Crisp October Fridays: Discovering Haunting Reads Like 'The Psychic'

I trust everyone is savoring this crisp October Friday. Apologies for my absence on your blogs last week; life has been a whirlwind, and I've found myself with scant time to make my rounds. But fear not—I’m determined to catch up on everyone’s Friday 56s over the weekend!

This week, my pick is the newly released The Psychic by Nancy Bush, an ARC I had originally planned to review yesterday. However, my poor eyes were begging for a break after an intense reading spree. Sometimes, it’s essential to recognize your limits, right? 

Currently, I’m lost in a gritty western, Fort Misery, in preparation for tomorrow's Gunsmoke & Grit feature. After that, I’ll finally sink my teeth into The Psychic—the cover alone gives off deliciously eerie vibes, with its shattered glass hinting at the haunting thrills within. I can hardly wait to start! Just in time for my review on Tuesday.

'The Friday 56' is hosted by My Head is Full of Books.

Speaking of covers, modern designs often leave me feeling rather uninspired, but The Psychic? Truly a standout. The chilling imagery perfectly complements a plot that encapsulates the fear we all harbor—what happens when a psychic starts having visions of her own death? It’s enough to make anyone's hair stand on end.

Here’s a snippet from the book:

"Oh, is that the way it's going to be." He feigned disappointment.

— Bush, Nancy. The Psychic, Zebra, 2025, p. 56.

At this moment, I’m not entirely sure what kind of mayhem is unraveling on page 56, but it seems we have a character named Galen vying for the attention of our psychic heroine, Ronnie. When he attempts to embrace her, she expertly shrugs him off. The scene unfolds in the sterile environment of a law firm’s office, where tension and unspoken words linger like fog.

Happy reading!

〜B.J. Burgess