How We Created a Mail-Based Psychological Thriller That Feels Like a Real Cold Case

How We Created a Mail-Based Psychological Thriller That Feels Like a Real Cold Case

Have you ever wished a story could feel real—like something you weren't supposed to find, but did anyway?

That’s the experience my husband Kevin and I set out to create with Paper Trail.

As an author of over 30 psychological thrillers and mysteries, I’ve spent years writing about obsession, secrets, and unraveling the truth. But I wanted to go beyond the page. I wanted to create something immersive and emotional. Something that puts the mystery in your hands, literally.

So we built Paper Trail—a year-long psychological thriller told through real letters and over 60 physical artifacts, mailed to you twice a month.

And it took us a lot longer than we expected.

The Making of a Story You Can Touch

This wasn’t just a story I sat down and wrote in one go. It was layered. Fragmented. Built piece by piece.

Each character’s voice had to feel distinct, each timeline carefully woven. And then came the artifacts. From diary pages and school transcripts to Polaroids and newspaper clippings, we wrote and created every single item from scratch.

We sourced ‘90s-style typefaces. We mocked up yearbook messages and hand-scribbled notes that look like someone really folded them into a backpack 28 years ago.

It wasn’t easy. But we wanted every envelope to feel like a secret pulled from a box in the attic.

What’s Inside the Letters

The story centers around Mallory Crowe, a teenage girl who vanished in 1997 without a trace.

Now, almost three decades later, her friends are breaking their silence. You receive their letters, one by one, as they begin to tell the truth—or try to. Some write out of guilt. Some out of fear. Some because they finally can’t keep quiet anymore.

Alongside these long, raw, emotional letters, you’ll receive:

  • 📸 Real-feeling artifacts like photos, diary entries, scribbled notes, and receipts

  • 🔍 Conflicting accounts from characters who clearly remember things differently

  • 🧠 Slow-burn suspense that builds as the pieces fall into place—or fall apart

And if you choose the Deluxe Box, you’ll also get:

  • 🎧 Secret audio recordings—phone calls between characters that add even more depth

  • 🎁 A velvet satchel filled with items from the story, like mood rings, journals, and more

Why We Created This by Hand

We didn't want this to be just an ebook or even a real book. 

But that’s not what we wanted. 

We wanted this to feel like it was really happening. That’s why there’s no login, no account, no screens. Just the mail. Just the mystery. Just you and the story, unfolding piece by piece.

If You Love Psychological Thrillers… You’ll Love This

Paper Trail was made for people who love:

  • 📚 Psychological suspense

  • 💔 Character-driven mystery

  • 🧩 Solving puzzles one clue at a time

  • 🔦 Cold case fiction and ‘90s nostalgia

  • 💌 Stories told through letters and emotional confession

It’s also the perfect gift—whether for yourself or someone who devours Gone Girl, Dateline, Law & Order, or Yellowjackets.

You’ll be reminded of what it felt like to get something you actually wanted in the mail.

Want to Join the Trail?

We’re currently in our Early Launch period—which means you can get $54 off (33% off!) right now.

📦 Choose your experience:

Thank you for being part of this story. We hope it haunts you in all the right ways.

With gratitude,
Kate  and Kevin Gable
Creator of Paper Trail & Author of Girl Missing, Girl Hidden, and more

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