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Crazy Time: A Bizarre Battle with Darkness and the Divine
Crazy A Bizarre Battle with Darkness and the Divine is a dark, surreal, contemporary supernatural fantasy that offers scares and suspense but seeks to terrify more on the level of concept, filling your head with thoughts and images that don’t fit right and perhaps shouldn’t even be.
Bright, independent Lily Henshaw rides home with her friends Kris, Eric, and Mia after an evening of celebration and ends up in a nightmare. Two men in a pickup truck stalk them on the road. The truck sideswipes them, and they pull over—where the two men subdue them with a gun and a tire iron. One of the men announces that it's "crazy time," and a game of violence and murder begins. Lily barely escapes with her life.
Months later, she is still traumatized, and her religious coworker Vince's attempt to comfort her with claims that everything happens for a reason only leads to a panic attack. Her boss and the owner of the printing company where they work, Burt—who has always had feelings for her but has never acted on them—offers more solace, but he also shows her posters ordered by MFS, a corporation with offices at the nearby 1500 Spring Street skyscraper, posters that feature disturbing, apocalyptic Biblical images coupled with bizarre motivational taglines. Lily is agnostic, Burt is an atheist, and they're both amused... and a little creeped out. The small levity Lily finds vanishes when her family calls to tell her that her brother David has killed himself, apparently part of a "cluster suicide" phenomenon that she and David had heard about on the news at a recent family gathering.
While she mourns, Lily can't get the apocalyptic posters out of her head. Soon she gets a new, much larger dose of religious creepiness when a swarm of locusts invades her apartment. Unsure about whether the affliction is real, she calls Burt for help and waits for him outside. During the wait, a man attacks her. She is on the ground bleeding when Burt and other witnesses arrive. The other witnesses, seeing Burt, a black man, and Lily, an injured white woman, assume Burt is to blame and have him arrested. Lily testifies to Burt's innocence, but he nevertheless spends a night in jail, where a cellmate kills himself, part of another suicide cluster. Meanwhile, Lily has a vision of Kris, Eric, and Mia sounding less like themselves than like Biblical prophets, warning her about opposing God. The experience sparks an Lily begins to believe that she might be cursed, and in high Biblical fashion, the curse is affecting people around her, too, especially Burt.
Lily adopts "curse logic" and looks for answers. Burt, though skeptical, joins her. They visit an "extreme" psychic. Lily has an interview with a Satanist. While searching for answers, tragedies and traumas keep piling Lily's family suffers more losses, Lily and Burt witness a murder in Lily's bedroom as well as a suicide on the street, and Lily experiences further financial catastrophe. Lily concludes that her curse is reminiscent of the Book of Job. God, if He exists, is out to get her, and unlike the pious Job, she decides that she's out to get God, too.
Her Satanist advisor points her toward a freelancer in the world of dark deeds, Tobias Centurion, who performs a ritual that points to answers at 1500 Spring Street. Armed with nothing but portents and vague advice, Lily and Burt approach the skyscraper intending to face off with God's corporate cronies and possibly God Himself.
Bright, independent Lily Henshaw rides home with her friends Kris, Eric, and Mia after an evening of celebration and ends up in a nightmare. Two men in a pickup truck stalk them on the road. The truck sideswipes them, and they pull over—where the two men subdue them with a gun and a tire iron. One of the men announces that it's "crazy time," and a game of violence and murder begins. Lily barely escapes with her life.
Months later, she is still traumatized, and her religious coworker Vince's attempt to comfort her with claims that everything happens for a reason only leads to a panic attack. Her boss and the owner of the printing company where they work, Burt—who has always had feelings for her but has never acted on them—offers more solace, but he also shows her posters ordered by MFS, a corporation with offices at the nearby 1500 Spring Street skyscraper, posters that feature disturbing, apocalyptic Biblical images coupled with bizarre motivational taglines. Lily is agnostic, Burt is an atheist, and they're both amused... and a little creeped out. The small levity Lily finds vanishes when her family calls to tell her that her brother David has killed himself, apparently part of a "cluster suicide" phenomenon that she and David had heard about on the news at a recent family gathering.
While she mourns, Lily can't get the apocalyptic posters out of her head. Soon she gets a new, much larger dose of religious creepiness when a swarm of locusts invades her apartment. Unsure about whether the affliction is real, she calls Burt for help and waits for him outside. During the wait, a man attacks her. She is on the ground bleeding when Burt and other witnesses arrive. The other witnesses, seeing Burt, a black man, and Lily, an injured white woman, assume Burt is to blame and have him arrested. Lily testifies to Burt's innocence, but he nevertheless spends a night in jail, where a cellmate kills himself, part of another suicide cluster. Meanwhile, Lily has a vision of Kris, Eric, and Mia sounding less like themselves than like Biblical prophets, warning her about opposing God. The experience sparks an Lily begins to believe that she might be cursed, and in high Biblical fashion, the curse is affecting people around her, too, especially Burt.
Lily adopts "curse logic" and looks for answers. Burt, though skeptical, joins her. They visit an "extreme" psychic. Lily has an interview with a Satanist. While searching for answers, tragedies and traumas keep piling Lily's family suffers more losses, Lily and Burt witness a murder in Lily's bedroom as well as a suicide on the street, and Lily experiences further financial catastrophe. Lily concludes that her curse is reminiscent of the Book of Job. God, if He exists, is out to get her, and unlike the pious Job, she decides that she's out to get God, too.
Her Satanist advisor points her toward a freelancer in the world of dark deeds, Tobias Centurion, who performs a ritual that points to answers at 1500 Spring Street. Armed with nothing but portents and vague advice, Lily and Burt approach the skyscraper intending to face off with God's corporate cronies and possibly God Himself.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 12, 2022
38 people are currently reading
459 people want to read
About the author
L. Andrew Cooper
29 books31 followersL. Andrew Cooper specializes in the provocative, scary, and strange. His current project, The Middle Reaches, is a serialized epic of weird horror and dark fantasy on Amazon Kindle Vella. His latest release, Records of the Hightower Massacre, an LGBTQ+ horror novella co-authored with Maeva Wunn, imagines a near-future dystopia where anti-queer hate runs a program to "correct" deviants. Stains of Atrocity, his newest collection of stories, goes to uncomfortable psychological and visceral extremes. His latest novel, Crazy Time, combines literary horror and dark fantasy in a contemporary quest to undo what may be a divine curse. Other published works include novels Burning the Middle Ground and Descending Lines; short story collections Leaping at Thorns and Peritoneum; poetry collection The Great Sonnet Plot of Anton Tick; non-fiction Gothic Realities and Dario Argento; co-edited fiction anthologies Imagination Reimagined and Reel Dark; and the co-edited textbook Monsters. He has also written more than 30 award-winning screenplays. After studying literature and film at Harvard and Princeton, he used his Ph.D. to teach about favorite topics from coast to coast in the United States. He now focuses on writing and lives with his husband in North Hollywood, California. Find him at www.landrewcooper.com.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 5, 2022
Have you ever wondered if God or Satan was just out to get you some days? Lily Henshaw has, and she has a damn good reason to wonder about that. Lily has been suffering quite a few traumas of late, and as things grow worse and worse, something of a pattern begins to emerge with a suspiciously "Book of Job" feel to it. What follows is an adventure between good, evil and all of us somewhere in-between.
Alright, I always try to do two things in my reviews. I try to keep it relatively spoiler free, which is why in terms of a plot description, I can't give much more than the above. This really is one of those books you should go into blind and just let everything come at you as you try to piece it all together.
Second thing I try to do is keep my reviews honest, which is why I'm stressing this now: This book is one of the best horror novels I've read in quite some time, but it will likely make you uncomfortable. For me, that's fun! I love it when horror makes me thing, makes me feel or gets under my skin. This book did all three of those things and I praise it to no end for that! That said, consider yourself warned… this one gets psychologically rough in a few places.
That said, it's also surprisingly funny. For a book that made me this uncomfortable, it managed to get several genuine laughs out of me. I fully confess that humor is one of those aspects that always makes me more inclined to like a book no matter what genre, and the sense of humor here just worked for me.
The prose is clever. At times simple, at others slightly complex. I would call it literary horror for the most part… but there's more than a touch of the fantasy genre about it as well. If I was to compare it to another author, my instant reaction is Clive Barker, though nowhere near as long (and I would say much more carefully plotted) than most of his novels.
Overall I cannot recommend this book enough. I debated between four or five stars, but in the end, enjoyment gains it that extra star. A rare 5/5 stars
Alright, I always try to do two things in my reviews. I try to keep it relatively spoiler free, which is why in terms of a plot description, I can't give much more than the above. This really is one of those books you should go into blind and just let everything come at you as you try to piece it all together.
Second thing I try to do is keep my reviews honest, which is why I'm stressing this now: This book is one of the best horror novels I've read in quite some time, but it will likely make you uncomfortable. For me, that's fun! I love it when horror makes me thing, makes me feel or gets under my skin. This book did all three of those things and I praise it to no end for that! That said, consider yourself warned… this one gets psychologically rough in a few places.
That said, it's also surprisingly funny. For a book that made me this uncomfortable, it managed to get several genuine laughs out of me. I fully confess that humor is one of those aspects that always makes me more inclined to like a book no matter what genre, and the sense of humor here just worked for me.
The prose is clever. At times simple, at others slightly complex. I would call it literary horror for the most part… but there's more than a touch of the fantasy genre about it as well. If I was to compare it to another author, my instant reaction is Clive Barker, though nowhere near as long (and I would say much more carefully plotted) than most of his novels.
Overall I cannot recommend this book enough. I debated between four or five stars, but in the end, enjoyment gains it that extra star. A rare 5/5 stars
January 27, 2022
Who hasn’t wondered about their place in the universe? The meaning of it all? Why do bad things happen to reasonably good people? Lily endures enough tragedy and insanity for a lifetime in the span of a few months. But just surviving isn’t enough. She needs to know why and why her? Her quest takes her through crazy time and the horror of understanding to someplace entirely new. _Crazy Time_ isn’t just horror. The author asks the hard questions and stares unflinchingly into possibility, however disturbing. It’s a meditation on meaning, age old problems and uniquely modern ones. A page turner that makes you think. I highly recommend this book.
August 4, 2023
The unconventional and surreal nature of Crazy Time: A Bizarre Battle with Darkness and the Divine by L. Andrew Cooper is reminiscent of the enigmatic artistry of Salvador Dali. Much like Dali's works, this narrative possesses the ability to captivate some readers while leaving others unsettled.
In the midst of her seemingly ordinary existence as an office manager at a print shop, Lily Henshaw's world is shattered when she becomes the lone survivor of a horrific attack on a desolate highway. Tragically, three of her friends meet their untimely demise, thrusting Lily into a harrowing nightmare. A casual car ride home with her friends Kris, Eric, and Mia takes an ominous turn that forever alters Lily Henshaw's life. Tormented by the haunting memories of that fateful incident, Lily becomes increasingly aware of strange occurrences permeating her existence. With each passing day, she delves deeper into the inexplicable, unearthing a supernatural presence lurking behind these incidents.
Gradually, Lily comes to question whether these unsettling events are part of a divine or malevolent test orchestrated by God or Satan. The protagonist, Lily, combines vulnerability with unwavering determination, making her a relatable and likable heroine. Throughout the story, Lily's character grows increasingly endearing, as her steadfastness garners reader support. Cooper skillfully balances the exploration of complex themes such as trauma, violence, death, and the resilience of the human spirit. Amidst the darkness, the cozy friendship between Lily and Burt shines, serving as a beacon of hope. Their bond, forged through shared trauma, curiosity, courage, and loyalty, adds depth and warmth to the narrative.
Within the pages of this book, existential questions about life, morality, and the essence of humanity permeate the storyline, offering profound reflections. These thematic elements contribute to the substance and richness of the novel. One notable aspect of this novel is its impartial exploration of the concepts of good and evil, prompting Lily to confront the possibility that the truth she seeks might exist in either reality or illusion. The author takes a balanced approach to examining the dichotomy of good and evil. This stance serves as a constant reminder to us that the truth we relentlessly pursue may exist in either realm, blurring the lines between what is real and what is merely a figment of our imagination.
It is evident that the book has received professional editing and proofreading, as I did not come across any glaring errors during my reading experience. However, there are a few aspects that prevented me from fully embracing it.
Firstly, I found the frequent use of profane language to be offensive and off-putting. It detracted from my overall enjoyment of the story and made it challenging to fully immerse myself in the narrative. Additionally, the author's tendency to employ verbose language disrupted the flow of the story, requiring me to pause and decipher the intended meaning on several occasions.
While this novel is powered by stunning imagery and is praiseworthy for its audacious plot, there is a noticeable lack of narrative momentum throughout. The story meanders and carries a sense of complexity, incorporating numerous sequences that ultimately prove unnecessary to the main storyline. As a result, the reading experience is adversely impacted, leaving readers longing for a more focused and streamlined narrative.
However, it is important to note that the novel did have its impressive moments. There were particular points in the story that stood out and showcased the author's storytelling prowess. These instances left a lasting impression and made me believe that the book could potentially withstand the test of time.
Taking into account the various factors discussed, I am inclined to assign a rating of 3 out of 5 stars to this novel. Despite these shortcomings, the book still had its notable strengths. Therefore, I would cautiously recommend it to young adult readers who enjoy a blend of horror and fantasy and are willing to navigate its flaws in search of its shining moments.
In the midst of her seemingly ordinary existence as an office manager at a print shop, Lily Henshaw's world is shattered when she becomes the lone survivor of a horrific attack on a desolate highway. Tragically, three of her friends meet their untimely demise, thrusting Lily into a harrowing nightmare. A casual car ride home with her friends Kris, Eric, and Mia takes an ominous turn that forever alters Lily Henshaw's life. Tormented by the haunting memories of that fateful incident, Lily becomes increasingly aware of strange occurrences permeating her existence. With each passing day, she delves deeper into the inexplicable, unearthing a supernatural presence lurking behind these incidents.
Gradually, Lily comes to question whether these unsettling events are part of a divine or malevolent test orchestrated by God or Satan. The protagonist, Lily, combines vulnerability with unwavering determination, making her a relatable and likable heroine. Throughout the story, Lily's character grows increasingly endearing, as her steadfastness garners reader support. Cooper skillfully balances the exploration of complex themes such as trauma, violence, death, and the resilience of the human spirit. Amidst the darkness, the cozy friendship between Lily and Burt shines, serving as a beacon of hope. Their bond, forged through shared trauma, curiosity, courage, and loyalty, adds depth and warmth to the narrative.
Within the pages of this book, existential questions about life, morality, and the essence of humanity permeate the storyline, offering profound reflections. These thematic elements contribute to the substance and richness of the novel. One notable aspect of this novel is its impartial exploration of the concepts of good and evil, prompting Lily to confront the possibility that the truth she seeks might exist in either reality or illusion. The author takes a balanced approach to examining the dichotomy of good and evil. This stance serves as a constant reminder to us that the truth we relentlessly pursue may exist in either realm, blurring the lines between what is real and what is merely a figment of our imagination.
It is evident that the book has received professional editing and proofreading, as I did not come across any glaring errors during my reading experience. However, there are a few aspects that prevented me from fully embracing it.
Firstly, I found the frequent use of profane language to be offensive and off-putting. It detracted from my overall enjoyment of the story and made it challenging to fully immerse myself in the narrative. Additionally, the author's tendency to employ verbose language disrupted the flow of the story, requiring me to pause and decipher the intended meaning on several occasions.
While this novel is powered by stunning imagery and is praiseworthy for its audacious plot, there is a noticeable lack of narrative momentum throughout. The story meanders and carries a sense of complexity, incorporating numerous sequences that ultimately prove unnecessary to the main storyline. As a result, the reading experience is adversely impacted, leaving readers longing for a more focused and streamlined narrative.
However, it is important to note that the novel did have its impressive moments. There were particular points in the story that stood out and showcased the author's storytelling prowess. These instances left a lasting impression and made me believe that the book could potentially withstand the test of time.
Taking into account the various factors discussed, I am inclined to assign a rating of 3 out of 5 stars to this novel. Despite these shortcomings, the book still had its notable strengths. Therefore, I would cautiously recommend it to young adult readers who enjoy a blend of horror and fantasy and are willing to navigate its flaws in search of its shining moments.
November 26, 2023
In Crazy Time: A Bizarre Battle with Darkness and the Divine, the author, L. Andrew Cooper combines horror with tragedy and fantasy in an endlessly entertaining way.
The eye of the storm is thirty-four years old woman, Lily Henshaw, a manager at P-cubed. Her life had been pretty normal until the fateful night when the action of the book began. That night, while driving home, the group's world crumbled. The truck tailgating them seemed to be a hound from Hell, sent to hunt them. "It is Crazy Time" - and indeed it was. And they were hunted, three of them. But Lily survived, somehow, as if her time didn't come yet. That night was the catalyst for Lily. She started seeing the connections to 1500 Spring Street and wondered why or how everything led back there.
The narrative of the book keeps you on edge. From the very beginning, the action awakened my curiosity. I loved the sense of despair, dread and anguish that seemed to permeate each chapter. One thing happens after another and you can not guess how the action will unfold until you finish the book.
I appreciated the exploration of religious themes because it adds complexity to the story and it opens the path for Lily's transition from a non-believer to someone who accepts God is present. Even if the book includes religious themes, it is not a religious book.
I liked the true friendships, depicted by Lily's friends who stood by her side at every point of the story. They revealed humanity's willpower even against the Devil, ghosts of the future or the past and maybe even God himself for all we know. The real world was so well-blended with the fictitious one, with the skyscraper as the purgatory between the two worlds.
I enjoyed the book. The characters were well-developed. It is a great book, engaging and suspenseful. It is exceptionally edited. I found no grammatical or spelling errors.
I recommend this book to readers who enjoy thriller, horror and fantasy books. I also believe the book is more suitable for mature readers since the scenes of violence and the sexual themes make it unsuitable for children.
I rate the book 5 out of 5 stars.
The eye of the storm is thirty-four years old woman, Lily Henshaw, a manager at P-cubed. Her life had been pretty normal until the fateful night when the action of the book began. That night, while driving home, the group's world crumbled. The truck tailgating them seemed to be a hound from Hell, sent to hunt them. "It is Crazy Time" - and indeed it was. And they were hunted, three of them. But Lily survived, somehow, as if her time didn't come yet. That night was the catalyst for Lily. She started seeing the connections to 1500 Spring Street and wondered why or how everything led back there.
The narrative of the book keeps you on edge. From the very beginning, the action awakened my curiosity. I loved the sense of despair, dread and anguish that seemed to permeate each chapter. One thing happens after another and you can not guess how the action will unfold until you finish the book.
I appreciated the exploration of religious themes because it adds complexity to the story and it opens the path for Lily's transition from a non-believer to someone who accepts God is present. Even if the book includes religious themes, it is not a religious book.
I liked the true friendships, depicted by Lily's friends who stood by her side at every point of the story. They revealed humanity's willpower even against the Devil, ghosts of the future or the past and maybe even God himself for all we know. The real world was so well-blended with the fictitious one, with the skyscraper as the purgatory between the two worlds.
I enjoyed the book. The characters were well-developed. It is a great book, engaging and suspenseful. It is exceptionally edited. I found no grammatical or spelling errors.
I recommend this book to readers who enjoy thriller, horror and fantasy books. I also believe the book is more suitable for mature readers since the scenes of violence and the sexual themes make it unsuitable for children.
I rate the book 5 out of 5 stars.
September 30, 2023
Crazy Time: A Bizarre Battle with Darkness and the Divine by L. Andrew Cooper is an unconventional type of book—it's offbeat and enigmatic, unsettling yet captivating all the same. The narrative is evocative, with characters fluent in their observations of the world around them as they see it.
From the beginning of the novel, we're introduced to a horrific incident in which Lily Henshaw emerges as the lone survivor. In that instant, her seemingly ordinary life is shattered, taking a dark turn as Lily tumbles into the possibility of insanity as she begins to notice peculiar, supernatural events weaving through her existence. Compelled by an unyielding curiosity and growing more aware of the strange occurrences with each passing day, Lily takes it upon herself to dig deeper into uncovering the mysterious force behind these incidents.
Throughout Crazy Time's pages are the unrelenting questions of what it means to be human and to be in touch with morality. The exploration of these questions that the novel presents adds to its thematic richness and offers a sense of contemplation between its sentences.
While the idea of this novel was great, its characters were very lacking. They lacked individual voices and were not memorable in any shape or form. It was also somewhat tiring to follow Lily's perspective throughout the novel since barely anything was clarified about her character other than the fact that she went through the incidents she did. Even then, she still felt like a very passive character and thus failed to be intriguing.
The dizzying and unsettling nature of the horror presented in the book contributes to its unique appeal. However, the thematic strengths are offset by the inadequate presentation and development of characters. Consequently, Crazy Time emerges as a 2 out of 5 star read, acknowledging its conceptual merit while recognizing the shortcomings in character portrayal.
From the beginning of the novel, we're introduced to a horrific incident in which Lily Henshaw emerges as the lone survivor. In that instant, her seemingly ordinary life is shattered, taking a dark turn as Lily tumbles into the possibility of insanity as she begins to notice peculiar, supernatural events weaving through her existence. Compelled by an unyielding curiosity and growing more aware of the strange occurrences with each passing day, Lily takes it upon herself to dig deeper into uncovering the mysterious force behind these incidents.
Throughout Crazy Time's pages are the unrelenting questions of what it means to be human and to be in touch with morality. The exploration of these questions that the novel presents adds to its thematic richness and offers a sense of contemplation between its sentences.
While the idea of this novel was great, its characters were very lacking. They lacked individual voices and were not memorable in any shape or form. It was also somewhat tiring to follow Lily's perspective throughout the novel since barely anything was clarified about her character other than the fact that she went through the incidents she did. Even then, she still felt like a very passive character and thus failed to be intriguing.
The dizzying and unsettling nature of the horror presented in the book contributes to its unique appeal. However, the thematic strengths are offset by the inadequate presentation and development of characters. Consequently, Crazy Time emerges as a 2 out of 5 star read, acknowledging its conceptual merit while recognizing the shortcomings in character portrayal.
November 18, 2025
L. Andrew Cooper’s novel Crazy Time: A Bizarre Battle with Darkness and the Divine is a sophisticated blend of surreal horror and dark urban fantasy written as a gruesome psychological thriller. It’s a complex story about life and death and our concepts of good vs. evil, as well as pain, anguish, love, despair, and the determination to make sense of it all.
I found the initial sequence of Lily’s experience with her friends being killed, the events mentioned in the blurb, to be particularly horrifying. There’s a realism to it, in circumstance and events and emotion, that was wrenching and chilling. The way it sets the stage of what’s to come and impacts Lily at that moment and going forward is incredibly powerful in and of itself. The subsequent mounting tragedies and her search for a connection and “why me?” are also disturbingly believable and poignant, for this is something people experience. And this takes the tale in a new direction of intensity.
This is a gruesome and deep story that will make you think and make you feel and keep you up at night contemplating pain, tragedy, darkness, divinity, choice, and perspective. It flows and alternates between riveting, often grisly action and dark, immersive prose. The imagery is astounding and often unsettling, more a part of the story itself than just setting and visuals.
Crazy Time is a profound and poignant reading experience, highly recommended for aficionados of intelligent horror.
A Bibliophilia Templum Review
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2025/11/18/crazy-time-a-bizarre-battle-with-darkness-and-the-divine/
I found the initial sequence of Lily’s experience with her friends being killed, the events mentioned in the blurb, to be particularly horrifying. There’s a realism to it, in circumstance and events and emotion, that was wrenching and chilling. The way it sets the stage of what’s to come and impacts Lily at that moment and going forward is incredibly powerful in and of itself. The subsequent mounting tragedies and her search for a connection and “why me?” are also disturbingly believable and poignant, for this is something people experience. And this takes the tale in a new direction of intensity.
This is a gruesome and deep story that will make you think and make you feel and keep you up at night contemplating pain, tragedy, darkness, divinity, choice, and perspective. It flows and alternates between riveting, often grisly action and dark, immersive prose. The imagery is astounding and often unsettling, more a part of the story itself than just setting and visuals.
Crazy Time is a profound and poignant reading experience, highly recommended for aficionados of intelligent horror.
A Bibliophilia Templum Review
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2025/11/18/crazy-time-a-bizarre-battle-with-darkness-and-the-divine/
September 19, 2025
Ever wondered what would happen if The Book of Revelations, Girl, Interrupted, and a slasher film had a messy, trauma-bonded lovechild? Well, sweetie, here’s your answer: Crazy Time by L. Andrew Cooper.
This book doesn���t just cross the line between horror and insanity—it circles it, sets it on fire, and dances on the ashes while quoting the Book of Job and de Sade. Our heroine, Lily, goes from sipping overpriced martinis to surviving one of the most terrifying urban legend-turned-reality bloodbaths imaginable. Trauma? Try trauma with a side of psychosis and an extra-large serving of divine judgment, hold the forgiveness.
Cooper takes every horror trope—religious mania, homegrown terrorism, psychological breakdown, possession—and throws them into a blender on “locust swarm” mode. It’s disturbing, philosophical, erotic, and existential all at once—like Freud and Satan wrote a buddy comedy but forgot it was supposed to be funny.
⚠️ Trigger Warnings:
Graphic violence, sexual violence, PTSD, suicide, religious trauma, gore, extreme psychological distress, self-harm, and heavy philosophical themes.
This book doesn���t just cross the line between horror and insanity—it circles it, sets it on fire, and dances on the ashes while quoting the Book of Job and de Sade. Our heroine, Lily, goes from sipping overpriced martinis to surviving one of the most terrifying urban legend-turned-reality bloodbaths imaginable. Trauma? Try trauma with a side of psychosis and an extra-large serving of divine judgment, hold the forgiveness.
Cooper takes every horror trope—religious mania, homegrown terrorism, psychological breakdown, possession—and throws them into a blender on “locust swarm” mode. It’s disturbing, philosophical, erotic, and existential all at once—like Freud and Satan wrote a buddy comedy but forgot it was supposed to be funny.
⚠️ Trigger Warnings:
Graphic violence, sexual violence, PTSD, suicide, religious trauma, gore, extreme psychological distress, self-harm, and heavy philosophical themes.
September 4, 2024
L. Andrew Cooper’s Crazy Time is a thrilling dive into speculative fiction, blending science fiction, psychological thriller, and intense drama. The novel explores the chaotic impact of time manipulation on reality and human behavior, delivering a narrative that is both thought-provoking and action-packed. Cooper’s world-building is immersive, with well-developed characters facing moral dilemmas and personal struggles.
Quotes like “Time, once a steady stream, now swirled like a storm” and “Every twist in time felt like a new strand in the web of fate” vividly capture the novel’s complex themes and tension. Cooper’s sharp writing and gripping plot keep readers engaged, though the intricate time-manipulation elements may be challenging for some. Overall, Crazy Time is a compelling read for fans of speculative fiction and psychological thrillers.
Quotes like “Time, once a steady stream, now swirled like a storm” and “Every twist in time felt like a new strand in the web of fate” vividly capture the novel’s complex themes and tension. Cooper’s sharp writing and gripping plot keep readers engaged, though the intricate time-manipulation elements may be challenging for some. Overall, Crazy Time is a compelling read for fans of speculative fiction and psychological thrillers.
November 16, 2025
It is always a pleasure to read a book by L.A. Cooper, although pleasure is not quite the right word, because his books are haunting and disturbing. This one also breaks your heart. It's not an easy book to read either. Lily, the main character, goes through a terrible experience after another that leaves her psychologically scarred. Her struggles on the brink of insanity not to fall into the rabbit hole of madness are devastating—although, in her defense, anyone would become paranoid faced with such a string of bad luck. As reality bleeds into hallucinations and surrealism, her quest for answers becomes more and more desperate. Behind lies the question that torments us all when fate strikes: why do bad things happen to good people? Why ME?
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 6, 2022
Crazy Time: A Bizarre Battle with Darkness and the Divine by L. Andrew Cooper -
is a very bizarre story about Lily’s life after a tragedy where all her friends die. Then everyone around her start to die. Weird things begin to happen and she wonders if she is going crazy. She thinks she is cursed and visits a psychic. She ends up at a corporation that seems to be in control of everything. This is where Lily finds God. Now what does she do? This is a very unsettling horror story. I did not care for all the lengthy descriptions of everything.
I won this on Goodreads and I thank them for the giveaway and am giving my honest review.
is a very bizarre story about Lily’s life after a tragedy where all her friends die. Then everyone around her start to die. Weird things begin to happen and she wonders if she is going crazy. She thinks she is cursed and visits a psychic. She ends up at a corporation that seems to be in control of everything. This is where Lily finds God. Now what does she do? This is a very unsettling horror story. I did not care for all the lengthy descriptions of everything.
I won this on Goodreads and I thank them for the giveaway and am giving my honest review.
August 27, 2025
This was everything that I was looking for and enjoyed in a psychological horror novel, it had that element that I was wanting and enjoyed in this type of book. I was engaged from start to finish and how it was created. The characters were so well written and enjoyed how good this was and how they worked in the bizarre element to their world. It was everything that I wanted and was glad I read this. L. Andrew Cooper wrote this well and was invested in what was going on.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 5, 2025
This book was amazing! I loved the main character, Lily, and the ways she copes with a series of traumas and tragedies. The story gets weirder and weirder as it goes along, paralleling and reinforcing the increasingly weird thoughts in Lily's mind. It's a wild and exciting ride, and a really enjoyable read. In addition to that, it also gave me a lot to think about in terms of good and evil, fate and free will. Once I started, I really didn't want to put it down. I can't wait to read more from this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
July 23, 2022
Crazy Time
Lily is trying to figure out life when everything goes wrong. This book is dizzying at times and a take on horror that I haven't read before. Content warnings for violence, attempted rape, and suicide.
Lily is trying to figure out life when everything goes wrong. This book is dizzying at times and a take on horror that I haven't read before. Content warnings for violence, attempted rape, and suicide.
January 13, 2024
What just happened?
December 16, 2023
The book is called Crazy Time, and let me tell you that the title is accurate. There are a lot of religious references and undertones in this book; however, this is not a book about religion. This story centers around a woman named Lily who goes through a series of unfortunate events in her life. The beginning of the story starts fast, with Lily going through a traumatic experience after a night out with friends that would give anyone PTSD, but it does slow down. At times when reading this book, you and the character cannot decipher whether sometimes it is real or a hallucination. Without giving spoilers out, I will say that Lily's journey is a wild ride. This is not a traditional good vs. evil story. Lily questions everything as strange events unfold around her, and so do you. If you have ever had the feeling that the world is against you, then you can relate to some of the events that happen in this story. I will say that there are trigger warnings: domestic violence, violence, and suicide. All of that being said, toward the end of the story is where the author lost me, and I started to lose interest in where the story was going. This is the main reason why I give it 2 out of 4 stars, 3 out of 5.. By the time I got to the end, I just wanted the book to be over. The end of the story made me feel like I was crazy. I am not sure if this was the intention, and if it was, then he hit the nail on the head. Between the religious undertones and the confusion of the characters sanity I personally would not recommend this book, but someone else may enjoy it.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my thoughts, opinions, or the content of my review. My feedback is based solely on the merit of the book and my personal reading experience.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my thoughts, opinions, or the content of my review. My feedback is based solely on the merit of the book and my personal reading experience.
June 14, 2023
Imagine driving home inebriated from a night out, reminiscing with your friends, and suddenly being pursued by a pickup truck on the highway. That was the predicament Lily and her three friends found themselves in as fear gripped them. They were sideswiped in what appeared to be an accident at first but was actually a calculated ploy by the men following them. After waking up from surgery with all three of her friends murdered, Lily began to question God and began battling with darkness and the divine as terrible things continued to happen to her. Crazy Time: A Bizarre Battle with Darkness and Divine by L. Andrew Cooper follows Lily Henshaw as she navigates life with survivor’s guilt. She started to have hallucinations during her ordeal and had trouble telling what was real from what was not.
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