Dark Psychology — Penelope McGrath

Curious about manipulation, control, and why people cross the line?

This page gathers my 5-minute guides on dark psychology—written to help you notice patterns fast and protect your peace.

Read these first (5-minute guides)

The Dark Sociology of Stalking — why obsession escalates + early red flags.
Dark Minds, Hidden Agendas — love-bombing, gaslighting, triangulation (and how to counter).
Masters of the Masquerade (Impostors) — charisma, masks, and how people get fooled.
Fear & Power in Small Towns — when “community pressure” becomes control.

Quick defense playbook

Slow the pace. Real bonds don’t rush.
Write it down. Notes/screenshots keep you grounded.
Reality check. Ask a neutral third party: “Does this add up?”
Boundaries. “I’m not comfortable with that.” Repeat.
Exit plan. If it feels unsafe, distance is protection.

Case studies to learn from (psych lens, respectful)

The Case of Rosimar Rodríguez Gómez — timeline, missed signals, social dynamics.
Violence Against Women in Puerto Rico — risk factors & safeguards.
The Psychology of Fear and Power in Small Towns — patterns & gaps.

Browse all Dark Psychology posts

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Reader perks

Free Psychological Thriller: Download here
Ambiance for reading: Dark tropical rain + Puerto Rico: Open Ambiance

Stay curious, stay aware—the kindest voice can carry the sharpest edge.

With thrills,
Penelope McGrath

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The Case of Rosimar Rodríguez Gómez: A Heartbreaking Crime That Shook Puerto Rico

The Tragic Abduction of Rosimar Rodríguez Gómez: A True Crime Story from Puerto Rico On the humid night of September 17, 2020, 20-year-old Rosimar Rodríguez Gómez stepped outside her cousin’s home in Toa Baja. Within moments, she was gone. Witnesses describe a gut-wrenching scene: a stranger ambushed her, forced her into a car, and vanished into the dark. Puerto Rico awoke to the sound of another woman missing. Ten Days of Dread: The Search for Rosimar Rosimar’s family launched a desperate search. Flyers, posts, prayers, and pleas. Local authorities joined in. So did neighbors, volunteers, and strangers who saw their own daughters in Rosimar’s eyes. But dread set in. Because in Puerto Rico, missing women too often end in headlines, not homecomings. On September 27, a decomposed body was discovered in a remote field in Dorado. DNA confirmed what many feared: Rosimar had been murdered. Her remains showed signs of brutal violence. The Suspect: A Ca...

True Crime: The Mysterious Disappearance of Abdur Rahman in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico's El Yunque National Forest, renowned for its lush landscapes and biodiversity, attracts countless adventurers each year. However, beneath its verdant canopy lies an undercurrent of mystery. One such enigma is the recent disappearance of Abdur Rahman, a 64-year-old tourist from Wisconsin, who vanished without a trace during a group hike. This article delves into the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, the challenges faced during the search, and the broader implications for travelers exploring unfamiliar terrains. The Disappearance On February 23, 2025, Abdur Rahman embarked on a hike in El Yunque with a group of fellow tourists. Around 4 p.m., Rahman became separated from the group. Despite immediate search efforts by his companions, there was no sign of him as daylight waned. Authorities were promptly notified, and a coordinated search operation was launched. The dense vegetation, rugged terrain, and unpredictable weather patterns of El Yunque posed significan...

Puerto Rico’s Darkest Legends: La Llorona, El Chupacabra & More

Welcome to my Library of Shadows Step softly. Puerto Rico doesn’t just have beaches kissed by sunlight—it has rivers that echo with cries, fields where creatures prowl unseen, and mountains heavy with whispers. These legends don’t sit neatly in storybooks; they haunt the island’s collective memory, shaping how we see the night, the forest, and even each other. In this corner of my library, let’s explore three of the island’s most enduring mysteries: La Llorona , El Chupacabra , and the eerie spirits said to linger in El Yunque’s mist. La Llorona: The Cry by the River The tale of La Llorona drifts from Mexico across Latin America and into Puerto Rico, but here the legend has a distinctly local chill. They say she walks by rivers and streams, her wail sharp enough to cut through the chorus of coquís. Some whisper she drowned her children and wanders forever in regret; others say she appears as a warning before storms or tragedies. Ask an abuela, and you’ll hear it as both caut...

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