Compunction

by Ehmbee Way

In a relatively short amount of time, James Singer has lost his wife, his job, his home and his subsequent place in the world. Now, with appearance of a shadowy phantasm who has taken to terrorizing him every night, he's beginning to fear that he, like his schizophrenic aunt, is also on the verge of losing his ability to discern what is real and what is not.

As James's condition continues to grow worse, he begins to mysteriously and uncontrollably phase in and out of several different worlds-all of which seem to be inhabited by quirky, non-conventional and often down-right absurd characters. James doesn't know if he's dreaming, overmedicated, in the throes of a nervous breakdown or if he's already dead but one thing he does know is that, one way or another, it all ends on Monday.

Compunction combines the suspense of M Night Shyamalan, the psychological melancholy of Edgar Allen Poe and the absurdist vibe present in Netflix's Midnight Gospel. The result is a suspenseful, character-driven, upmarket fiction that's all about redemption and second chances. Or, as USA Today bestselling author Pamela Crane says, "Compunction reaches new literary heights as it bends the genres of psychological thriller with fantastical misadventures. You'll relish its delectable prose and timeless theme of self-discovery, wrapped in an urgent plot that will hook you."

Genres: Horror, Fiction

400 pages, Paperback

Published March 28, 2023

About the author

As a fiction writer, Ehmbee Way centers on character-driven, upmarket literature with a psychological focus. More specifically, he tends to focus on distorted perceptions, mental health, cognitive dissonance and the search for purpose.

As a poet, he's fond of both traditional and contemporary styles. Through an emotional and often philosophical lens, his work often addresses--among other topics--death, spirituality, mind control, counterculture, love, purpose, regret, maturation, mental illness and the inescapable grasp of time.

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was quite the wild trip through the main character James Singer's unpredictable mind. The descriptive writing made it easy to imagine yourself transported along with James to the various scenarios/worlds in which he finds himself. Along the way, you meet an interesting cast of otherworldly characters, some of whom are very endearing. I was definitely hooked early on and the story's twists and turns keep your attention and keep you wondering how it will all end. It is a good length, it flowed well, and you definitely won't be bored reading this! The author wove James's background in so well that you feel that you really know him and can empathize with his plight. You are definitely rooting for him as he finds his way around the different realities through which he stumbles. The book is set on a shortened timeline so it keeps you on edge and anticipating the ultimate resolution.
I'd definitely recommend for anyone who likes psychological thrillers, horror, fantasy, etc. I am not even the biggest fan of those genres but I really enjoyed this from start to finish. It's hard to believe this is a debut novel and I'm very much looking forward to seeing what else the author produces. I really enjoyed his writing style and how he structured this book.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely chilling. James has found himself in a sort of limbo in life - and now he's haunted by entities that may be supernatural, or may only exist in his mind. Way opens the book with a series of vivid descriptions, drawing the reader into what seems at first like an odd place to open the book and rapidly dropping you into the terror portion of the tale. The story moves at a rapid pace, keeping you turning pages with the description and twists in the plot. If you've dealt with psychosis, you might find this difficult to read, but otherwise thriller/horror lovers you've found your next read.

[Riss 🫶🏻☕️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Psychological thrillers are slowly becoming an ultimate favorite of mine in the world of thrillers. Compunction quickly took me by surprise, especially when the main character (James) can "venture" into other worlds. After reading this book, I have to say I enjoyed the pace of the story and the character's storylines. This is definitely a book for readers who enjoy a different kind of reading with suspense and thrills. One of my favorite parts of Compunction is the characters we meet and how well the author has written them.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

James undergoes a borderline psychotic break and has reached a point where he can converse with Cinnamon the dog. His deterioration proves he is unable to distinguish reality from fiction as he switches between the two worlds unknowingly. The story is extremely descriptive with a narrative inspired by the works of Allan Poe. The effect of the countdown creates a suspenseful read.


I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books and author.

[Michelle Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a wild ride which provides unexpected happenings and interactions with strange characters. It is deep, dark, disturbing, whimsical, strange, and somehow up-lifting. There is no way to anticipate the next page, chapter, ending. The description of the book describes it perfectly.

[Heather Poet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This exciting, psychological thriller was so unique! I loved it!