A review by tigerknitting
Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante

5.0

One of my majors in college was Pschology (the other was Math), so I've always been interested in how people think and act. Perhaps that's why I enjoy psychological thrillers and unreliable narrators so much! I have had a special interest in Dementia and Alzheimers since my Grandmother was diagnosed with Dementia a number of years ago, so when I heard about the book Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante, I put it on my to-read list (you DO have a to-read list, don't you?. I actually have 2, one through the library's catalog, and one at Goodreads.) I was able to get Turn of Mind as an eaudiobook, so I had the pleasure of listening to it while on a long ride.

The narrator of the book, Jennifer, has been recently diagnosed with Alzheimers. She had been a very successful hand surgeon, but has had to retire because of the disease. Jennifer is not a touchy-feely type person. She is currently living with a caregiver, because she is a widow and her children have full time jobs. She is at the stage of the disease where she has many lucid periods, but can not be left alone. She describes how she feels when she can't remember things and how she keeps a diary so she can refer back to it. We also get to experience what it is like for her when she is having an "episode."

We also learn that her best friend, Amanda, has been murdered. Jennifer is being questioned by the police, but every time they come, it is a surprise to her that Amanda is dead. As the investigation continues, Jennifer slides deeper into Alzheimers. Her children must decide whether keeping her in her home or putting her in a nursing home is the best course of action. The police continue to question her. We learn that her son is having difficulties and watch as he tries to get money from his mother. We see how hard it is for both her children to come to terms with her continually diminishing capacities. And the police continue.

It is a heartbreaking story of loss, and an intellectually challenging murder mystery, all rolled into one.