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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
This did drag on a bit, and I don’t think most of it was as clever as the authors thought it was, but it wasn’t a bad way to pass some time.
Didn’t know what to expect when I started, but quickly fell for the plot and the characters. Twisty, dark, and enticing! Looked forward to reading more each night.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
My 3/5 rating for this book relates mainly to the premise. I still consider a 3/5 to be good, but not exceptional. The main character, Jessica, is fine; a bit unsympathetic, but not boring. The antagonist, Dr. Shields, is also fine. The novel alternates between Jessica's perspective and Dr. Shields's, with Dr. Shields's chapters written in a stilted, robotic, unemotional way. Although I appreciated that her voice is distinct from Jessica's, it felt excessive at times.
Mild spoilers follow.
My primary criticism, as a researcher with a background in psychology, is that the premise is unbelievable. I accept that Dr. Shields is an unethical practitioner and researcher—she deceives her participants and conducts research without disclosing the actual goals, both violations of most research codes of conduct—but her survey questions are designed in an amateurish, invasive way.
There's no way Dr. Shields's research would ever pass IRB approval, and she likely couldn't have pursued this research without expecting to eventually lose her license or face professional repercussions. Her portrayal as an illustrious, wise, self-important person is undermined by how poorly designed her research is from the very beginning. Many graduate students could conduct a better survey.
I suspended disbelief regarding Dr. Shields's research for the sake of the plot and concept, but reading it was probably like how a lawyer feels watching Law & Order or a doctor feels watching Grey's Anatomy.
Other than that, although I did struggle through the middle of the novel, it was engaging enough that I finished it. It's not a bad book, but I wouldn't read it again.
Mild spoilers follow.
My primary criticism, as a researcher with a background in psychology, is that the premise is unbelievable. I accept that Dr. Shields is an unethical practitioner and researcher—she deceives her participants and conducts research without disclosing the actual goals, both violations of most research codes of conduct—but her survey questions are designed in an amateurish, invasive way.
There's no way Dr. Shields's research would ever pass IRB approval, and she likely couldn't have pursued this research without expecting to eventually lose her license or face professional repercussions. Her portrayal as an illustrious, wise, self-important person is undermined by how poorly designed her research is from the very beginning. Many graduate students could conduct a better survey.
I suspended disbelief regarding Dr. Shields's research for the sake of the plot and concept, but reading it was probably like how a lawyer feels watching Law & Order or a doctor feels watching Grey's Anatomy.
Other than that, although I did struggle through the middle of the novel, it was engaging enough that I finished it. It's not a bad book, but I wouldn't read it again.
I listened to this as an audiobook. The narrators bumped up my rating from 3.5 to a four. The narration was excellent -one narrator was Dr. Shields the other narrator was Jessica. It started off really strong . Jessica joins a study run by Dr. Shields, which is about ethics and morality. Then Dr. Shields becomes rather obsessed and focusses solely on Jessica. About halfway through I must say I felt it became rather long and tiresome ,setting up this long drawn out “relationship“ . It did get stronger In the last quarter as More truths were revealed about Jessica ,Dr. Shields ,and Thomas. I didn’t find this to be overly suspenseful or shocking but someone reading this book needs to be aware that there will be triggers related to assault and suicide.
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Jess, a makeup artist in NY, hears a client’s message about a study group on ethics that will pay $500. The client has no intention of keeping the appointment so Jess takes her place. Like Jess, I wasn’t sure where this was going. Was the doctor some mad scientist experimenting on young women or a serial killer picking her next victim? Dr Shields definitely knows how to get Jess to trust her and soon has control over her. Everything is going great for Jess until she gives Dr Shields a reason not to trust her. The book is told in first person present with alternating viewpoints of Jess and Dr Shields so the going is a little slow. There is a lot of buildup but the ending fizzles a bit. I kept reading to see what would happen but the ending was a little disappointing. I enjoyed their first book more. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for this honest review.
This one had a taut, intriguing first half that seemed pretty original to me. However, the villain became surprisingly annoying and our savvy protagonist was foiled by the dumbest things! Someone could sidetrack this anal-retentive shrink by simply tracking mud through her painfully manicured world. I needed some purposeful action from somebody as the plot sputtered and weird behavior was endured beyond comprehension. One twist too many and suddenly you don’t care anymore.
Apparently I need a “twisted shrink” shelf.
Apparently I need a “twisted shrink” shelf.