Rob Kaufman's Blog
April 4, 2025
The Thrill of Reading Psychological Twists
There’s a particular kind of chill that runs down your (and my) spine—not from a jump scare or a gory scene, but from a moment when everything you thought you knew shifts. You turn a page, and suddenly the story reconfigures itself. That character you trusted? Not who they seemed. That moment you glossed over? A carefully placed clue. That ending? It doesn’t just surprise you—it makes you question everything.
That’s the addictive thrill of psychological twists.
As readers, we don’t just want to watch a story unfold. We want to feel it unravel. Slowly, deliciously, terrifyingly. Psychological thrillers feed a craving we don’t always admit we have: the desire to peek into the darker corners of the human mind. The messy ones. The obsessive, the unhinged, the secrets that refuse to stay buried.
These stories don’t scream. They whisper.
They pull you into the mind of a stalker, a manipulator, or a deeply unreliable narrator—and they dare you to figure out what’s real. They make you complicit in the tension. You start double-reading every sentence. You second-guess your instincts. And when the twist hits, part of you feels betrayed… but another part is grinning.
Because that’s why you picked up the book in the first place.
Psychological thrillers aren’t about what happens—they’re about why it happens, and what it means. The real horror isn’t a masked villain in the woods. It’s finding out the person you’ve trusted most is the one who’s been gaslighting you the entire time. It’s realizing the protagonist is the villain. Or maybe… you are.
And isn’t that why we keep reading? For the puzzle pieces. For the slow, creeping dread. For the intoxicating high of a perfectly executed twist that makes you shout, “Wait—what?!” and then flip back through the pages to see what you missed.
These stories burrow deep. They mess with our heads long after we’ve closed the book.
And, if you’re like me, that’s exactly why you love them.
March 25, 2025
POV FAVORITE: 1st PERSON OR 3rd?
Psych Thrillers Book Club
If you’re looking for:
— Great psych thrillers to read (after you’ve finished mine, of course)
— Unlimited recommendations from readers just like you
— Interesting back and forth conversations about thrillers…and more…
Visit the Psychological Thrillers Book Club on Facebook. It’s a great place to find the reads you’ve been searching for and is run by Mark Jenkins (a great author himself) who keeps an eye on things to make sure everyone is playing nice.
Check it out when you have a chance and are in the mood to find the latest and greatest in Psychological Thriller books!
“False Faces” Prologue
Below is the link to the Prologue of the first book of my new “Edge of Fear Series”:
False Faces.
Characters and references make more sense if you’ve read “The Justin Wright Suspense Series”
I’m looking forward to hearing what you think! (Positive AND negative)
You can comment below or send me an email: Rob@RobKaufmanBooks.com.
January 1, 2025
“False Faces” Prologue
Below is the link to the Prologue of the first book of my new “Edge of Fear Series”:
False Faces.
Characters and references make more sense if you’ve read “The Justin Wright Suspense Series”
I’m looking forward to hearing what you think! (Positive AND negative)
You can comment below or send me an email: Rob@RobKaufmanBooks.com.
October 10, 2024
Psych Thrillers Book Club
If you’re looking for:
— Great psych thrillers to read (after you’ve finished mine, of course)
— Unlimited recommendations from readers just like you
— Interesting back and forth conversations about thrillers…and more…
Visit the Psychological Thrillers Book Club on Facebook. It’s a great place to find the reads you’ve been searching for and is run by Mark Jenkins (a great author himself) who keeps an eye on things to make sure everyone is playing nice.
Check it out when you have a chance and are in the mood to find the latest and greatest in Psychological Thriller books!
October 6, 2024
POV FAVORITE: 1st PERSON OR 3rd?
December 14, 2023
WHEN TO READ A PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER… DURING THE DAY OR AT NIGHT?
Psychological thrillers have a way of gripping us, making our hearts race and minds whirl. But when is the best time to indulge in these suspenseful stories? Is it under the cover of night, where every shadow adds to the thrill, or during the daylight hours, where the real world keeps the chills at bay?
Reading at Night: A Scary Affair.
There’s something undeniably exciting about reading a thriller at night. The stillness and the darkness outside add layers of atmosphere to the story. It’s just you and the book, with fewer distractions, making it easy to lose yourself in the twisted plot. However, there’s a catch! The intense emotions and suspense might just keep you wide awake, staring at the ceiling long after you’ve turned the last page. So, if you’re someone who doesn’t mind a little tossing and turning in exchange for an immersive experience, nighttime reading could be your perfect match.
Reading During the Day: Thrills with a Safety Net.
Now, let’s talk about the daylight defenders. Reading a psychological thriller during the day can be a whole different experience. The light of day tends to lessen the fear factor, making the story feel a bit less intimidating. It’s easier to snap back to reality when you’re done, and you have the option to interact with others if the story gets too intense. Daytime reading is fantastic for those who love the thrill but prefer to keep their nights calm and their sleep undisturbed.
It’s All About Personal Preference.
In the end, the best time to read a psychological thriller really boils down to personal preference. Are you the type who loves a full-on immersive experience, complete with a side of sleepless excitement? Then nighttime thriller reading is the way to go. Or do you prefer to balance the tension with the reassuring light of day? Then daylight reading is your friend.
Whichever you choose, the most important thing is enjoying the roller coaster ride of emotions that only a good psychological thriller can provide. So whether you’re curled up with a book at midnight or flipping pages in the sunshine, the thrill is all yours to savor. 
Happy reading!
November 17, 2023
IS READING PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLERS GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH?
WHEN WE THINK ABOUT activities that boost our health, reading psychological thrillers might not immediately come to mind. However, recent studies and psychological insights suggest that diving into a gripping psychological thriller can offer surprising benefits for both mental and emotional well-being.
So how can these nail-biting novels be more than just a source of entertainment?
Stress Relief through Escapism: Psych thrillers transport readers into a different world, offering a break from daily stressors. The intense storylines and complex characters engage the mind so fully that readers often find their own worries temporarily sidelined. This mental break can be a form of stress relief, providing a much-needed respite for the brain. (If you’ve read “A BROKEN REALITY“, I can imagine it was easier to put your worries aside for the moment when you realized what poor Jesse was going through!)
Enhanced Empathy and Social Cognition: Thrillers and suspense books often delve deep into the human psyche, exploring complex characters and moral dilemmas. This can enhance readers’ empathy and understanding of human behavior. As readers try to understand the motives and feelings of various characters, they inadvertently boost their social cognition and emotional intelligence, skills that are beneficial in real-life social interactions.
Improved Brain Function: Engaging with the intricate plots and twists in psychological thrillers requires a high level of mental activity. Following complex storylines and making predictions about plot developments can improve cognitive functions like memory, focus, and critical thinking. This mental exercise can be particularly beneficial as we age, helping to keep the brain sharp and potentially warding off cognitive decline. (Think about the Justin Wright Suspense Series — keeping track of characters, motives, storylines, etc. was rough for me… and I wrote them!)
The Thrill of Suspense and Its Emotional Payoff: The suspense and heightened emotional engagement in psychological thrillers trigger a release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and adrenaline. This can create a sense of excitement and euphoria, similar to the feeling one gets from a physical workout. Once the mystery resolves, the sense of closure and satisfaction can be emotionally rewarding, contributing to a positive mood.
While psychological thrillers might not be everyone’s cup of tea, they offer unique benefits for those who enjoy them. From stress relief and improved empathy to enhanced brain function and emotional payoff, these books do more than entertain; they contribute to our mental and emotional health in unexpected ways.
So next time you pick up a psychological thriller, remember, you’re not just reading for fun; you’re also giving your brain a healthy workout!
October 7, 2023
WHY YOU ENJOY SUSPENSE… AND THE RUSH THAT COMES WITH IT.
Psychological thrillers are one of the most popular genres in literature. The genre is known for its fast-paced plots, intense storylines, and heart-racing endings.
Psychological thrillers are known to be intense because they focus on the mental state of characters instead of their physical state.
The protagonist is typically a victim of some kind of mental or physical abuse and becomes involved in an increasingly tense and frightening situation. What makes these novels so addictive is that the reader becomes invested in the protagonist’s personal struggle and the suspenseful events surrounding the main character often make it difficult for readers to put down the book (or turn off their television screens).
Why are suspenseful books so popular?
The popularity of psychological thrillers can be attributed to two major factors. First, it is easier for authors to connect with their readers by using common fears and anxieties as a starting point for their stories. Second, people are drawn to these types of books because they offer an escape from the real-life problems that many people face today.
So why do people like to be scared?
The suspense genre is full of twists and turns, with unexpected endings. This is what people like about it. It’s the same feeling that people get when they are scared – their heart rate increases, they can’t stop thinking about it, and they just want to know what will happen next.
Some people like to be scared. It’s a fact that many of us enjoy suspense and mystery, which is why we watch horror movies, read mystery novels and play video games. Many people like the thrill of not knowing what will happen next in a story.
They like to be scared because it’s an adrenaline rush and it’s exciting. And who doesn’t like those feelings? PLUS, these books and movies allow us to solidify the fact the we are physically safe. We derive pleasure from the suspense as long as we believe we are physically distant from what we’re reading (or watching).
Are you on Facebook and would like to be talk with other Psych Thriller lovers?
There are so many “hardcore” psychological thriller readers out there who like to discuss, share and talk about the books they’ve read. If you’re one of them, you’ve GOT to visit THE PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLERS BOOK CLUB on Facebook where you can find new (and old) pscyh thriller recommendations from people who like the same kind of suspense that you do!
