the majority of the story focuses on psychological exploration.
Overall this was a winner for me, that lingering feeling of dread from the beginning as I was left wondering what was real & what wasn't gave me goosebumps. It's a must read for thriller readers who like mind bending mystery or emotionally dark stories.
Thank you to InstaBookTours Blood Hound Books & the Author for a copy of the book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was quite the read! Teddy is locked up in a psychiatric unit accused of multiple murders. The story tells of how he got there.
The author deals with some complex themes around mental health, the power of grief and relationships. Thrown into the mix is Dr Flack, who is salivating at the fact she can advance her career through her "favourite" patient Teddy.
Teddy loses his sister and is grieving. He doesn't know how to harness his emotions. As we learn more about Teddy we see the coping mechanisms he has adopted since he was young.
Teddy had me stressed and on edge at times with the anticipation of his actions as he spiralled further into the depths of his afflictions. The power of obsession rears its ugly head and he becomes impulsive and loses his morals (although it can argued if he ever have them) and his sense of reality.
I enjoyed this book but I guessed a couple of the twists. Maybe this is due to the amout of thrillers I read. It didn't spoil it for me as I was more thrilled I worked it out. I would have enjoyed more focus on the psychiatric setting, but this was still a solid thriller and I would recommend.
Thankyou to Jocelyn Dexter, Bloodhound Books and Instabooktours for this complimentary advanced copy and having me on this tour! This review is being left voluntarily and all opinions expressed are my own.
The author deals with some complex themes around mental health, the power of grief and relationships. Thrown into the mix is Dr Flack, who is salivating at the fact she can advance her career through her "favourite" patient Teddy.
Teddy loses his sister and is grieving. He doesn't know how to harness his emotions. As we learn more about Teddy we see the coping mechanisms he has adopted since he was young.
Teddy had me stressed and on edge at times with the anticipation of his actions as he spiralled further into the depths of his afflictions. The power of obsession rears its ugly head and he becomes impulsive and loses his morals (although it can argued if he ever have them) and his sense of reality.
I enjoyed this book but I guessed a couple of the twists. Maybe this is due to the amout of thrillers I read. It didn't spoil it for me as I was more thrilled I worked it out. I would have enjoyed more focus on the psychiatric setting, but this was still a solid thriller and I would recommend.
Thankyou to Jocelyn Dexter, Bloodhound Books and Instabooktours for this complimentary advanced copy and having me on this tour! This review is being left voluntarily and all opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy
⭐⭐⭐
Obsession by Jocelyn Dexter is a deeply unsettling, menacing, and dark psychological thriller that offers a chilling, first-person dive into a severely fractured mind.
Told largely from the perspective of Teddy—a man profoundly warped by grief who targets women resembling his deceased younger sister—the story is both compelling and intensely uncomfortable. The psychological tension is heightened by Abbie, a manipulative and deeply ambiguous figure whose horrific enabling of Teddy keeps the reader constantly questioning her true motives, and by Olivia, Teddy's increasingly terrified wife. Shifting the focus to Teddy’s grief-warped obsession with women who look like his dead sister is incredibly chilling.
While the novel is cleverly constructed, successfully alternating between past and present timelines to build a deeply creepy atmosphere, it ultimately falters at the finish line. The final twists are highly predictable for seasoned thriller readers, stripping the climax of its suspense and leaving the narrative feeling excessively grim and messy rather than shockingly impactful. While it may polarise readers, this deeply twisted and disturbing exploration of psychological obsession earns 3 shivering stars.
Obsession by Jocelyn Dexter is a deeply unsettling, menacing, and dark psychological thriller that offers a chilling, first-person dive into a severely fractured mind.
Told largely from the perspective of Teddy—a man profoundly warped by grief who targets women resembling his deceased younger sister—the story is both compelling and intensely uncomfortable. The psychological tension is heightened by Abbie, a manipulative and deeply ambiguous figure whose horrific enabling of Teddy keeps the reader constantly questioning her true motives, and by Olivia, Teddy's increasingly terrified wife. Shifting the focus to Teddy’s grief-warped obsession with women who look like his dead sister is incredibly chilling.
While the novel is cleverly constructed, successfully alternating between past and present timelines to build a deeply creepy atmosphere, it ultimately falters at the finish line. The final twists are highly predictable for seasoned thriller readers, stripping the climax of its suspense and leaving the narrative feeling excessively grim and messy rather than shockingly impactful. While it may polarise readers, this deeply twisted and disturbing exploration of psychological obsession earns 3 shivering stars.
Review of advance copy received from Author
There are only certain authors that give me goosebumps and make the hair on my neck stand on end, Jocelyn Dexter is one of them.
Can you possibly 'fix' a person with a troubled mind, with love alone?
Teddy's wife Olivia hopes so.
Teddy has always suffered from mental illness and has a need to control everything in his life.
So when at the age of fifteen his sister Hannah is born, his life turns into chaos, but as the years go by he takes Hannah under his wing to make her the perfect person possible.
But tragedy strikes when Teddy finds his sister dead in the bath at only twenty years old.
Teddy can't cope with his sisters death and Olivia doesn't know how to reach out to him.
When Teddy meets Abbie, they hit it off immediately and Teddy finds that he can talk to her more than Olivia.
When Teddy starts to see his dead sister Hannah everywhere, Abbie encourages his obsession to get rid of the world of fake Hannah's.
You will hear from Teddy's psychiatrist Dr. Flack without this book and to be honest, she definitely needs some help herself!
A brilliantly written psychological thriller with Jocelyn's unique take on things.
Can you possibly 'fix' a person with a troubled mind, with love alone?
Teddy's wife Olivia hopes so.
Teddy has always suffered from mental illness and has a need to control everything in his life.
So when at the age of fifteen his sister Hannah is born, his life turns into chaos, but as the years go by he takes Hannah under his wing to make her the perfect person possible.
But tragedy strikes when Teddy finds his sister dead in the bath at only twenty years old.
Teddy can't cope with his sisters death and Olivia doesn't know how to reach out to him.
When Teddy meets Abbie, they hit it off immediately and Teddy finds that he can talk to her more than Olivia.
When Teddy starts to see his dead sister Hannah everywhere, Abbie encourages his obsession to get rid of the world of fake Hannah's.
You will hear from Teddy's psychiatrist Dr. Flack without this book and to be honest, she definitely needs some help herself!
A brilliantly written psychological thriller with Jocelyn's unique take on things.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Very different from her other books, Obsession is an extremely dark tale of what happens when the need for complete and total perfection becomes a deadly mania.
When Teddy finds his sister Hannah, dead in the bath, his life unravels in an unparalleled and terrifying way. Told from multiple points of view, including his psychiatrist who believes that the reasons for his incarceration in the psychiatric facility will make her career, this is a very disturbing but equally an unable to put down read. Teddy’s spiralling is uncomfortable to read but he is a relatable character who at times, I felt a great deal of sympathy for. But my thoughts were mainly for his wife Olivia, being torn between the love for her husband and the horror of what he was becoming.
Once I started reading Obsession I could not put it down as the tension I felt all the way through steadily built. And as the views from all the people involved wove tighter and tighter together, I desperately needed to know how it was going to end for all of them.
When Teddy finds his sister Hannah, dead in the bath, his life unravels in an unparalleled and terrifying way. Told from multiple points of view, including his psychiatrist who believes that the reasons for his incarceration in the psychiatric facility will make her career, this is a very disturbing but equally an unable to put down read. Teddy’s spiralling is uncomfortable to read but he is a relatable character who at times, I felt a great deal of sympathy for. But my thoughts were mainly for his wife Olivia, being torn between the love for her husband and the horror of what he was becoming.
Once I started reading Obsession I could not put it down as the tension I felt all the way through steadily built. And as the views from all the people involved wove tighter and tighter together, I desperately needed to know how it was going to end for all of them.
July 8, 2026
3.5 stars
I can only applaud the author for their ability to create fictional beings that I have a strong dislike and even hatred for.
Immediately Dr Flack was a red flag for me. The way she speaks about mental health really made my skin crawl, and in honesty I didnt itch to continue reading from that initial introduction. It is clear her patients are her subjects and she is not at all in the job for the right reasons.
However, I did read on, and I am glad. The love letter that Teddy leaves for Liv really ramps up the suspense and pace of the book. My attention was properly grabbed with the introduction of Abbie, and then the new "hannahs". From here, the author really begins to throw in hints at the weird way human brains can function. It gets creepy and eerie and more intense the further you read. Mostly told from Teddys POV, it was interesting to get a glimpse into his psyche.
Although I found this to be quite predictable, and could see where it was going from quite early on; it was fun to see how it all pieced together and get clarifications for my own thoughts.
I can only applaud the author for their ability to create fictional beings that I have a strong dislike and even hatred for.
Immediately Dr Flack was a red flag for me. The way she speaks about mental health really made my skin crawl, and in honesty I didnt itch to continue reading from that initial introduction. It is clear her patients are her subjects and she is not at all in the job for the right reasons.
However, I did read on, and I am glad. The love letter that Teddy leaves for Liv really ramps up the suspense and pace of the book. My attention was properly grabbed with the introduction of Abbie, and then the new "hannahs". From here, the author really begins to throw in hints at the weird way human brains can function. It gets creepy and eerie and more intense the further you read. Mostly told from Teddys POV, it was interesting to get a glimpse into his psyche.
Although I found this to be quite predictable, and could see where it was going from quite early on; it was fun to see how it all pieced together and get clarifications for my own thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
If "I can fix him" was a trope (is it a trope? I don’t know, but it should be), then this book would be a perfect embodiment of it!
WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING HERE? This is what I kept asking myself as I was reading it.
What. Is. Going. On. There.
Why. Is. Everyone. So. Weird. What. The. Actual. Duck.
I was kind of hoping it would have more of the psych hospital setting, but it wasn’t – it was more of spiraling, various timelines, memories, events, all coming CRASHING together.
The book blurb doesn’t really tell much about the amount of MADNESS happening there. The chaos, the absolute mayhem, and the promised obsession too turn out to be not quite one I expected at first.
Although it ended up being a different-ish story than I was expecting, it was also a better one. It was so unique. It was so weird. It was so crazy. The book crazies were unlike those that are usually there in the psych thrillers. And the actual craziness too was different.
Review of advance copy received from Author
From the start I just knew that this story was going to end badly but for whom? It was the waiting for it all to unravel that really got under my skin.
Teddy is in a psychiatric hospital and it’s clear that he has done some very bad things.
Dr Flack, who has a serious ego has the audacity to think that she is going to reveal that Teddy has a specific psychological problem that will result in her being lauded as the brilliant Psychologist she clearly thinks that she is. Is she in danger of being too complacent? Quite possibly.
Is Teddy as narrator of his own story to be relied upon? Possibly not.
And who the f*#k is Abbie? Is she real or not?
All of these questions were running through my mind as I read this book.
Ultimately I was screaming inside telling Olivia, Teddy’s wife and her best friend, Molly to get the hell out of there.
By the end of it all I just needed a lie down in a dark room!
Teddy is in a psychiatric hospital and it’s clear that he has done some very bad things.
Dr Flack, who has a serious ego has the audacity to think that she is going to reveal that Teddy has a specific psychological problem that will result in her being lauded as the brilliant Psychologist she clearly thinks that she is. Is she in danger of being too complacent? Quite possibly.
Is Teddy as narrator of his own story to be relied upon? Possibly not.
And who the f*#k is Abbie? Is she real or not?
All of these questions were running through my mind as I read this book.
Ultimately I was screaming inside telling Olivia, Teddy’s wife and her best friend, Molly to get the hell out of there.
By the end of it all I just needed a lie down in a dark room!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Jocelyn Dexter’s Obsession is an altogether more unsettling breed of psychological thriller. It doesn't just try to clever you into a corner; it actually gets right under your skin.
Dexter doesn’t treat grief like a cheap plot device—she treats it like a genuine haunting. The atmosphere is claustrophobic and deeply disorientating, mimicking a mind unravelling. The real chill, though, lies in the sharp cat-and-mouse game between a shattered patient and a dangerously ambitious therapist, leaving you constantly questioning who is actually holding the cards.
Written with a cold, precise elegance, it's a slow, agonizing psychological burn that shifts into a frantic, breathless scramble. If you want a thriller that is intelligent, deeply dark, and genuinely uncomfortable, this is definitely for you.
Dexter doesn’t treat grief like a cheap plot device—she treats it like a genuine haunting. The atmosphere is claustrophobic and deeply disorientating, mimicking a mind unravelling. The real chill, though, lies in the sharp cat-and-mouse game between a shattered patient and a dangerously ambitious therapist, leaving you constantly questioning who is actually holding the cards.
Written with a cold, precise elegance, it's a slow, agonizing psychological burn that shifts into a frantic, breathless scramble. If you want a thriller that is intelligent, deeply dark, and genuinely uncomfortable, this is definitely for you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This story shows how the mind can take you to a dark and scary place, it's unthinkable really and terrifying!!!
The story takes us back and forth from the past to the present. We begin with Teddy locked up in a psychiatric hospital accused for multiple murders. Teddy is a loving husband to Olivia who have a lovely life together but his life changes when he finds his beloved sister dead in her bathtub. He can't get on with his life and the grief is unbearable.
Dr Flack is his psychiatrist who thinks she can save him from his torture. Is she doing this for him or for herself?
I don't want to say much more and give anything away other than you need to read this book, it's dark, tense and scarily brilliant. I couldn't put it down until I'd finished it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Well that was mind blowing!!
Jocelyn Dexter is one of my favourite authors. And once you’ve read this, I highly recommend you devour her other deliciously dark stories.
If you enjoy thrillers that delve into the dark depths of the human mind, then this needs to go to the top of your list. Teddy’s journey is dark, twisted and utterly fascinating. I absolutely could not stop turning the pages.
Dr Flack is the epitome of the perfect ‘love to hate’ character. What is she up to? You’ll have to read to find out…
The writing is flawless and the twists will leave you reeling. This is a challenging subject and the author writes with such authenticity and skill.
Buckle up for an unexpected, creepy, tense rollercoaster of a ride.
This book will be your new obsession. Outstanding!
Jocelyn Dexter is one of my favourite authors. And once you’ve read this, I highly recommend you devour her other deliciously dark stories.
If you enjoy thrillers that delve into the dark depths of the human mind, then this needs to go to the top of your list. Teddy’s journey is dark, twisted and utterly fascinating. I absolutely could not stop turning the pages.
Dr Flack is the epitome of the perfect ‘love to hate’ character. What is she up to? You’ll have to read to find out…
The writing is flawless and the twists will leave you reeling. This is a challenging subject and the author writes with such authenticity and skill.
Buckle up for an unexpected, creepy, tense rollercoaster of a ride.
This book will be your new obsession. Outstanding!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Once again Jocelyn Dexter has delivered a dark and disturbing novel - her darkest yet. She challenges one's perception of morality with amoral characters destined to blur the fine line between good and evil.
I fell for Teddy immediately - despite the unfolding revelations about his past. I often find myself falling for the bad guys in dark stories like this one. But perhaps he occasionally deserved a little bit of empathy from me?
Jocelyn Dexter explores a world where mental health has faltered and failed and irrevocable tragedy is sure to follow. She seemlessly weaves together past and present in a plot that is both chilling and addictive.
This novel places Jocelyn Dexter in the elite coterie of whydunit authors alongside Patricia Highsmith, Barbara Vine, Donna Tartt and Val McDermid.
I fell for Teddy immediately - despite the unfolding revelations about his past. I often find myself falling for the bad guys in dark stories like this one. But perhaps he occasionally deserved a little bit of empathy from me?
Jocelyn Dexter explores a world where mental health has faltered and failed and irrevocable tragedy is sure to follow. She seemlessly weaves together past and present in a plot that is both chilling and addictive.
This novel places Jocelyn Dexter in the elite coterie of whydunit authors alongside Patricia Highsmith, Barbara Vine, Donna Tartt and Val McDermid.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A really good book that kept me interested the whole way through and one that I didn’t put down all day!
Teddy was devoted to his sister, Hannah, until he found her dead one day. This broke him and he started to see women that look like her everywhere. His wife begins to become worried about him and his behaviour and Teddy leads her on a treasure hunt to the shrine he has created in the attic for Hannah. Teddy ends up in a psychiatric facility where he meets Dr Flack, who is determined to cure Teddy.
I did guess the ending to this quite early on in the book, but I still loved reading it! It was a really intriguing and interesting thriller and I would love to read more Jocelyn Dexter in the future!
Teddy was devoted to his sister, Hannah, until he found her dead one day. This broke him and he started to see women that look like her everywhere. His wife begins to become worried about him and his behaviour and Teddy leads her on a treasure hunt to the shrine he has created in the attic for Hannah. Teddy ends up in a psychiatric facility where he meets Dr Flack, who is determined to cure Teddy.
I did guess the ending to this quite early on in the book, but I still loved reading it! It was a really intriguing and interesting thriller and I would love to read more Jocelyn Dexter in the future!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I thoroughly enjoyed this gripping, well written, and very different, chilling psychological thriller, which keeps you guessing and thinking.
It has strong, interesting characters. Teddy is a very complex character, and my feelings about him kept changing, like a yo yo. Although my suspicions were correct.
Oliva, I couldn't help but feel sorry for and felt she loved Teddy as a husband, but not how he seemed to have changed.
Dr Flack and her clever, no all attitude really grated on me, and I found myself totally disliking. Only thanks to the authors' good descriptive, did these thoughts come about.
I do have this on pre-order, but my thanks to the author for the advanced copy
This is my honest and unbiased review of this book.
It has strong, interesting characters. Teddy is a very complex character, and my feelings about him kept changing, like a yo yo. Although my suspicions were correct.
Oliva, I couldn't help but feel sorry for and felt she loved Teddy as a husband, but not how he seemed to have changed.
Dr Flack and her clever, no all attitude really grated on me, and I found myself totally disliking. Only thanks to the authors' good descriptive, did these thoughts come about.
I do have this on pre-order, but my thanks to the author for the advanced copy
This is my honest and unbiased review of this book.
June 19, 2026
Thank you to Jocelyn Dexter and InstaBook Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book!
I love me an unreliable character, and Jocelyn really knocked this one out of the park. This book was so genuinely creepy and unsettling because of how real it could be. Grief and trauma can be incredibly damaging to some, and this book really explores that with a slow unravel that brings with it a sense of lingering dread. Even from the beginning, Dr. Flack gives a sense of unease that really sets the tone for the rest of the book. The pacing was perfect for this story, and I felt like the characters were well-developed. This is my introduction to this author, and I can honestly say I am a fan. I will definitely be going back to read more of her books.
I love me an unreliable character, and Jocelyn really knocked this one out of the park. This book was so genuinely creepy and unsettling because of how real it could be. Grief and trauma can be incredibly damaging to some, and this book really explores that with a slow unravel that brings with it a sense of lingering dread. Even from the beginning, Dr. Flack gives a sense of unease that really sets the tone for the rest of the book. The pacing was perfect for this story, and I felt like the characters were well-developed. This is my introduction to this author, and I can honestly say I am a fan. I will definitely be going back to read more of her books.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Diagnosis can be deadly.
Psychological thriller to blow your mind.
Dr Flack has a new patient.
Teddy is more than a patient, more madder than most, and she is not afraid of him, and makes great strides to curing him.
A dark deep story, totally freaked me out reading.
The author has done her homework taking this book into a mind of a man who's troubles turn him into someone else imaginable, a killer with a whole lot more inside.
I was gripped right into the chapters, its definitely a one to read and learn of what goes on in the mind, he's hardwork.
A totally different Psychological that I have ever read.
A totally top read.
Psychological thriller to blow your mind.
Dr Flack has a new patient.
Teddy is more than a patient, more madder than most, and she is not afraid of him, and makes great strides to curing him.
A dark deep story, totally freaked me out reading.
The author has done her homework taking this book into a mind of a man who's troubles turn him into someone else imaginable, a killer with a whole lot more inside.
I was gripped right into the chapters, its definitely a one to read and learn of what goes on in the mind, he's hardwork.
A totally different Psychological that I have ever read.
A totally top read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Obsession grabbed my attention early and kept me fully invested. The tension in this book is relentless — there were moments where the suspense was killing me in the best way. I had an inkling about one element as things unfolded — not a full reveal, just that quiet “hmm…” feeling — and it actually made the experience more fun because I wanted to see if my instincts were right.
And when everything finally snapped into place at the end, it felt like pure kismet. Dark, inevitable, and exactly the kind of payoff I love in a psychological thriller. Another amazing read by Jocelyn, and one that delivers steady unease throughout!
And when everything finally snapped into place at the end, it felt like pure kismet. Dark, inevitable, and exactly the kind of payoff I love in a psychological thriller. Another amazing read by Jocelyn, and one that delivers steady unease throughout!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Jocelyn Dexter knows how to write dark, discomforting (in a good way) thrillers and she's done it again with Obsession.
As readers, we're given an uncomfortable front row seat to Teddy's obsession, and can only watch as he hurtles towards destruction. But is that destruction entirely of his own making? There are other people in his life who perhaps do not have his best interests at heart. Dr Flack is a fascinating, horror-show, of a psychiatrist and a fabulous character in this chilling story.
Dexter has a way of writing that gets under your skin and is quite unlike the majority of other authors I've come across. If 'you like it darker', you'll love this.
As readers, we're given an uncomfortable front row seat to Teddy's obsession, and can only watch as he hurtles towards destruction. But is that destruction entirely of his own making? There are other people in his life who perhaps do not have his best interests at heart. Dr Flack is a fascinating, horror-show, of a psychiatrist and a fabulous character in this chilling story.
Dexter has a way of writing that gets under your skin and is quite unlike the majority of other authors I've come across. If 'you like it darker', you'll love this.
June 19, 2026
WoW. . . . . Obsession: by Jocelyn Dexter was a excellent psychological thriller, but, I would not recommend starting to read at night!!! as it was so addictive once you start to read it You won't want to put it down, especially as it will play with your mind, with so many questions you will be asking yourself as you read this excellent psychological thriller. Jocelyn's latest book gave me goosebumps as I was reading it and it was a chilling and haunting read.
I loved every page, Jocelyn Dexter books just get better and better and now she is one of my Top psychological thriller authors. I 100% recommend this book a superb haunting read.
I loved every page, Jocelyn Dexter books just get better and better and now she is one of my Top psychological thriller authors. I 100% recommend this book a superb haunting read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another great rollercoaster read from this author.
She definitely finds the characters to keep you hooked.
Teddy was grieving with his wife supporting him. But isn’t it strange how the mind works and supports you too.
Jump to the Drs support and things really open up.
The story goes from now to the original dates of things beginning and back again. Between the characters a full build really kept me intrigued and wondering what next.
Not confusing, completely needed and such a good way to unravel as their life goes on.
Great read.
She definitely finds the characters to keep you hooked.
Teddy was grieving with his wife supporting him. But isn’t it strange how the mind works and supports you too.
Jump to the Drs support and things really open up.
The story goes from now to the original dates of things beginning and back again. Between the characters a full build really kept me intrigued and wondering what next.
Not confusing, completely needed and such a good way to unravel as their life goes on.
Great read.
June 17, 2026
Read it you like;
-Different timelines
-Psychological Thriller
-Disturbing
-Chaotic
Can I fix someone? No you can’t, then give them this book!
Obsession is unlike anything I’ve read before. It focusses mainly on the events leading up to Teddy’s disturbing journey and his eventual targeting of women.
I thoroughly enjoyed the novel’s different timelines, they certainly enhance the pacing. Furthermore, the main POV is Teddy’s, which creates a sense of unease and compulsion for me as the reader.
I found Molly quite brash in her approach. Her lack of delicacy could put her and Olivia in danger at times. She was extremely out of her depth, I mean they both were!
Olivia, on the other hand, was genuinely trying to help her husband. However, sometimes you have to question when enough is enough??
A couple of minor pointsc sometimes the plot felt a bit repetitive and I would have liked more focus on Teddy’s treatment.
The author excels at exploring OCD and the profound impact of grief and trauma on vulnerable individuals. It made me question what was real and what wasn’t!
Overall, this is an intriguing dark psychological thriller with a unique storyline.
-Different timelines
-Psychological Thriller
-Disturbing
-Chaotic
Can I fix someone? No you can’t, then give them this book!
Obsession is unlike anything I’ve read before. It focusses mainly on the events leading up to Teddy’s disturbing journey and his eventual targeting of women.
I thoroughly enjoyed the novel’s different timelines, they certainly enhance the pacing. Furthermore, the main POV is Teddy’s, which creates a sense of unease and compulsion for me as the reader.
I found Molly quite brash in her approach. Her lack of delicacy could put her and Olivia in danger at times. She was extremely out of her depth, I mean they both were!
Olivia, on the other hand, was genuinely trying to help her husband. However, sometimes you have to question when enough is enough??
A couple of minor pointsc sometimes the plot felt a bit repetitive and I would have liked more focus on Teddy’s treatment.
The author excels at exploring OCD and the profound impact of grief and trauma on vulnerable individuals. It made me question what was real and what wasn’t!
Overall, this is an intriguing dark psychological thriller with a unique storyline.
Review of advance copy received from Author
WOW, what a mind-blowing read this was, so well written with great characters. You were led to believe that Teddy was a normal loving husband and brother but as you dug deeper into his life story, you begin to realise exactly what had been going on. It wasn’t until the very end that some things became clearer, which was a total surprise. It was a very dark and gripping psychological thriller that kept me awake most of the night, a real page-turner, one that will stay with me for quite some time.
June 24, 2026
A storyline set in two time lines, past and present. Teddy has a troubled mind, he has always had “isms” but the birth of his sister Hannah when he was 15 years old sets him on a twisted dark path. Seeking perfection in his sister who doesn’t really want to be perfect. Hannah’s sudden death sends Teddy in to a downward spiral, he see’s Hannah everywhere and the need for perfection for the Hannahs that still haunt his everyday life. Then he meets Abbie and things really start to take a darker turn for the worse.
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