Why 'The Psychic' Should Be Your Next Late-Night Thriller Read

Disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book from the publisher. This post also contains Amazon affiliate links [*]. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

I find it fascinating and somewhat perplexing how readers can harbor such a wide range of opinions about books. It’s like music; while one person hears a sonorous symphony, another perceives nothing but noise. Some will hurl accusations of “complete trash” or “unreadable drivel,” while others will stand on rooftops singing the praises of the same work. As someone who's offered both accolades and critiques in my own reading journey, it's unjust to judge anyone’s opinions.

This brings me to The Psychic ^[*] by Nancy Bush, the subject of today’s review. Recently, I stumbled upon a one-star rating that left me scratching my head. The reviewer lamented they couldn’t even finish the book because, in their words, it made their brain hurt and was, quite simply, “stupid.” Yet, they offered no substantial reasoning; no thoughts on the plot, the characters, or even a fleeting compliment about the narrative style, only a curt dismissal without the faintest hint of detail. I won’t judge this reviewer—if a book isn't resonating with you, it’s perfectly fine to walk away.

Now, let’s get into the heart of the matter—the book itself. The Psychic is a richly crafted thriller, or at least the advance reader copy (ARC) I devoured was. I suspect the final version hasn't strayed too far from what I experienced. The structure is tight, the pacing brisk, and the vivid imagery leaps off the page like a ghost in the night. The protagonist, Veronica "Ronnie" Quick, is nothing short of captivating, while the dialogue crackles with life. It checks all the boxes for a gripping read, one that promises to keep even the most distracted reader engaged until the final, breathless page.

The plot unfurls like some dark tapestry woven from both dread and fascination. Sometimes, Ronnie is gripped by an unsettling premonition, and it all began on her tenth birthday when an eerie voice echoed in her mind: “Don’t go into the water.” That day ended in disaster—she nearly drowned while splashing about with friends, one of whom was left seriously injured. Since then, she's endeavored to silence her premonitions, as not every shadowy vision turns into a tangible threat. She has embarrassed herself more than once, predicting dire events that evaporated into thin air. Still, the haunting images from that fateful day at The Pond linger in her mind like a ghostly specter, refusing to be exorcised.

But now, Ronnie has received a new vision, one that insists on being acknowledged. It’s vivid and unshakeable—a clearing in the woods and the chilling sight of a woman, strangled, her hands bloodied and torn. As her vision manifests into reality, the body is discovered, and she is gripped with terrifying images of even more victims, each one circling ever closer like a predator stalking its prey. To make matters worse, she finds herself in a tense clash with a skeptical police detective from her past, one who seems hell-bent on dismissing her warnings.

And let me tell you, it’s the part she can’t yet see that is the most horrifying of all. I won’t spoil any more twists for your own reading journey; I want you to savor the ride. With the eyes of a well-seasoned reader—think of me as your sagely guide—I thoroughly enjoyed The Psychic. It evoked the nostalgic thrill of those late-night cable thrillers from the '80s, those deliciously guilty pleasures I wasn’t supposed to watch as a kid but couldn't resist.

Sure, the story isn’t pitch-perfect; there are clichés sprinkled throughout like sugar on a horror cake, but they’re not bothersome enough to make me roll my eyes or sigh in exasperation. In fact, those familiar tropes felt almost comforting in their predictability, a nod to the genre’s playbook. And let’s take a moment to appreciate the cover art—a woman peering through shattered glass. Does she remind anyone else of Anya Taylor-Joy? Or is that just my imagination running wild?

In the end, I liked The Psychic ^[*] quite a bit. It was a true page-turner, an engaging story perfect for anyone on the hunt for a gripping thriller. So, if you’re ready to leap into the unknown, this book might be your next thrilling read. ╌★★★★✰

〜B.J. Burgess