
Now is the Time of Monsters: An absolutely gripping psychological thriller with a shocking twist
Three visions of death. Two women trapped in a killer’s lair. One chance to survive.
The Summer of Love has been replaced by the Summer of Fear as a sadistic killer prowls the streets of San Francisco. Known only as ‘The Gemini,’ his brutal murders have the city paralyzed in a merciless grip of terror as he taunts police with a series of cryptic puzzles and the body count rises.
As detectives work to unravel the Gemini’s chilling clues, the line between nightmare and reality begins to blur when Cassie Kennedy—a newly separated young mother and part-time psychic—discovers that her dreams are foretelling the gruesome deaths of three women.
Thrust into the heart of the investigation, it becomes a desperate fight for survival when the horrifying truth emerges: Cassie may know the Gemini more intimately than she ever imagined…
Set against the gritty backdrop of 1969 San Francisco, Now is the Time of Monsters is a pulse-pounding thriller that blurs the razor-thin line between predator and prey, fact and fiction.
For fans of dark, gripping suspense—you’re one click away from a thrill ride you’ll never forget.
Published: October 15, 2024
Pages: 425
ISBN: 9781736291979
Reader Reviews
6 ratings
Karen B.
- 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.
Carol G.
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!
Meagan W.
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.
Brittany F.
Jolene C.
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!
Keeley W.
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.