D. J. Ciccarello

Hey there! I'm D.J. Ciccarello, and I write dark psychological thrillers that blur the lines between justice and revenge. (Fair warning: my stories aren't for the faint of heart.)

I've always been fascinated by that razor-thin edge between right and wrong – you know, those moments when good people make terrible choices. Growing up in a family of lawyers and true crime enthusiasts probably didn't help keep my imagination in check. Family dinners at our house were... interesting, to say the least. While other families discussed their day at school, we debated the psychology of serial killers and picked apart criminal cases. (Thanks, Mom and Dad, for the therapy bills!)

My debut novel, "No Time for Duplicity" (coming in 2025), explores exactly what happens when ordinary people snap under extraordinary circumstances. The story came to me during one of those sleepless nights when you start wondering about your neighbors – like, really wondering. What secrets are they hiding behind those perfectly manicured lawns and practiced smiles? How well do we actually know anyone?

Here's the thing about murder – we all think we could never do it. We're civilized people, right? But I'm convinced that every single one of us has that capability lurking somewhere inside. It's not about being evil; it's about what happens when someone's pushed past their breaking point. That's what I love exploring in my writing: those critical moments when a person's moral compass goes haywire and their whole world shifts.

My writing style? Raw. Unflinching. Sometimes uncomfortable. I don't sugarcoat the darkness in human nature, but I also don't write gore for gore's sake. I'm more interested in the psychological spiral, the justifications we make, the way ordinary people rationalize extraordinary acts. (And yes, I probably should be concerned about my browser history at this point.)

When I'm not crafting twisted plots and morally gray characters, you'll find me either buried in true crime podcasts or trying to convince my cat that 3 AM is not an appropriate time for zoomies. I also teach creative writing at local workshops, where I probably worry my students with my enthusiastic discussions about the perfect murder. (It's research, I swear!)

What can you expect from my books? Complex characters who will make you question your own moral boundaries. Plots that will keep you up at night (sorry about that). And endings that might not be traditionally "happy," but are always satisfying in their own dark way. I believe in psychological realism – actions have consequences, and sometimes the biggest monsters are the ones wearing the most convincing human masks.

I'm active on Instagram and Twitter (@DJCiccarello), where I share writing updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses into my research (the non-incriminating parts), and probably too many pictures of my cat judging me while I write. I love connecting with readers who aren't afraid to explore the darker side of human nature.

For those wondering about my writing process: coffee, lots of it. True crime documentaries playing in the background. And a detailed spreadsheet tracking fictional alibis (you know, just in case). I write every day, usually in the early morning hours when the world feels a little more dangerous and anything seems possible.

If you're looking for cozy mysteries or lighthearted whodunits, I'm probably not your author. But if you want to explore the psychology of ordinary people pushed to extraordinary limits, if you're fascinated by the thin line between justice and revenge, or if you just want to read something that will make you look at your neighbors differently – welcome to my world. Just remember to lock your doors at night. (Kidding! Mostly.)

Fair warning: reading my books might make you question everything you think you know about yourself and what you're capable of. But isn't that half the fun?

Looking forward to taking this dark journey together, D.J.