#pyschological thriller

[deflated-tires-committee]

Book Review by Sunny: The Wrong Daughter -- Dandy Smith

Synopsis from Amazon: Caitlyn and Olivia are excited to finally be old enough to stay home alone. But when they fall asleep, someone turns the handle of the back door and nothing is the same ever again. When their parents return, they find Olivia’s bed empty. Their eldest daughter gone … until now.

Ten years later, Olivia is back, and everyone is desperate to believe the nightmare is over. But Caitlin doesn’t trust the woman who claims to be her sister. Their memories of that night don’t match, and they are both hiding secrets that could tear their family apart...

The review of this book will be divided into the following categories: plot, writing, characters and predictability.

PLOT: Originality-wise, the plot was definitely the first that I’ve seen of its kind. 

It’s written from the point of view of two characters, and the chapters are named accordingly–  Caitlin Arden and Elinor Ledbury. 

The story begins with a typical kidnapping– a masked stranger slipping into the house and stealing away a defenseless girl. The book explores the childhood trauma of the main character, Caitlin, that is tied to the night her older sister Olivia disappears, and the depth and mutual affection of their relationship helps drive the plot forward. The story, as well as the title, is carefully constructed to make the reader harbour a belief which is ultimately disproved and completely flipped around towards the end of the story in a surprising twist.

I found the connection between Caitlin and Elinor Ledbury’s story very satisfying as well. The author has written both POVs in a detailed manner- she doesn’t deliberately leave out information to stop the reader from figuring out how Elinor’s story is relevant to Caitlin’s, but the connection is such that the reader cannot find the link even when Elinor’s POV ends and the story continues permanently in Caitlin’s POV. The twist is only revealed at the very end.

WRITING: Caitlin’s side of the story is written in first person, while Elinor’s is in third person (although the story is her point of view anyway). Both are written in present tense.

The writing is simplistic, but descriptive, making particular use of colours, textures and emotions. The writer has a very marked habit of treating abstract and intangible things (for example, words or emotions) as material objects that affect the character physically, or providing very vivid analogies.

“She beams at Olivia, catching the compliment and clutching it hard to her chest.” “... I offer, and let my words hang. She catches them. Inspects them.” “They took the story and feasted on its carcass, sucking meat from bone until there was nothing left.” “She’s followed the trail of breadcrumbs through the thorny first and arrived at the gingerbread house.”

CHARACTERS: The main character Caitlin’s life has been shaped by the traumatic event of her sister’s kidnapping, and the helplessness she’d felt as she watched her sister be abducted has grown into a deep guilt that haunts her well into adult life. Olivia had always been the picture of perfection, and in her absence, Caitlin grows to be self-deprecating and a people-pleaser, throwing her own ambitions aside to meet her parents’ expectations. However, her love for her older sister hasn’t diminished a bit, and this drives her forward when she is suspicious of the woman who has returned sixteen years later, claiming to be Olivia.

Many aspects of Caitlin’s character are very real and relatable to readers, such as the constant striving to please her parents, the lack of motivation and the mild depression she feels during the downs of her life.

Elinor Ledbury is the younger sister of Heath Ledbury, who are orphans living together in their ancestral mansion. Heath fights to win the rights to their fortune, against their uncle- but he is no hero, as he harbours a peculiar obsession with Elinor, and is alarmingly possessive of her. Elinor’s story ends in her unexpected death, brought about by Heath himself in a horrifying turn of events, and her death bleeds through to take over the Arden siblings’ lives. 

Hence, Elinor’s story takes place in the past, before, even, Olivia’s abduction. Despite mainly appearing in brief flashbacks, parallel to Caitlin’s narrative, Elinor’s shadow looms over the story as its true origin, and the reason Olivia’s abduction took place.

There is a trend observed throughout the story: the villainization of male characters. Most of the men in the story are revealed to be double-crossing, manipulators and/or harbouring evil intentions.

When it comes to character-writing, we are really only given a proper look into Caitlin and Elinor’s characters and personalities. The reader does not feel attached to any other characters in the book. The main male characters as well are rather unoriginal- trustworthy or not, are stereotypically attractive and charismatic, and conveniently skilled at manipulation and keeping up a good face to their interests, which I found repetitive and unrealistic.

PREDICTABILITY: I found that the final twist of the story was definitely surprising and not easily predictable. I also couldn’t make the connection between Elinor and the Arden siblings till the very end, and this final revelation was fulfilling.

The fact that Elinor’s story was taking place in the past, despite being written alongside Caitlin’s, wasn’t explicitly revealed till the end, but I was able to make this observation simply because this is a repeated trend in double POV books. In such books, the second character’s story often takes place long before the main character’s, and in some way, majorly influences the MC’s story.

As already mentioned, the villainization of males is a major trend in the story and therefore quite predictable. The betrayal of such characters didn’t come as much of a surprise to me.

Overall rating: ★★★✩✩ 3/5

 The book wins points for its plot, some obligatory points for its writing, which I found good but not too remarkable, but frankly loses some points for its character-writing and overall predictability.

‘The Wrong Daughter�� by Dandy Smith is available to read for free under prime reading at amazon.com.

[hereswatithink]

The Hospital is a gripping psychological thriller that centers around a young woman who wakes up in an unfamiliar place, with no memory of how she got there or what has happened. As she is taken to an isolated island and placed under the care of a mysterious hospital, a deep sense of unease settles in. Though those around her claim to be helping, something inside her warns against trusting them. But more disturbingly—can she even trust herself? With nothing but a Kindle and a gun in her possession, her journey becomes a chilling quest for truth, survival, and identity.

A.G. Twist wastes no time in pulling readers into the story. From the first few pages, you’re plunged into the main character’s confusion, fear, and determination. The narrative is immersive, often placing the reader squarely in the protagonist’s shoes—feeling what she feels, questioning what she questions. While some might say the story grows repetitive at times, I believe the repetition serves a purpose. By the end, it becomes clear how these loops of thought and memory reflect the chaos within the character’s mind. The unpredictable twists and dreamlike imagery can feel overwhelming, but that’s exactly what makes the experience so authentic and unforgettable. I wouldn’t change a thing about how it was written.

At its core, The Hospital explores the incredible strength of the human mind and the imagination. It suggests that our inner world can be both a sanctuary and a battleground—capable of saving us, or destroying us. The novel also shines a light on female resilience, showing just how far a woman can go when driven by love, survival, and the need to protect those she cares about.

This book left me thoughtful, stirred, and deeply impressed. It’s more than a thriller—it’s a powerful meditation on trauma, memory, and the strength we often don’t know we have until we’re tested.

Trigger warning: this book contains themes of sexual assault (SA)

[schlock-luster-video]

On January 20, 1966, Night Must Fall debuted in Portugal.

Here's a new drawing of Albert Finney!

[readtilyoudie]

HELL'S PARADISE JIGOKURAKU

[nakflix]

Top 10 Best R-Rated Thriller Netflix Movies

[damn-you-dragon]

Looking for logic (in The Housemaid by Freida McFadden)

TL;DR: good premise, story was dragged out, the writing was good, plot twists truly came out of the blue. | 3/5 stars | The Housemaid is a story surrounding three main characters: Millie (the Housemaid™), the Wife Nina, and the Husband Andrew. Millie was living out of her car with barely any food eat, when she’s offered the job to be a live-in housekeeper at the rich Winchesters. At first…

[maguro13-2]

The Dark Beginnings ~ Origins of the Ink Demon Chapter 0 Final Prologue (True Ending 1/7)

*This is the true ending to making it as the Best Ending where it leads, so here we go!*

Me : Okay, everyone places are set! It's time for the True Ending of this here branch! Give it up for the True Ending path aka the Best Ending Path!

(Audience applauses)

*Seto whsitling*

Seto : Hey, Kid. You feeling okay?

Maka Albarn : ....

Seto : Hey, what's the matter? Were you just hitting the sauce or something?

Maka Albarn : (snickers+Chuckles)

Seto : Hmm? What's so funny?

Maka Albarn : Oh it's truly despicable, did you really think that I should've know that you would be fooled by that easily did you?

Seto : What do you mean fooled by that easily? Hey, what's the big deal?

Maka Albarn : The only reason for you to be a Shinigami is your truly purpose of helping me on defeating a God, but there was no God neither was Asura. But I did found light itself, I wanted to become greater than before. I wanted to achieve everything to destroy the family members of the Kusakabe, that was my purpose how Demon Vibe was able to not letting me seek into the truth. The Ohkuboverse, it's heroes and villains, all part of it's game, there is no wonder that you would be the one that will seek into truth! I ought to esitmated myself. (laughs)

Seto : What? Hey, Maka dear. Please, just what are you planning on ending Soul Eater's world by the year 2013? Oo who's gonna end it for you?

Maka Albarn : Me? Why? To think that this Soul Resonance thing was Shinra Kusakabe's idea of form three entities into one God, a true God that true created the World of Soul Eater and Shinra was Soul Eater's true creator! I knew about him all along! And you and everyone else didn't knew about that!

Seto : What are you even saying?

Maka Albarn : Since Shinra has became the only God that is the Bansho-man who gave birth to Death and the world of Soul Eater, I, Maka Albarn shall become a God too, this is what I have been waiting for! This was the true purpose of killing the Gods that are false!

Seto : What!?! Hey, whatever happens to showing the world with courage and stuff!? What's gotten into you, Maka Albarn!? Why are you acting like this!?

(Chaos Emeralds appears circling around her)

Seto : (gasps) The Chaos Emeralds. Wait a sec...Maka! You didn't steal them from the Special Stages, did you!? The purple one was stored within a chamber, what are you planning on killing the Gods that are false in the Ohkuboverse!?

Maka Albarn : With these, I'm going to put an end to Demon Vibe and his dream of conquering the Galaxy shall be out of his place! But just to remind you one thing, Reaper Girl who is Needless. But needless to say that Maka Albarn, Soul World's chosen hero, is no more.

Seto : You what!?

Maka Albarrn : That's right. For you see that I am the Angel of Death and a God of Destruction that is Chaos, I will definitely show the world my courage as becoming...ANGEL CHAOS 0, GOD OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION!

Seto : No! Maka! Don't you dare do it!

Maka Albarn : Now then, now that I have these in the part of my plan, I won't be needing anyone, anymore, especially for the devil they call him Shinra Kusakabe!

*DBZ SFX : Surprise*

[The Last Palace by Hideaki Kobayashi plays]

Seto : NO, MAKA! PUT THOSE EMERALDS DOWNS!

Solva : Seto! What's going on!? (gasps) W-What the--!?

Maka Albarn : (laughs+laughs evilly)

*DBZ SFX : Big Aura+Powering up*

Maka Albarn : [Roaring with a distorted voice]

Solva : That power! It couldn't be!

Angel Chaos (Maka) : I am Angel Chaos, God of Death and Destruction. I am the new God of the Ohkuboverse! I shall make humanity and Real World AU itself to become my own image!

"ANGEL CHAOS : GOD OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION"

Seto : Maka! You've gone insane with Shinra's influence and power, you’ve turned yourself into a fearsome beast! This must've been the negative powers of the emeralds that fulfills darkness within one's heart!

Solva : So I was right, there was something fishy from the Ohkuboverse! This was definitely Shinra's fault!

Seto : Can't believe that everyone from the Ohkuboverse is a fool! Who would've known that Maka would able to use that power to take over this world!? The Real World!

Angel Chaos (Maka) : Now that you all wil excuse me, I got some unfinished business to take care of.

*Chaos Control*

Seto : Hey! She escape!

Solva : Wonder what the big rush is all about? No sudden clue that this would be all a major let down. I gotta tell the others about this!

(scene changes)

*WHISTLE BLOWING*

Solva : Emergency Roll Call! Emergency Roll Call!

*DOOR BANG*

Solva : Everyone listen up! This is an emergency Roll Call! Give us your attention!

Egg Pawns : Front and Center, ma'am!

Seto : Alright, boys! Listen up! The thirteen-year old middle school student that we captured Maka Albarn, has escaped from this palace we were at and is going to wreak havoc on the public order. I want you to find and locate the missing girl who gathered powers from the emeralds, the one that Master Grim has kept stored within our storage facility from the special stages! Now do I make myself clear?

Egg Pawns : Ma'am! Yes, Ma'am!

Seto : Perfect. Now let's get this show on the road!

[Scenario : Courage by Fumie Kumatani plays]

Voice : EMERGENCY! EMERGENCY! PRISONER HAS ESCAPED FROM THE SPECIAL ROOM! PLEASE GATHER YOURSELVES FOR BATTLE PREPARATIONS!

Grim (Metal Sonic) : Listen, up! Maka Albarn, the girl who was chosen as Soul World's Hero, is about to unleash Chaos over this planet and it is our sworn duty to protect Real World AU at all costs! All units prepare to be engaged! Egg Pawns, Knight Pawns, Sorcerers! Hammers! Tonight, we fight for honor as Death chosen by the Gods! This is our battle to face the enemy and make them as our own! We chosen to make ourselves strong!

(Egg Pawns uproars)

[Imminent Battle by Kenichi Tokoi plays]

Seto : Now this is more like it!

Solva : You can count on me!

Seto : Okay, everyone! March! Hang Castle Security Force is a Go!

*The Group starts marching*

Seto : (in mind) I don't believe it. That Soul Evans fella and the other Soul Eater heroes were idiots. Why didn't I noticed them before now?

Solva : (in mind) Can it be true, can Maka Albarn unlock a dangerous potential of becoming a fully-fledged by using the power of the Emeralds? I won't let her do that.

Grim (Metal Sonic) : (In mind) Now...I finally know what's going on. Maka hiding this plan to steal the emeralds in order of becoming another God, what the hell is going on with Soul World? Why in the world would Soul World's chosen hero hiding a decisive plan to end all villains that live in Japan, America, and the rest of the world?

*flashback*

Rupika : Hey, Mr. Grim. I finally figured of how Maka Albarn was able to unlock her true full potential. I discovered that the Grigori Soul she obtained wasn't really a Grigori at all. It was the soul of a Hero Chao that died when players weren't there to take care of it. Maka must've inherited from the Chao World when she was visits Chao World everyday to meet her world's true creator, Shinra Kusakabe. To neutralize Maka's negative energy from the Hero Chao's soul, one person has a heart filled with light and positive energy, but the other has a heart and filled with the power of darkness and it could be the Negative energy. That's how Light and Darkness combine together as a force to neutralize all the negative energy to swept away and light shall be restored a person's heart with love.

*flashback end*

Grim (Metal Sonic) : So that's what a Grigori soul is. a Hero Chao soul which those and Maka Albarn makes her in the result of becoming the Angel Chao 0. There is one counterpart that could outmatch the Angel Chaos. And I know who it is.

(Scene changes to the Chao Garden)

Shinra the Devil Chaos Chao : "ZZZZ..."

Iris' Voice : Shinra-Kun, onegai tatsukete kudasai.

Shinra the Devil Chaos Chao : !? Iris?

Iris' voice : Please, Shinra. I beg of you for me, please let them give me a chance to make everyone happy!

Shinra the Devil Chaos Chao : !? (roars as he converts into his Devil Chaos form)

*DBZ SFX : Big Aura+Powering up*

[Throw it All Away by Fumie Kumatani plays]

Colors Announcer : Devil Chaos!

*DBZ SFX : SURPRISE*

Shinra the Devil Chaos : ...MAKA! I'M COMING OVER THERE TO YOU SELF-RIGHTEOUS RENEGADING FREAK! I'M GIVING YOU THE DEMONSTRATION OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A HERO! TIME FOR A HERO'S LESSON TO BE TAUGHT!

(scene cuts to Shinra (Devil Chaos form) leaving Chao World)

Shinra the Devil Chaos : I'm gonna make you regret for ever of protecting, I cannot believe that you inherited the powers of an angel coming from that Chao. You won't be hero any longer once you were in that form. I got one special order for you, It's Angel vs Devil! I will beat you Maka Albarn, no matter what I do. I'm still the hero that I was ever cherished, Shinra Kusakabe!

"Don't Worry, Maka. I'll make sure that you'll be taught a lesson by me!"

"And don't even get me started on ruining your livelyhood."

"I'm just trying to save the planet from destruction."

"You're lucky that I will make you regret for what you've did."

~ Continues to the next part ~

[hlblng]

"Come, my heart, put on your armour" - Euripides' Medea

Medea sits on the porch of her house in Corinth after killing her children, in a short moment of contemplation, waiting for the arrival of Iason and her final triumph over him. She is the Deus ex Machina in her own play. She doesn't need a god to intervene on her behalf, she is half-god herself.

The Medea of Euripides is probably one of my favourite plays of all time with Medea being one of my favourite characters ever put on stage. Euripides is a master of the pyschological thriller and the portrait he paints of Medea the child-killer, Medea the witch, Medea the wronged woman, Medea the hated foreigner, is still so modern and so topical, even now almost 2500 years later.

[supercalifragipopculturevomit]

Has there ever been a more beautiful man than Alain Delon in the 60s?

Currently on a marathon and except for Rocco and His Brothers which was a little too melodramatic for my taste—PTSD from growing up with telenovelas—I feel like I’ve stumbled upon a motherload of cinematic gems. When they say “they don’t make movies like these anymore” this is what they mean…

Purple Noon is the first film adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr. Ripley. Gotta suspend your disbelief that Delon would (literally) kill to be someone else during that era, but it’s still a gripping watch. From the fashion to the cinematography, a visual feast as well.

I only knew that Le Samouraï was a highly-rated classic and that it was a crime thriller… I wasn’t aware of its legacy. As the story unfolded though, it dawned on me: “Ahhh this is the film all THOSE other movies want to be.” David Fincher’s The Killer was foremost on my mind. And Delon’s Jef Costello, to this day, lives on in many characters, particularly in portrayals of antiheros.

There WAS a reason La Piscine reminded me so much of Luca Guadanino’s A Bigger Splash… it’s the source material. I’d bet good money the storyline in the second season of HBO’s White Lotus (the one with Aubrey Plaza, Will Sharpe, Meghann Fahy, and Theo James) also took inspiration from this. What a film though. Although I could anticipate where it was going, it still held me in rapt suspense. The lush cinematography, the tight script, the beautiful quartet spiraling into pyschological warfare… I loved every gnarly sexy minute of it.

Going slightly off-topic, if they ever make a biopic of this man's life, I can totally see Daniel Brühl playing him.

Hear me out: he has a similar mix of manly and boyish features (dude could probably play the 25-year-old version if he shaved off his beard); he's not French but he can speak the language well and also has that European charm and elegance going for him; he has a way of capturing a person's essence even though he doesn't resemble them much in real life (e.g. Niki Lauda in Rush and Karl Lagerfeld in Becoming Karl Lagerfeld); and he's a phenomenal and dedicated actor known for his portrayal of morally ambiguous characters, which, from what I've gathered, Delon was.

That he was a massive fan growing up probably helps, too. I wouldn't be surprised if he's seen all of his movies. This was from decades ago, but it's the most Delon-esque photo of Brühl's I could find...

[carlossssssss19]

thinking of making a mononoke layout soon since thats where my interest is going now, I loved the movie sequal it fascinated me so much, i love pyschological thriller and stuff, and the color schemes were magnificent i loved how instead of the protagonist being shown more for his job hes shown less so we can understand more of what hes working towards why the characters are relavent instead of him being on the screen 24/7 dont get me wrong i love the medicine seller but i just loved how it was more focused on how the characters were tied to what the medicine seller was going towards IM GONNA KEEP YAPPIN!! (This acc is evantually gonna turn into what i thought i could prevent my yapping about interests or doing stuff account)

[madmanwonder]

Blog Update

The Hiatus will end by tomorrow morning. Also here's the current moods for tommorrow.

AU(S): Free for All (But my main mood are Horror AU)

General Moods: Halloween Asks/Prompt, Crossover, Scary Asks/Prompt, Pyschological Thriller

Muses:

Male: Qrow Branwen, Madara Uchiha, Trafalgar Law, Prince Sidon, Gajeel Redfox, Miles 'Tails' Prower, Ddraig, Chris Mcclain, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, Kagura Mutsuki

Female: RWBY, Naruto, One Piece, Legend of Zelda, Fairy Tail, Sonic the Hedgehog, Bleach, Blazblue, Guilty Gear, Fate Series

Meme: Free for All: Halloween Edition

[axel-the-goat-guy]

Hi i will now annoy your ask box with random questions i am bored

Whats your favorite food? Whats your favorite genre? What instrument would you want to learn? Can you play any? when did you make Al? [2016 is repeating in my head but i don't remember you ever saying they were made in 2016?] Can i ask about Al/Als lore? If i asked any of these before, it's not on purpose lol

Fav food? Idk, maybe chicken?

Fav genre? Hmmm... Pyschological horror/thriller

What instrument would I want to learn? All of them... But mainly guitar since it seems the most versatile.

Can I play any instrument? Nope.

When did I make Al? 2022. I have no clue where you got "2016" from /gen

Can you ask about Al/Al's lore? Please do!

And you haven't asked any of this before dw

[ranscutedoll]

enlo, janeyyyy here for matchup game! this is super excitinggg 🩷

personality: I'm intj-a, aries; I'm like a mix between bakugou and akaashi when it comes to personality lol. like I can be fun and outgoing; has a temper lol but I'm mostly withdrawn and calm when it comes to putting down the work. I can separate my emotions and my mind when it comes to making the right decision. I always choose what's best in the big picture or the win-win for all instead of what I feel or what others' feel (sorz, that's just huhuhu) things have to make sense for me in a way ig sobbs

hobbies/interests: mystery, pyschological thriller, action and adventure films, noir, world history, philosophy, mythology, culture, travelling, shopping, matcha, oreo milk tea, nom yen, academia vibe (light, dark and romantic), hotels heehehe, airports, red and pink, stars and the moon

likes: stability (financial, mental and emotional), accountable, considerate, understanding, kind, preferably taller than me, suit and tie is a turn on for me lmao, balance of being responsible yet being lighthearted, dependable, decisive, passionate, confident, doting, good sense of humor, same wavelength as me, open to new topics

dislikes: wishy-washy/hot n' cold, dishonesty, no direction in life, too much happy go lucky, immaturity...idk mostly I focus on what I want hehehe

I hope this ain't too long. thank you for this game! 🩷 I've been wanting to play with everyone since my comeback and I'm glad to be joining yours, bestieeeeee✨️

i really didn't wanna be biased and give you kuroo just because I know you like him, but the description...he would be absolutely perfect for you! So

[juune-bug]

BASIC INFO — 🐻

full name: kim junseo | 김준서
stage name: June/Jun
date of birth: october 12, 1999
age: 23

pronouns: he/him/his
birthplace: nami, seoul, south korea
current residence: seoul, south korea
occupation: idol/occasional songwriter
sexuality: panromantic pansexual
relationship status: single
languages spoken: korean, (some) english and french


TRAITS —

+ resilient, (most times) soft-hearted, empathetic, observant, quick-witted, resourceful, creative

- vindictive when pressed, reserved, impulsive, perfectionist, often irritable, quietly jealous

SOME FAVORITES —

movies: documentary/mockumentary, comedy, animation, pyschological thriller
colors: black, purple, red and dark green
music: jazz, classical, hip-hop, krnb, pop punk
food: kbbq, italian, salvadorian, sweet & savory snacks 
drinks: plain iced coffee, honey milk tea boba, taro boba with jelly

likes: early mornings, cats, fall and winter, stickers, organizing things, strange sunglasses, books, mangos, fog, quiet rain, moths, dragonflies

dislikes: humidity, formalities, big dogs, clothing piles, beaches, roses, strong scents, spiders, kiwis

PERSONALITY TYPE —

mbti: ISTP
enneagram: type 3 - the competitive achiever

QUICK FACTS —

He cannot whistle to save his life.

His favorite movie is Ponyo, but he’ll lie and say it’s The Social Network.

He grew up on a farm and loves animals.

He has a year old orange cat named Talula, or Tally for short.

He hates tomatoes on absolutely anything.

He tends to pout a lot to himself without knowing.

He studied English literature at university and is a fast reader, oftentimes getting through 2 books in one sitting.

Thunder makes him nervous but he loves it regardless.

An irrational fear of his is driving away from the gas station with the pump still in the car.

He only needs an average of 6 hours of sleep a night; anything more than that makes him grumpy for the rest of the day.

He is a very big night owl but is somehow constantly tired…

He loves to cook Alfredo pasta.

[cjbolan]

@beemovieerotica​ sounds like something from a pyschological thriller/horror story.

I know people on tumblr looove stories of underwater cave diving, but I haven't seen anyone talk about nitrogen narcosis aka "raptures of the deep"

basically when you want to get your advanced scuba certification (allowing you to go more than 60 feet deep) you have to undergo a very specific test: your instructor takes you down past the 60+ foot threshold, and she brings a little underwater white board with her.

she writes a very basic math problem on that board. 6 + 15. she shows it to you, and you have to solve it.

if you can solve it, you're good. that is the hardest part of the test.

because here's what happens: there is a subset of people, and we have no real idea why this happens only to them, who lose their minds at depth. they're not dying, they're not running out of oxygen, they just completely lose their sense of identity when deep in the sea.

a woman on a dive my instructor led once vanished during the course of the excursion. they were diving near this dropoff point, beyond which the depth exceeded 60 feet and he'd told them not to go down that way. the instructor made his way over to look for her and found a guy sitting at the edge of the dropoff (an underwater cliff situation) just staring down into the dark. the guy is okay, but he's at the threshold, spacing out, and mentally difficult to reach. they try to communicate, and finally the guy just points down into the dark, knowing he can't go down there, but he saw the woman go.

instructor is deep water certified and he goes down. he shines his light into the dark, down onto the seafloor which is at 90 feet below the surface. he sees the woman, her arms locked to her sides, moving like a fish, swimming furiously in circles in the pitch black.

she is hard to catch but he stops her and checks her remaining oxygen: she is almost out, on account of swimming a marathon for absolutely no reason. he is able to drag her back up, get her to a stable depth to decompress, and bring her to the surface safely.

when their masks are off and he finally asks her what happened, and why was she swimming like that, she says she fully, 100% believed she was a mermaid, had always been a mermaid, and something was hunting her in the dark 👍

[free-birds-soaring-high]

The Killer in the Snow by Alex Pine - Christmas Themed Mystery

The Naturals Series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - Scifi-ish Mystery (Detective type, FBI) you can also check her The Inherritance, it's a domestic type of mystery.

One of us is Lying by Karen Mcmanus - This is Young Adult (Highschool setting)

Someone We Know by Shari Lapena - Domestic type.

Any books from Karin Slaughter's catalogue. They are kind of Gore-ish though.

The Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman - This is a cozy type of mystery, main characters are senior citizens who are above 60 years old. Kind of slow-paced. BUT it's good!

I don't usually recommend Freida Mcfadden's books because they are niches, but they are good pyschological thriller books. Especially her The Boyfriend and The Teacher.

Currently I am at Clare Mackintosh's catalogue, and so far her books are okay.

Written down in a list, thanks! I'll be sure to check them out when I have the time.