I wrote Imprinted, a psychological thriller, under the pen name Elizabeth Charles.
A home invasion at Tessa Schroeder’s 18th birthday party ends in the tragic accidental death of her boyfriend, Chris. Her OCD intensifies and she enters therapy for PTSD.
Dealing with intense grief and issues with her narcissistic mother, Tessa is vulnerable to the advances of her parents’ college friend, David. She can’t help but be drawn in by his humor and kindness so much like Chris’s. They begin a rocky relationship.
When Tessa eventually uncovers the unimaginable secrets David’s been keeping, she’ll have to dig deep to survive his hidden agenda. Then, one final surprise will change her relationship with her family forever.
Imprinted, a psychological thriller, is told through the eyes of three generations of women and explores the cyclical nature of trauma, mental illness, and abuse. Not recommended for readers under 18. See content warnings below.
Content Warnings:
Grief over loss of a loved one, infidelity, underage drinking, underage sex, crude language, murder, shoplifting, mental health issues, burglary, stalking, home invasion, shooting, sexual assault (involving a minor), rape, attempted rape, abuse, child abuse, gaslighting, self-harm, thoughts of suicide, suicide, fat phobia, violence, death, thoughts of having an abortion, blood, ableism, misogyny, sexual situations, freak accident resulting in injury, drowning.
Praise for Imprinted:
“Filled with suspense, mystery, and intrigue, Imprinted grabs you by the scruff of the neck and refuses to let go until the end…I was completely hooked from start to finish, and I think other readers will feel the same. Highly recommended.” – Readers’ Favorite (5 stars)
“Imprinted…is a riveting psychological thriller that delves into the intricate connection between mental illness and a dysfunctional family upbringing…Elizabeth Charles has gifted readers a well-written novel with formidable characters and a gripping, unpredictable storyline.” – Literary Titan (5 stars)
“Charles’s prose is precise and descriptive, often telling us all we need to know about a character with just a few words… Imprinted is told from several POVs and time periods, a useful technique that adds to the tension… The resolution…is suspenseful and, ultimately, satisfying.” – BookLife Prize Critic’s Report (8.5 total score)
“Imprinted by Elizabeth Charles is a psychological thriller that refuses to let you read it at a safe distance. It gets under your skin, sometimes in ways you expect, sometimes in ways you don’t….the way Charles captured the intrusive thoughts, the looping mental patterns, and the profound effect it has on daily life was startlingly real. That kind of accuracy is rare in fiction…” – Reader Views (5 stars)
Goodreads reviews for Imprinted
BUY LINKS:
CAROL AYER 