Psychological Thrillers discussion

"A brilliant thriller...I didn't just read this book, I devoured it in an adrenaline fueled frenzy!" —Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling suspense author

She gets people to confess their crimes for a living. He knows she's hiding a terrible secret. It's time for the truth to come out...

Poe Webb, host of a popular true crime podcast, invites people to anonymously confess crimes they've committed to her audience. She can't guarantee the police won't come after her "guests," but her show grants simultaneous anonymity and instant fame―a potent combination that's proven difficult to resist. After an episode recording, Poe usually erases both criminal and crime from her mind.

But when a strange and oddly familiar man appears on her show, Poe is forced to take a second look. Not only because he claims to be her mother's murderer from years ago, but because Poe knows something no one else does. Her mother's murderer is dead.

Poe killed him.

From the USA Today bestselling author of The Dead Girl in 2A and The New Neighbor comes a chilling new thriller that forces the question: are murderers always the bad guys?

Okay, so here goes....These Podcasts, yes the ones that I hear about and I also listen to sometimes. I like to listen to just a few. This one that I am going to talk about is ran by a female named POE, that is actually her middle name, she does have a first name though. Her boyfriend is Kip, and she has a dog. I had written in the book so that I can jot down some things that made me go HUMMM. By reading this title, it tells me that whatever you have done, you can go and confess on the air,,,,ON THE AIR...there is a catch. Voice by Kip, but the face is seen by POE..Alot of issues with this because why in the world would anyone get on a podcast and tell a stranger what they did bad. There is 2 things that Poe doesn't want to deal with on the air, but other than that, the game is on...Cold cases, and some that just committed a crime,,,soooooooo here is a couple of questions.
1. If you did a crime, and have not gotten caught, and you wanted to confess, would you go on a podcast and talk about it or just keep doing a crime until you get caught?

2. Anyone who is living in a state where they have a cold-case, please tell us. Here in Colorado, we have a few, and the one that is still open is Jon Benet Ramsey....COLD CASE.......
JonBenét Patricia Ramsey (August 6, 1990 – December 25, 1996)[1] was an American child who was killed at age six in her family's home at 755 15th Street[2][a] in Boulder, Colorado, on the night of December 25, 1996. Her body was found in the house's basement about seven hours after she had been reported missing. She had sustained a fractured skull, and a garrote was tied around her neck. The autopsy report stated that JonBenét's official cause of death was "asphyxia by strangulation associated with craniocerebral trauma".[1][3] Her death was ruled a homicide,[4] and the case generated worldwide public and media interest.

The Boulder police initially suspected that a long handwritten ransom note that was reportedly found in the home had been written by her mother Patsy, and that the note and the appearance of JonBenét's body had been staged by Patsy and her husband, John Bennett Ramsey, to cover up the killing. In 1999, the police and district attorney (DA) both said that JonBenét's brother Burke, who was nine years old at the time of her death, was not a suspect.[5][6] JonBenét's parents gave several televised interviews but resisted police questioning except on their own terms. In 2013, unsealed court documents revealed that a 1999 grand jury recommended filing charges against the Ramseys for permitting the child to be in a threatening situation. John and Patsy were also accused of hindering the prosecution of an unidentified person who had "committed... the crime of murder in the first degree and child abuse resulting in death".[7] However, the DA determined that there was insufficient evidence to pursue a successful indictment.[7]

In 2002, a new DA took over the investigation from the police and primarily pursued the theory that an intruder had committed the killing. In 2003, trace DNA taken from JonBenét's clothes was found to belong to an unknown male; each family member's DNA had been excluded from this match. The DA sent the Ramseys a letter of apology in 2008, declaring the family was "completely cleared" by the DNA results.[8] In a 2015 interview, former Boulder police chief Mark Beckner said that, in his view, the perpetrator was the source of the unidentified DNA found on JonBenét’s clothing.[9] In 2009, the Boulder police took the case back from the DA and reopened the investigation.[10]

National and international media coverage of the case focused on JonBenét's brief beauty pageant career, as well as her parents' wealth and the unusual evidence found in the case, particularly suggestions of sexual abuse. Media reports questioned how the police had handled the investigation and accused various members of the Ramsey family. Ramsey family members and friends have filed defamation suits against several media organizations. The crime is still considered a cold case and remains an open investigation with the Boulder Police Department with annual updates published on the police department website.

Hello..
I have a powerful psychological novel that I hope you will read.
It’s Viable Rose available on Amazon or you can send me on my gamil rwa999999@gmail.com for free copy because the novel is new and i need reviews!

Ruaa, this is our book of the month thread. :) We are reading and discussing a specific book.

I’m starting this book tonight. Thank you for picking a very interesting book.

What gets me is, you see on the crime shows (Dateline, 20/20, etc) when a criminal inserts themselves into the investigation. They think that it throws them into looking innocent. They help search for missing people knowing exactly what happened. Creeps me out.

I e been watching a series on Discord ID where reporters go in and talk and interview people incarcerated for murder. This book reminds me of that. It’s called “The Killer Speaks.”

This one sounds truly intriguing.
I like when a story doesn’t just focus on the crime itself but explores why people confess, what drives them, and how guilt transforms the mind.
Sometimes the truth we hide becomes heavier than the crime itself. I’ll add this book to my list — it feels like one that stays with you long after you finish it.

A very popular book at my library.

Do you think guilt can ever purify a person — or does it always destroy?

Faith and mercy is human proof that guilt can purify. It’s biblical. If God can forgive us, it teaches us to forgive ourselves. Guilt, in my opinion, is punishment for bad actions. If we feel guilty, it urges us to change. If we change and turn away from the bad actions, we lose the guilt. Some guilt, though, stays a long time.

That’s a beautiful perspective, Ruth. I like how you link guilt with mercy — like two sides of the same coin. Maybe real purification comes not from escaping guilt, but from transforming it into compassion.

The shame is what is the kicker. I suppose shame feeds guilt?

That’s true — shame is often the spark that keeps guilt alive.
Yet maybe shame is also the beginning of awakening. When we see what we’ve done through the eyes of shame, we begin to long for light again.
Perhaps guilt punishes, but shame whispers: “You can still become better.”

Once read where a psychiatrist said rapist ride a razor blade. Some fall and some ride the edge all their lives. Enough of that analogy, I think there is a fine line for decisions and sometimes we end up on the side less desirable. As you said God forgives us even when we don’t see the wrong. Many can judge but there is only one real judge.

To me guilt is moreover an act that you know is wrong and shame is the feeling that it evokes. God even says he forgives us, but the shame is sometimes the resulting penalty. Which, leads to confession. Confession and turning away from the action is important. This book is based on a popular podcast that allows people to anonymously confess their actions on air. Interesting concept, but could lead to vigilante justice…which I think will show up in the story.

Well let me throw my 2 cents in. What gets me in this story is the way that folks just come out the blue and confess to what they did. Can you image a serial killer, with no remorse to just come on a podcast and say, " Yeah, Suzi was getting on my nerves like Kathy was, so I killed them both, and now I am going after Linda"...Say what???? And to tell it ALL on a Podcast where Poe can see them, but Kip can't....That's like you're head is on a swivel 24-7 because they may be after you next,,,,,

Good point Stephanie. Like I said, it reminds me of the people that abduct women then join the search party. Some sociopaths like the limelight.

Kip is starting to worry me though. For some reason, I’m not comfortable with him.

Ruth wrote: "Good point Stephanie. Like I said, it reminds me of the people that abduct women then join the search party. Some sociopaths like the limelight."

Yep.....

I’m at 25% and have a thought. This is NOT a spoiler, just a rambling of mine. I feel something is off with Kip. I’m wondering if he could be,maybe, the killers son???? Hmmm.

Ruth, I’ve either saw a movie or read a book where the son was trained by the father how pick and kill and dissect the bodies. This book has been on my list for a very long time. I’m like #80 of 36 books at my library.

I wish library e books were easier to attain. I’ve been on a waiting list for a riley sager book for almost a year!!!! This should be easier to get. So many are getting library e-books.

Does anyone think revenge is ever truly satisfying. Not necessarily large scale revenge as in this book, but even small scale revenge. Any satisfaction? I know when I was much, much younger, I would dream about acts of revenge on the mean girls at school. I never acted on it, but always wondered if that would make me feel good. Maybe someone at work? Idk. Just curious. If so, Tell Me What You Did. (That’s a joke you don’t need to tell. lol)

Something isn't right about Kip.....stay tuned...

I said that earlier. Bad vibes. I’m thinking Kips dad was Leopold.

I am at 56% and I have made major thought about Leopold. I’m about to burst, but I can’t say anything in case I’m right and it’s a spoiler. Grrrr. Biting my proverbial tongue.

Finished the book thanks for the recommendation enjoyed it,and looking forward to the future book recommendations.

I just finished the book. Wowsa. Can’t wait for discussions.

I know that I am late getting into the discussion but I just started the book last night and I am 25% through it. It is an easy read. I wasn't concentrating on Kip but the live streams she is having with Ian. So much is going through by head at the moment.

Hold on Chris…it’ll be a bumpy ride.

I didn’t know it was true…it’s seems a bit creepy now. Hahaha.

There’s such a fragile line between guilt and repentance.
A person may realize what they’re doing is wrong, yet keep doing it — silencing their conscience, justifying their actions. True repentance begins only when you no longer want to do evil, even if you once did.
But what’s even more complicated is this: someone can live a life full of darkness, hurt others, even commit terrible crimes — and in the very end, repent sincerely and be forgiven. While another can live “good” their whole life and still fall at the end.
Sometimes hell isn’t for those who did evil, but for those who never did good. Like in the parable of the rich man and the beggar — he wasn’t condemned for being rich, but for his indifference.

But then comes another question — can every evil truly be forgiven?
What if someone like Hitler, or a man who killed innocents, truly repented before death — would that be enough to be saved? It’s hard to accept, because justice and mercy seem to stand on opposite sides.
Maybe that’s the deepest mystery: only God can truly see what’s real repentance and what’s only fear of punishment.

Every time we pray “Our Father,” we ask: “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
If we cannot forgive, how can we ask to be forgiven?
That’s what I wrote about in my books — that mercy is not weakness, but the hardest and most divine strength.

And maybe demons rejoice when we refuse to forgive — because by asking for justice instead of mercy, we unknowingly ask to be judged ourselves.

So very true and well said Vasyl. And this book, we see someone commit a horrible act…and she stated several times throughout the story that she doesn’t regret what she did, and that she would surely do it again. That’s a dangerous stance. Like you said, we can convince ourselves that we did a great thing, when it’s completely wrong. We live in a world where it’s almost unacceptable to admit when you’ve done the wrong thing.
I had a middle school student a few years ago, that refuse to follow any instruction I gave. Something as simple as “everyone get a pencil out” would turn into this young man telling me his mom told him he did not have to follow any teachers instructions if thy don’t say please. (Yes, in all fairness, I should have said have used manners and asked them please, but in the rush of it, I almost always said “everyone get out a pencil.) His mother came in to have a conference where I explained he refused to follow my requests. She informed me that just because I was a teacher, that didn’t make what I wanted more important than anyone else. (!!!!!!) She told him in front of me that if I didn’t say please, he was not to do what I asked. The principal was in the conference and informed her that isn’t how the world works. I’ve always had a really great rapport with students so I was at a loss. I know this isn’t mirder, or serious criminal act, but it shows the mindset of people today. By the way, the next morning this boy picked up a rock and busted out the school bus windows because he was moved to a different seat.

That’s such a powerful example, Ruth.
It really shows how the refusal to admit fault often starts long before adulthood — when pride is mistaken for strength.
I think what’s truly frightening is that we live in a culture where being “right” matters more than being honest.
And once that seed is planted early, it grows into adults who no longer feel guilt — only justification.
Your story about that student hit hard. It’s sad, but it explains so much about the world we see today.

This months book goes hand in hand with what your post said. Is sin sin…all equal? We want to tell ourselves that calling someone an idiot is less of a sin than murder. We justify calling a mean person names…but there is only one sin that is unforgivable. Your point if justice being different than mercy is true. God says we will be forgiven if we turn from said sin. So if I call people daily an idiot, then pray for forgiveness…it doesn’t show true repentance. You have to acknowledge the wrong-doing Andre. Away from it. That is hard. Great discussions.

Finished book last night. The ending I kind of seen coming but not the way it played out since it was 1 of the twists.

Thank you Chris for your input. I am more than halfway thru the book, and I have already figured it out. I do like the way that this book was brought out by this POD-CAST thing, and I am no podcaster, so that there put me in that HUMMMM, I didn't think that Poe had a history that would rock some folks, heck I thought she was doing this pod thing for what you would call high ratings to get high money. And didn't think that actual people would get on it and blast some of the things that they have done. I would think that there would be a few detectives out there listening.....hummm

stephanie wrote: "Thank you Chris for your input. I am more than halfway thru the book, and I have already figured it out. I do like the way that this book was brought out by this POD-CAST thing, and I am no podcast..."

Poe's intro to her guests before they tell their story in 15 minutes before she questions before her guests talk covers that. Then she questions them. Stephanie you may think you have it all figured out and you may not.

The ending was much different than I thought it was gonna be. I was pretty sure I had it figured out. But it was a good ending.

Ruth wrote: "The ending was much different than I thought it was gonna be. I was pretty sure I had it figured out. But it was a good ending."

All I remember saying was the dog, the dog, the dog.

True.

Hahahahahahah

Even though some of the “tells” of the book was something I could predict, it didn’t stop the suspense of the book. I thought the last half was better than the first half.

Ruth wrote: "Even though some of the “tells” of the book was something I could predict, it didn’t stop the suspense of the book. I thought the last half was better than the first half."

I agree with you. Humdinger of an ending though.

Ruth who did you pick to play the characters in the book.

Don’t laugh…I pictured Molly Ringwald as Poe! The young Molly…Sandra Bullock was her mom. Bruce Dern was Ian Hndley.

Oh, get this, I pictured Red the dad on the 70’s Show that was on years ago. It’s funny I picture didn’t time spans of actors. Lolol. I had NO ONE in mind for Kip. I didn’t realize he was Asian until the end of the book. Idk how I missed that.

I can see Red as the Dad. Did any of you watch the clips between the parts of book? I can picture John Cazale as Hindley.

Cazale would be the PERFECT Henley. Now that is in my head. I tried to click the links and nothing came up. Interesting feature…I haven’t seen links in a book…