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The Perfect Patient
An innocent young girl? Or a dangerous killer?
The first time I meet Jade, I can’t help but be impressed by her. Young, smart and confident, she’s everything I wish I had been at 18. But Jade isn’t any ordinary teenager – she’s accused of murdering a man twice her age. And it’s my job to find out the truth.
As we settle down to talk, I sense something change in Jade – a hardness to her answers and an unwillingness to co-operate. She claims she didn’t kill him, but I’m not sure I believe her.
When she starts skipping sessions, I visit her family home unannounced and I immediately regret it. Her father makes it clear I’m not welcome, her mother seems to stay in the shadows. What are they hiding?
As Jade begins to open up, her family suddenly halt the sessions, and I know I’m close to finding out the truth. Then I spy a late night visitor standing outside my little cottage watching my every move. What is the secret someone is trying to stop from coming out? And could I have put myself in unthinkable danger?
This absolutely gripping psychological thriller will have you hooked from the very first page to the last jaw-dropping twist. Perfect for fans of The Housemaid, The Girl on the Train and The Perfect Marriage.
The first time I meet Jade, I can’t help but be impressed by her. Young, smart and confident, she’s everything I wish I had been at 18. But Jade isn’t any ordinary teenager – she’s accused of murdering a man twice her age. And it’s my job to find out the truth.
As we settle down to talk, I sense something change in Jade – a hardness to her answers and an unwillingness to co-operate. She claims she didn’t kill him, but I’m not sure I believe her.
When she starts skipping sessions, I visit her family home unannounced and I immediately regret it. Her father makes it clear I’m not welcome, her mother seems to stay in the shadows. What are they hiding?
As Jade begins to open up, her family suddenly halt the sessions, and I know I’m close to finding out the truth. Then I spy a late night visitor standing outside my little cottage watching my every move. What is the secret someone is trying to stop from coming out? And could I have put myself in unthinkable danger?
This absolutely gripping psychological thriller will have you hooked from the very first page to the last jaw-dropping twist. Perfect for fans of The Housemaid, The Girl on the Train and The Perfect Marriage.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 28, 2023
176 people are currently reading
1063 people want to read
About the author
Luana Lewis
7 books47 followersS.L. Lewis is a clinical psychologist and author of two non-fiction books (written under
Sharon Lewis
): An Adult’s Guide to Childhood Trauma (1999, Cape Town: David Phillip Publishers) and Dealing with Rape (1994,Johannesburg: Maskew Miller Longman). As well as writing for several newspapers, magazines and journals, she has recently completed an MA in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University. She has also attended workshops at Arvon and City Lit.
DON’T STAND SO CLOSE is her début novel, a gripping psychological thriller about a reclusive psychologist who is forced to confront trauma from her past and secrets in her marriage.
DON’T STAND SO CLOSE is her début novel, a gripping psychological thriller about a reclusive psychologist who is forced to confront trauma from her past and secrets in her marriage.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
April 9, 2024
If you love psychological thrillers, this should be on your radar. The author is a psychologist herself, and that shows. There is no doubt she knows what she’s writing about, which made it more engaging for me. There was complex characters, and I could relate to the psychologist who was the main character myself. The dilemmas, the struggle between ethics and fear, were brilliantly described and convincing as well. The mystery and need to know was there from the very beginning, and when all was revealed there was no eye rolling or disappointment. It was plausible and emotional.
August 30, 2023
Is Jade Jameson a murderer or a victim of circumstances? Is she being protected or is she a prisoner not able to reveal the truth? The premise of this psychological thriller sparked my interest. I was gripped immediately and raced to the twisty, surprising conclusion. The characters are complex and drive this absorbing, intense, fast-paced plot. I was invested in Jade’s journey of seeking the truth behind the mysterious murder. The tension increased as pieces of the puzzle came together and secrets were revealed. This is the perfect cure for any reading slump. Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
August 13, 2023
Which one of these masterfully crafted characters is the perfect patient? Why?
Luana Lewis’ psychology training has enabled her to get a close-up view of human nature in all its facets, making her crime thriller books extremely readable.
Lewis’ twenty-year career taking on medico-legal cases and working with families brought a fresh perspective to this genre and I believe that making the effort to adhere to confidentiality has created originality and authenticity. I could see places where other authors would race ahead to increase the pace and noted that Lewis’ ‘listening’ training took over the plot; she utilized silence and compassion in allowing her client to share and propel the plot. Where other reviewers saw repetition, I noted that Lewis was allowing space for Dr. Tara Black to uncover the acute crisis.
In short, a 17-year-old girl with no history of violence and no apparent mental health problems has allegedly killed a man she’d never met - a man who police found mortally stabbed eleven times in her hotel suite - a man more than double her age.
The investigation into what really happened in The Red Suite at the Onyx Hotel grabbed my attention and as the tension ramped up with the Jamesons’ tactics, I knew I was in for the long haul. I loved the twists and the variety of emotional responses initiated by the story. The well-planted misleading clues kept my mind reeling and I needed to find out for myself what the Jamesons were hiding.
Although the focus was on 17-year-old Jade, I was fascinated with the expert witness for the defense team, clinical psychologist, Dr. Tara Black. I loved the tension that branching out in private practice added to the story and was invested in knowing how Black’s past would be worked into the plot.
The implications of using psychedelics to recover traumatic memories were fascinating. Was the client suffering from a form of traumatic amnesia or was it something else?
This murder mystery involving a high-net-worth, high-profile family is one you’ll want to investigate!
I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Luana Lewis’ psychology training has enabled her to get a close-up view of human nature in all its facets, making her crime thriller books extremely readable.
Lewis’ twenty-year career taking on medico-legal cases and working with families brought a fresh perspective to this genre and I believe that making the effort to adhere to confidentiality has created originality and authenticity. I could see places where other authors would race ahead to increase the pace and noted that Lewis’ ‘listening’ training took over the plot; she utilized silence and compassion in allowing her client to share and propel the plot. Where other reviewers saw repetition, I noted that Lewis was allowing space for Dr. Tara Black to uncover the acute crisis.
In short, a 17-year-old girl with no history of violence and no apparent mental health problems has allegedly killed a man she’d never met - a man who police found mortally stabbed eleven times in her hotel suite - a man more than double her age.
The investigation into what really happened in The Red Suite at the Onyx Hotel grabbed my attention and as the tension ramped up with the Jamesons’ tactics, I knew I was in for the long haul. I loved the twists and the variety of emotional responses initiated by the story. The well-planted misleading clues kept my mind reeling and I needed to find out for myself what the Jamesons were hiding.
Although the focus was on 17-year-old Jade, I was fascinated with the expert witness for the defense team, clinical psychologist, Dr. Tara Black. I loved the tension that branching out in private practice added to the story and was invested in knowing how Black’s past would be worked into the plot.
The implications of using psychedelics to recover traumatic memories were fascinating. Was the client suffering from a form of traumatic amnesia or was it something else?
This murder mystery involving a high-net-worth, high-profile family is one you’ll want to investigate!
I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
September 11, 2023
THE PERFECT PATIENT is a psychological thriller by clinical psychologist and writer Luana Lewis.
Her Novels Include:
Don't Stand So Close (2014)
Cravings (2015)
Forget Me Not (2015)
The Perfect Patient (2023)
This is my review of The Perfect Patient.
Jade, a 17-year-old girl with no history of violence and no apparent mental health problems has been charged with killing a man, double her age, she’d never met, who the police had found been stabbed eleven times in her hotel suite. She remembers chatting with him at the bar, and then later both going up to her room. When she discovers the dead body, she sees that she is covered in blood down her legs and arms.
But she knows she didn’t kill him…
Now six months later, after dealing extensively with the police, Jade walks into her therapist’s office, Dr. Tara Black ready to answer the question … Is she a murderer? Dr Tara Black is her only hope of clearing her name by accessing her memories of that night.
But why are Jade’s parents scared when they find out what their daughter told her therapist about her childhood?
How far will Jade have to go, to prove her innocence? Who should she trust?
This gripping psychological thriller will have you hooked from the very first page to the last jaw-dropping twist.
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for my digital copy.
Her Novels Include:
Don't Stand So Close (2014)
Cravings (2015)
Forget Me Not (2015)
The Perfect Patient (2023)
This is my review of The Perfect Patient.
Jade, a 17-year-old girl with no history of violence and no apparent mental health problems has been charged with killing a man, double her age, she’d never met, who the police had found been stabbed eleven times in her hotel suite. She remembers chatting with him at the bar, and then later both going up to her room. When she discovers the dead body, she sees that she is covered in blood down her legs and arms.
But she knows she didn’t kill him…
Now six months later, after dealing extensively with the police, Jade walks into her therapist’s office, Dr. Tara Black ready to answer the question … Is she a murderer? Dr Tara Black is her only hope of clearing her name by accessing her memories of that night.
But why are Jade’s parents scared when they find out what their daughter told her therapist about her childhood?
How far will Jade have to go, to prove her innocence? Who should she trust?
This gripping psychological thriller will have you hooked from the very first page to the last jaw-dropping twist.
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for my digital copy.
August 28, 2023
One morning, 17-year-old Jade Jameson wakes up in her father’s hotel. It’s a nice suite she chose to sleep in, but she’s not sure why she spent the night there. When she gets out of bed, she sees something on the floor. That something is a dead man named Carl Ress. The man over twice her age has been stabbed to death, and Jade has no idea what happened.
Dr. Tara Black is brought in to help with the case, and to see if Jade’s amnesia is real. This slight, sweet girl doesn’t seem like someone who could stab a man eleven times - she doesn’t even seem like the type to have a strange man in her hotel room. What happened that night, and did Jade’s family have anything to do with it?
Unfortunately, it looks like I’m an outlier with this one. I thought it was too cumbersome with characters who weren’t needed, and it was a slow burn, which I don’t care for. The writing was good, the actual premise for the plot has been done but is also good, yet something in this was lacking for me. I just didn’t care about any of the characters, not even the teenage girl who can’t remember if she’s a killer.
The book felt washed out in some places, generic in others, and overall was a miss for me. It looks like I’m in the minority though, so other crime/mystery fans may like it more! Three stars.
(Thank you to Bookouture, Luana Lewis and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on September 28, 2023.)
Dr. Tara Black is brought in to help with the case, and to see if Jade’s amnesia is real. This slight, sweet girl doesn’t seem like someone who could stab a man eleven times - she doesn’t even seem like the type to have a strange man in her hotel room. What happened that night, and did Jade’s family have anything to do with it?
Unfortunately, it looks like I’m an outlier with this one. I thought it was too cumbersome with characters who weren’t needed, and it was a slow burn, which I don’t care for. The writing was good, the actual premise for the plot has been done but is also good, yet something in this was lacking for me. I just didn’t care about any of the characters, not even the teenage girl who can’t remember if she’s a killer.
The book felt washed out in some places, generic in others, and overall was a miss for me. It looks like I’m in the minority though, so other crime/mystery fans may like it more! Three stars.
(Thank you to Bookouture, Luana Lewis and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on September 28, 2023.)
August 25, 2023
Jade wakes up in her father's hotel, only thing is, there is a man who's been stabbed to death. She has no recollection of what transpired before. As she is covered in blood, Jade is the number one suspect.
The family's attorney hires a therapist to help her memories surface as to what happened on that horrible night. Tara Black is drawn to Jade as she senses fear and uncertainty. As Tara dives deeper to uncover the truth, her family becomes uncooperative. Is Tara getting to close? Are there more secrets that could harm the family? Soon, it is apparent that digging could end up putting you six feet under.
I absolutely love stories involving psychologists and psychiatrists. They mesmerize me. The brain is a peculiar thing. The beginning started strong, the middle dragged a bit with repetition, and by the end I flew through this. This was an easy read. I just felt the twist has been overdone. Still an interesting read, no doubt.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Expected publication date is September 28th 2023
3.5 stars
The family's attorney hires a therapist to help her memories surface as to what happened on that horrible night. Tara Black is drawn to Jade as she senses fear and uncertainty. As Tara dives deeper to uncover the truth, her family becomes uncooperative. Is Tara getting to close? Are there more secrets that could harm the family? Soon, it is apparent that digging could end up putting you six feet under.
I absolutely love stories involving psychologists and psychiatrists. They mesmerize me. The brain is a peculiar thing. The beginning started strong, the middle dragged a bit with repetition, and by the end I flew through this. This was an easy read. I just felt the twist has been overdone. Still an interesting read, no doubt.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Expected publication date is September 28th 2023
3.5 stars
June 30, 2024
Visad suklūstu, kai romanus parašo psichologės ir psichologai - juk jų “arkliukas” klaidžioti sąmonės labirintais. Luana Lewis yra klinikinė psichologė ir dirba su medicininėmis-teisinėmis bylomis ir kartu rašo psichologinius romanus. Labai džiaugiuosi, kad ši knyga pateko į mano rankas.
Tara Blek neseniai pradėjo privačią savo praktiką ir gavo užsakymą įvertinti septyniolimetės Džeidės Džeimson psichinę būklę, kuri teigia jog neprisimena žiauraus nusikaltimo, kuriuo yra kaltinama. Tara pradeda gilintis į atvejį, kapstyti giliai ir visa ši istorija pavirsta neblogu trileriu. Apie šeimą išsiaiškina visokių dalykėlių, o ir pačios Taros praeitis turi kabliukų.
Psichologiniai dalykėliai man patinka. Taip pat psichologai kaip veikėjai taip pat. Tara sukurta ryžtinga, profesionali, tačiau ją veikia ir jos praeities įvykiai. Taros gyvenimo istorija tikrai įdomi, tik rašytoja labai nedetalizuoja. Nustebino ir atkaklumas - buvo daug ženklų, kurie Tarai liepė liautis, bet ji vis tiek bandė išsiaiškinti šeimos paslaptis. Gal kiek trūko įtaigumo, bet vis dėl to, istorija buvo įdomi, o puslapiai tiesiog tirpo.
Turbūt atskiro paminėjimo reikia Džeidės tėčiui. Tokio valdingo vyro dar reikia paieškoti. Jis moka manipuliuoti ir nori, kad viskas vyktų tik pagal jo taisykles. Tvirtas ir ryškus veikėjas, suvaidinęs labai svarbų vaidmenį visoje istorijoje. Bet visgi rašytoja kiek apdūmė akis - kai jau atrodė viskas aišku, vėl supainiojo visas kortas… Ir kartu iškėlė klausimą apie tai, kaip reikia gyventi su tokių žmogum, kuriam nėra stop mygtuko.
Romanas patiko. Be kelių nežymių kabliukų, aš mėgavausi skaitymu. Pagaulus romanas, kuris neleidžia atsitraukti. Rekomenduoju tiems, kas nori kiek lengvesnio skaitinio ir kam įdomu psichologinės vingrybės.
Tara Blek neseniai pradėjo privačią savo praktiką ir gavo užsakymą įvertinti septyniolimetės Džeidės Džeimson psichinę būklę, kuri teigia jog neprisimena žiauraus nusikaltimo, kuriuo yra kaltinama. Tara pradeda gilintis į atvejį, kapstyti giliai ir visa ši istorija pavirsta neblogu trileriu. Apie šeimą išsiaiškina visokių dalykėlių, o ir pačios Taros praeitis turi kabliukų.
Psichologiniai dalykėliai man patinka. Taip pat psichologai kaip veikėjai taip pat. Tara sukurta ryžtinga, profesionali, tačiau ją veikia ir jos praeities įvykiai. Taros gyvenimo istorija tikrai įdomi, tik rašytoja labai nedetalizuoja. Nustebino ir atkaklumas - buvo daug ženklų, kurie Tarai liepė liautis, bet ji vis tiek bandė išsiaiškinti šeimos paslaptis. Gal kiek trūko įtaigumo, bet vis dėl to, istorija buvo įdomi, o puslapiai tiesiog tirpo.
Turbūt atskiro paminėjimo reikia Džeidės tėčiui. Tokio valdingo vyro dar reikia paieškoti. Jis moka manipuliuoti ir nori, kad viskas vyktų tik pagal jo taisykles. Tvirtas ir ryškus veikėjas, suvaidinęs labai svarbų vaidmenį visoje istorijoje. Bet visgi rašytoja kiek apdūmė akis - kai jau atrodė viskas aišku, vėl supainiojo visas kortas… Ir kartu iškėlė klausimą apie tai, kaip reikia gyventi su tokių žmogum, kuriam nėra stop mygtuko.
Romanas patiko. Be kelių nežymių kabliukų, aš mėgavausi skaitymu. Pagaulus romanas, kuris neleidžia atsitraukti. Rekomenduoju tiems, kas nori kiek lengvesnio skaitinio ir kam įdomu psichologinės vingrybės.
September 29, 2023
Oh I did like this it really got me guessing, with the number of books I read that is hard, and the ending was just perfect, but it felt like it was lending towards a sequel as there are unanswered questions
The characters were well written although I was a bit sceptical of some of Tara's actions but then I read the author's biography so then I thought it was possible.
I was given an advance copy by Bookouture and netgalley but the review is entirely my own.
The characters were well written although I was a bit sceptical of some of Tara's actions but then I read the author's biography so then I thought it was possible.
I was given an advance copy by Bookouture and netgalley but the review is entirely my own.
August 18, 2023
3.5/5
This was an easy and fast paced read
I just feel like it felt flat. A lot happens and the characters are interesting. I just felt like it was missing something. I’m glad I read it. Tara is an interesting main character and her past is just as interesting as her present. You root for Jade even if you don’t know what to think of her.
Overall, a good read
This was an easy and fast paced read
I just feel like it felt flat. A lot happens and the characters are interesting. I just felt like it was missing something. I’m glad I read it. Tara is an interesting main character and her past is just as interesting as her present. You root for Jade even if you don’t know what to think of her.
Overall, a good read
June 23, 2024
"Kodėl su jokiais smurto atvejais anksčiau nesusidūrusi ir jokių psichologinių problemų neturinti paauglė galėjo nužudyti vyrą, kurio visai nepažinojo?
Nutylėti - ne tas pats, kas meluoti...
Svarbiausia šioje šeimoje - ištikimybė. Ištikimybė ir slaptumas.
Kiekvienas trokšta iškloti savo istoriją. Netgi žudikai.
Susidvejinusi asmenybė - tai tėra atsakas į ankstyvame amžiuje patirtą milžinišką traumą.
Nekalta mergina? Ar pavojinga žudikė? ".
Lengvai skaitėsi, įtraukianti knyga, su daug paslapčių ir nutylėjimų. Šeima turės ką slėpti, ir nenorės, kad tam tikri įvykiai iš praeities iškiltų į dienos šviesą.
Psichologė=detektyvė, kuri išnarplios istoriją ir sudės visus taškus ant "i".
Nutylėti - ne tas pats, kas meluoti...
Svarbiausia šioje šeimoje - ištikimybė. Ištikimybė ir slaptumas.
Kiekvienas trokšta iškloti savo istoriją. Netgi žudikai.
Susidvejinusi asmenybė - tai tėra atsakas į ankstyvame amžiuje patirtą milžinišką traumą.
Nekalta mergina? Ar pavojinga žudikė? ".
Lengvai skaitėsi, įtraukianti knyga, su daug paslapčių ir nutylėjimų. Šeima turės ką slėpti, ir nenorės, kad tam tikri įvykiai iš praeities iškiltų į dienos šviesą.
Psichologė=detektyvė, kuri išnarplios istoriją ir sudės visus taškus ant "i".
October 2, 2023
The Perfect Patient by Luana Lewis
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
Synopsis: The Perfect Patient is a gripping psychological thriller about Jade, and a constant back and fourth trying to uncover whether she is an innocent young girl? Or a dangerous killer?
As Jade begins to open up, her family suddenly halt the sessions, leaving the truth even harder to find. What is the secret someone is trying to stop from coming out? And what unthinkable danger will come if it is found out?
Trope: Murder, Wealthy Family, Powerful Family
Review: This book was really good I was hooked almost immediately, I did not guess any part of the book which made it even more gripping. I love the suspense and feeling of constant danger beyond the surface, overall all of my questions were answered. I do wish I knew a few more things.. I'm hoping there's a part 2 in the works!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
Synopsis: The Perfect Patient is a gripping psychological thriller about Jade, and a constant back and fourth trying to uncover whether she is an innocent young girl? Or a dangerous killer?
As Jade begins to open up, her family suddenly halt the sessions, leaving the truth even harder to find. What is the secret someone is trying to stop from coming out? And what unthinkable danger will come if it is found out?
Trope: Murder, Wealthy Family, Powerful Family
Review: This book was really good I was hooked almost immediately, I did not guess any part of the book which made it even more gripping. I love the suspense and feeling of constant danger beyond the surface, overall all of my questions were answered. I do wish I knew a few more things.. I'm hoping there's a part 2 in the works!
September 13, 2023
Wow, I really enjoyed this one. It was a little different I must say but kept me intrigued. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of the Perfect Patient by Luana Lewis.
This book was full of very complex characters that interacted in intense ways and little by little more information about them was revealed. This was a murder mystery and I am not sure I would categorize it as a thriller. It kept me engaged the whole time and I enjoyed myself while reading this book. I would recommend it to others who like murder mysteries. I gave it a 5 star rating.
This book was full of very complex characters that interacted in intense ways and little by little more information about them was revealed. This was a murder mystery and I am not sure I would categorize it as a thriller. It kept me engaged the whole time and I enjoyed myself while reading this book. I would recommend it to others who like murder mysteries. I gave it a 5 star rating.
May 29, 2024
Knygos nepavadinčiau trileriu ar detektyvu, tai labiau primena psichologinę dramą.
Labai patiko, kad nėra daug pamąstymų ir išvedžiojimų. Skyriai trumpi, todėl puslapiai verčiasi vienas po kito. Daug dramatiškų siužeto posūkių ir netikėtų įvykių.
Be to, patiko, kaip pavaizduota pagrindinė veikėja – drąsi psichologė, pasiryžusi žūtbūt padėti savo pacientams net ir ne pačiais etiškiausiais metodais.
Bet pabaigoje norėjosi sužinoti kad sukėlė avarija ir nužūdė Danieliu. Kažkaip pilnai nėra užbaigtas.
Labai patiko, kad nėra daug pamąstymų ir išvedžiojimų. Skyriai trumpi, todėl puslapiai verčiasi vienas po kito. Daug dramatiškų siužeto posūkių ir netikėtų įvykių.
Be to, patiko, kaip pavaizduota pagrindinė veikėja – drąsi psichologė, pasiryžusi žūtbūt padėti savo pacientams net ir ne pačiais etiškiausiais metodais.
Bet pabaigoje norėjosi sužinoti kad sukėlė avarija ir nužūdė Danieliu. Kažkaip pilnai nėra užbaigtas.
September 30, 2023
Not for me. Not gripping.
August 4, 2025
Nieko gero negaliu deja pasakyti...Knyga pusetina ir tikrai ne psichologinis trileris. Toks jausmas, kad autore dirbo psichologe/psichiatre ir staiga viena diena sugalvojo, kad ji rasytoja ir sudejo kazkokia nei sioka nei anokia istorija ant popieriaus. Istesta istorija, daug neaiskiu painiu faktu apie tapatypes sutrikima, koncentruotasi I daug nereiksmingu detaliu, O daug klausimu taip ir liko pakibusiu ore- kas nuzude Danieli, kur Matju, kas nuzude ju tevus, ar Rejus tikrasis Dzeides tevas, kas suzalojo Nura- t.t ir pan. Ne knyga, o kazkokia nenuosekli makalyne... ir kad jau arteju prie pamastymu tai koks Taros tikrasis vardas ir kodel jei ji galvojo, kad Danieli nuzude Rejus- toliau dirbo su jo dukra, kazkas is fantastikos miglos😅
October 21, 2023
My Review 📕
The Perfect Patient is one of the best psychological thrillers that I’ve read in a while. This book gripped me right from the prologue and that grip tightened all the more as I progressed through this unputdownable read. Of course as I do read quite a lot of thrillers I was certain I had it all sussed but boy was I proved wrong time and time again. There was a couple of times where I actually did gasp out loud. There were a couple of unanswered questions I felt at the end and I’m hoping there may be a sequel where we learn more about Tara , one of the main protagonist’s and her past life.. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Perfect Patient is one of the best psychological thrillers that I’ve read in a while. This book gripped me right from the prologue and that grip tightened all the more as I progressed through this unputdownable read. Of course as I do read quite a lot of thrillers I was certain I had it all sussed but boy was I proved wrong time and time again. There was a couple of times where I actually did gasp out loud. There were a couple of unanswered questions I felt at the end and I’m hoping there may be a sequel where we learn more about Tara , one of the main protagonist’s and her past life.. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 3, 2023
From the first chapter, I was intrigued. The author was able to come up with a creative storyline that I have yet to read in other books. The ending did leave me pondering one small thing but gives an implication of an answer. This is a great mind twist.
March 2, 2025
Tai istorija apie neaiškiomis aplinkybėmis padarytą nusikaltimą, kurio centre atsiduria septyniolikmetė Džeidė. Paskiriama daktarė Tara Blek, kuri turi įvertinti merginos psichologinę būklę ir padėti išsiaiškinti tikrą tiesą, kadangi mergina neprisimena įvykdžius šio žiauraus nusikaltimo. Kapstantis giliau, psichologė susiduria su įvairiais sunkumais, nes pasirodo Džeidės šeima turi daug tamsių paslapčių, kurios nuves į nesuvokiamą pavojų...Įtraukiantis psichologinis romanas, kuriame netrūko tamsos, paslapčių, praeities įvykių, gilių sukrėtimų. Pabaiga tikrai buvo kiek netikėta, nors liko ir daug neatsakytų klausimų...
March 16, 2025
3.5/5
/ „Visi mes daug kuo rizikuojame. Bet visi galime būti nugalėtojai.“ /
Man labai patinka psichologiniai trileriai, kurie būna kupini intrigos ir viena po kitos į paviršių kylančių paslapčių, stiprių charakterių veikėjų, logiškai paaiškinamų poelgių, o, svarbiausia, kai užvertus paskutinius puslapius, nebelieka jokių neatsakytų klausimų. Ar šis buvo būtent toks? Ir taip, ir ne.
Stipriausias knygos aspektas – įdomus, sunkiai nuspėjamas siužetas, ir, sakyčiau, kaip trileriams ir detektyvams, kur jau atrodo nebeįmanoma sugalvoti kažko dar neskaityto, visai originalus. O didžiausias pliusas už tai, kad visa tai, kas atrodė keista ar net antgamtiška, galiausiai susidėliojo į vietas ir įgavo logišką paaiškinimą.
Silpnoji dalis – kiek per daug paviršutiniški, nuobodoki veikėjų charakteriai, nekeliantys susižavėjimo ir turintys nemažai spragų. Vienintelė Džeidė man čia buvo įvairialypė, kurią analizuoti kuo toliau, tuo darėsi vis įdomiau. O psichologė, žadėjusi būti labiausiai intriguojantis personažas, man kėlė prieštaringus jausmus, kol galiausiai pradėjo erzinti. Čia ji labiau atliko detektyvės, o ne psichologės darbą, nes pacientės poelgių bei charakterio analizės iš jos man čia pritrūko.
Ir nors skaityti buvo įdomu bei lengva (puslapiai, rodos, vertėsi savaime), man pritrūko įtampos ir smalsumą kurstančios intrigos. Kulminacija gana stipri ir pagauli, bet pabaiga sukėlė dvejopus jausmus – lyg įdomi, lyg ir viskas daugiau mažiau išsisprendė, bet kartu ji man pasirodė nepakankamai išpildyta, su per daug paliktų palaidų galų. Viliuosi, kad autorė ruošia istorijos tęsinį, nes tik taip galėčiau logiškai paaiškinti skyles, kurios liko neužkamšytos.
Ar rekomenduoju? Nei taip, nei ne. Tiems, kurie mėgsta lengvas, greitas, per daug niekuo neišskirtines istorijas, manau, patiks, bet tie, kuriems patinka rasti gylio, įdomius veikėjus ir vietos analizei, bijau, teks nusivilti.
/ „Visi mes daug kuo rizikuojame. Bet visi galime būti nugalėtojai.“ /
Man labai patinka psichologiniai trileriai, kurie būna kupini intrigos ir viena po kitos į paviršių kylančių paslapčių, stiprių charakterių veikėjų, logiškai paaiškinamų poelgių, o, svarbiausia, kai užvertus paskutinius puslapius, nebelieka jokių neatsakytų klausimų. Ar šis buvo būtent toks? Ir taip, ir ne.
Stipriausias knygos aspektas – įdomus, sunkiai nuspėjamas siužetas, ir, sakyčiau, kaip trileriams ir detektyvams, kur jau atrodo nebeįmanoma sugalvoti kažko dar neskaityto, visai originalus. O didžiausias pliusas už tai, kad visa tai, kas atrodė keista ar net antgamtiška, galiausiai susidėliojo į vietas ir įgavo logišką paaiškinimą.
Silpnoji dalis – kiek per daug paviršutiniški, nuobodoki veikėjų charakteriai, nekeliantys susižavėjimo ir turintys nemažai spragų. Vienintelė Džeidė man čia buvo įvairialypė, kurią analizuoti kuo toliau, tuo darėsi vis įdomiau. O psichologė, žadėjusi būti labiausiai intriguojantis personažas, man kėlė prieštaringus jausmus, kol galiausiai pradėjo erzinti. Čia ji labiau atliko detektyvės, o ne psichologės darbą, nes pacientės poelgių bei charakterio analizės iš jos man čia pritrūko.
Ir nors skaityti buvo įdomu bei lengva (puslapiai, rodos, vertėsi savaime), man pritrūko įtampos ir smalsumą kurstančios intrigos. Kulminacija gana stipri ir pagauli, bet pabaiga sukėlė dvejopus jausmus – lyg įdomi, lyg ir viskas daugiau mažiau išsisprendė, bet kartu ji man pasirodė nepakankamai išpildyta, su per daug paliktų palaidų galų. Viliuosi, kad autorė ruošia istorijos tęsinį, nes tik taip galėčiau logiškai paaiškinti skyles, kurios liko neužkamšytos.
Ar rekomenduoju? Nei taip, nei ne. Tiems, kurie mėgsta lengvas, greitas, per daug niekuo neišskirtines istorijas, manau, patiks, bet tie, kuriems patinka rasti gylio, įdomius veikėjus ir vietos analizei, bijau, teks nusivilti.
November 16, 2023
The Perfect Patient by Luana Lewis was a brilliant psychological thriller, which was gripping from the very beginning till the very end. It was full of brilliant twists and turn that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat, which made it a brilliant page turner. This was a book that kept me guessing right till the end......
I highly recommend this book especially as Luana Lewis is a new author to me - 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Just Brilliant!
Big Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.
I highly recommend this book especially as Luana Lewis is a new author to me - 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Just Brilliant!
Big Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.
September 12, 2023
THE PERFECT PATIENT captured my attention right away. I wanted to know if Jade had killed Carl or not. I found her step-parents to be quite odd and thought something was definitely not right with either of them. I did like Tara's character, despite all the things that were happening to her she was not a quitter. Overall, I did find this to be a very enjoyable read. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, I would recommend reading this one.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my gifted copy.
This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my gifted copy.
This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
June 5, 2025
Knyga skaitosi lengvai tik šis šiek tiek prailgo, norėjosi gal daugiau siužeto vingių ar šiek tiek įtampos.
Psichologei Tarai tenka dirbti su jauna mergina Džeide, kuri kaltinama žmogžudyste. Džeidė nieko nepamena, bent jau taip pati teigia, o Tara bando išsiaiškinti ar ji apsimeta ar jai tikrai psichologinis atminties praradimas. Bet kuo giliau Tara bando aiškintis tuo daugiau šios merginos šeimos paslapčių išlenda. Psichologė atkakli ir ryžtinga tik ar pačiai jai nekils pavojus besigilinant į šios šeimos paslaptis, o ir ar jos pačios praeities įvykiai nesukliudys padėti merginai.
Knygoje yra įdomių siužeto vingių, ir pabaiga tikrai ne tokia kokia tikėjausi. Bet viskas gražiai išsirutuliavo be jokių didelių netikėtumų. Rekomenduoju tiems, kurie nori kiek lengvesnio skaitinio ir kam patinka psichologiniai trileriai
Psichologei Tarai tenka dirbti su jauna mergina Džeide, kuri kaltinama žmogžudyste. Džeidė nieko nepamena, bent jau taip pati teigia, o Tara bando išsiaiškinti ar ji apsimeta ar jai tikrai psichologinis atminties praradimas. Bet kuo giliau Tara bando aiškintis tuo daugiau šios merginos šeimos paslapčių išlenda. Psichologė atkakli ir ryžtinga tik ar pačiai jai nekils pavojus besigilinant į šios šeimos paslaptis, o ir ar jos pačios praeities įvykiai nesukliudys padėti merginai.
Knygoje yra įdomių siužeto vingių, ir pabaiga tikrai ne tokia kokia tikėjausi. Bet viskas gražiai išsirutuliavo be jokių didelių netikėtumų. Rekomenduoju tiems, kurie nori kiek lengvesnio skaitinio ir kam patinka psichologiniai trileriai
February 21, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the opportunity to ARC read The Perfect Patient by Luana Lewis
I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this read! It kept me hooked for the entire story, and I couldn't put it down because I was gripped and felt like I needed to know what was happening!
I do think the twist itself was pretty predictable and didn't give me any kind of jaw dropping/shock factor, but it was still a fun read overall and I think people who are newer to the thriller genre wouldn't necessarily guess the twist.
Overall, really enjoyed and would recommend!
4/5
I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this read! It kept me hooked for the entire story, and I couldn't put it down because I was gripped and felt like I needed to know what was happening!
I do think the twist itself was pretty predictable and didn't give me any kind of jaw dropping/shock factor, but it was still a fun read overall and I think people who are newer to the thriller genre wouldn't necessarily guess the twist.
Overall, really enjoyed and would recommend!
4/5
November 21, 2024
"Kiekvienas trokšta iškloti savo istoriją. Netgi žudikai."
September 28, 2023
The Perfect Patient
By: Luana Lewis
314 pages
Publisher: Bookouture
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Synopsis:
An innocent young girl? Or a dangerous killer?
The first time I meet Jade, I can’t help but be impressed by her. Young, smart and confident, she’s everything I wish I had been at 18. But Jade isn’t any ordinary teenager – she’s accused of murdering a man twice her age. And it’s my job to find out the truth.
As we settle down to talk, I sense something change in Jade – a hardness to her answers and an unwillingness to co-operate. She claims she didn’t kill him, but I’m not sure I believe her.
When she starts skipping sessions, I visit her family home unannounced and I immediately regret it. Her father makes it clear I’m not welcome, her mother seems to stay in the shadows. What are they hiding?
As Jade begins to open up, her family suddenly halt the sessions, and I know I’m close to finding out the truth. Then I spy a late night visitor standing outside my little cottage watching my every move. What is the secret someone is trying to stop from coming out? And could I have put myself in unthinkable danger?
This absolutely gripping psychological thriller will have you hooked from the very first page to the last jaw-dropping twist. Perfect for fans of The Housemaid, The Girl on the Train and The Perfect Marriage.
My thoughts:
I can tell the authors training with psychology really worked well with this novel.
Jane has been accused of killing a man. She has no history of mental problems and seems to come from a stable family. Is she the true killer or a good lier?
This novel and the investigation into her background and the murder was fascinating. I studied both Psychology and Journalism in college and enjoyed the twists.
Does Janes family know more about what happened? Janes is sedated quite a bit and is kind of in a trance part of the time. As Dr. Tara Black tries to talk to Jade, her family and others she must sort the truth!
#bookouture, #bookreview, #booktour, #stamperlady50, #theperfectpatient, #booksconnectus
August 23, 2023
What a read! I was swallowed up by this book from the start to the very end and could not put it down for love nor money.
This is the first book I have read by this author but it most definitely not be the last, what a storyteller.
I absolutely loved the mix of characters within this book. The quiet, polite and timid, the bolshy, arrogant and controlling... all mixed up and blended beautifully to produce this simmering pot of brilliance.
This is only one of a few books I've read that portrays DID Syndrome and with each one I grow more and more intrigued.
Dr Tara Black is called upon as an expert witness in a case where 17 year old Jade is accused of killing a man in a room at the hotel her father owns. Jade doesn't have any recollection of anything about that night. Her parents have the money to get her the best legal help possible, they just need Tara on side to diagnose amnesia, but Tara wants to dig deeper and the further she digs the more resistance sue is met with. With resistance comes secrets... just what those secrets are is what Tara wants the answers to.
Can Dr Black get the answers she needs before too much trouble comes her way?
I loved the small snippets of the past timeline which were slipped in seamlessly throughout the story, these not only awarded the reader with information to build the trepidation but it built up the atmosphere fantastically.
There were a few unanswered questions at the end... who really killed Daniel? What happened to Matthew? Who was the man in the balaclava?.. usually this would really grate on me but for some reason in this book it didnt feel unfinished. Not everything in life can be answered now can it?
This was one hell of a captivating, spine tingling, twisty read that is still sat in my brain and still leaving me reeling now.
Huge thanks to netgalley and Bookouture.
This is the first book I have read by this author but it most definitely not be the last, what a storyteller.
I absolutely loved the mix of characters within this book. The quiet, polite and timid, the bolshy, arrogant and controlling... all mixed up and blended beautifully to produce this simmering pot of brilliance.
This is only one of a few books I've read that portrays DID Syndrome and with each one I grow more and more intrigued.
Dr Tara Black is called upon as an expert witness in a case where 17 year old Jade is accused of killing a man in a room at the hotel her father owns. Jade doesn't have any recollection of anything about that night. Her parents have the money to get her the best legal help possible, they just need Tara on side to diagnose amnesia, but Tara wants to dig deeper and the further she digs the more resistance sue is met with. With resistance comes secrets... just what those secrets are is what Tara wants the answers to.
Can Dr Black get the answers she needs before too much trouble comes her way?
I loved the small snippets of the past timeline which were slipped in seamlessly throughout the story, these not only awarded the reader with information to build the trepidation but it built up the atmosphere fantastically.
There were a few unanswered questions at the end... who really killed Daniel? What happened to Matthew? Who was the man in the balaclava?.. usually this would really grate on me but for some reason in this book it didnt feel unfinished. Not everything in life can be answered now can it?
This was one hell of a captivating, spine tingling, twisty read that is still sat in my brain and still leaving me reeling now.
Huge thanks to netgalley and Bookouture.
August 30, 2023
Una adolescent que es desperta en una habitació amb un cadàver, però sense recordar res del que ha passat. La premisa d'aquest thriller psicològic em va atraure desde el primer moment. Un cop el vaig començar, em va sorprendre veure que el llibre no està escrit desde el punt de vista de l'adolescent, sinó d'una psicòloga que ha de determinar si la seva amnèsia és real.
La trama està ben construïda, resulta interessant, però arriba un punt que com a llibre autoconclusiu, atavala una mica. Masses coses, masses fronts oberts. El final ha confirmat els meus temors, hi ha coses que queden obertes, i no hi ha res que indiqui si hi haurà una continuació o no.
Tot i això ha estat una bona lectura. És un thriller psicològic que fàcilment t'atrapa entre les seves pàgines.
Moltes gràcies a Netgalley per facilitar-me un exemplar d'aquest llibre.
La trama està ben construïda, resulta interessant, però arriba un punt que com a llibre autoconclusiu, atavala una mica. Masses coses, masses fronts oberts. El final ha confirmat els meus temors, hi ha coses que queden obertes, i no hi ha res que indiqui si hi haurà una continuació o no.
Tot i això ha estat una bona lectura. És un thriller psicològic que fàcilment t'atrapa entre les seves pàgines.
Moltes gràcies a Netgalley per facilitar-me un exemplar d'aquest llibre.
September 1, 2025
The premise was very intriguing, but the book felt overdone in some places, generic and flat in others. I doubt that professional psychologist and psychiatrist would be so misled by all other characters.
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