A relentless thriller follows a psychiatrist accused of his wife’s murder as he uncovers a chilling link to a decades old massacre.
NEW YORK CITY, NY, UNITED STATES, February 25, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — William J. Cook intensifies the psychological thriller genre with Persona, a suspense driven novel that probes the fragile boundaries of identity, memory, and guilt. With a 4.8 out of 5 star reader rating, Persona has quickly captured attention for its intricate plotting and emotionally charged exploration of dissociative identity disorder, trauma, and the shadows of the past.
The story centers on psychiatrist Carter Lane, who inherits the patient files of his best friend after the friend’s sudden suicide. Among the cases is Arthur Frampton, a man living with dissociative identity disorder whose fractured personas are tied to a long buried tragedy known as the Hoffman Horror, a massacre that continues to haunt the community decades later. As Lane delves deeper into Frampton’s condition, disturbing connections begin to surface.
When Lane’s wife is brutally murdered, the details of her death mirror the gruesome elements of the Hoffman Horror. Convinced that one of Frampton’s alternate identities is responsible, Lane attempts to guide investigators toward what he believes is the truth. However, law enforcement sees a far more direct suspect.
Forced into a desperate bid to clear his name, Lane goes on the run, navigating a labyrinth of false identities, buried trauma, and shifting realities. As he confronts both the legal system and his own unraveling past, the question becomes increasingly urgent: Is he chasing a killer, or fleeing from the truth within himself? Cook constructs a narrative where every revelation deepens the mystery, and where redemption may demand a devastating price.
Cook’s inspiration for Persona lies in the complex relationship between memory and identity. Drawing on psychological themes and high stakes emotional conflict, he crafts a story that challenges readers to question perception and reliability. The novel explores how trauma reshapes the self and how the past, no matter how carefully suppressed, refuses to remain silent.
Persona will appeal to readers who appreciate layered psychological thrillers, morally complex protagonists, and suspense that builds through character as much as action. With taut pacing and a sharp focus on the human psyche, the novel stands as a compelling addition to contemporary suspense fiction.
William J. Cook continues to build a reputation for delivering gripping, character driven thrillers that combine psychological depth with relentless momentum. In Persona, he invites readers into a world where identity is unstable, truth is elusive, and survival depends on confronting the darkest parts of the self.
The book is now available — secure your copy here: https://a.co/d/0fEPcgFh
For review copies, interview requests, or additional information, please contact:
William J. Cook
BrightKey PR
william.cook@authorwilliamcook.com
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