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id: A Novel
Winner of the CLC Book Excellence Award for psychological thrillers
Dr. Shelly, a brilliant psychologist, forever haunted by her father and his murderous past, is driven by the need to find out why we do the things we do? Is the concept of free will just a concept and nothing more, a construct that blinds us to a less palatable truth, that who we are is predetermined and encoded at birth? Does anyone really choose to do the bad things we do or are we just doing what comes naturally?
Shelly constructs an experiment using a sensory deprivation tank and virtual reality, allowing the darkest part of ourselves, the id, to run free. Unencumbered by morality or remorse, Shelly finds the perfect subject in Adam. A borderline psychotic born into a world of neglect and crime. Delving into the deepest pits of his subconscious, Shelly surfaces with far more than she bargained for.
Detective Hopper, responsible for Adam’s capture, remains a broken man. After suffering a breakdown due to the escalation of his own violent behavior, he is placed under the care of Dr Shelly. Encouraging him to go looking for his own redemption, Hopper becomes a pawn in her web of deception until the lines of reality are redrawn as Hopper and Adam come full circle to an explosive end.
A Novel is a unique, brilliant, psychological thriller which questions and shines light on the depths of the human psyche, the concept of free will, nature or nurture and what drives unacceptable, depraved and even murderous human behaviors. A must-read for fans of psychological thrillers who crave a new, fascinating and intelligent reading experience. Spark's intricate exploration of the human psyche, combined with his skillful storytelling and innovative ideas, make this novel a true gem that will leave readers questioning the depths of human nature.
Chick Lit Café
Dr. Shelly, a brilliant psychologist, forever haunted by her father and his murderous past, is driven by the need to find out why we do the things we do? Is the concept of free will just a concept and nothing more, a construct that blinds us to a less palatable truth, that who we are is predetermined and encoded at birth? Does anyone really choose to do the bad things we do or are we just doing what comes naturally?
Shelly constructs an experiment using a sensory deprivation tank and virtual reality, allowing the darkest part of ourselves, the id, to run free. Unencumbered by morality or remorse, Shelly finds the perfect subject in Adam. A borderline psychotic born into a world of neglect and crime. Delving into the deepest pits of his subconscious, Shelly surfaces with far more than she bargained for.
Detective Hopper, responsible for Adam’s capture, remains a broken man. After suffering a breakdown due to the escalation of his own violent behavior, he is placed under the care of Dr Shelly. Encouraging him to go looking for his own redemption, Hopper becomes a pawn in her web of deception until the lines of reality are redrawn as Hopper and Adam come full circle to an explosive end.
A Novel is a unique, brilliant, psychological thriller which questions and shines light on the depths of the human psyche, the concept of free will, nature or nurture and what drives unacceptable, depraved and even murderous human behaviors. A must-read for fans of psychological thrillers who crave a new, fascinating and intelligent reading experience. Spark's intricate exploration of the human psyche, combined with his skillful storytelling and innovative ideas, make this novel a true gem that will leave readers questioning the depths of human nature.
Chick Lit Café
- GenresThriller
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 24, 2022
40 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 20, 2022
There are plenty of readers that are going to love this book. It is well thought out and the language is great. However, I am not the reader for this book at all. While I did enjoy seeing the difference between how one acts and their inner thoughts, the first chapter, and I did somewhat enjoy parts of the ending, that’s where my enjoyment stops. It was like torture for me to read this book; I was bored through most of it and was just skipping parts. But again, I think me and the book just didn’t mesh well, and it no way reflects on the author’s talent. I would recommend this book to someone who likes a cross between mystery/thriller and psyche. I wouldn’t call this a psychological thriller though.
November 25, 2022
Great Story!
Kevin Spark has built a dark and shadowy world. The characters are well thought out and highly believable and the tension never lets up, by the time I'd finished I felt quite exhausted! This is a must read for anyone who loves thrillers, horror or just smart intelligent books that keep you guessing until the very end which has a very neat twist that ties everything together.
I found myself cheering on the main characters even though you're gently reminded of their murky pasts which makes for some very confronting reading at times. The author doesn't shy away from difficult topics which makes for an emotionally charged story.
There's a lot to like in this book, but one thing I found really engaging was the way the author juxtaposes what the characters say alongside what they're actually thinking which gives you a real insight into not only what motivates them, but also how the mind works.
Although heavy reading at times there are genuine flashes of humour throughout, which I was very thankful for.
There's one chapter that actually left me shaking!
I bought the book purely based on the cover, which I love, and I'm glad I did, this is a hidden gem that is destined to grow a following.
If you liked American Psycho, you'll love this.
Kevin Spark has built a dark and shadowy world. The characters are well thought out and highly believable and the tension never lets up, by the time I'd finished I felt quite exhausted! This is a must read for anyone who loves thrillers, horror or just smart intelligent books that keep you guessing until the very end which has a very neat twist that ties everything together.
I found myself cheering on the main characters even though you're gently reminded of their murky pasts which makes for some very confronting reading at times. The author doesn't shy away from difficult topics which makes for an emotionally charged story.
There's a lot to like in this book, but one thing I found really engaging was the way the author juxtaposes what the characters say alongside what they're actually thinking which gives you a real insight into not only what motivates them, but also how the mind works.
Although heavy reading at times there are genuine flashes of humour throughout, which I was very thankful for.
There's one chapter that actually left me shaking!
I bought the book purely based on the cover, which I love, and I'm glad I did, this is a hidden gem that is destined to grow a following.
If you liked American Psycho, you'll love this.
July 21, 2023
id: A Novel, by Kevin Spark, is an immersive entry in the genre of psychological thrillers and creates an intricate narrative largely centered around a unique setting - a zoo. The story has a cast of diverse characters; one standout character is that of Detective Hopper.
Spark masterfully delves into the murky underworld of drug trafficking and animal fighting, providing a penetrating examination of the criminal psyche. In an intriguing twist of biblical interpretation, the novel employs the story of Adam and Eve to illuminate themes of sin and innocence, with Eve emerging untainted from the materialistic world while Adam bears the burden of a dark past. Adding an extra layer of complexity, Dr. Shelley, a psychiatrist, navigates the labyrinthine corridors of memory, thereby propelling the narrative forward.
The subtle writing style of Spark piques the reader's curiosity by giving just enough information to imply a rich backdrop, resulting in a narrative layered with intrigue and depth. Numerous subplots dovetail seamlessly with the main narrative, enhancing the texture of the story. The characters' pasts emerge as crucial aspects of their present lives, though their full stories remain tantalizingly veiled.
As is typical of the psychological thriller genre, the narrative occasionally veers into violent and macabre territory. The reader is invited on a disquieting journey through a landscape punctuated with dark thoughts and unsettling experiences. Scenes of action and violence are vividly portrayed in unflinching detail, laying bare the stark realities of life.
Despite the shadowy ambiance, the story is meticulously plotted. The characters are flawed, complex, and realistic, making for intriguing studies in character development, albeit sometimes evoking figures difficult to discern in everyday life.
I would heartily recommend id: A Novel to those with a keen interest in criminal psychology or the enduring impact of past traumas on one's life. However, those of a more sensitive disposition should be forewarned: the explicit descriptions of violence, detailed exploration of psychological depths, and the characters' darker musings may be unsettling.
id: A Novel leaves an unforgettable impact. The characters and their dilemmas infiltrate the reader's subconscious, resurfacing in thoughts long after the final page is turned. The novel itself seems to emulate the intricacies of the subconscious mind, revealing fragments of events while preserving an air of mystery until the very end.
Spark masterfully delves into the murky underworld of drug trafficking and animal fighting, providing a penetrating examination of the criminal psyche. In an intriguing twist of biblical interpretation, the novel employs the story of Adam and Eve to illuminate themes of sin and innocence, with Eve emerging untainted from the materialistic world while Adam bears the burden of a dark past. Adding an extra layer of complexity, Dr. Shelley, a psychiatrist, navigates the labyrinthine corridors of memory, thereby propelling the narrative forward.
The subtle writing style of Spark piques the reader's curiosity by giving just enough information to imply a rich backdrop, resulting in a narrative layered with intrigue and depth. Numerous subplots dovetail seamlessly with the main narrative, enhancing the texture of the story. The characters' pasts emerge as crucial aspects of their present lives, though their full stories remain tantalizingly veiled.
As is typical of the psychological thriller genre, the narrative occasionally veers into violent and macabre territory. The reader is invited on a disquieting journey through a landscape punctuated with dark thoughts and unsettling experiences. Scenes of action and violence are vividly portrayed in unflinching detail, laying bare the stark realities of life.
Despite the shadowy ambiance, the story is meticulously plotted. The characters are flawed, complex, and realistic, making for intriguing studies in character development, albeit sometimes evoking figures difficult to discern in everyday life.
I would heartily recommend id: A Novel to those with a keen interest in criminal psychology or the enduring impact of past traumas on one's life. However, those of a more sensitive disposition should be forewarned: the explicit descriptions of violence, detailed exploration of psychological depths, and the characters' darker musings may be unsettling.
id: A Novel leaves an unforgettable impact. The characters and their dilemmas infiltrate the reader's subconscious, resurfacing in thoughts long after the final page is turned. The novel itself seems to emulate the intricacies of the subconscious mind, revealing fragments of events while preserving an air of mystery until the very end.
September 25, 2023
‘id’ is the debut novel from the pen of Kevin Spark. The opening scene definitely scores highly in shock value and those who enjoy a complex horror story will be hooked immediately. We then skip forward and find that the young girl, who witnessed such awful depravity, has become a well-respected psychologist. As Dr Alison Shelly, she meets Adam a violent individual with extreme mental health problems and takes charge of his care and rehabilitation. Adam has been apprehended by Detective Jack Hopper, who isn’t averse to using excessive violence himself. After losing control on an unrelated case, Hopper is placed on restricted duties and ordered to undergo therapy. Shelly pulls some strings to ensure she has Hopper assigned to her care; therefore giving her access to both predator and hunter. This opens up dark avenues for them all and there are strong undercurrents to suggest that the doctor has her own subjective agenda.
The doctor is pleased with Adam’s response to his treatment and arranges for him to be given a job at a local zoo. The introduction of the zoo and the characters we meet there, lead to the plot developing and another layer being added which enables Dr Shelly to delve even more deeply into the complexities of her patients’ minds.
There were long sections of description because much of the story is played out in the innermost thoughts of the various characters. The author uses metaphors to add colour and throws in the occasional bit of black humour. The main protagonists are all multi-dimensional and even those with cameo roles are fleshed out to make them relevant and relatable. I have a couple of reservations; firstly, I didn’t fully understanding much of the psychoanalysis. Secondly, I have a bug-bear about the tendency to dip in and out of different people’s thoughts in the same segment. However, these elements didn’t stop me from appreciating the power of the story. Those readers who like a tidy ending will no doubt be shocked by the dénouement.
The author has produced a well-researched piece of work which is hard-hitting and at times brutal. The violence is probably at the limit of what I find acceptable and it definitely isn’t a read for the faint-hearted. Objectively, I can appreciate that many will thoroughly engage with this book and I award 4.5 stars.
The doctor is pleased with Adam’s response to his treatment and arranges for him to be given a job at a local zoo. The introduction of the zoo and the characters we meet there, lead to the plot developing and another layer being added which enables Dr Shelly to delve even more deeply into the complexities of her patients’ minds.
There were long sections of description because much of the story is played out in the innermost thoughts of the various characters. The author uses metaphors to add colour and throws in the occasional bit of black humour. The main protagonists are all multi-dimensional and even those with cameo roles are fleshed out to make them relevant and relatable. I have a couple of reservations; firstly, I didn’t fully understanding much of the psychoanalysis. Secondly, I have a bug-bear about the tendency to dip in and out of different people’s thoughts in the same segment. However, these elements didn’t stop me from appreciating the power of the story. Those readers who like a tidy ending will no doubt be shocked by the dénouement.
The author has produced a well-researched piece of work which is hard-hitting and at times brutal. The violence is probably at the limit of what I find acceptable and it definitely isn’t a read for the faint-hearted. Objectively, I can appreciate that many will thoroughly engage with this book and I award 4.5 stars.
March 22, 2023
The Review
This was a mind-blowing and thought-provoking psychological horror thriller. The imagery played well into the deep-set tone that psychological horror novels often take, and the inclusion of VR gaming environments and sensory deprivation tanks helped elevate the tension that the reader felt as the story progressed. The way these psychological ids came to life in the story and the way they spoke to the psychological aspects of our own minds helped elevate the atmosphere of this book tenfold.
Yet it was the rich character development that really helped highlight this psychological horror. The way each of the main characters really played off one another in this almost cat-and-mouse style thriller and the steady pace of the narrative itself allowed the tension to build more and more as time went on. The way the author explored the “animal” that rests within us all and the ways in which we all deal with that animal in our lives played well into the story, and the heart-pounding terror that the imagery of these character’s ids brought to life will haunt readers well beyond the final pages of this book.
The Verdict
Haunting, captivating, and engaging, author Kevin Spark’s “id: A Novel” is a must-read psychological horror thriller. The twists and turns the narrative takes and the shocking conclusions that each character finds themselves in only lend themselves to the dynamic atmosphere and chilling imagery the author’s impressive writing style conjures up, drawing me in similarly to the way the acclaimed film The Cell starring Jennifer Lopez and Vincent D’Onofrio did when I first watched it.
This was a mind-blowing and thought-provoking psychological horror thriller. The imagery played well into the deep-set tone that psychological horror novels often take, and the inclusion of VR gaming environments and sensory deprivation tanks helped elevate the tension that the reader felt as the story progressed. The way these psychological ids came to life in the story and the way they spoke to the psychological aspects of our own minds helped elevate the atmosphere of this book tenfold.
Yet it was the rich character development that really helped highlight this psychological horror. The way each of the main characters really played off one another in this almost cat-and-mouse style thriller and the steady pace of the narrative itself allowed the tension to build more and more as time went on. The way the author explored the “animal” that rests within us all and the ways in which we all deal with that animal in our lives played well into the story, and the heart-pounding terror that the imagery of these character’s ids brought to life will haunt readers well beyond the final pages of this book.
The Verdict
Haunting, captivating, and engaging, author Kevin Spark’s “id: A Novel” is a must-read psychological horror thriller. The twists and turns the narrative takes and the shocking conclusions that each character finds themselves in only lend themselves to the dynamic atmosphere and chilling imagery the author’s impressive writing style conjures up, drawing me in similarly to the way the acclaimed film The Cell starring Jennifer Lopez and Vincent D’Onofrio did when I first watched it.
November 24, 2023
Rocks and Diamonds
Only stubbornness got me through part 1 of this novel which had occasional flashes of brilliance (eventually) but was ruined by poor writing.
I really liked the basic concept behind ID: the story was worthwhile, the characters well drawn, and the settings were well described. Although, I didn't like any of the characters with the possible exception of Eve, I was still invested in what happened to them.
Unfortunately, the punctuation was so bad that at times I didn't know what was going on. Very long run on sentences with no cohesion, missing words, and rapid, multiple changes in POV combined to make me not only confused, but also sad that a good idea had been wiped out by what looked like an unedited manuscript. A good edit might have easily raised ID to a four star book.
It was also gratuitously crass and distastefully unpleasant which might appeal to some people, but not this reader.
Overall, ID was a great concept which attempted to explore some really important and interesting themes, but was shipwrecked by generally poor writing.
Only stubbornness got me through part 1 of this novel which had occasional flashes of brilliance (eventually) but was ruined by poor writing.
I really liked the basic concept behind ID: the story was worthwhile, the characters well drawn, and the settings were well described. Although, I didn't like any of the characters with the possible exception of Eve, I was still invested in what happened to them.
Unfortunately, the punctuation was so bad that at times I didn't know what was going on. Very long run on sentences with no cohesion, missing words, and rapid, multiple changes in POV combined to make me not only confused, but also sad that a good idea had been wiped out by what looked like an unedited manuscript. A good edit might have easily raised ID to a four star book.
It was also gratuitously crass and distastefully unpleasant which might appeal to some people, but not this reader.
Overall, ID was a great concept which attempted to explore some really important and interesting themes, but was shipwrecked by generally poor writing.
September 27, 2024
This was ... incredible seems not a strong enough word. This whole book pulls you on such a trip. Just absolutely fascinating and thrilling. You can't help but feel for each character in their own way. You want to save those being wronged but...it's such a twist. I was totally enthralled by this book. I could not put it down. I think I'm sleep deprived from it 🤣🤣 but very much worth it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 28, 2023
Well written and intoxicating Kevin Sparks “id” is a carnival of excitement. A sideshow where we all see ourselves in the deepest shadows, and yet to face our deepest fears and needs. Safety love and sanity are lost yet brought to light in a cold clinical way within these pages. Sure to be a best seller get your copy today.
Timothy Scott Snyder author of “Eddie dying”. (May 2023)
Timothy Scott Snyder author of “Eddie dying”. (May 2023)
September 1, 2024
This is a solid exploration of the darkness within. Kevin has crafted some three-dimensional, intelligent characters and a great story. Dark and raw, it will get you thinking. Overall, it's a good read. Another solid round of editing would help the writing flow more evenly.
3.5 stars, rounded to 4.
3.5 stars, rounded to 4.
August 8, 2025
This is a gripping and intelligent psychological thriller that dives deep into the darkest corners of the human mind. Blending science, morality, and suspense, it questions free will, nature vs. nurture, and what truly drives human behavior. Dark, thought-provoking, and unforgettable, an absolute must-read for fans of smart, chilling thrillers.
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April 18, 2023
Not at all well written. It has many confusing paragraphs and is overly explicit.
September 1, 2024
5 stars
December 5, 2022
Hi readers, I'd like to introduce you to Id, a taut psychological thriller based on the concept of the primal self–the Id. Shackled by the imposed morality of the ego, it asks the question; what happens when the chains break?
I'd love to get some feedback.
I'd love to get some feedback.
February 27, 2023
“Save the girl, kill the psycho”
Detailed, Different, and Dark. A unique psychological story that will keep you entertained and questioning. This book has short, easy-to-read chapters with a quality of story that rivals mainstream fiction sellers. Be prepared to be disturbingly interested.
Detailed, Different, and Dark. A unique psychological story that will keep you entertained and questioning. This book has short, easy-to-read chapters with a quality of story that rivals mainstream fiction sellers. Be prepared to be disturbingly interested.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews