This is a great thriller, mystery read with more twists and turns than you can shake a stick at! It definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat. A group of six Psychology post graduate students have been assigned to a special research project with a reknowned mental health expert and academician. The study is about deception and in conducting it, the group practices its own deceptions. They then monitor the subjects' reactions through one way glass. They quickly find out the consequences can be more dangerous than they had counted on, as early on in the book a participant loses it and there are some tense moments before police arrive.

We are introduced in some detail to each of the six post grad students involved in conducting the study. Each of them has their own motivations for being in the program and most of them have things in the past they have not been straight forward about, as we will come to learn bit by bit. There are tensions among the six for various reasons that are also slowly described to us. It is not a friendly, close-knit group of people. When one of them is murdered, each of the others is a suspect; each could have had a motive. And the murdered student was having an affair with the professor in charge of the study; thereby bringing the scorn of the others upon her and causing them not to like her; a fact that was becoming obvious. To top it all off, she was murdered in the professor's office and all five of the others were in the Psychology Department building where the murder took place at the time, though it was at night.

A sharp campus police officer arrives at the murder scene and thus begins a long and detailed investigation as she interviews the professor, the five other students working under him, the student study subject who had lost it and had an obsession with the murdered woman and others. Through these interviews we begin to learn their stories while realizing they are each hiding some details about their past. All of these students are well studied in the art and science of deception. Our suspicions jump from one person to the next quickly.

Then the professor is murdered and the campus realizes they are dealing with a serial killer on the loose. A record breaking snowstorm is bearing down on them and when it hits the campus closes down, leaving becomes impossible and they are trapped on campus with a serial killer.

One of the students is jailed for the crimes as solid evidence has been found. But the police soon discover the killer is still on the loose and they are all in grave danger. You definitely don't want to put this book down because you NEED to find out who did it and if the officers can find them and save themselves and everyone else on campus in time.

The fact that it centers around studying deception is interesting particularly in our current times, I feel. It seems that lying has been condoned and practiced by those at the top levels of our government and the effect of that has been and continues to be devastating. While many of their followers seem to be truly deceived, those perpetrating the lying use it as a tool to control large swathes of the population and have no compunction whatsoever about doing so. I'm writing this extraneous bit in response to the Reading Guide at the end of the book that prompted us to think about this subject. ( )

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this copy to review.

"This is How We End Things" by R.J. Jacobs is a gripping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from the very first page. With its masterful storytelling, complex characters, and a plot filled with unexpected twists, Jacobs has crafted a compelling narrative that is sure to satisfy fans of the genre.

The story follows Dr. Malcolm Roth, a brilliant psychologist who specializes in treating patients with extreme phobias. He is haunted by a tragic incident from his past that has left him emotionally scarred. When he is approached by the enigmatic yet charming FBI agent, Laura Fourreau, to assist in a peculiar case involving a young woman named Sara who has a debilitating fear of the dark, Malcolm is drawn into a web of mystery and danger that he could never have imagined.

One of the strengths of this novel is the depth of its characters. Malcolm is a flawed protagonist, struggling with his own demons while trying to help his patients confront their fears. Sara is a complex character in her own right, and her phobia becomes a central element of the story, adding a unique psychological dimension to the plot. The dynamic between Malcolm and Sara is both intriguing and emotionally charged, making their interactions a highlight of the book.

Jacobs excels at building suspense and tension throughout the story. The pacing is well-balanced, with each chapter unveiling a new layer of the mystery. As the narrative unfolds, the reader is constantly left guessing about the true nature of the threat and the motives of the characters involved. The author skillfully weaves together elements of psychological horror and thriller, creating a narrative that is as psychologically engaging as it is thrilling.

The plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns, and just when you think you have it all figured out, Jacobs throws another curveball your way. The resolution of the mystery is both satisfying and thought-provoking, leaving the reader with lingering questions about the nature of fear and the human psyche.

However, one minor drawback of the novel is that some of the secondary characters are not as well-developed as the main protagonists. While this doesn't detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the story, a bit more depth to these characters could have added further dimension to the narrative.

In conclusion, "This is How We End Things" is a compelling thriller that combines elements of psychological suspense with a well-crafted mystery. R.J. Jacobs demonstrates his skill in creating complex characters and a plot that keeps you guessing until the very end. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers with a unique twist, this book is definitely worth a read. It's a thought-provoking and suspenseful journey into the darkest corners of the human mind. ( )

This is How We End Things by R.J. Jacobs is a highly recommended locked room mystery.

A disparate group of graduate students at Dorrance University in Forest, North Carolina are conducting experiments on the psychology of lying and deception. Their methods are questionable, which is clear when their current test goes awry. However, it becomes deadly when, as the grad students are working at night in the psychology department building on the campus which is closed for a break, one of them is subsequently found murdered in the office of the chair of the psychology department, Joe Lyons, the next morning.

As a major snow storm rolls in, Detective Alana Larson is assigned to the case. The group of suspects is obvious. The key is to figure out who did it among a group of suspects who are experts in the science of deception.

This was an interesting closed-room mystery and following the investigation into the group of suspects is entertaining. The pacing is even and which keep the action moving. The tension rises incrementally as it is apparent that the danger is still present.

All of the characters are depicted as unique, realistic individuals and it is easy to keep in mind each of them as the investigation is underway and action unfolds through their different points-of-view. The culprit was rather easy to figure out, but the enjoyment is in the hunt and the deep-dive into the characters.

It was interesting to see a popular meme included as dialogue between characters and a viral story written into a character's development. Sort of a hat-tip to authors finding words and events around them to write into their novels.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Sourcebooks via NetGalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2023/09/this-is-how-we-end-things.html ( )