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The Woman Who Wasn't: A twisty Psychological thriller
A Gripping Psychological Thriller About Identity, Deception, and a Chilling Doppelgänger
She thought she knew who she was—until someone else took her place.
When Evelyn Harper discovers a cryptic note that says "Find me before they do," everything she believes shatters. A woman who looks exactly like her is stalking her life—copying her habits, hijacking her memories, and watching her every move.
But this isn’t just identity theft. It’s something far more terrifying.
Who is she? Or worse… what is she?
As Evelyn follows the trail of clues, she unearths a dark conspiracy that threatens her sanity, her life, and her very existence. Her double isn’t just out to steal her life—she may already be her.
A psychological thriller packed with suspense, mind games, and jaw-dropping twists, this doppelgänger mystery will keep fans of Gone Girl, Behind Her Eyes, and The Silent Patient up all night.
Perfect for readers who
Psychological thrillers with female protagonists
Identity theft and doppelgänger stories
Conspiracy thrillers with twist endings
Books about memory, reality, and deception
She thought she knew who she was—until someone else took her place.
When Evelyn Harper discovers a cryptic note that says "Find me before they do," everything she believes shatters. A woman who looks exactly like her is stalking her life—copying her habits, hijacking her memories, and watching her every move.
But this isn’t just identity theft. It’s something far more terrifying.
Who is she? Or worse… what is she?
As Evelyn follows the trail of clues, she unearths a dark conspiracy that threatens her sanity, her life, and her very existence. Her double isn’t just out to steal her life—she may already be her.
A psychological thriller packed with suspense, mind games, and jaw-dropping twists, this doppelgänger mystery will keep fans of Gone Girl, Behind Her Eyes, and The Silent Patient up all night.
Perfect for readers who
Psychological thrillers with female protagonists
Identity theft and doppelgänger stories
Conspiracy thrillers with twist endings
Books about memory, reality, and deception
71 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2025
9 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 4, 2025
This book is full of sci-fi, making the reader think outside the box. The story is about Evelyn Harper who leads a very tame, predictable life. Suspend your beliefs and delve into this story! The editor in me had a hard time reading the text but pushed through to comprehend the storyline. #adoptanauthorjuly
June 21, 2025
The Woman Who Wasn't is a psychological suspense novella, with faint horror undertones. The story and relationships, initially heavy in description, move quickly once the foundation is laid, building in pace until the resolution. I don't want to give anything away in the story, because the ultimate explanation is more effective for being unexpected.
I particularly appreciate Evelyn becoming such a strong advocate for herself and acting with determination to do what is right, despite the risks. I could easily see this becoming a longer novel, with development of sections which are rushed or summarized. While there is a secondary romance in the novel, it doesn't overshadow the primary plot. The Woman Who Wasn't isn't about Evelyn and Jacob falling in love, it's about something bizarre and frightening unfolding around them. I also like that though Evelyn and Jacob are sometimes impulsive, they don't make foolish decisions, which could be viewed as a common trope in some horror novels (and usually leaves me rolling my eyes and no longer reading).
The story is largely written in a mix of omniscient and third person points of view. Various formatting and editing issues exist, affecting readability.
I appreciated the author's acknowledgment that Jacob is Evelyn's patient, complicating their relationship, but would have liked seeing more on how this is resolved.
I recommend The Woman Who Wasn't for readers interested in psychological suspense with a main protagonist who discovers her own strength and internal compass.
This book was read on Kindle Unlimited.
I particularly appreciate Evelyn becoming such a strong advocate for herself and acting with determination to do what is right, despite the risks. I could easily see this becoming a longer novel, with development of sections which are rushed or summarized. While there is a secondary romance in the novel, it doesn't overshadow the primary plot. The Woman Who Wasn't isn't about Evelyn and Jacob falling in love, it's about something bizarre and frightening unfolding around them. I also like that though Evelyn and Jacob are sometimes impulsive, they don't make foolish decisions, which could be viewed as a common trope in some horror novels (and usually leaves me rolling my eyes and no longer reading).
The story is largely written in a mix of omniscient and third person points of view. Various formatting and editing issues exist, affecting readability.
I appreciated the author's acknowledgment that Jacob is Evelyn's patient, complicating their relationship, but would have liked seeing more on how this is resolved.
I recommend The Woman Who Wasn't for readers interested in psychological suspense with a main protagonist who discovers her own strength and internal compass.
This book was read on Kindle Unlimited.
July 9, 2025
Blurb
Dr Evelyn Harper, a psychotherapist, leads a perfect life. One day, a new patient Jacob, informs her that he saw her at an alley committing murder. Evelyn is shocked hearing this and wonders if a doppelganger is around. When she finds a note reading, "Find me before they do," her world unravels. A woman who looks exactly like her is leaving clues. As Evelyn digs deeper, she uncovers a chilling conspiracy.
Review
The book is a short read. The author has done a great job maintaining the suspense and creepy atmosphere in the narrative. The introductory chapters were my favourite parts of the book.
The story explores a sci-fi conspiracy theme. The concept and storyline are interesting, but the delivery fell short. Despite the vivid writing, there were a lot of repetitive scenes and phrases.
I felt the romance between Evelyn and Jacob was underdeveloped. Their relationship seemed forced, without enough shared moments to justify the connection.
The action sequence fell flat as it was implausible. The idea of the protagonists confronting such a powerful force despite being vastly outnumbered felt improbable.
Evelyn is the protagonist who enjoys her routine-bound life and is devoted to her job. Her character is well-conceived to match the storyline.
The epilogue was well-written and it was my favourite part of the book. Though the story didn’t fully land for me in terms of execution, the core idea and eerie tone may resonate with readers looking for a short, light, suspenseful sci-fi read.
Dr Evelyn Harper, a psychotherapist, leads a perfect life. One day, a new patient Jacob, informs her that he saw her at an alley committing murder. Evelyn is shocked hearing this and wonders if a doppelganger is around. When she finds a note reading, "Find me before they do," her world unravels. A woman who looks exactly like her is leaving clues. As Evelyn digs deeper, she uncovers a chilling conspiracy.
Review
The book is a short read. The author has done a great job maintaining the suspense and creepy atmosphere in the narrative. The introductory chapters were my favourite parts of the book.
The story explores a sci-fi conspiracy theme. The concept and storyline are interesting, but the delivery fell short. Despite the vivid writing, there were a lot of repetitive scenes and phrases.
I felt the romance between Evelyn and Jacob was underdeveloped. Their relationship seemed forced, without enough shared moments to justify the connection.
The action sequence fell flat as it was implausible. The idea of the protagonists confronting such a powerful force despite being vastly outnumbered felt improbable.
Evelyn is the protagonist who enjoys her routine-bound life and is devoted to her job. Her character is well-conceived to match the storyline.
The epilogue was well-written and it was my favourite part of the book. Though the story didn’t fully land for me in terms of execution, the core idea and eerie tone may resonate with readers looking for a short, light, suspenseful sci-fi read.
July 12, 2025
“The Woman Who Wasn’t” reminded me of a mix of “The Invasion of the Body Snatchers” and “The Matrix.” I finished this quick read in one sitting. It felt like a good episode of “The Twilight Zone.”
The main characters, Evelyn and Jacob, are brought together when a doppelganger of Evelyn appears. The story quickly shifts into scenes that give you chills, like reflections in a mirror that move differently. Most of the book focuses on the pair trying to solve the mystery and escape from mysterious, evil people.
I wanted to become more invested in the characters, but the book’s short length limited that.
The plot was excellent. The only reason I didn’t give it five stars was that the book needs serious grammar editing. I highly recommend that the author consider getting help with that.
If you're looking for an entertaining escape into the horror genre, this was an enjoyable read from a writer with a vivid imagination. The author used a poetic style in some of the romantic scenes, especially in the Epilogue, which I appreciated. No spoilers, but some of those lines were a chef’s kiss.
The main characters, Evelyn and Jacob, are brought together when a doppelganger of Evelyn appears. The story quickly shifts into scenes that give you chills, like reflections in a mirror that move differently. Most of the book focuses on the pair trying to solve the mystery and escape from mysterious, evil people.
I wanted to become more invested in the characters, but the book’s short length limited that.
The plot was excellent. The only reason I didn’t give it five stars was that the book needs serious grammar editing. I highly recommend that the author consider getting help with that.
If you're looking for an entertaining escape into the horror genre, this was an enjoyable read from a writer with a vivid imagination. The author used a poetic style in some of the romantic scenes, especially in the Epilogue, which I appreciated. No spoilers, but some of those lines were a chef’s kiss.
July 18, 2025
To understand “The Woman Who Wasn’t,” one must first understand that its author, Gary B, is a woman, and Gary’s heroine, the woman who wasn’t – wasn’t. If you understand that much, you may possess the kind of logic one must have to qualify as a bona fide fan of the sci-fi genre of literature – or some semblance thereof.
At 79 pages, this sci-fi wannabe is too long, using too many of the same phrases and much of the same dialogue to slowly unravel an unnecessarily complicated yarn about a frightened and confused female psychotherapist, and the man who loves her – an equally frightened and confused patient. In this book, the author tries to create the kind of suspense typically seen in an episode of “The Twilight Zone,” but in the process, gives the reader too much crust and not enough filling.
“The Woman Who Wasn’t” may appeal to sci-fi fans who are willing to accept an unconventionally written narrative, inadequate character and plot development, and final product that is not an easy read, despite its brevity. I give this book a “4” because I appreciate the effort, but just can’t dance to it.
At 79 pages, this sci-fi wannabe is too long, using too many of the same phrases and much of the same dialogue to slowly unravel an unnecessarily complicated yarn about a frightened and confused female psychotherapist, and the man who loves her – an equally frightened and confused patient. In this book, the author tries to create the kind of suspense typically seen in an episode of “The Twilight Zone,” but in the process, gives the reader too much crust and not enough filling.
“The Woman Who Wasn’t” may appeal to sci-fi fans who are willing to accept an unconventionally written narrative, inadequate character and plot development, and final product that is not an easy read, despite its brevity. I give this book a “4” because I appreciate the effort, but just can’t dance to it.
June 28, 2025
A Gothic Blade Runner/Matrix Mix
The Woman Who Wasn’t (by Gary B) has the makings of a sci-fi psycho/mystery thriller (though maybe not so mysterious for readers familiar with Blade Runner or any of the other sci-fi stories with a replicant who thinks it’s the original). But this variation on the trope reads more like a Gothic horror story, and one that could use much more sophistication, more realism and less reliance on all the melodrama (there’s moody descriptiveness at every turn), and also less awkwardly worded dialogue. At a psychotherapist’s first meeting with a new patient whose issues include “mild paranoia,” when he tells the therapist he witnessed her murder someone the night before, would her first thought be mistaken identify, and her second thought a doppelganger? Might not a reputable psychotherapist also inquire as to whether the guy had notified the police? But not this one. And wow, turns out the doppelganger theory is right, and so much for the sophisticated reader, because we’re off to the implausible races — literally running and running from the ever-pressing horror, with the occasional stops for reflection, till the grandiose ending.
The Woman Who Wasn’t (by Gary B) has the makings of a sci-fi psycho/mystery thriller (though maybe not so mysterious for readers familiar with Blade Runner or any of the other sci-fi stories with a replicant who thinks it’s the original). But this variation on the trope reads more like a Gothic horror story, and one that could use much more sophistication, more realism and less reliance on all the melodrama (there’s moody descriptiveness at every turn), and also less awkwardly worded dialogue. At a psychotherapist’s first meeting with a new patient whose issues include “mild paranoia,” when he tells the therapist he witnessed her murder someone the night before, would her first thought be mistaken identify, and her second thought a doppelganger? Might not a reputable psychotherapist also inquire as to whether the guy had notified the police? But not this one. And wow, turns out the doppelganger theory is right, and so much for the sophisticated reader, because we’re off to the implausible races — literally running and running from the ever-pressing horror, with the occasional stops for reflection, till the grandiose ending.
June 17, 2025
The first chapter of this book introduces Evelyn. We learn her personality and the mystery is started. Something is going on with her. This was presented in a telling manner. I felt interested but not immersed. That can be okay, though, this early in a book. The story proceeds well. There is a quickly developing sense of mystery that starts with a mysterious patient. The author does a good job showing how Evelyn functions, and her process of getting to the bottom of things. You come to understand the character through this. The author does bring you into Evelyn’s perspective, leading to a sense of dread. I feel like this could have been better by fleshing out scenes more. I though there was too much summarizing. Overall, I feel like this is a good story. The concepts and plotline were great. The characters were developed enough. I think more fleshing out of tense scenes would have taken it from good to great. Still, I recommend it for lovers of mysteries and thrillers.
July 5, 2025
Suspenseful sci-fi story that needs an edit
The Woman who Wasn't by Gary B. is a suspenseful sci-fi story. Evelyn, the mild-mannered psychiatrist finds out from one of her patients that there is a woman who looks just like her doing illegal things around town. This is very disturbing to Evelyn and as she starts look deeper she has strange feelings and feels like she's going insane. Doppelgangers are out there and it's not just her. Evelyn and Jacob, her patient, discover a government experiment gone too far. Evelyn investigates and decides to redeem herself and do what she feels she must to stop these people. This is a short read and I felt the characters should have been fleshed out more as I didn't feel a big connection to any of them. The text needed a good edit as I found many typos and grammatical errors which pulled me out of story. Overall an interesting plotline but not developed well enough as I wasn't invested in the outcome.
The Woman who Wasn't by Gary B. is a suspenseful sci-fi story. Evelyn, the mild-mannered psychiatrist finds out from one of her patients that there is a woman who looks just like her doing illegal things around town. This is very disturbing to Evelyn and as she starts look deeper she has strange feelings and feels like she's going insane. Doppelgangers are out there and it's not just her. Evelyn and Jacob, her patient, discover a government experiment gone too far. Evelyn investigates and decides to redeem herself and do what she feels she must to stop these people. This is a short read and I felt the characters should have been fleshed out more as I didn't feel a big connection to any of them. The text needed a good edit as I found many typos and grammatical errors which pulled me out of story. Overall an interesting plotline but not developed well enough as I wasn't invested in the outcome.
July 12, 2025
I picked up a copy of The Woman Who Wasn't, by Gary B, because I found the idea of being cloned chilling and I thought this was a great premise for a story. The protagonist, Evelyn, is a woman of order who constructs a routine life that she can control working as a therapist. That is until a new client claims he saw her commit a serious crime. The protagonist knows, of course, that this is impossible because she was not in the area of the crime. But she discovers that she has been cloned and her clones appear in many places.
The plot has many twists as the protagonists seeks to determine what is really going on and what is really going on is a frightening conspiracy that unravels her routine life and threatens her life. In a world where there are often attempts to steal our identity, this one turns out to be real. This is a fast-paced quick read.
The plot has many twists as the protagonists seeks to determine what is really going on and what is really going on is a frightening conspiracy that unravels her routine life and threatens her life. In a world where there are often attempts to steal our identity, this one turns out to be real. This is a fast-paced quick read.
July 20, 2025
The Woman Who Wasn’t is by far the strangest book I have ever read. From the start, it moves along at the speed of a cannonball smashing through every convention of fiction, ignoring, among other things, character development and the rules of grammar and logic. The first two-thirds read like you are watching someone’s nightmare frame by frame. When the nightmare finally ends, the story is like an action movie involving a secret government cloning program with lots of chases, explosions, and gunfire. In the end it’s a love story. Adding to the strangeness is the author himself. Just who is Gary B? It’s a fair question to ask about someone who wants you to spend time and money on his book. The name suggests a man, but the image on the author’s page is that of a middle-aged woman (Filipina? Indian? Burmese?), so that in addition to the befuddlement about identity Gary B strives to create with the story, he makes a mystery of himself/herself. He/she is definitely someone who likes to play with your mind. It’s altogether a bit too much for me.
May 11, 2025
oh my gosh!!
I couldn’t put this book down! It’s under 100 pages so more likely labeled a novella. But whatever it is, I was hooked! Is it a horror? A sci fi? A romance? A mystery? A thriller? All the above? Gary did an amazing job keeping the reader dying for more and more and yet tying up the story perfectly to give a HEA ending. The romance was mild and not the main storyline but just right. The horror wasn’t sickening but definitely OMG inspiring. As Jacob says at one point, “what the hell just happened?” I could not say it better! But my favorite line was toward the end and a great thesis of the story — “They created me to be someone else’s shadow. With him, I’m my own light.” Bellisima!! Two thumbs up!
I couldn’t put this book down! It’s under 100 pages so more likely labeled a novella. But whatever it is, I was hooked! Is it a horror? A sci fi? A romance? A mystery? A thriller? All the above? Gary did an amazing job keeping the reader dying for more and more and yet tying up the story perfectly to give a HEA ending. The romance was mild and not the main storyline but just right. The horror wasn’t sickening but definitely OMG inspiring. As Jacob says at one point, “what the hell just happened?” I could not say it better! But my favorite line was toward the end and a great thesis of the story — “They created me to be someone else’s shadow. With him, I’m my own light.” Bellisima!! Two thumbs up!
July 15, 2025
This novella thriller packs a punch! It has a strong female lead, Evelyn, who is a psychologist and feels safe only in a structured environment -- every hour of every day & routine accounted for. But then, that all changes when she meets Jacob. He claims to have seen her commit a murder the night before . As the story unfolds , the plot thickens & both Evelyn & Jacob become close. Does she trust Jacob? Does she trust herself is the question you should be asking especially when she finds out she is not who she thought she was. This was a great story , that came to end all too quickly for me.
A psychological thriller packed with suspense, mind games, and jaw-dropping twists, this doppelgänger mystery will keep fans of Gone Girl, Behind Her Eyes, and The Silent Patient up all night.
May 21, 2025
So fantastic!!!
This book sucked me in! It's only 100 pages, but every chapter was an adrenaline bomb. It's hard to categorize it into a genre – a little mysticism, a pinch of sci-fi, some romance and a lot of tension! The author dosed the information with a brilliant sense, just enough to keep me wanting more, and kept a secret floating around throughout, which only really explodes at the very end. The romantic thread is discreet, yet touching, and the thriller elements kept me on my toes throughout. I loved every minute of it! I recommend it with all my heart!
This book sucked me in! It's only 100 pages, but every chapter was an adrenaline bomb. It's hard to categorize it into a genre – a little mysticism, a pinch of sci-fi, some romance and a lot of tension! The author dosed the information with a brilliant sense, just enough to keep me wanting more, and kept a secret floating around throughout, which only really explodes at the very end. The romantic thread is discreet, yet touching, and the thriller elements kept me on my toes throughout. I loved every minute of it! I recommend it with all my heart!
June 29, 2025
When I first started reading this book I almost put it down. Authors put a lot of effort into writing a book, so I kept reading, but it definitely needs more work. For one thing, it needs to be proofread for spelling, punctuation, repetition and formatting. Although the first half of the book was very slow because it repeated many sentences, the last part made up for it. The ending was surprising, and the plot was good, which saved it from getting fewer stars. Worth reading, but could be developed into a much better book with some extra work.
June 30, 2025
The author, Gary, is able to keep the reader engaged in the story. Right from the first chapter, you are drawn into the narrative and keep wondering what's next. The story is unearthly and fascinating. As you progress through the story, it becomes increasingly eerie, and the suspense builds. However, there are some minor flaws, such as typos and a lack of good formatting, as well as no index. Apart from these, the book is quite engrossing, and I read the whole book in one sitting. Highly recommended.
July 5, 2025
Evelyn, a psychologist, lives a very regimented life. Her routine is set by the clock. Jacob, one of her patients, claims to have seen her the previous night while at one of his sessions with her. Evelyn knows she wasn’t where he saw her. They decide to investigate to see if someone is impersonating her. They find Evelyn’s double and learn that the other person was created to be her replacement.
This sci-fi psychological thriller is not of a genre that I choose to read. I’m sure a lover of sci-fi would give it 5*.
Thank you Voracious Reader and Garima Bais.
This sci-fi psychological thriller is not of a genre that I choose to read. I’m sure a lover of sci-fi would give it 5*.
Thank you Voracious Reader and Garima Bais.
June 9, 2025
Quick and hooked from first page
The story starts with a single note: “Find me before they do,” and things only get stranger from there. It’s short, fast paced, and keeps you questioning what’s real. The concept is smart, the writing tight, and by the end you’re left thinking about identity and control. A solid one sitting thriller that actually delivers.
The story starts with a single note: “Find me before they do,” and things only get stranger from there. It’s short, fast paced, and keeps you questioning what’s real. The concept is smart, the writing tight, and by the end you’re left thinking about identity and control. A solid one sitting thriller that actually delivers.
June 23, 2025
Suspenseful novella
This is a short, suspenseful read that keeps your attention. The author blends a bit of sci-fi into the storyline in addition to unusual and unexpected events. It would have been nice to see the romance developed more as well as the sinister plans to create doubles.
This is a short, suspenseful read that keeps your attention. The author blends a bit of sci-fi into the storyline in addition to unusual and unexpected events. It would have been nice to see the romance developed more as well as the sinister plans to create doubles.
July 14, 2025
A fast-paced thriller that grabs you from the first chapter. It could be a Black Mirror episode or a full blown Netflix movie. Dark and psychologically scary at times, but also with intense action and plot twists.
A ckever journey that keeps you guessing until the end.
Sharp and seriously addictive.
Perfect if you like fast, intense thrillers.
I read it in one sitting—couldn’t stop.
A ckever journey that keeps you guessing until the end.
Sharp and seriously addictive.
Perfect if you like fast, intense thrillers.
I read it in one sitting—couldn’t stop.
July 22, 2025
I was given a review copy of this story and I thought it was intriguing.
Evelyn leads a predictable life and yet something disturbs her. Shadows at first then something seemingly impossible.
This was a well-written psychological drama which focuses on identity and 'reality', but what does that mean?
Engaging and fascinating.
Worth a look.
Evelyn leads a predictable life and yet something disturbs her. Shadows at first then something seemingly impossible.
This was a well-written psychological drama which focuses on identity and 'reality', but what does that mean?
Engaging and fascinating.
Worth a look.
July 24, 2025
Good creepy scenes
This book kept me reading and guessing. I liked the first person voice and the creepy scenes. The pace is quick and most chapters end on a hook, so it kept me reading. The only thing I didn’t love were some action moments that were hard to picture in my head. The end gives enough closure for you to want see what the character can do next. Pretty good overall!
This book kept me reading and guessing. I liked the first person voice and the creepy scenes. The pace is quick and most chapters end on a hook, so it kept me reading. The only thing I didn’t love were some action moments that were hard to picture in my head. The end gives enough closure for you to want see what the character can do next. Pretty good overall!
July 31, 2025
The Woman Who Wasn’t is a lean, gripping novella that punches well above its weight. With high suspense and psychological intrigue, it offers a memorable twisty ride that lingers. If you enjoy compact thrillers that toy with perception and identity—think Gone Girl meets a doppelgänger mystery—it’s highly recommended.
July 4, 2025
This novel is a perplexing thriller involving a woman psychologist Dr. Evelyn Harper who suddenly discovered that she had a doppelganger. When she got to the bottom of the matter, her life became endangered. She also questioned the reality of her existence. There were heightened moments of suspense in the narrative that will catch the reader's attention.
The story had potential but I found several loopholes in its content development. I also feel that some of the portrayed characterization were inadequate.
The story had potential but I found several loopholes in its content development. I also feel that some of the portrayed characterization were inadequate.
July 23, 2025
The Woman Who Wasn't was an interesting story. There is a lot of potential in the plot. A doppelganger thriller with a female lead. But I feel it fell very flat. This was a very fast read at only 81 pages.
August 24, 2025
Good Story... But
The concept was good. A woman coming face to face with her doppelganger. But the grammar caused me to take a step back at times. However, it still held my interest.
The concept was good. A woman coming face to face with her doppelganger. But the grammar caused me to take a step back at times. However, it still held my interest.
September 2, 2025
A jam-packed thrill-ride novella. The quick read takes you on a psychological journey that made me think twice while reading it. The story is quick, but in-depth. You will not regret reading this story. It catches you from the start and doesn't let you go until the end!
July 2, 2025
This fast-paced psychological thriller keeps you turning the pages. Well-written with lots of twists and turns.
July 9, 2025
This book wasn’t really for me but if you like sci fi you will definitely like this book. It’s a short quick read with lots happening
July 29, 2025
Constant action from start to end. Lots packed into this short story.
I was given a complimentary copy of the book from the author via voracious readers only.
I was given a complimentary copy of the book from the author via voracious readers only.
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