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Brier Hospital #4
Tortured Memory
One December evening, the Berkeley Police find psychiatrist Abbie Adler sitting in her car at Inspiration Point, overlooking the East Bay of San Francisco. She’s bruised and catatonic. She’s admitted to the psychiatric ward at Brier Hospital, where her condition, and its cause, remain a mystery. After standard treatments fail, Abbie undergoes electroshock therapy. She finally wakes up but remembers nothing of the experience, and discovers significant memory gaps from the past few years.
Prior to the incident, Abbie had been dealing with the devastating news that two rape victims in her care had been abducted and murdered. Now faced with her own difficult recovery, Abbie is haunted
by memory flashes and nightmares. She begins suspecting that one of her adult patients may have been the killer, but when the police find Abbie’s prime suspect brutally murdered, both she and the police are befuddled.
Now Abbie is even more intent in identifying the strangler and anyone who may be abetting him. Will she finally get justice for her patients, or will the strangler get away with murder?
Prior to the incident, Abbie had been dealing with the devastating news that two rape victims in her care had been abducted and murdered. Now faced with her own difficult recovery, Abbie is haunted
by memory flashes and nightmares. She begins suspecting that one of her adult patients may have been the killer, but when the police find Abbie’s prime suspect brutally murdered, both she and the police are befuddled.
Now Abbie is even more intent in identifying the strangler and anyone who may be abetting him. Will she finally get justice for her patients, or will the strangler get away with murder?
421 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 13, 2013
40 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
About the author
Lawrence W. Gold
28 books38 followersLawrence W. Gold, MD is a retired physician. He is a veteran of the Vietnam War where he served in an evacuation hospital, ran an emergency room and was a Battalion Surgeon. He completed his training in internal medicine and diseases of the kidney in 1968.
He retired in 1995 after 23 years in a hospital-based practice caring for patients with complicated illnesses and served as Chief of Medicine. After retirement he and his wife, Doris, spent time sailing at sea. He has written three screenplays based on his novels. His screenplay for Rage won honorable mention at the 80th annual Writer's Digest contest. He lives in Grass Valley, CA with his wife.
He retired in 1995 after 23 years in a hospital-based practice caring for patients with complicated illnesses and served as Chief of Medicine. After retirement he and his wife, Doris, spent time sailing at sea. He has written three screenplays based on his novels. His screenplay for Rage won honorable mention at the 80th annual Writer's Digest contest. He lives in Grass Valley, CA with his wife.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 29, 2013
This book deals with the delicate and difficult topic of child sexual abuse. That aspect of the story is handled extremely well. We see the experience through the eyes of children and adults. We witness the turmoil and the absolute devastation it causes on the entire family. Gold does all this with respect and care; never forcing the reader to "experience" too much of the pain, while ensuring we understand it.
For me, though, this aspect was often overshadowed by - or overwhelmed by - the volume of characters and subplots. This book has a lot of characters, many with brief POV parts, and all with their own story or subplot to follow. This detracted from the impact of the main plot. Also, I felt character development suffered because there were too many characters and too much going on. I wanted a better connection with Abbie, the main character. At times we'd be at a point where her emotions would be on the edge and her character would truly begin to emerge, when the scene would end and we'd be on to something else.
Overall, this is an enjoyable read. I just would have liked more of some things and less of others.
For me, though, this aspect was often overshadowed by - or overwhelmed by - the volume of characters and subplots. This book has a lot of characters, many with brief POV parts, and all with their own story or subplot to follow. This detracted from the impact of the main plot. Also, I felt character development suffered because there were too many characters and too much going on. I wanted a better connection with Abbie, the main character. At times we'd be at a point where her emotions would be on the edge and her character would truly begin to emerge, when the scene would end and we'd be on to something else.
Overall, this is an enjoyable read. I just would have liked more of some things and less of others.
August 15, 2016
A lot of medical terms and quite a few characters to follow and keep track of. Some jumping around so I had to check if I missed something between chapter transitions. Not a lot but some grammar issues (missing words). The story is good, so a little more editing would be helpful.
April 23, 2013
A great cast of characters in a fast-paced psychological thriller.
The Chabot Park Strangler is on the loose and two young females have fallen victim to a deranged and sick perpetrator. And Dr. Abbie Adler is running out of time, while she searches her mind for clues as to who it might be.
Not the conventional thriller, Tortured Memory centers around Dr. Abbie Adler, a psychiatrist trained in the sexual abuse of children. Her choice of career comes from her own past of having been abused by her own father, who still tracks her in her adulthood like a predator, adding to the stress and bringing her own past traumas to the surface. Both victims of the Chabot Park Strangler were her clients, which leads Abbie to suspect she may know who the killer might be.
Dealing with her own past and PTSD, Abbie also has visits with Richard Haus, who is her mentor and therapist, helping her deal with her own traumatic past, but who later becomes a suspect in his own sons killing. Richard's son a Psychopath who through much regret Abbie took on as a client, mostly as a favor. While on the side lines is David, Abbie's husband who tries to keep it all together, while Abbie has more than one mental breakdown and ends up suffering from trauma induced amnesia.
There are many suspects throughout this story, leaving the reader at the edge of their seat trying to gather clues as to who the killer might be. What I liked most about this story is the professional insight one gets into the minds of the psychopath and narcissistic personalities, as well as other mental disorders, which are clear and precise. Given Dr. Gold's background of not being in the mental disease/disorder category, leading me to believe he might have chosen the wrong profession. One thing I can say without a doubt is that Dr Gold is a great writer, who takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride of suspense and madness. Tortured Memory makes a great screenplay for a movie and I would highly recommend Dr. Gold consider a submission.
February 25, 2019
I suppose this is supposed to be a psychological thriller and unfortunately, this didn’t do it for me. It was pretty much telegraphed from the third chapter or so for me. I wasn’t shocked by the ending; in fact, it took entirely too long to get there four hundred and fourteen pages. This book should have been 250 at the most.
I wanted to like Abbie Adler, the therapist who specialized in molested children. It was easy to see why she specialized in this, as she was a survivor of molestation and had a special way with the young girls who came under her care. Her empathy was a bit much though. I’m not saying therapists can’t be empathetic, but come on, you cry at every session practically? Unprofessional. Pretty much.
I’ve always said, “most psychologists need a psychologist”. That is very prevalent in this novel. Abbie has her own psychosis that stems back to her childhood issues and more recently, her involvement with victims who have been killed by a serial killer. The fact that she seeks help does not bother me. However, what truly annoyed me to no end is, if you are an intelligent and intuitive therapist, why would you continue to seek guidance and help from a therapist that you inherently don’t trust? Time and time again, she runs to Richard Haus? You pointedly told him you don’t trust him and you still go? Come on lady, now you’re just asking for it.
I’m going to keep this brief because if I write too long, I’ll give the whole shebang away. Ultimately, why would someone spend so much time combatting someone they don’t trust as a physician or therapist? Why would you go after a killer rather than clue in the police who you suspect? I mean, let them decipher the truth, you are just giving your best guess. Insert weary sigh here. The author is trying very hard to make us understand a fragile mind, but at the same time, it’s quite ludicrous on how the “heroine” goes about handling the situation, like she’s some mentally disturbed crusader. I felt for her husband and child. Sticking with her throughout the drama was above and beyond, but the vows “for better or for worse” does mean something.
Finally, my biggest complaint about this book is that while I can appreciate a flawed hero/heroine. I cannot abide by the you’re so smart you’re stupid stance here. The conflict and stubbornness of Abbie is so convoluted, I wanted to put her out of her misery as well as myself. In addition, I am not at all impressed by his rendition of female characters, specifically Abbie. It felt clumsy and quite ridiculous. In fact, this will be a Tortured Memory for me!
I wanted to like Abbie Adler, the therapist who specialized in molested children. It was easy to see why she specialized in this, as she was a survivor of molestation and had a special way with the young girls who came under her care. Her empathy was a bit much though. I’m not saying therapists can’t be empathetic, but come on, you cry at every session practically? Unprofessional. Pretty much.
I’ve always said, “most psychologists need a psychologist”. That is very prevalent in this novel. Abbie has her own psychosis that stems back to her childhood issues and more recently, her involvement with victims who have been killed by a serial killer. The fact that she seeks help does not bother me. However, what truly annoyed me to no end is, if you are an intelligent and intuitive therapist, why would you continue to seek guidance and help from a therapist that you inherently don’t trust? Time and time again, she runs to Richard Haus? You pointedly told him you don’t trust him and you still go? Come on lady, now you’re just asking for it.
I’m going to keep this brief because if I write too long, I’ll give the whole shebang away. Ultimately, why would someone spend so much time combatting someone they don’t trust as a physician or therapist? Why would you go after a killer rather than clue in the police who you suspect? I mean, let them decipher the truth, you are just giving your best guess. Insert weary sigh here. The author is trying very hard to make us understand a fragile mind, but at the same time, it’s quite ludicrous on how the “heroine” goes about handling the situation, like she’s some mentally disturbed crusader. I felt for her husband and child. Sticking with her throughout the drama was above and beyond, but the vows “for better or for worse” does mean something.
Finally, my biggest complaint about this book is that while I can appreciate a flawed hero/heroine. I cannot abide by the you’re so smart you’re stupid stance here. The conflict and stubbornness of Abbie is so convoluted, I wanted to put her out of her misery as well as myself. In addition, I am not at all impressed by his rendition of female characters, specifically Abbie. It felt clumsy and quite ridiculous. In fact, this will be a Tortured Memory for me!
July 1, 2017
Great Read
Awesome characters and an impressive story line. Loved the character of Abbie. Looking forward to the next book in this series
Awesome characters and an impressive story line. Loved the character of Abbie. Looking forward to the next book in this series
November 23, 2017
An average telling of child abuse, rape and murder, and the psychiatrist who tries to solve the mysteries. The author's prose did not reach the level of thriller.
January 16, 2019
Psycho much ?
Wear a.mix up. Analysts,poncho therapists, and mind doctors of all types have thie r hands full. Who would have thought?
Wear a.mix up. Analysts,poncho therapists, and mind doctors of all types have thie r hands full. Who would have thought?
May 28, 2013
This review can also be seen at topoftheheapreviews.com
A psychological thriller that deals with sexual abuse and rape can be a tough thing to do properly. You don’t want to gloss over the problems or make light of the situation even in fiction, as in my opinion it does a disservice to the reader, and to the people that have had to go through that horrible ordeal. So does Lawrence W. Gold, M.D. present this thriller in an interesting, intelligent manner? Continue on to the review to find out!
Gripping. Horrific. Smart. Real. Those words are only a few that describe Tortured Memory by Lawrence W. Gold, M.D. From the very first letter, to the very last period, you will be on the edge of your seat completely engrossed into the world of Abbie Adler and her patients. He makes a world that isn’t as easily understood by most, accessible, and very very real.
Abbie Adler is a psychiatrist that chooses to help the people that have been damaged the most. Those that are truly psychotic, and those that have been sexually abused by family, or raped. Lawrence Gold handles these particular issues with the grace and tenderness that they deserve. There is nothing that is grandiose about what he is writing about, he writes them as if he has first hand knowledge, and it’s not sensationalized.
Abbie develops a close relationship with those that she treats. The first 50% of the book deals with Abbie and her clients. When you are reading about these girls, and what they went through, or reading about the evil that one guy has done and has no remorse you truly feel for those people. You either want to help them yourself or you detest them. That’s a huge testament to how well Lawrence Gold is able to bring these characters from the pages and into your heart and soul. He takes the time to carefully let you inside the most vulnerable patients. When these girls start dieing at the hands of the Chabot Strangler, you feel like you’ve lost someone, even though they aren’t the main characters.
You feel for Abbie through all of this too. Dealing with so much from so many has to take it’s toll on a person, no matter how much you try to separate your work from your personal life. In the case of Abbie, since she was sexually abused as a child, it’s almost impossible. It’s no wonder that she eventually has a psychotic break after dealing with the loss of her patients.
The book starts with a bang when the police find her just after her psychotic break, and catatonic behind the wheel of her car. They then go to the past, and all the events that lead up to it. After about half the book, you get to the present again. It’s a broken timeline sort of book, but it works out really well. He delivers on the goods in each section.
The descriptions of life inside a psych ward, and what the patients go through in the pursuit if finding what is wrong is nothings short of terrifying. You see the struggle that her and her family go through. Her husband, David, is right by her side through all of this. The nice thing, is even though he is right by her side, you get to see his torment. In a way, he is one of the stronger characters in the book. His struggle to stay by her side through this, when things look their bleakest, shows that David is not just a cheerleader, he’s a real person. When Abbie comes out of her catatonic state she has lost her memory of the last 6 months, and a few beyond. It’s really hard to read the reactions of David and their daughter Hollie when she can’t remember things that just happened. Christmas, her daughter’s best friends name, etc.
When she does finally remember everything, the book shifts again to the previous six months. It takes off at a break neck pace, and for the rest of the book, it just doesn’t let up.
I’m not going to get into much more here because this book should be experienced, and that’s what it is, an experience. I’ve never felt so much for fictional characters and how they’d end up in a long time. You really root for Abbie to pull through, to find this Chabot Strangler, and you pull for the family to stay together, and you pull for full recovery and some closure for everyone involved in the book.
The Bottom Line: From beginning to end I was enthralled in this world. It’s very real, it’s very horrifying at times, but you keep your eyes glued to the page. I started to slow down reading towards the end of the book just for the fact that I didn’t want it to end. The roller coaster I was on was just too good to get off! Thankfully, he’s got 3 other books in this series, and the 5th one coming soon! I’m waiting (very impatiently mind you) for the next book in this Brier Hospital Series.
A psychological thriller that deals with sexual abuse and rape can be a tough thing to do properly. You don’t want to gloss over the problems or make light of the situation even in fiction, as in my opinion it does a disservice to the reader, and to the people that have had to go through that horrible ordeal. So does Lawrence W. Gold, M.D. present this thriller in an interesting, intelligent manner? Continue on to the review to find out!
Gripping. Horrific. Smart. Real. Those words are only a few that describe Tortured Memory by Lawrence W. Gold, M.D. From the very first letter, to the very last period, you will be on the edge of your seat completely engrossed into the world of Abbie Adler and her patients. He makes a world that isn’t as easily understood by most, accessible, and very very real.
Abbie Adler is a psychiatrist that chooses to help the people that have been damaged the most. Those that are truly psychotic, and those that have been sexually abused by family, or raped. Lawrence Gold handles these particular issues with the grace and tenderness that they deserve. There is nothing that is grandiose about what he is writing about, he writes them as if he has first hand knowledge, and it’s not sensationalized.
Abbie develops a close relationship with those that she treats. The first 50% of the book deals with Abbie and her clients. When you are reading about these girls, and what they went through, or reading about the evil that one guy has done and has no remorse you truly feel for those people. You either want to help them yourself or you detest them. That’s a huge testament to how well Lawrence Gold is able to bring these characters from the pages and into your heart and soul. He takes the time to carefully let you inside the most vulnerable patients. When these girls start dieing at the hands of the Chabot Strangler, you feel like you’ve lost someone, even though they aren’t the main characters.
You feel for Abbie through all of this too. Dealing with so much from so many has to take it’s toll on a person, no matter how much you try to separate your work from your personal life. In the case of Abbie, since she was sexually abused as a child, it’s almost impossible. It’s no wonder that she eventually has a psychotic break after dealing with the loss of her patients.
The book starts with a bang when the police find her just after her psychotic break, and catatonic behind the wheel of her car. They then go to the past, and all the events that lead up to it. After about half the book, you get to the present again. It’s a broken timeline sort of book, but it works out really well. He delivers on the goods in each section.
The descriptions of life inside a psych ward, and what the patients go through in the pursuit if finding what is wrong is nothings short of terrifying. You see the struggle that her and her family go through. Her husband, David, is right by her side through all of this. The nice thing, is even though he is right by her side, you get to see his torment. In a way, he is one of the stronger characters in the book. His struggle to stay by her side through this, when things look their bleakest, shows that David is not just a cheerleader, he’s a real person. When Abbie comes out of her catatonic state she has lost her memory of the last 6 months, and a few beyond. It’s really hard to read the reactions of David and their daughter Hollie when she can’t remember things that just happened. Christmas, her daughter’s best friends name, etc.
When she does finally remember everything, the book shifts again to the previous six months. It takes off at a break neck pace, and for the rest of the book, it just doesn’t let up.
I’m not going to get into much more here because this book should be experienced, and that’s what it is, an experience. I’ve never felt so much for fictional characters and how they’d end up in a long time. You really root for Abbie to pull through, to find this Chabot Strangler, and you pull for the family to stay together, and you pull for full recovery and some closure for everyone involved in the book.
The Bottom Line: From beginning to end I was enthralled in this world. It’s very real, it’s very horrifying at times, but you keep your eyes glued to the page. I started to slow down reading towards the end of the book just for the fact that I didn’t want it to end. The roller coaster I was on was just too good to get off! Thankfully, he’s got 3 other books in this series, and the 5th one coming soon! I’m waiting (very impatiently mind you) for the next book in this Brier Hospital Series.
May 23, 2013
This review can also be seen on www.topoftheheapreviews.com
A psychological thriller that deals with sexual abuse and rape can be a tough thing to do properly. You don’t want to gloss over the problems or make light of the situation even in fiction, as in my opinion it does a disservice to the reader, and to the people that have had to go through that horrible ordeal. So does Lawrence W. Gold, M.D. present this thriller in an interesting, intelligent manner? Continue on to the review to find out!
Gripping. Horrific. Smart. Real. Those words are only a few that describe Tortured Memory by Lawrence W. Gold, M.D. From the very first letter, to the very last period, you will be on the edge of your seat completely engrossed into the world of Abbie Adler and her patients. He makes a world that isn’t as easily understood by most, accessible, and very very real.
Abbie Adler is a psychiatrist that chooses to help the people that have been damaged the most. Those that are truly psychotic, and those that have been sexually abused by family, or raped. Lawrence Gold handles these particular issues with the grace and tenderness that they deserve. There is nothing that is grandiose about what he is writing about, he writes them as if he has first hand knowledge, and it’s not sensationalized.
Abbie develops a close relationship with those that she treats. The first 50% of the book deals with Abbie and her clients. When you are reading about these girls, and what they went through, or reading about the evil that one guy has done and has no remorse you truly feel for those people. You either want to help them yourself or you detest them. That’s a huge testament to how well Lawrence Gold is able to bring these characters from the pages and into your heart and soul. He takes the time to carefully let you inside the most vulnerable patients. When these girls start dieing at the hands of the Chabot Strangler, you feel like you’ve lost someone, even though they aren’t the main characters.
You feel for Abbie through all of this too. Dealing with so much from so many has to take it’s toll on a person, no matter how much you try to separate your work from your personal life. In the case of Abbie, since she was sexually abused as a child, it’s almost impossible. It’s no wonder that she eventually has a psychotic break after dealing with the loss of her patients.
The book starts with a bang when the police find her just after her psychotic break, and catatonic behind the wheel of her car. They then go to the past, and all the events that lead up to it. After about half the book, you get to the present again. It’s a broken timeline sort of book, but it works out really well. He delivers on the goods in each section.
The descriptions of life inside a psych ward, and what the patients go through in the pursuit if finding what is wrong is nothings short of terrifying. You see the struggle that her and her family go through. Her husband, David, is right by her side through all of this. The nice thing, is even though he is right by her side, you get to see his torment. In a way, he is one of the stronger characters in the book. His struggle to stay by her side through this, when things look their bleakest, shows that David is not just a cheerleader, he’s a real person. When Abbie comes out of her catatonic state she has lost her memory of the last 6 months, and a few beyond. It’s really hard to read the reactions of David and their daughter Hollie when she can’t remember things that just happened. Christmas, her daughter’s best friends name, etc.
When she does finally remember everything, the book shifts again to the previous six months. It takes off at a break neck pace, and for the rest of the book, it just doesn’t let up.
I’m not going to get into much more here because this book should be experienced, and that’s what it is, an experience. I’ve never felt so much for fictional characters and how they’d end up in a long time. You really root for Abbie to pull through, to find this Chabot Strangler, and you pull for the family to stay together, and you pull for full recovery and some closure for everyone involved in the book.
The Bottom Line: From beginning to end I was enthralled in this world. It’s very real, it’s very horrifying at times, but you keep your eyes glued to the page. I started to slow down reading towards the end of the book just for the fact that I didn’t want it to end. The roller coaster I was on was just too good to get off! Thankfully, he’s got 3 other books in this series, and the 5th one coming soon! I’m waiting (very impatiently mind you) for the next book in this Brier Hospital Series.
A psychological thriller that deals with sexual abuse and rape can be a tough thing to do properly. You don’t want to gloss over the problems or make light of the situation even in fiction, as in my opinion it does a disservice to the reader, and to the people that have had to go through that horrible ordeal. So does Lawrence W. Gold, M.D. present this thriller in an interesting, intelligent manner? Continue on to the review to find out!
Gripping. Horrific. Smart. Real. Those words are only a few that describe Tortured Memory by Lawrence W. Gold, M.D. From the very first letter, to the very last period, you will be on the edge of your seat completely engrossed into the world of Abbie Adler and her patients. He makes a world that isn’t as easily understood by most, accessible, and very very real.
Abbie Adler is a psychiatrist that chooses to help the people that have been damaged the most. Those that are truly psychotic, and those that have been sexually abused by family, or raped. Lawrence Gold handles these particular issues with the grace and tenderness that they deserve. There is nothing that is grandiose about what he is writing about, he writes them as if he has first hand knowledge, and it’s not sensationalized.
Abbie develops a close relationship with those that she treats. The first 50% of the book deals with Abbie and her clients. When you are reading about these girls, and what they went through, or reading about the evil that one guy has done and has no remorse you truly feel for those people. You either want to help them yourself or you detest them. That’s a huge testament to how well Lawrence Gold is able to bring these characters from the pages and into your heart and soul. He takes the time to carefully let you inside the most vulnerable patients. When these girls start dieing at the hands of the Chabot Strangler, you feel like you’ve lost someone, even though they aren’t the main characters.
You feel for Abbie through all of this too. Dealing with so much from so many has to take it’s toll on a person, no matter how much you try to separate your work from your personal life. In the case of Abbie, since she was sexually abused as a child, it’s almost impossible. It’s no wonder that she eventually has a psychotic break after dealing with the loss of her patients.
The book starts with a bang when the police find her just after her psychotic break, and catatonic behind the wheel of her car. They then go to the past, and all the events that lead up to it. After about half the book, you get to the present again. It’s a broken timeline sort of book, but it works out really well. He delivers on the goods in each section.
The descriptions of life inside a psych ward, and what the patients go through in the pursuit if finding what is wrong is nothings short of terrifying. You see the struggle that her and her family go through. Her husband, David, is right by her side through all of this. The nice thing, is even though he is right by her side, you get to see his torment. In a way, he is one of the stronger characters in the book. His struggle to stay by her side through this, when things look their bleakest, shows that David is not just a cheerleader, he’s a real person. When Abbie comes out of her catatonic state she has lost her memory of the last 6 months, and a few beyond. It’s really hard to read the reactions of David and their daughter Hollie when she can’t remember things that just happened. Christmas, her daughter’s best friends name, etc.
When she does finally remember everything, the book shifts again to the previous six months. It takes off at a break neck pace, and for the rest of the book, it just doesn’t let up.
I’m not going to get into much more here because this book should be experienced, and that’s what it is, an experience. I’ve never felt so much for fictional characters and how they’d end up in a long time. You really root for Abbie to pull through, to find this Chabot Strangler, and you pull for the family to stay together, and you pull for full recovery and some closure for everyone involved in the book.
The Bottom Line: From beginning to end I was enthralled in this world. It’s very real, it’s very horrifying at times, but you keep your eyes glued to the page. I started to slow down reading towards the end of the book just for the fact that I didn’t want it to end. The roller coaster I was on was just too good to get off! Thankfully, he’s got 3 other books in this series, and the 5th one coming soon! I’m waiting (very impatiently mind you) for the next book in this Brier Hospital Series.
April 30, 2013
The novel starts out describing the police finding Dr. Abbie Adler in a catatonic state in her vehicle in a deserted area. The story then goes back to the beginning, telling a dark story that leaves you guessing as to how it will end.
'Tortured Memory' focuses on the subject of child sexual abuse. It's a difficult topic to read about, as we all just wish it didn't even exist. In this novel, we learn that the Chabot Park strangler is preying on young females. Two young girls have already fallen victim to this animal, and both of them happen to have been patients of Dr. Abbie Adler-- a victim of sexual abuse herself (at the hands of her father). Since both girls were patients of Dr. Adler's, she begins to believe that the killer is someone she knows-- possibly even a patient. With so many characters in this book that 'could' have committed these crimes, it makes the suspense that much more frustrating, and I couldn't wait to find out how it would end.
Because it is a suspense/mystery/thriller, I won't give much more detail away. This novel is a page-turner, for sure-- and really, played out like a good movie script.
So, you might ask -- why only 4 stars?
Well, here's why:
The one part of the storyline that kept bothering me was that Adler, a victim of sexual abuse herself, had chosen to go into the field of psychiatry to work specifically with sexually abused children. Because of the horrific abuse she suffered, it seemed odd that she would choose to counsel girls while having her past continually resurface on a daily basis. Adler deals with a lot of anger towards her father, to the point of wanting to physically harm him, and she is also in counseling herself. This was a bit unbelieveable, however the anger towards her father does play a role in the storyline of the book.
Another issue with the book was more my own personal experience with reading it. As much as I enjoyed the novel, there were a lot of characters to keep track of. I felt like there were so many characters (Abbie, David, Ben, Keaton, the Hills, Marcus, Taylor, Richard, and more!) in the storyline, it was difficult to connect with any of them--even Dr. Adler herself. While reading, I had to stop several times, and ask myself, "Now wait-- who is that again?" I realize that the introduction of so many characters was somewhat essential to the story, but it could probably be considered overwhelming at times. I often wondered how Gold kept track of all these people as he was writing it? (I picture a big huge white board in his office!)
Disclaimer: I was given this book in exchange for reading & reviewing it. Opinions expressed here are my own, and were not influenced by anyone.
'Tortured Memory' focuses on the subject of child sexual abuse. It's a difficult topic to read about, as we all just wish it didn't even exist. In this novel, we learn that the Chabot Park strangler is preying on young females. Two young girls have already fallen victim to this animal, and both of them happen to have been patients of Dr. Abbie Adler-- a victim of sexual abuse herself (at the hands of her father). Since both girls were patients of Dr. Adler's, she begins to believe that the killer is someone she knows-- possibly even a patient. With so many characters in this book that 'could' have committed these crimes, it makes the suspense that much more frustrating, and I couldn't wait to find out how it would end.
Because it is a suspense/mystery/thriller, I won't give much more detail away. This novel is a page-turner, for sure-- and really, played out like a good movie script.
So, you might ask -- why only 4 stars?
Well, here's why:
The one part of the storyline that kept bothering me was that Adler, a victim of sexual abuse herself, had chosen to go into the field of psychiatry to work specifically with sexually abused children. Because of the horrific abuse she suffered, it seemed odd that she would choose to counsel girls while having her past continually resurface on a daily basis. Adler deals with a lot of anger towards her father, to the point of wanting to physically harm him, and she is also in counseling herself. This was a bit unbelieveable, however the anger towards her father does play a role in the storyline of the book.
Another issue with the book was more my own personal experience with reading it. As much as I enjoyed the novel, there were a lot of characters to keep track of. I felt like there were so many characters (Abbie, David, Ben, Keaton, the Hills, Marcus, Taylor, Richard, and more!) in the storyline, it was difficult to connect with any of them--even Dr. Adler herself. While reading, I had to stop several times, and ask myself, "Now wait-- who is that again?" I realize that the introduction of so many characters was somewhat essential to the story, but it could probably be considered overwhelming at times. I often wondered how Gold kept track of all these people as he was writing it? (I picture a big huge white board in his office!)
Disclaimer: I was given this book in exchange for reading & reviewing it. Opinions expressed here are my own, and were not influenced by anyone.
February 11, 2014
I truly love medical Mystery/Psychological Thrillers and Lawrence W Gold is a master at writing them. It helps that he is a retired physician! When he wrote to me to tell me that Tortured Memory would be free on Amazon from 2/7 - 2/9 I jumped on it--I even told all of you about it on my FaceBook page, Google+ and Twitter--I hope some of you took advantage-(no, I am not an affiliate of Amazon)-this is one really good book! If you didn't and you truly love medical Mystery/Psychological Thrillers I suggest you start reading all the books this author has written!
Abbie Adler, who was sexually abused by her father as a young girl, managed to overcome and become a general, child, and adolescent psychiatrist to treat sexually abused girls. But did she really? She emphasizes with her patients and does not or can not always keep a mental distance. She has her own therapist/friend/mentor who she still sees when things get really to rough for her mind to handle. She suddenly finds herself with a couple of patients who she probably never should have taken on! One of them the son of her own therapist.
Abbie's husband, a pediatrician, has his doubts about her therapist but Abbie insists on staying with him-she trusts him. Then the unthinkable happens-Abbie is somehow found in the woods in her car-catatonic. She is finally brought out of this state but has no recollection of what happened. When her memory finally returns in full--well--I will let you read that for yourself!! Another 5 star in my opinion and I can't wait to read some more of this author's work!
Tortured Memory
Abbie Adler, who was sexually abused by her father as a young girl, managed to overcome and become a general, child, and adolescent psychiatrist to treat sexually abused girls. But did she really? She emphasizes with her patients and does not or can not always keep a mental distance. She has her own therapist/friend/mentor who she still sees when things get really to rough for her mind to handle. She suddenly finds herself with a couple of patients who she probably never should have taken on! One of them the son of her own therapist.
Abbie's husband, a pediatrician, has his doubts about her therapist but Abbie insists on staying with him-she trusts him. Then the unthinkable happens-Abbie is somehow found in the woods in her car-catatonic. She is finally brought out of this state but has no recollection of what happened. When her memory finally returns in full--well--I will let you read that for yourself!! Another 5 star in my opinion and I can't wait to read some more of this author's work!
Tortured Memory
June 30, 2014
REVIEW
This book has some very sensitive topics but sometimes these topics need to be addressed. The author wrote a wonderful crime thriller that kept you on your toes every minute. I couldn't put the book down. It just kept those pages turning and turning.
Abbie Adler, the psychiatrist in the book and the main character was very realistic and you just had to like her. My problem with her was, why did she keep going on with these clients who totally didn't want her help, they were playing games. They didn't give her all the information she needed. I think she was just too good for her own good. Maybe she was trying to help someone who had gone through what she had. Hoping that it wouldn't happen again. That to me is unrealistic. It has happened for years and will continue to happen. There are those people out there that are either sick, demented or just get off by these horrible acts. Some don't want help. Some take the help but don't improve. The characters seemed to click together. There was this bond between some of them.
The ending was nothing like I expected. I was truly surprised and amazed. Another good Brier Hospital Series book.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author, Lawrence W. Gold, M.D. for my view of the book.
This book has some very sensitive topics but sometimes these topics need to be addressed. The author wrote a wonderful crime thriller that kept you on your toes every minute. I couldn't put the book down. It just kept those pages turning and turning.
Abbie Adler, the psychiatrist in the book and the main character was very realistic and you just had to like her. My problem with her was, why did she keep going on with these clients who totally didn't want her help, they were playing games. They didn't give her all the information she needed. I think she was just too good for her own good. Maybe she was trying to help someone who had gone through what she had. Hoping that it wouldn't happen again. That to me is unrealistic. It has happened for years and will continue to happen. There are those people out there that are either sick, demented or just get off by these horrible acts. Some don't want help. Some take the help but don't improve. The characters seemed to click together. There was this bond between some of them.
The ending was nothing like I expected. I was truly surprised and amazed. Another good Brier Hospital Series book.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author, Lawrence W. Gold, M.D. for my view of the book.
March 2, 2014
An Outstanding story if it had been developed... a brief glimpse of what this story could have been.
I enjoyed this novel as it is well written and well edited. The story line is compelling, the detailing is just right, the characters are rich and there are certainly twists and turns.
I could not fully connect with this writer or the rough draft of this story. I suppose I invested to much excitement into the description of the novel since now I have a faint hollow feeling of deflation.
It seems to me there is a much deeper, richer, longer story to be investigated and I, as the reader, was only allowed the overview with an ending. It is not accurate to say I felt let down. I feel the story was not given the chance to develop into all it could be. Many important issues were glossed over to the point where the believability was thrown into question. Many sections in the novel start so wonderfully... then I find myself looking back saying.. what did I miss.. wait.. where is the rest, the depth, the guts? I sigh and move on in hopes the author will redeem himself. He never does.
Not a bad read just not a great one.
I enjoyed this novel as it is well written and well edited. The story line is compelling, the detailing is just right, the characters are rich and there are certainly twists and turns.
I could not fully connect with this writer or the rough draft of this story. I suppose I invested to much excitement into the description of the novel since now I have a faint hollow feeling of deflation.
It seems to me there is a much deeper, richer, longer story to be investigated and I, as the reader, was only allowed the overview with an ending. It is not accurate to say I felt let down. I feel the story was not given the chance to develop into all it could be. Many important issues were glossed over to the point where the believability was thrown into question. Many sections in the novel start so wonderfully... then I find myself looking back saying.. what did I miss.. wait.. where is the rest, the depth, the guts? I sigh and move on in hopes the author will redeem himself. He never does.
Not a bad read just not a great one.
April 9, 2013
This crime thriller deals with sensitive topics such as sexual abuse and incest. I am not going to rehash the plot as its a mystery thriller and I don't want to give anything away. I liked Abbie Adler the protagonist and found her character real and relatable. The dynamics between characters was also gripping.
The story was compelling and I was impressed with how well it portrayed the effects of child abuse on the victims. I thought Holly was a wonderful character too and enjoyed her rapport with Abbie and David. Ben, Abbie's assistant and friend is reliable and strong, providing humour in this book.
As the mystery reveals itself in the book, although predictable at a certain point, I still enjoyed reading this and believe it has strong enough characters for sequels.
The story was compelling and I was impressed with how well it portrayed the effects of child abuse on the victims. I thought Holly was a wonderful character too and enjoyed her rapport with Abbie and David. Ben, Abbie's assistant and friend is reliable and strong, providing humour in this book.
As the mystery reveals itself in the book, although predictable at a certain point, I still enjoyed reading this and believe it has strong enough characters for sequels.
December 15, 2015
Overall, a struggle to get through. While the subject matter was delicately handled, the characters left much to be desired. I believe it was the character interactions that were the worst. The conversations were very cliche and the characters went from excited to flat in no time. They would rant at each other and then suddenly be completely agreeable, and vise versa.
Scenes were cut short. While I enjoy the flip flop between time periods, and have read it done well in books like "Gone Girl" and "Girl on the Train", this book missed the mark. It lacked a fluidity that made you anticipate the next scene. Pass on this book. Even for a free kindle book, it's not worth the time.
Scenes were cut short. While I enjoy the flip flop between time periods, and have read it done well in books like "Gone Girl" and "Girl on the Train", this book missed the mark. It lacked a fluidity that made you anticipate the next scene. Pass on this book. Even for a free kindle book, it's not worth the time.
May 2, 2016
This is a book about abuse in its worst form, child molestation. Even worse it is about dads molestation of their daughters. Abbie is one of those children living with this. Abbie has decided to not let this get her down and grows up to be a therapist who helps children that are dealing with this same type of circumstances. Abbie loves her job and helping kids overcome the bad things that happened to them. That is until a few of her clients start turning up dead. Abbie has to help figure out who is doing this and keep herself safe at that same time.
May 26, 2016
Until this book, I have loved this series. But this book was the exception to the rule. It was just too gory, too sad, and too filled with evil people. Dr. Gold's books always explore good and evil. but this book failed to find a balance. I didn't need to get into the minds of psychopaths, narcissists, and sociopaths. I didn't even like the main characters very much. But if Dr. Gold reads this and takes suggestions for future books, I would love to read a story about the Dr's office assistant Ben.He was the best person in the story.
October 24, 2013
I stumbled across this book when it was free and boy am I ever glad I did. It was well written and exciting and I loved the way in which the story flows. Not in chronological order, forcing you to think about what was going on and leaving gaps which I found engaging and caused me to keep turning the pages. This is a fantastic book and I can't say enough good things about it. I look forward to reading all of them. Bravo!
November 11, 2013
Tortured Memory reflects the main character's behavior resulting from a childhood that was marred by sexual abuse. The topic is powerful and I appreciated the author's depth of understanding. I did not, however, like the sporadic plot structure. It was obviously purposeful, but I found it confusing -- even annoying at times. Also, the dialogue often seemed unbelievably forced. In spite of these problems, I still enjoyed the book and wanted to read it to the end.
March 19, 2014
A REAL PAGE TURNER
A REAL PAGE TURNER
when I first started this book, it went a bit slow for me. I was going to stop reading it all together I read a few more chapters, and was hooked. I liked the character Abby, and understood how her childhood effected her later in life. Up until the end of the book I was surprised at the ending. Good reading.
A REAL PAGE TURNER
when I first started this book, it went a bit slow for me. I was going to stop reading it all together I read a few more chapters, and was hooked. I liked the character Abby, and understood how her childhood effected her later in life. Up until the end of the book I was surprised at the ending. Good reading.
December 21, 2015
Medical mystery
This was probably more a criminal than medical mystery. The main characters were psychiatrists though so that's where the medical comes in. This was probably my favorite of the 4 books I have read by this author.
This was probably more a criminal than medical mystery. The main characters were psychiatrists though so that's where the medical comes in. This was probably my favorite of the 4 books I have read by this author.
April 9, 2016
The problem is that I have read none of the other books in this series. Don't want to either.
Psychopathic patients don't really turn me on. Found it trite and with the shifting plot from patient to doctor who has many problems of her own it was quite unbelievable
Psychopathic patients don't really turn me on. Found it trite and with the shifting plot from patient to doctor who has many problems of her own it was quite unbelievable
October 30, 2013
Although, half way into the story I figured out the ending, it was still a good plot line. my only complaint was that the story jumped around too much.
December 1, 2013
only gave this one 3 stars too much mental health jargon too many characters not as good as the other Brier hosp series.
September 24, 2014
Great Read!
A lot of psycho analyzing going on which is a change from your usual medical thrillers. I will enjoy reading more of this author's books in the future.
A lot of psycho analyzing going on which is a change from your usual medical thrillers. I will enjoy reading more of this author's books in the future.
February 12, 2015
Intense psychological logical thriller with lots of twists and turns. Deals with pedophiles, murder and psychopaths
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