Psycho

by Robert Bloch
Psycho cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Crime
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Paperback • £9.99
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  • ID: 7694
  • Added: 2025-12-16
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9781471914447
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2014-07-14
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Marion Crane, a secretary on the run after embezzling money, finds herself at the isolated Bates Motel, run by the eerie and enigmatic Norman Bates. What begins as a seemingly innocuous stopover quickly spirals into a terrifying ordeal as Marion becomes entangled in the dark secrets of the Bates family. The novel delves deeper into the psychological complexities of the characters, offering a more intricate and chilling narrative than the famous film adaptation. /n/nWhile the film Psycho is renowned for its suspense and iconic scenes, the novel provides a richer exploration of the characters' motivations and the disturbing events that unfold. The story is a masterclass in psychological horror, with a haunting atmosphere that lingers long after the final page.

Reviews
The Quill to Live · 2020-10-07
timeless 4.25

The novella still scares today, but it is a product of its time. The psychological horror and suspense are well-executed, making it a timeless classic.

The reviewer at The Quill to Live finds Psycho to be a timeless classic that still scares readers today. The novella is described as a product of its time, but its psychological horror and suspense are well-executed, making it a gripping read. The reviewer appreciates the way Bloch builds tension and suspense, making the novel a chilling and thought-provoking experience. The book's exploration of the human psyche and its portrayal of Norman Bates are particularly praised. The reviewer finds the novella to be a compelling and unsettling read, with a lot to enjoy despite its age.

Quick quotes

    Psycho, Robert Bloch's seminal horror novella, still scares today.

    However, it's definitely a product of its time.

    The psychological horror and suspense are well-executed, making it a timeless classic.

Steve Calvert's Blog · Steve Calvert · 2017-02-04
great 4.00

The book is surprisingly concise in its descriptions of murder, which adds to its chilling effect. The psychological depth of the characters is well-crafted, making it a compelling read.

Steve Calvert found Psycho to be a great book with a surprising level of conciseness in its descriptions of murder. This brevity actually enhances the horror, leaving more to the reader's imagination. The psychological depth of the characters, particularly Norman Bates, is well-crafted and adds to the book's compelling nature. While the acts of violence are not graphically detailed, the psychological horror is vividly portrayed, making it a chilling and thought-provoking read. Calvert appreciates the way Bloch builds tension and suspense, making the novel a gripping experience from start to finish.

Quick quotes

    Psycho is a great book and I was surprised to find that it is not particularly detailed when the acts of murder are described.

    The reader is left to fill in the gaps, which adds to the overall horror.

    The psychological depth of the characters is well-crafted and compelling.

SFFWorld · 2015-05-09
surprising 4.50

The novel remains surprisingly readable and engaging, with moments that are both shocking and grisly. Despite the film's reputation, the book offers a lot to enjoy.

The reviewer at SFFWorld finds Psycho to be surprisingly readable and engaging, even decades after its initial release. The novel is described as plausible, shocking, and grisly, with a lot to enjoy despite the film's well-known reputation. The reviewer appreciates the psychological depth and the way Bloch builds suspense, making the novel a compelling read. The book's ability to shock and unsettle is still evident, and the reviewer finds it to be a gripping and thought-provoking experience. The novel's exploration of the human psyche and its portrayal of Norman Bates are particularly praised.

Quick quotes

    Psycho the novel is still surprisingly readable and, by turns, plausible, shocking, and grisly.

    Even with the movie's reputation, there's a lot to be enjoyed.

    Bloch's exploration of the human psyche is both chilling and insightful.

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