Better the Devil by Erik J Brown
Some identities are stolen. Some secrets are deadly. 🖤🔥
Pre-Reading Thoughts: I went in expecting a thriller with teen angst, but this one immediately promised moral tension layered on top of psychological suspense. The idea of a runaway stepping into a missing child’s life — and discovering a world that’s both welcoming and terrifying — hooked me right away.
Post-Reading:
As I thought… The tension and pacing are relentless. The teen perspective is authentic, and the narrative balances fear, curiosity, and the desperation to survive. Brown nails that mix of teen voice and chilling suspense.
It surprised me by… The emotional weight of the Beaumont family’s warmth. I was bracing for all darkness, but the glimpses of love make the danger feel sharper and the stakes higher. The gradual revelation that Nate wasn’t kidnapped, but murdered, adds a slow-burn horror that hits hard.
Music Pairing: 🎵 Featured Song: “Control” by Halsey 🎶 Vibe Album: Dark Indie Thrillers — atmospheric, tense, and pulsing 🎧 Artist Recommendation: Billie Eilish
Vibe Check: 🎨 Colour Palette: Midnight blue, blood red, shadow grey 🎶 Soundtrack: Creaking floorboards, distant alarms, quiet city streets at night 🌧️ Season: Winter — dark, long nights, sharp air 😨 Mood: Tense, suspenseful, morally complex 🍂 Scent: Rain, wet asphalt, and candle wax
Tarot Pull: 9 of Swords. Fear, paranoia, nightmares - but is it really paranoia if someone's really out to get you?
For fans of: One of Us is Lying (teen secrets and tension) and We Were Liars (psychological suspense with emotional weight).
