Dangerous Impulses: Is the Newest Naturals Mystery Too Dark for Teens?
The BookTok sensation returns with a 'killer' Christmas mystery—here’s the real take on the psychological grit and the Deluxe Edition hype.
Dangerous Impulses isn't "too dark" for a teenager who has already survived the first four books of The Naturals series—it’s exactly what they’re looking for: a high-stakes, psychological adrenaline shot that treats its audience like adults. If your kid is obsessed with Jennifer Lynn Barnes, they aren't here for a cozy mystery; they’re here for the "Criminal Minds" vibes, the found-family banter, and the unsettling insight into how serial killers operate. This Deluxe Limited Edition is essentially a victory lap for the series, and while the "Christmas at a remote cabin" setup sounds like a Hallmark movie, the actual content is much closer to a cold-case thriller.
TL;DR: Dangerous Impulses is a must-read for fans of The Naturals series, offering a gritty, winter-set mystery that leans hard into psychological profiling and character trauma. It’s perfect for readers aged 13+ who enjoy fast-paced thrillers like A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. The Deluxe Edition is a collector's item worth the hype for the bonus content, but the story itself is the real draw for any teen who loves a "how-dunit" over a "who-dunit."
Let’s be real: the "Deluxe Limited Edition" tag is 50% marketing and 50% fan service. If you’re looking at a $30+ price tag, you’re paying for the sprayed edges, the fancy hardback casing, and the bonus materials (think maps of the FBI house, "case files," and maybe a deleted scene or two).
For a casual reader, the standard ebook or paperback does the job. But for the The Naturals superfan—the ones who have "Team Dean" or "Team Michael" stickers on their laptops—this is the definitive version. It’s the kind of book that looks great on a shelf for a "shelfie," which is why it’s currently nuking everyone’s FYP on TikTok.
Jennifer Lynn Barnes has a specific superpower: she writes genius-level teenagers who actually feel like teenagers, not just small adults with PhDs. In Dangerous Impulses, the crew (Cassie, Dean, Sloane, Michael, and Lia) heads to a remote, snowed-in cabin for the holidays.
It’s the classic "locked room" mystery setup, but with a psychological twist. Because Dean’s father is a notorious incarcerated serial killer, the holiday "fun" is constantly overshadowed by his legacy. The book doesn't shy away from the mental toll of being a teenage profiler. It’s less about blood and guts (though there is a body count) and more about the "ick" factor of understanding a predator's mind.
Most YA mysteries are about finding the guy in the mask. The Naturals series, and Dangerous Impulses specifically, is about why the guy put the mask on in the first place.
- The Grit: Yes, there are descriptions of crime scenes. Yes, the villains are genuinely creepy. But Barnes writes with a "clinical" edge—Cassie sees the world through the lens of evidence and behavior, which actually makes the darker elements feel more like a puzzle to be solved than a horror movie to be endured.
- The Romance: It’s a slow burn. If you’re worried about "spicy" content, JLB stays firmly in the YA lane. There’s tension, there are feelings, and there’s plenty of "will-they-won't-they" angst, but it stays focused on the plot.
- The Logic: This is where the book shines. It rewards smart readers. If your kid likes to pause movies to explain the plot holes, they will love how tight this mystery is.
If your teen has inhaled every word Jennifer Lynn Barnes has ever written (including The Inheritance Games), they’re likely looking for that same mix of high-IQ leads and dangerous stakes. Check out our best books for kids list for the full breakdown, or try these specific hits:
The "High-Stakes Investigation" Tier
- A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson: This is the natural successor. It’s gritty, it’s modern, and it deals with the obsession of solving a cold case.
- Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson: A private school, a decades-old kidnapping, and a protagonist who lives for true crime. It’s slightly more "academic" than The Naturals but hits the same puzzle-solving notes.
The "Gritty and Real" Tier
- Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley: This is for the older teen who wants a mystery with serious weight. It involves undercover FBI work, but with deep cultural stakes and a very real look at the drug crisis.
- The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson: A bit more "Mean Girls" meets Agatha Christie. It’s funny, sharp, and great for readers who like the "found family" dynamic of the Naturals crew.
The "Psychological Edge" Tier
- Solitaire by Alice Oseman: Not a "serial killer" mystery, but a "what is happening to my school" mystery. It captures that same feeling of being a smart, slightly cynical teen trying to navigate a world that feels broken.
- The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken: If they like the "teens with special abilities being used by the government" angle of The Naturals, this dystopian series is a great pivot.
If your kid is deep into this series, the best way to engage isn't to ask "is it too scary?" but to ask "how did they catch them?"
The "Naturals" are all about specialized skills: Cassie (profiling), Dean (profiling), Sloane (statistics/patterns), Michael (emotions/reading people), and Lia (deception). Ask your kid which "Natural" gift they’d want. It’s a great way to talk about their own strengths—are they the person who notices everyone’s mood (Michael), or the one who can spot a pattern in a messy room (Sloane)?
The hardest part of The Naturals series isn't the violence; it's the cynicism. These kids have seen the worst of humanity, and they talk like it. If you have a younger reader (11 or 12) who wants to jump in, just know that the series deals heavily with the "nature vs. nurture" debate—specifically, whether being the child of a killer makes you one, too. It’s heavy stuff, but for an intentional parent, it’s a goldmine for conversations about identity and choice.
Q: Can you read Dangerous Impulses as a standalone?
Not really. While the mystery is self-contained, the character arcs and the overarching "Who is Daniel Redding?" plot rely heavily on the first four books. Start with The Naturals.
Q: Is Dangerous Impulses ok for a 12-year-old?
It depends on their "true crime" tolerance. If they’ve read The Inheritance Games and wanted something darker, they’ll be fine. If they’re sensitive to themes of parental abandonment or psychological manipulation, maybe wait a year.
Q: What are the content warnings for Dangerous Impulses?
Murder, discussion of serial killer "signatures," kidnapping, psychological trauma, and some mild profanity. It’s essentially a PG-13 crime drama in book form.
Q: Is the Deluxe Edition worth the extra money?
If they are a collector or want the "complete" experience with the bonus case files, yes. If they just want to know how the story ends, the standard version is fine.
Dangerous Impulses is a top-tier YA thriller that respects its readers' intelligence. It’s dark, yes, but it’s the kind of "dark" that encourages critical thinking and empathy for victims, rather than just glorifying the killer. If your teen is into it, lean in—they’re developing a sharp eye for human behavior.
- Check out our digital guide for high schoolers for more mature content recommendations.
- Explore the best books for middle school if you’re looking for something slightly less intense.
- Ask our chatbot for more thrillers like Jennifer Lynn Barnes
