Family Fallacies

Kate Huntington Mysteries #3

by Kassandra Lamb

Psychotherapist Kate Huntington is having a rough autumn. Someone’s been sending anonymous and vaguely threatening notes to the counseling center where she works, and now she’s being sued for malpractice, for supposedly planting false memories in a client’s head. There is one bright spot. She’s falling in love. Now if she could just get the ghost of her dead husband out of her head.

As the budding romance is heating up, the note sender ups the ante and is threatening to “destroy” Kate’s family. Can things get any worse? Yes, they can. Kate becomes a murder suspect when a party in the lawsuit ends up dead. Her good friend, lawyer Rob Franklin, still has some misgivings about her too-handsome-to-be-trusted suitor. But now the two men must work together to support the woman they both love, and help her stop a killer... before he or she comes after Kate’s baby girl.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Romantic Suspense

273 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 7, 2012

About the author

Psychology and writing (or writing and psychology) have always vied for the number one spot on my list of greatest passions. I am now a retired psychotherapist and can afford to spend as much time as I want on my writing.

I am in Heaven! (Well, actually I live in Florida now.)

Some people have asked me if my protagonist, psychotherapist Kate Huntington, is me. I wish! She's much more consistently kind and compassionate than I am.

I was born and raised in Maryland and lived there most of my adult life. In addition to my psychotherapy practice, I also taught at Towson University for a decade. It was my favorite job of my entire lifetime, so I decided to base my first series, the Kate Huntington mysteries, in Towson, Maryland. My newer series, about a service dog trainer, is set in central Florida near where I live now, the Marcia Banks and Buddy cozy mysteries.

I blog about psychological topics, or anything else that strikes my fancy, about twice a month at www.misteriopress.com.

Reviews

[Sandee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Along with the emotion, drama and suspense, this book brings us romance with its own emotion, drama and suspense. Engaging, well-written, with intriguing characters and great relationships. One of the subjects of this story is memory, more specifically, false memories. An interesting subject, provided clarity from a therapist's view but full of moral ambiguities. Add in the building romance between Kate and Skip and I couldn't put it down.

[Buchdoktor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Huntington ist nach dem gewaltsamen Tod ihres Mannes wieder an ihren Arbeitsplatz als Psychotherapeutin zurückgekehrt. Baby Robie wird in dieser Zeit zu Hause von einem Kindermädchen versorgt. Kates Gedanken bewegen sich zur Zeit um eine Klientin, die offenbar Opfer von sexuellem Missbrauch war, die Erinnerungen jedoch verdrängt hat. Der Konflikt, zunächst die Klientin zu therapieren und deshalb noch keine belastbaren Zeugenaussagen gegen den Täter zu erhalten, ist für den Therapeuten kaum lösbar. Das Thema verdrängte Erinnerungen polarisiert des Missbrauchs beschuldigte Familienangehörige und die Öffentlichkeit gerade. Therapeuten wird unterstellt, sie würden ihre Klienten manipulieren. Kate hat mit ihrer Arbeit ebenfalls in dieses Wespennest gestochen. Sie wird wegen eines Kunstfehlers im Fall der og. Klientin verklagt und erhält am Arbeitsplatz und privat anonyme Drohbriefe. Das Beratungszentrum versichert zwar alle Therapeuten gegen Kunstfehler-Klagen, für betroffene Klienten bedeuten diese Klagen tragischwerweise den Abbruch der Therapie. Die Vermutung, dass verdächtigte Familienmitglieder sich durch Klage einer unbequemen Therapeutin entledigen wollen, liegt nahe. Als Mutter eines kleinen Kindes, die immer noch um ihren Mann trauert, lässt sich Kate zwischen Kritik an ihrer Arbeit, Sorge um das Wohl ihrer Klienten und Angst um Baby Robie aufreiben. Unterstützung findet sie bei Rob, einem befreundeten Anwalt, der die Interessen von Kates Klienten vertritt - und dem Detektiv und Personenschützer Skip, der unerwartetes Einfühlungsvermögen in Kate zeigt.

Kassandra Lambs dritter Krimi von bisher vier lässt sich auch unabhängig von den anderen Teilen lesen; zwei weitere Einzel-Bände mit Kate Huntington sind erschienen. Das Thema manipulierte Erinnerungen in Missbrauchsfällen ist uns auch in Deutschland aus wenigen spektakulären Fällen bekannt. Der Klageeifer in den USA ist offenbar viel ausgeprägter, die Schadenssumme macht diese Verfahren zu einer Goldgrube für Anwälte. Unbehelligt durch diese US-Eigenheit hat mir Lambs Krimi über eine Psychotherapeutin sehr gut gefallen. Die Autorin schöpft die Motive ihrer Bücher aus ihrer Tätigkeit als Psychotherapeutin und schafft sehr sympathische, sehr emotionale (!) und glaubhafte Figuren. Die Wahl von drei privat und beruflich miteinander verbundenen Figuren aus unterschiedlichen Berufsfeldern versorgt Kassandra Lamb hoffentlich mit ausreichend Stoff für eine Fortsetzung der Reihe. Unbedingt sehenswert ist Kassandra Lambs wordpress-Seite mit Fotos der Schauplätze.

[Lynn Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Psychologists make great protagonists for mysteries and thrillers. After all, they must contend daily with the darkest of human secrets. Far too often, however, authors portray their psychologist heroines as so determined to "protect" a suspected murderer that they put themselves and others in unnecessary jeopardy. I often find myself wanting to shake some sense into the psychologist. So I was delighted to find Kate Huntington not only competent and likable, but also totally aware of the dangers her clients might present -- and unafraid to cooperate with the police. Now here is a psychologist I can believe in.

Secondary characters are also a delight, with both the men and the women totally believable. The story is fast-paced and strong enough that I'm not sure the author needed the Prologue; she had me hooked from the story's first lines. I read the book in two days.

This is the first book I've read by this author. Though it's the third in the series, the story stands on its own merits. I look forward to the next book in the series!

[Kassandra Lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have mixed emotions about Goodreads letting authors rate their own books but I just had to talk about this one. I believe, as do my beta readers and critique partner, that this is the best so far--as one of those readers said, I 'hit my stride' with this third book in the series.

This book addresses some tough and important topics, ones that are personal to me, as a retired psychotherapist. One of these is the reality that therapists who work with survivors of child abuse are exposing themselves to the potential malice of their clients' abusers. I won't say anymore because I don't want to spoil the story.

To balance the intensity of these tough topics, we have the protagonist's budding romance. But even there poor Kate is encountering problems. She can't seem to get the ghost of her dead husband out of her head! I especially enjoyed writing the romantic scenes in this book, and I hope you find this story to be as intriguing and satisfying as my beta readers did!

[Nancy Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 and the series gets better and better. Kate and the entire cast of characters are back - hooray. And, ooh la la, the romance heats up between Kate and Skip. Skip is definitely a great hunk of manliness. Lucky Kate. I loved everything about this story - and love that while I am enjoying all the development of the storyline, I am also learning a bit more about the challenges of being a psychotherapist. I can't wait to dive into book number 4!!! Keep them coming, Kassandra Lamb. This is such a great series.

[Kirsten Lenius · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-written mystery with romantic elements. Central to the plot is the main character Kate's occupation as a psychotherapist. She deals with a number of disrunctional people and the situation around one of them turns deadly.

I didn't guess who the bad guy in this one was 'til almost the end!

[Lourie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book immensely. Romance, Mystery & Murder, who could ask for more?

The characters and plot are developed beautifully. I kept changing my mind as to who did it to the end.

I got this book for free from Amazon and it is the first book I have read by Kassandra Lamb. I look forward to reading many, many more!!

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery and romance--two of my favorites. Kassandra Lamb's protagonist, Kate, is a psychologist treating a patient who could be recalling memories of childhood abuse. This is a fascinating topic to write about and the story's pace and characters were wonderful. Great twist at the end.

[Pernette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was full of suspects. Kate, Skip, Rob and company were great as usual. Good plot. Did not see that coming in the end.

[M Biroth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thriller mystery focusing on sexual abuse and therapy to overcome it

Kate, Skip and Rob are at it again. This is a thriller mystery with the focus on psychology practices, sexual abuse of children and the effects they have on the children as adults. There are fewer possible suspects in this novel (compared to the first two novels in the series), but the readers have to follow the red herrings with the investigative team until its surprise ending. On the side is the romantic relationship of Kate and Skip, following on on their interactions in the first two novels. Once again an entertaining continuation of the series.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

The patient Kate deals with, Then comes the notes, a niece what happened before she staggered home, more notes come. Skip and Kate are binding more, and love is declared. A lot of drama and emotion in this one. Good plot and good series.

[Geneva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good reading. Going on to #4

[Patricia Grogan Bugher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspense, murders

In this book, Skip and Kate find themselves to be murder suspects. It takes them and their friends to find the real culprit. Very good book.

[Dwayne Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate and her group of friends solve another murder, while defending where Kate words from lawsuits and pickets. It is easy to get wrapped up and lost in the story and feel like you are part of the group. It keeps you wondering until the end who was doing it and why. Another great story in a great series. Enjoy.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good series

Only on Book 3. About to download the next one. Books are very well written. Some drama, some suspense, some laughter. A great combination. I can't seem to get enough of the characters. Quick reading, but that's because I can't put them down. After this series, I will definitely try some of her other material.

[Jo Ann Reinhold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally satisfying book and I really didn't guess the "who". I was totally surprised on that one! I will definitely read the rest of the series, the characters are warm and likable and I really enjoy reading their stories.

[Fallon Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one, as I have the rest of the series. A few spots felt slow and others where it seemed to jump in time and left me feeling a little unsure, but I did really like it and how Kate and Skip's relationship progressed. Can't wait to continue the series.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best in series so far.

I'm probably rating this best so far because in addition to good mystery, the romance in the series is finally in full bloom. There are quite a few candidates for the villain here, and a little twist on that at the end.

[Susie Perri]

Awesome what a great author!!!