🩸 Horror Fiction

Assume Nothing: A Thriller

✍️ Joshua Corin
Reader Score
4.6
(1 review)
$16.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A detective invites an obsessed fan to solve a murder, blurring lines between fact and fiction.

Kat McCann grew up in the shadow of her mother’s unsolved case until Austrian detective Alik Lisser intervened. He solved the crime by naming Kat’s father as the culprit. This event shaped Kat’s adult life, driving her fascination with Lisser and the novels inspired by his work. The author of these books remains unknown, adding to the intrigue. When Lisser reenters Kat’s life, he offers her a chance to apply her knowledge practically. She accepts an invitation to investigate a fresh homicide. This opportunity forces her to confront the reliability of the detective she admired and the writer whose words shaped her worldview. The narrative examines how past trauma influences present actions and how easily truth can be manipulated by those in power.

Key Themes
detective fiction obsessive fandom family secrets
Literary Context

The novel draws on the tradition of psychological thrillers and whodunit mysteries. It references the 1980s setting where Austrian detective Alik Lisser gained fame. The story engages with the genre’s history of unreliable narrators and the cultural impact of true crime literature on public perception.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
Gillian Flynn · Tana French · Paula Hawkins · Donna Tartt
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Thomas & Mercer 📅 2024 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781662523533

📝 Description: Assume Nothing: A Thriller

Joshua Corin presents a thriller centered on Kat McCann, whose life is defined by the 1985 murder of her mother. The case was solved by Austrian detective Alik Lisser, who identified Kat’s father as the killer. Ten years later, Kat remains obsessed with Lisser and the bestselling novels based on his deductions. These books were written by an elusive author who remains a mystery herself. When Kat and Lisser meet again, their friendship deepens. He invites her to solve a new murder, offering secrets of his success. This challenge forces Kat to question her beliefs about the detective, the writer, and her own history. The narrative weaves together fact and fiction as deception collides with truth. The story appeals to readers who enjoy psychological suspense and complex character dynamics. It suits those interested in the intersection of true crime and literary fiction. Readers seeking straightforward action or clear moral boundaries may find the ambiguous nature of the characters unsettling. The plot relies on shifting perspectives and hidden motives rather than physical chases. Corin constructs a tale where survival depends on unraveling a shocking twist that redefines Kat’s personal history.

💎 Our verdict on Assume Nothing: A Thriller

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Corin constructs a tense exploration of obsession, where the protagonist’s life is defined by an unsolved mystery and a detective who claims to have solved it. The narrative effectively blurs the lines between fact and fiction, challenging the reader to question the reliability of both the detective and the elusive author shaping the protagonist's worldview. While the plot relies on psychological depth rather than physical chases, this approach creates a unsettling atmosphere suitable for those who enjoy ambiguous characters. It is best suited for readers seeking intricate character studies over action, offering a thought-provoking look at how past trauma influences present actions and how easily truth can be manipulated.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who enjoy complex character dynamics and psychological suspense will find this narrative compelling. It is ideal for those interested in the intersection of true crime and literary fiction, particularly those who appreciate stories where deception collides with truth. The book appeals to fans of shifting perspectives and hidden motives rather than straightforward action. It suits readers willing to engage with ambiguous moral boundaries and unravel a shocking twist that redefines personal history through the lens of past trauma and manipulated reality.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Corin constructs a tense exploration of obsession, where the protagonist’s life is defined by an unsolved mystery and a detective who claims to have solved it. The narrative effectively blurs the lines between fact and fiction, challenging the reader to question the reliability of both the detective and the elusive author shaping the protagonist's worldview. While the plot relies on psychological depth rather than physical chases, this approach creates a unsettling atmosphere suitable for those who enjoy ambiguous characters. It is best suited for readers seeking intricate character studies over action, offering a thought-provoking look at how past trauma influences present actions and how easily truth can be manipulated.

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