Now is the Time of Monsters: An absolutely gripping psychological thriller with a shocking twist

Summary:

Now is the Time of Monsters is a dark psychological thriller set in 1960s San Francisco. It opens with a brutal, ritualistic murder committed by a serial killer known as the Gemini, who photographs his crimes and even calls the police to confess, hinting at multiple victims.
The story then shifts to Cassie, a young mother dealing with a failing marriage and growing isolation. She begins experiencing intense fear and disturbing visions of being attacked, unsure whether they are paranoia, trauma, or something more real. As her anxiety deepens, other storylines—like a chilling child abduction—suggest that a dangerous force is moving through the city.
Gradually, the threads begin to connect, building toward the idea that the true horror isn’t supernatural, but human—and much closer than it seems.

Review:

Now is the Time of Monsters is a dark, unsettling psychological thriller that pulls you in from the very first chapter and doesn’t let go. Set in 1960s San Francisco, the story follows multiple characters whose lives slowly begin to intersect around a chilling serial killer known as the Gemini.
What stands out most is the atmosphere—there’s a constant sense of dread hanging over everything. The writing is vivid and immersive, especially when exploring the psychological side of the characters. Cassie, in particular, is compelling as a protagonist, with her growing paranoia and fear blurring the line between intuition and instability.
The villain is genuinely disturbing, not just because of what he does, but how methodical and personal his actions feel. This isn’t a fast-paced, action-heavy thriller—it leans more into tension, character development, and unease, which works really well if you enjoy slow-burn suspense.
That said, it’s definitely not for everyone. The book contains graphic and intense scenes that can be hard to read, especially early on. The pacing may also feel slow at times due to the focus on internal thoughts and multiple storylines.
Overall, this is a gripping and well-written thriller that will appeal to fans of dark, psychological crime stories. If you like tense, character-driven narratives with a disturbing edge, it’s well worth reading

What did I just read? This incredible book is a superb thriller that delves into the mind of a serial killer who calls himself the Gemini. Cassie Kennedy is a newly single mother who begins having visons of murders that have just occurred. When she realizes that they are actually real, she tries going to the police but they don’t believe her. The visions continue until she has one in which she sees her own murder. The entire novel is filled with anticipation and fueled with tension and the reader is left turning the pages quickly to see what will happen next. The characters are well-developed and very interesting. Each character added something to the story and I really enjoyed learning about each character. The twists were numerous and shocking, especially towards the end. The writing was descriptive and smooth and flowed well. I absolutely loved this book! Another 5 star read for me!

Now is the Time of Monsters
- A.G. Mock

From the very beginning, Mock captivated and ensnared me as Now is the Time of Monsters is not just another horror/psychological thriller. It’s truly a descent into the darkest corners of the human psyche. A deep dive into the very nature of reality, the fragility of the human mind and how disturbed some people really are. I was left questioning so much with this story – my sanity included during some parts.

Mock builds an exquisitely crafted world tunneling under your skin leaving you with a sense of dread by blurring the lines of reality and madness. Don’t expect any cheap jump scares here. All you are going to find is a slowly building tension steadily paced that will culminate into a pinnacle that is not only terrifying when that final plot twist hits but also thought provoking making you question reality all around you.

I found myself completely invested in the characters experiencing their trauma, pain, heartbreak, fear and mental strife. The characters are not puppets in a horror show, they are complex individuals with flaws and demons that make them completely relatable to both you and me as they struggle.

This book is dark. This book is gripping. This book is unsettling. But if you are a fan of a truly dark, horror/psychological thriller that will leave you genuinely disturbed, then Now is the Time of Monsters needs to be moved to the top of your TBR. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you – this book will leave you shook!!!

As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation by the author, present or future, for my review.

This book does NOT disappoint! Psychological drama is my absolute favorite and the true nature of this one is stunning. Going back in time to an era that doesn't know much about mental health but is beginning to study it, a long with limited police procedures and advanced technology so much is left to be determined. It's a longer book but the chapters are fantastic and written so well they just keep you engaged the whole way through. It provides the perfect amount of information and details that don't overwhelm.! This one lives up to the hype. Strongly recommend.... Don't wait, dive right in.

Intriguing thriller

Love when I find new author to read and then I am completely captivated in their book within the first couple of pages. It’s like finding a lost treasure. This was such a great and messed up read, and I loved every bit of it!

Wow, this is the very definition of unputdownable! I have lost sleep just to keep reading well into the early hours of the morning..

Cassie is a young, single mother plagued by haunting dreams since her childhood, with an increasing sense of foreboding that her life is in danger. She shares these dreams with her best friend, who is a constant and supportive source of comfort for her.

When a killer known as 'The Gemini' starts to target young, vulnerable women just like her, the dreams take on a deeper meaning, becoming premonitions. Will Cassie's psychic ability force her to face the monster whose very face she struggles to recall from her premonitions?

Wow, A. G. Mock has done some serious research to cover very real events with a new fictional possibility. This is a deep dive into the darkest parts of the human psyche, those that work tirelessly to protect us, and the fragility of the human mind when subjected to severe trauma.

This is a mind-blowing psychological thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed! This will stay with me for some time.

"Dark. Twisted. Unrelenting.

This book grabbed me by the throat and didn’t let go. Just when I thought I’d reached the deepest layer of darkness—boom—another twist dragged me even further down. The suspense? Constant. The gore? Deliciously brutal. The psychological edge? Sharp enough to leave scars.

If you like your thrillers pitch-black and blood-soaked, this is your next obsession.

A.G. Mock, Author … you’ve crafted a wicked little nightmare—and I devoured every page like the last girl standing.

Such a well written emotional and twisted story. It was a hard read in places and very graphic so not for the faint of heart.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was fantastic, drawing you into the story and making it uncomfortable listening at times. An intense ride you will not forget in a hurry!

My only criticism of the audiobook was that the Northern Irish accent was not great (IMO) and I found it off putting, but as this was only used for one of the smaller characters it doesn’t detract from the story too much.

Overall it’s a 5 star read and I would recommend for those who love dark, twisty thrillers. Also, the cover is so good it should win some awards!