Kirsty Blackburn

A psychological short story set in a psych ward was always going to be a weakness — so when I was chosen to review Sweet Insanity, I jumped at the chance and devoured it in a single sitting.

Told from the perspective of a mental health professional, Sweet Insanity unfolds within a psychiatric facility where control, professionalism, and emotional distance begin to fracture. Rather than relying on shock or overt action, the tension simmers quietly, driven by internal conflict, blurred ethical lines, and unsettling power dynamics. The result is a creeping unease that lingers heavy in the air.

By the end, the story leaves you questioning who truly holds the power — healer or patient — and reminds us that madness isn’t confined to locked wards. Insight, when wielded by the wrong mind, can be just as dangerous as violence.

Move over Freida, I’ve found a new favourite psychological thriller author. Danielle has a delicious talent for drawing you in with restraint and atmosphere, then pulling the rug from under your feet when you least expect it.

A psychological short story set in a psych ward was always going to be a weakness — so when I was chosen to review Sweet Insanity, I jumped at the chance and devoured it in a single sitting.

Told from the perspective of a mental health professional, Sweet Insanity unfolds within a psychiatric facility where control, professionalism, and emotional distance begin to fracture. Rather than relying on shock or overt action, the tension simmers quietly, driven by internal conflict, blurred ethical lines, and unsettling power dynamics. The result is a creeping unease that lingers heavy in the air.

By the end, the story leaves you questioning who truly holds the power — healer or patient — and reminds us that madness isn’t confined to locked wards. Insight, when wielded by the wrong mind, can be just as dangerous as violence.

Move over Freida, I’ve found a new favourite psychological thriller author. Danielle has a delicious talent for drawing you in with restraint and atmosphere, then pulling the rug from under your feet when you least expect it.

Locksmith by Danielle Fear is an absolutely gripping psychological thriller that hooked me from the very first page and never let up. Fast-paced, tense, and relentlessly unsettling, this is the kind of book you end up racing through because you have to know what’s coming next. So much so that I stayed awake until 2am just to finish it 🙃

The writing style is a standout — sharp, immersive, and perfectly paced to build psychological tension chapter by chapter. The chapters are short and from different POV’s which made it so easy to digest. There’s a constant sense of unease running through the story, and it only intensifies as you read. I flew through this in less than 24 hours. And was on the edge of my seat the ENTIRE time