"Piercing" is a psychological horror novel by Ryu Murakami that delves into the mind of a disturbed protagonist. The story follows a young man named Kawashima who grapples with his dark impulses, particularly his obsession with the idea of murder. To suppress these urges, he concocts a plan to kill a woman he doesn't know, believing this will relieve his internal turmoil. The novel explores themes of violence and the complexity of human emotions, illustrating how a seemingly normal individual can harbor horrific thoughts.