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Denial
How is it that the toxic personality of one individual is allowed to impact the lives of so many? How is it that unrestrained destructiveness and ill-gotten gains are never called into question, and their purveyors never suffer any consequences? Certainly, such behavior did not start with just one person or the family before them. It most certainly has to have begun all the way back amid a contaminated culture—in part, from an Appalachian aristocracy. It had to have begun during a time when women were thought of as chattel, and the law of the land had first been laid down by the egotistical urgings of some very powerful parties. Denial is a fictional account that focuses on two women impacted by such egotistical urges, the two of them long-suffering from bouts of emotional turmoil, are heiress Katherine Baird and her eccentric mother, Cybil. It is these poor souls who stumble through life after having been emotionally scarred by one Leonard Baird, both father, and husband to the women, and it is the mother’s cleverness during a long-ago and seemingly ill-fortuned event that changes their lives, establishing a precedent that surfaces in their future after great drama and lethal undoing. Come experience how a woman’s cunning casts the blameworthy Baird into standing judgment, not only by society’s equitable measures but by the narcissistic man’s collapsing conscience as well.
496 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2024
3 people are currently reading
3107 people want to read
About the author
Remington Arquette
1 book18 followersI received my BA in Media Arts from Brooklyn College. During my schooling, I was a contributing Editor of the school’s newspaper, Vanguard. For a number of summers thereafter, I interned with several aspiring bands in the New York area, an experience I found to be very lucrative and exciting. Currently, however, I work remotely for an international cloud storage facility, sharing my apartment with my cats, Parmesan and Romano. In my free time, you will find me either reading or writing, or visiting with friends and family from around the country. I have long since been smitten with the written word and strive to someday share my inspirations with the world.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 30, 2024
"Denial," by Remington Arquette, is a book that is not for a casual read. It is, however, a book that a more mature reader would enjoy. A bit of a fair warning, there are triggers in this book.
First, what I didn't like. I wouldn't say I liked the time jumping, though it does work for this novel.
Now, for what I did like. I loved the way it showed the corruption of that time. When you go back in time, this was common where women were treated as subservient creatures to be seen and not heard. Women meant nothing. It was a patriarchal time. The treatment of women was ghoulish. Trauma has a way of clinging to the psyche, which is what Arquette portrayed excellently. You don't often find books that focus on the mental aspects of trauma and how that damage carries with you.
I love the attention to detail, particularly of the characters. They are rich in development. You get a great feel for each of the characters in the book, and you cannot help but love and feel for Katherine. The words paint a vivid picture. When you read this, you will view it as the epitome of the famous quote by Lord Acton. “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men even when they exercise influence and not authority; still more when you superadd the tendency of the certainty of corruption by authority.”
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves period pieces, drama, thriller-style, and non-linear works of fiction.
First, what I didn't like. I wouldn't say I liked the time jumping, though it does work for this novel.
Now, for what I did like. I loved the way it showed the corruption of that time. When you go back in time, this was common where women were treated as subservient creatures to be seen and not heard. Women meant nothing. It was a patriarchal time. The treatment of women was ghoulish. Trauma has a way of clinging to the psyche, which is what Arquette portrayed excellently. You don't often find books that focus on the mental aspects of trauma and how that damage carries with you.
I love the attention to detail, particularly of the characters. They are rich in development. You get a great feel for each of the characters in the book, and you cannot help but love and feel for Katherine. The words paint a vivid picture. When you read this, you will view it as the epitome of the famous quote by Lord Acton. “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men even when they exercise influence and not authority; still more when you superadd the tendency of the certainty of corruption by authority.”
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves period pieces, drama, thriller-style, and non-linear works of fiction.
May 16, 2024
Remington Arquette's "Denial" delves deep into the intricacies of toxic family dynamics and the far-reaching consequences of unchecked power and privilege. Set against the backdrop of an Appalachian aristocracy, this alpha-male romance is a gripping tale of betrayal, redemption, and the resilience of the human spirit.
At the heart of "Denial" are Katherine Baird and her mother, Cybil, two women ensnared in the web of Leonard Baird's toxic influence. Leonard, patriarch of the Baird family, casts a long shadow over their lives, leaving a trail of emotional turmoil in his wake. As Katherine and Cybil navigate the fallout of Leonard's actions, they must confront their own demons and find the strength to break free from his suffocating grasp.
Arquette's narrative is a masterclass in plot development, weaving together strands of past and present to create a tapestry of intrigue and suspense. From the murky depths of Appalachian history to the present-day consequences of Leonard's deeds, the story unfolds with a relentless momentum that keeps readers captivated from beginning to end. Each twist and turn reveals new layers of complexity, drawing readers deeper into the tangled web of the Baird family's secrets.
Character development is another standout aspect of "Denial." Katherine and Cybil are portrayed with depth and nuance, their struggles and triumphs resonating with authenticity. As they grapple with the legacy of Leonard's abuse, they undergo a journey of self-discovery and empowerment that is both inspiring and heart-wrenching to witness. Arquette deftly captures the complexities of their relationships, from the fraught bond between mother and daughter to the tumultuous dynamics of love and betrayal.
Fans of alpha-male romance will find much to love in "Denial." Arquette's depiction of Leonard as a narcissistic antagonist adds a compelling layer of tension to the story, as Katherine and Cybil confront his manipulative tactics and strive to break free from his control. The novel's exploration of power dynamics and the impact of toxic masculinity on interpersonal relationships will resonate with readers who enjoy stories of resilience and redemption in the face of adversity.
"Denial" is a gripping and thought-provoking read that transcends the confines of its genre. Arquette's deft handling of complex themes and vivid storytelling make for an unforgettable reading experience that will linger in readers' minds long after they've turned the final page. For fans of alpha-male romance seeking a story that combines heart-pounding drama with emotional depth, "Denial" is a must-read.
At the heart of "Denial" are Katherine Baird and her mother, Cybil, two women ensnared in the web of Leonard Baird's toxic influence. Leonard, patriarch of the Baird family, casts a long shadow over their lives, leaving a trail of emotional turmoil in his wake. As Katherine and Cybil navigate the fallout of Leonard's actions, they must confront their own demons and find the strength to break free from his suffocating grasp.
Arquette's narrative is a masterclass in plot development, weaving together strands of past and present to create a tapestry of intrigue and suspense. From the murky depths of Appalachian history to the present-day consequences of Leonard's deeds, the story unfolds with a relentless momentum that keeps readers captivated from beginning to end. Each twist and turn reveals new layers of complexity, drawing readers deeper into the tangled web of the Baird family's secrets.
Character development is another standout aspect of "Denial." Katherine and Cybil are portrayed with depth and nuance, their struggles and triumphs resonating with authenticity. As they grapple with the legacy of Leonard's abuse, they undergo a journey of self-discovery and empowerment that is both inspiring and heart-wrenching to witness. Arquette deftly captures the complexities of their relationships, from the fraught bond between mother and daughter to the tumultuous dynamics of love and betrayal.
Fans of alpha-male romance will find much to love in "Denial." Arquette's depiction of Leonard as a narcissistic antagonist adds a compelling layer of tension to the story, as Katherine and Cybil confront his manipulative tactics and strive to break free from his control. The novel's exploration of power dynamics and the impact of toxic masculinity on interpersonal relationships will resonate with readers who enjoy stories of resilience and redemption in the face of adversity.
"Denial" is a gripping and thought-provoking read that transcends the confines of its genre. Arquette's deft handling of complex themes and vivid storytelling make for an unforgettable reading experience that will linger in readers' minds long after they've turned the final page. For fans of alpha-male romance seeking a story that combines heart-pounding drama with emotional depth, "Denial" is a must-read.
August 23, 2025
Just now finishing this read, because life happened. Thanks for the opportunity, Goodreads. Remington, keep going with your writing. This was entertaining and different than I normally read. Like some of the other reviewers, the time jumps sometimes got me, but it was fine in the end. It didn’t have too many characters, and the ones that were in it were pretty likable. Maybe a few trigger warnings for some folks, but there are not graphic depictions.
May 16, 2024
The writing is very good. There were a few things I didn't like about this book. The formatting on the e-book was a little suboptimal, but not bad. The story was a bit complicated in places, and I found myself several times having to backtrack to figure out who was doing what. But, overall, it was a good effort. If you enjoy books that are psychological and a little dark, you might like this.
February 20, 2024
Denial is a story of an Appalachian aristocratic family with a toxic environment run by the patriarch. With relationships built on ghast secrets, compromises and a perturbing legacy that haunts the Baird family, all of this brunt is bore by our main protagonist Katherine, the "little sweetie pie" daughter of Leonard and Cybil Baird. As we are introduced to this peculiar family, Katherine is on the verge of relapse to her catatonic stage deteriorating her mental stability due to a certain incident. In a similar way, that haunted the Baird family thirteen years ago on that fateful night.
For years, Katherine had locked all these painful memories deep down in her subconscious. But now the effects of the recent events are wreaking havoc again on the spuriously constructed peace of the family. All that seems is not true and all that is true is for Katherine to find out. This novel is not for beginners by all means. It is best suited for mature readers as the plot could be disturbing and triggering for some. It features events of abuse, incest and childhood pregnancy.
Keeping the plot of the book aside, I'd like to appreciate the wonderful writing of the author. Remington masterfully constructs her words that state something normal paired with a heavy-hitting metaphor that makes the readers understand the gravity of the situation and the unavoidable dilemma the characters find themselves in. It won't be wrong to place this novel in the sub-genre of a thriller as the plot and its events are interconnected to one another spanning for decades unfolding itself to us as a slow-burner.
The book follows a Nolanesque style of story-telling (although Christopher Nolan is not the first person to use this technique, he has evidently made it popular), shifting through the timelines in a non-linear fashion. This style suits the novel, keeping the plot and its chronology of transpiring events in mind. The narrative style also oscillates, although the story is third-person styled, to give us a glance through the minds of the characters.
Writing about the topic of trauma-induced mental illness that is seldom discussed, the author guides us through this uncomfortable yet supportive journey of understanding the disease sublimely crafting a meaningful story around it. This is one of the rare books I had to keep down and revisit multiple times due to the gravitas of the story depicted. However hard it might be to read, "Denial", aptly named for its content, is the reality of many lives in our society that deserves to be told, both to spread awareness and appreciate the craft of storytelling brilliance.
Although centuries apart, I can't help but consider Remington Arquette with the likes of Virginia Woolf or Sylvia Plath based on her choice of both words and topic. Her being able to convey this story perfectly is just the cherry on top like the tip of an iceberg.
If you are brave enough to give yourself a floor test of your endurance ability, "Denial" should be on the top priority of your TBR list. Because this is a book that is going to stay with you much after you finish reading it.
For years, Katherine had locked all these painful memories deep down in her subconscious. But now the effects of the recent events are wreaking havoc again on the spuriously constructed peace of the family. All that seems is not true and all that is true is for Katherine to find out. This novel is not for beginners by all means. It is best suited for mature readers as the plot could be disturbing and triggering for some. It features events of abuse, incest and childhood pregnancy.
Keeping the plot of the book aside, I'd like to appreciate the wonderful writing of the author. Remington masterfully constructs her words that state something normal paired with a heavy-hitting metaphor that makes the readers understand the gravity of the situation and the unavoidable dilemma the characters find themselves in. It won't be wrong to place this novel in the sub-genre of a thriller as the plot and its events are interconnected to one another spanning for decades unfolding itself to us as a slow-burner.
The book follows a Nolanesque style of story-telling (although Christopher Nolan is not the first person to use this technique, he has evidently made it popular), shifting through the timelines in a non-linear fashion. This style suits the novel, keeping the plot and its chronology of transpiring events in mind. The narrative style also oscillates, although the story is third-person styled, to give us a glance through the minds of the characters.
Writing about the topic of trauma-induced mental illness that is seldom discussed, the author guides us through this uncomfortable yet supportive journey of understanding the disease sublimely crafting a meaningful story around it. This is one of the rare books I had to keep down and revisit multiple times due to the gravitas of the story depicted. However hard it might be to read, "Denial", aptly named for its content, is the reality of many lives in our society that deserves to be told, both to spread awareness and appreciate the craft of storytelling brilliance.
Although centuries apart, I can't help but consider Remington Arquette with the likes of Virginia Woolf or Sylvia Plath based on her choice of both words and topic. Her being able to convey this story perfectly is just the cherry on top like the tip of an iceberg.
If you are brave enough to give yourself a floor test of your endurance ability, "Denial" should be on the top priority of your TBR list. Because this is a book that is going to stay with you much after you finish reading it.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews