Things I have a special interest in:
✅ thriller/horror novels
✅ epistolary style (and found footage horror films, similar vibes, imo)
✅ theme parks in Florida
✅ hurricanes (life-long East coaster & compulsive NOAA site refresher from June to November)
✅social psychology, especially groundbreaking studies (Milgram, Zimbardo, etc.)


If you do too, I think you’ll really enjoy this. The story is about Fantasticland, a theme park in Florida, and the folks (mostly young adults) who stay behind to maintain the park after it is slammed by hurricane Sadie. Things in the park go sideways, and fast. Despite having sufficient food and water, tribes are formed and heinous atrocities ensue, while the staff wait a month for rescue. The story is presented by Adam Jakes, a journalist, through various interviews with survivors a few years later. 

I loved the story for the same reasons I love the study of social psychology. Human behavior in extreme situations can seem extreme when we don’t understand the mechanisms driving the behavior. This is an imaginary case study that shows, as research often does, that situations are more powerful than individual people. Perception becomes reality. In the worst case scenario, what could be more terrifying?

My only minor beef is keeping up with characters which is truly minor. The big picture is easy to get and the shifting voices and personalities is something I enjoy. 

What’s next, Mike Bockoven?