Annie Neugebauer delivers an unnerving psychological thriller in The Extra, a novella that doesn’t just entertain us but has us questioning our own memories. This fast-paced tale is equal parts unsettling and thought-provoking making for a unique reading experience.
Ten people head out on a backpacking trip, but the first night eleven set up camp. Everyone remembers everyone else. Who is the extra?
The Extra by Annie Neugebauer is a psychological thriller with a deceptively simple yet chilling premise–an extra person. Neugebauer wonderfully weaves paranoia and anxiety this novella which brims with suspense, leaving me on the edge of my seat with every page turn and questioning everything.
The tale is thought-provoking and challenged me to reflect on the reliability of my own memories. With a stellar atmospheric, claustrophobic setting, this novella truly kept me guessing along the way. It’s creepy and unsettling–even upsetting at moments–in the best way possible while continuing to remain creative and unique.
Although the shorter length of the book doesn’t allow for much character development, it doesn’t fully detract from the story’s main appeal. Neugebauer really focuses on the concept of the extra person against the stellar backdrop of an isolating wilderness. The location made for an even more eerie story.
The Extra definitely leans more toward the science-fiction genre rather than mystery. Unlike a mystery story, which often ties up loose ends and answers all questions, sci-fi tales tend to leave certain questions unanswered to really drive one the intrigue. While a slightly different ending may have elevated the story in my eyes, it remained a gripping and memorable story. As well as, the incredibly fast-paced read made for a great single sitting experience.
The Extra hits bookstores everywhere on September 9, 2025 from Shortwave Publishing. I suggest you preorder directly from the publisher.
