The plot: Kathy is eight when she's abducted; when she shows up on the side of the road a year later she won't tell anyone where she's been. In fact, she won't speak at all. Child therapist, Dr. Robin Hart, is called in to help. She uses play therapy to help Kathy process her traumatic memories. "But as their work continues, Kathy's playtime takes a grim turn: a doll stabs another doll, a tiny figurine is chained to a plastic toy couch. In every session, another toy dies. But the most disturbing detail of all? Kathy seems to be playacting real unsolved murders." Which makes Robin turn to the police. Because if there is a serial killer out there, Kathy just might hold the secret to his or her identity.
My thoughts: The chapters in this quietly suspenseful psychological thriller flip between Robin, Kathy's mother, Claire, and Nathaniel King, the police detective working on the case, as well as a few chapters from the POV of the killer himself. My favorite part was Robin's work with Kathy; I found their play therapy interesting. I also really liked Nathaniel. My least favorite character was Robin's selfish and narcissistic mother. What a piece of work! The mystery was well-paced. And the murders, though dark and based on horror movie murders, are never described in graphic or gory detail, which I appreciated. And I thought the ending was very gripping. All in all, I really liked this mystery.
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Happy Reading!
This is important that the author doesn't go into detail about the grisly murders. Recently I read The Housemaid which I was really enjoying until the novel took a very unpleasant and disturbing turn and it ruined the book for me.
ReplyDeleteI feel bad for Kathy and after all she has been through to be stuck with a selfish narcissistic mother how is she expected to heal?
That mom was the worst! And I don't love reading all the grisly details of a murder. Especially if it's from the killers POV! But in this book, you mostly get some details from the medical examiner's report...not up close and personal.
DeleteI generally steer clear of murder mysteries that involve children in any way, but this one does sound interesting.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean; I find murder mysteries involving children hard to read, too.
DeleteLark, wow! This one definitely sounds like a gripping read. I'm adding it to my TBR. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI think you would like this one, Nadia!
DeleteDang, this sounds good but that poor kid having to see what she did.
ReplyDeleteShe did go through a very traumatic experience, that's for sure!
DeleteI struggle with children being the victims in crime novels but I have to say, this sounds very intriguing!
ReplyDeleteIt's good. And what made it easier to handle was that the little girl is home and safe when you find out about the murders and start to see the role she plays in the book. You never are with her when she's a captive. (If that makes sense.)
DeleteThis does sound very dark and tense. I am glad it wasn't graphic though. I am glad you enjoyed this one, Lark!
ReplyDeleteI don't love really graphic scenes. Especially lately. But I did really enjoy the mystery in this one.
DeleteI appreciate you mentioning the murders aren't described in graphic detail! I have a hard time with that and have to skim when it's graphic. What a heartbreaking situation this poor little girl went through! I hope the killer was caught and justice served!
ReplyDeleteIt's got a good ending!
Delete