If you’re looking for your next thriller obsession, let me tell you about my book Perfect? and the reasons I think you should read it next.
After writing The Silent Victim, which was 15+ years in the making, I had no idea what I would write next. So I took some classes, including a villain-making class, and that is where I created Elliot. Then, in a separate class on phobias, I started connecting him to specific fears and asking myself what kind of story could grow from that. Somewhere in the middle of all that, Elliot, Emily, and Courtney completely took over my brain. Their story kept expanding, the twists kept multiplying, and what started as one idea grew into something much bigger. Eventually, it became a trilogy.
1. Every Word Was Vetted
Perfect?.And yes, there was the Elliott vs. Elliot issue, but not because I was changing my mind about his name. It was always Elliot. My brain just kept betraying me and throwing in that extra “t” like a typo on a personal mission. So, let me save you the confusion now: it is definitely Elliot. Not Elliott. If that sounds obsessive, good. I was obsessive. Every detail mattered, and I treated it that way. Of course, since I was struggling with migraines and I had a hard deadline, I did it to myself. During the ARC reads, the typo was pointed out, and my brain only saw Elliot, not Elliott. Thank you to the ARC readers who pointed this mistake out to me! That was much appreciated.
2. It’s Scarily Realistic
I learned so much during this whole process. I focused on fears and tried to bring them alive. I wanted my readers to feel it, even though they knew information that my characters did not. The first chapter was truly difficult to write, but after I made it through the book, I went back and rewrote it with the vibes and feeling I had for the rest of the book. I wanted it to hit hard, I wanted people to go “OMG…What is wrong with this guy?”
I have received reviews that say just that in the opening, and yes, I did let out an evil laugh at the shock of the beginning and the ending. I wanted to make it memorable, and I think I did.
While taking my fears and phobias class, I wrote down a few that I really tried to focus on: humiliation, powerlessness, invasion of privacy, and abandonment. Not all of those fears were concentrated on in Perfect? but I promise they will be there throughout the trilogy.
3. It Peels Back the ‘Perfect’ Mask
This is one of the biggest themes in the book. Perfection is a performance. It’s a shield. It’s the version of ourselves we show when we don’t want anyone to see what’s really going on underneath.
That’s what I wanted to explore in Perfect?. Why do we hide behind facades? Why do we work so hard to protect an image that was never real to begin with? If you like thrillers that dig under polished surfaces, this one was written for you.
4. A Fresh, Powerful Voice
As a woman of color, I know how important perspective is. I wanted to write strong female characters and bring a fresh voice to the thriller space.
That doesn’t mean perfect women. It means layered women. Sharp women. Messy women. Women with depth, fear, instinct, and edge. That mattered to me on every page, and I think readers can feel that difference.
5. It’s Rooted in Real Situations
Now, it may not seem it, but I did a ton of research on a few things throughout Perfect?. Two major things I want to point out that I had researched, besides how the police handle things. First, when Emily is reading a book is real. The second is the case that Courtney hears about from Rivera. I won’t spoil the conversation.
6. Authentic Trauma, Not Just Tropes
I didn’t want this book to lean on cheap jump scares. I wanted it to hit in a more lasting way.
For me, the real tension comes from emotion, trauma, and the things people carry in silence. That’s the kind of horror that stays with you after the last page, and it’s a big part of what gives this story its weight.
7. An Entire World to Obsess Over
Perfect? connects to my Simply Obsessed series, and that rabbit hole goes deep.
If you’re the kind of reader who loves patterns, connections, crumbs, and bigger story threads, just know I see you. I write for you too. This is the kind of story that gives you more to obsess over once you realize how much is connected.
8. The Ending Will Wreck You (and the Matcha-Fueled Spreadsheet That Made It Happen)
I’m not spoiling the ending, but I will say this: it has kept people up until 2 AM. I’ve seen the love/hate reactions, and yes, I have done a little evil laughing over them.
That reaction is my favorite kind. If an ending gets under your skin enough to make you text someone in all caps, I did my job. If you want a thriller that actually leaves a mark, this one delivers.
Behind the scenes, the real MVP was a matcha-fueled spreadsheet. That was the tool I used to track the trilogy’s twists, crumbs, reveals, and all the little details that had to land at exactly the right moment. It’s the reason everything stays so tightly connected, even when the story keeps twisting in new directions. Very obsessive, completely necessary, and honestly the only way I could keep it all straight.
9. The Tropes
Here are a few of the key tropes you’ll find in Perfect?:
- The Perfect Facade — polished on the outside, something much darker underneath.
- Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing — danger hiding behind charm, beauty, and trust.
- Realistic Trauma — fear grounded in emotion, consequences, and what people carry after the damage is done.
- Strong/Messy Leads — layered women who feel sharp, complicated, emotional, and real.
- The Shattering Twist — the kind of ending that pulls the rug out from under you.
10. A Mystery for the Detail-Obsessed
And here’s the fun part: so far, only one person has found a very specific character crumb. Which makes me wonder… did I bury it too well?
If you love catching details other readers miss, Perfect? is absolutely your kind of book.
What Readers Are Saying
One of my favorite parts of this whole process has been watching readers react in real time.
Some of you loved the ending. Some of you wanted to fight me over it. Honestly, both reactions make me happy.
If you’ve already read Perfect?, thank you for being part of this ride. If you haven’t yet, maybe this is your sign. Either way, I’m glad you’re here.
Guest Spotlights
If you’re looking for more books to add to your TBR, here are a couple of guest spotlights to check out:
- J.L. Crane, The Woman Who Remembered Everything: When fractured memories start surfacing, a woman is pulled into a mystery that forces her to question who she is, what really happened, and whether the truth will set her free or destroy everything she thought she knew. https://storyoriginapp.com/swaps/06411fac-3ede-11f1-a034-3f7eccabc1ee
- R.M. Demeester, The Girl Once Known: A buried memory returns with a name attached, sending a woman back into a dangerous past where old secrets refuse to stay hidden and every answer seems to come with a new threat. https://storyoriginapp.com/swaps/0652bcd2-3905-11f1-b7fb-0f3bc5ee46b6
Fables & Filth: Ink & Intrigue Festival
The festival started yesterday, and it is such a fun one for dark book lovers. There are free books, giveaways, and author Q&As happening throughout the event. I hope you caught my Q&A! If you missed it, don’t worry—I am still actively participating in the festival. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
Festival Discord: https://discord.gg/gwVnbHXfFZ
The Silent Victim Giveaway
There is also a The Silent Victim giveaway happening on Goodreads, which means you have a chance to win a free eBook. You can enter here: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/437829-the-silent-victim.
Stalk Me
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— T.C. Shadowbrook