The killer behind the smile
The killer behind the smile is a psychological thriller that follows Rayan Redwood, a teenager who has just moved from the bustling streets of New York to the eerie quiet of Oregon City. Struggling to adapt to his new life, Rayan is drawn into the strange, unsettling atmosphere of his new surroundings. The small town is filled with mysteries, and as Rayan navigates school and his mom's work at a local nursing home, he begins to feel a constant, unnerving presence lurking just beyond his awareness.
Rayan's encounters with locals like the mysterious Bianca Black and the seemingly perfect Jennifer Young only heighten his unease, as he learns disturbing secrets about the people around him. When he visits Haystack Rock with Bianca, their conversation reveals personal traumas-Bianca's mother's mysterious disappearance, and hints of an unspoken darkness that seems to follow them both.
As Rayan delves deeper into this new world, the feeling of being watched intensifies, and he can't shake the feeling that something-or someone-is observing his every move. This ominous presence haunts him, leading him to question whether the eerie atmosphere of Oregon City is all in his head, or if something more sinister is lurking in the shadows.
The novel blends psychological tension with supernatural elements, exploring themes of isolation, grief, and the unsettling ways our pasts refuse to stay buried. The sense of paranoia builds as Rayan grapples with a growing sense of dread, unsure who-or what-he can trust, and whether he will be able to escape the grip of the mysterious forces closing in on him.
