Work In Progress
Rashida is desperate to escape her beige, has-been existence. When a dying neighborhood garden sparks a sudden burst of inspiration, she hopes capturing its decay on canvas will resurrect her dead career. But as her obsession grows, she must face a terrifying question: how far will she go to reclaim the spotlight, and when does creative genius cross into complete madness?
- Rashida - Artist
- Charlie - Rashida’s husband
- Mrs. Yeo - Rashida’s neighbor
- Fawn - Works at the art supply store
- Augustus - Owner of A.R.tSpace Gallery
- Rashida thinks Mrs. Yeo needs to tame her neglected, unkempt flower garden.
- The sad looking garden inspires her to paint what it could look like if it were well tended.
- Charlie helps her turn the garage into an art studio.
- After buying supplies from Fawn, Rashida goes to Mrs. Yeo’s house and stares at her garden every day for a week.
- Rashida accidentally cuts herself and realizes her blood is the perfect shade of red for the flowers.
- When the cut runs dry she cuts herself again and again so she can continue painting.
- She shows Charlie the work in progress, and his awe inspires her to show Mrs. Yeo and Fawn as well.
- When the piece is finished she calls Augustus and he agrees to put it in a show without seeing the piece first.
- Rashida reveals the piece at A.R.tSpace Gallery.
- On the canvas are not flowers but body parts from Charlie, Mrs. Yeo and Fawn.
- The guests are horrified, but Rashida is very proud of the piece.
This story hooks you fast and does not let go. It begins as an intriguing scenario, but the atmosphere turns dark very quickly. I was entirely absorbed by how the narrative blurs the line between a healthy obsession and pure insanity. There is a definitive turning point where Rashida's artistic process demands an unsettling physical sacrifice, and that moment brilliantly anchors her descent into madness. Because the plot moves so swiftly, the tension stays high, dragging you straight down into the psychological spiral. The narrative builds to a climax that feels completely earned and perfectly paced. If you like fast-paced psychological suspense, blurred moral lines, and descent-into-madness tropes, then you will enjoy this book.
- Self harm
- Murder
ASIN: B0GRWYF4TW
Publication Date: June 8, 2026
Note: Details are for the original edition. Other formats, editions, and audiobook versions may be available.
