The Obsession by Jesse Q. Sutanto Summary

The Obsession by Jesse Q. Sutanto is a dark psychological thriller about Logan, a high school student who becomes obsessed with Delilah after she reminds him of his deceased ex-girlfriend Sophie. When Logan witnesses Delilah killing her abusive stepfather Brandon, he uses this knowledge to manipulate and control her. Told through alternating perspectives, the novel explores themes of obsession, stalking, abuse, and survival as both characters spiral into increasingly dangerous territory.

The Obsession is ideal for young adult and adult readers who enjoy dark psychological thrillers with morally complex characters. Fans of stories exploring toxic relationships, unreliable narrators, and plot twists will appreciate Jesse Q. Sutanto's suspenseful storytelling. The book suits readers comfortable with mature themes including stalking, abuse, and violence. Those who enjoyed thrillers like You by Caroline Kepnes or similar tension-driven narratives will find The Obsession compelling.

The Obsession delivers a suspenseful page-turner with unexpected twists and compelling character development, particularly Delilah's transformation from victim to someone far more dangerous. Jesse Q. Sutanto crafts a fast-paced thriller with alternating perspectives that provide insight into both the stalker and his target. While the ending arrives abruptly, the novel's exploration of obsession, control, and survival makes it a worthwhile read for thriller enthusiasts seeking dark, morally ambiguous narratives.

Jesse Q. Sutanto is an Indonesian-born author with a Masters degree from Oxford University who writes across multiple genres including thrillers, mysteries, and romantic comedies. Beyond The Obsession, she's known for the bestselling Dial A for Aunties series and Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers. Sutanto grew up shuttling between Indonesia, Singapore, and Oxford, experiences that inform her diverse storytelling. She's published multiple books annually, demonstrating remarkable productivity in contemporary fiction.

Logan stalks Delilah through social media and hidden cameras after becoming obsessed with her resemblance to his dead ex-girlfriend Sophie. When Logan witnesses Delilah killing her abusive stepfather, he uses the murder footage to blackmail her into a relationship. As Logan's control intensifies, Delilah realizes the only way to escape his manipulation is to become more dangerous than him. Their toxic dynamic escalates through psychological manipulation, threats, and violence, culminating in a shocking conclusion.

The Obsession explores toxic obsession, stalking behavior, and the psychology of control in relationships. Jesse Q. Sutanto examines how trauma transforms victims, particularly through Delilah's evolution from someone crushed by abuse to someone willing to fight back. The novel addresses erotomania, cycles of abuse, and the dangerous romanticization of possessive behavior. Additional themes include grief's distorting effects, the performance of normalcy after trauma, and how desperation can push people toward morally questionable choices.

The Obsession presents stalking through Logan's perspective as he monitors Delilah's social media, installs hidden cameras at her house, and learns intimate details about her life. Jesse Q. Sutanto doesn't romanticize this behavior—Logan's actions are portrayed as disturbing and dangerous, though he rationalizes them as "romantic." The novel explores erotomania and how obsession can escalate from online surveillance to physical control, offering a chilling examination of predatory behavior masked as affection.

Delilah begins The Obsession as withdrawn and traumatized, having closed herself off after her father's death and enduring abuse from her stepfather Brandon. After killing Brandon, she initially feels liberation rather than guilt. Throughout the story, Jesse Q. Sutanto charts Delilah's dramatic transformation from victim to someone capable of extreme violence. By the novel's end, Delilah has shed her passive shell entirely, revealing a predatory side that makes her more dangerous than her stalker.

The Obsession concludes with a shocking and abrupt ending featuring unexpected twists delivered at a furious pace. Without spoiling specifics, the finale subverts reader expectations about which character ultimately holds power in the toxic dynamic. Jesse Q. Sutanto's conclusion emphasizes Delilah's complete transformation and includes revelations that reframe earlier events. While some readers find the ending rushed, it delivers on the novel's dark promise with a dramatic resolution to the deadly cat-and-mouse game.

The Obsession is marketed as young adult fiction but contains mature content including graphic depictions of stalking, murder, physical abuse, and psychological manipulation. Jesse Q. Sutanto doesn't shy away from dark themes, portraying both characters as morally complex and capable of violence. The novel suits older teens (16+) comfortable with intense psychological thrillers and disturbing subject matter. Parents and educators should consider the book's graphic content when recommending it to younger readers.

Logan's fixation on his deceased ex-girlfriend Sophie drives his entire obsession with Delilah, who bears a striking physical resemblance to Sophie. Sophie was involved with drugs at their private school Draycott and died tragically, leaving Logan devastated and requiring counseling after a suicide attempt. When Logan sees Delilah, she shocks him out of his depression, but he projects Sophie's image onto her rather than seeing Delilah as an individual, fueling his dangerous stalking behavior.

Brandon is Delilah's abusive stepfather and a police detective investigating drug dealing at Draycott Academy. He entered Delilah's life months after her father's death, bringing control and violence into her home. Brandon's abuse crushes Delilah's spirit, forcing her to make herself invisible to avoid his attention. His murder by Delilah becomes the catalyst for Logan's blackmail and the novel's central conflict, as Logan uses footage of the killing to manipulate Delilah into a relationship.