Alicia Berenson murdered her husband, shooting him five times in the face, then never spoke again. Everything in her life seemed perfect from the outside. Both she and her husband, Gabriel, were well-renowned artists. He a photographer and she a painter. She loved him so much it hurt and he doted on her constantly. Why then did she kill him? Why wouldn't she speak about it? Her only hint had been a painting done after her attempted suicide which she titled Alcestis. She has now been moved the the psychiatric ward, The Grove, where every attempt to get her to open up has failed.
When Theo Faber, psychotherapist, heard all of this on the news he felt the need to help Alicia. Almost 6 years later he got the chance when a psychotherapist job opened at the unit Alicia was held in. Until now no one has gotten close, but Theo is sure he can bring her out of it and get the needed answers. The more he probes into the secrets of her past the more twisted things become. The line between doctor and patient is blurring and what is found there may be no coming back from.
I downloaded this audiobook in the Libby app at the suggestion of one of my subscribers. It isn't their book, just one that they had read and enjoyed. I am always interested in crime mysteries so was instantly intrigued. As soon as I began the book I found it hard to stop. In fact, I read 25% of it that first day and 3 days later here I am, with the book completed. I needed to know what happened to Alicia. Perhaps that is because the legal spelling of my name is Alicia, perhaps not.
I liked how the book jumped from the point of view of Theo to that of Alicia. We had a mixture of the past and the present working our way to a common goal. Always giving details, but never the answer the reader so craved until almost the very end. The end surprised me. While the person I suspected seemed a pain he didn't, in fact, kill her husband. I wonder what would have happened if what happened with Alicia at the end hadn't. How would things have changed? It is so hard to write this without giving things away, but I want you to form your own opinions. I will say that who I suspected was one of those that Alicia suspected in her journal.
Now for the bad. I don't have a lot of bad to say about this book. In fact my issues with this book stem from the psychotherapy standpoint. Not if it is bad or good as therapy helps many. No, what I mean is it is says if you were not loved and nurtured by your parent you in turn cannot give what was missed in the future since you don't know how. I don't feel that way. Your past doesn't have to define who you are. Yes, I am speaking from experience, but I won't go into it. Other than that, which is delved into quite a bit, I really enjoyed the book and believe that you would as well.
My favorite character in this was Rose, Theo's therapist. Something about the kindly old lady vibes. Besides anyone who can put up with years worth of Theo deserves an award. When it was first mentioned that he was married I was surprised. He seemed emotionally detached from anything not involving Alicia and her case. Even then it seemed more obsession and intrigue than an emotional attachment.
This is a shocking psychological crime thriller that will leave you guessing until the very end. There is love, loss, betrayal, and many suspects to choose from! This book is available on Amazon for $12.50 by clicking here.
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