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The Patient's Secret
Sharon Stevenson is a forensic psychiatrist. Her job is to decide whether a patient is of sound enough mind to stand trial, not whether they did or didn’t commit a crime.
But Sharon is also a mother grieving the disappearance of her seventeen-year-old daughter, Maddie, who has never been found.
And what if the man sitting before her, who has been charged with the murders of several women, also claimed the life of her sweet girl?
It’s time to find out the truth.
An unputdownable psychological thriller about a dangerous cat-and-mouse game between a mother desperate for the truth and the killer she believes has the answers. A gripping read for fans of The Silent Patient, Mike Omer and Freida McFadden.
But Sharon is also a mother grieving the disappearance of her seventeen-year-old daughter, Maddie, who has never been found.
And what if the man sitting before her, who has been charged with the murders of several women, also claimed the life of her sweet girl?
It’s time to find out the truth.
An unputdownable psychological thriller about a dangerous cat-and-mouse game between a mother desperate for the truth and the killer she believes has the answers. A gripping read for fans of The Silent Patient, Mike Omer and Freida McFadden.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 5, 2024
381 people are currently reading
848 people want to read
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December 30, 2023
This is an intense deep-dive into the psyche, with building tension as the clock ticks. If you love series like mindhunter, this book might just be what you need.
In the patient’s secrets we witness interviews between Sharon, a well-known psychiatrist and Kevin, a serial-killer responsible for 28 deaths. Sharon’s professional judgment is challenged. Is Kevin a manipulative serial killer who gets under her skin, or is there something else going on?
The novel is good at raising those questions and making the reader wonder about what’s going on. There was a steady flow of new information that kept the reader engaged. As you started to get to know Kevin, you were already invested in his faith. But if you think you know how it will end, think again.
I just want to add something I found on Google about dissociative identity disorder since at one point the psychiatrist wishes there was some way to look at their brain to confirm a diagnosis:
Prefrontal dysfunction is frequently reported in dissociative disorders. Functional changes in other cortical and subcortical areas can be correlated with these diagnoses. Further studies are needed to clarify the neurofunctional correlations of each dissociative disorder in affected patients, in order to identify better tailored treatments.
I also want to add that serial killers are rarer than DID, and I think the book could have mentioned that.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
In the patient’s secrets we witness interviews between Sharon, a well-known psychiatrist and Kevin, a serial-killer responsible for 28 deaths. Sharon’s professional judgment is challenged. Is Kevin a manipulative serial killer who gets under her skin, or is there something else going on?
The novel is good at raising those questions and making the reader wonder about what’s going on. There was a steady flow of new information that kept the reader engaged. As you started to get to know Kevin, you were already invested in his faith. But if you think you know how it will end, think again.
I just want to add something I found on Google about dissociative identity disorder since at one point the psychiatrist wishes there was some way to look at their brain to confirm a diagnosis:
Prefrontal dysfunction is frequently reported in dissociative disorders. Functional changes in other cortical and subcortical areas can be correlated with these diagnoses. Further studies are needed to clarify the neurofunctional correlations of each dissociative disorder in affected patients, in order to identify better tailored treatments.
I also want to add that serial killers are rarer than DID, and I think the book could have mentioned that.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
February 25, 2025
4.5⭐
Genre ~ psychological fiction
Setting ~ Wyoming in the 1990's
Publication date ~ February 5, 2024
Est page Count ~ 323 (50 chapters)
POV ~ single 1st
Featuring ~ debut, serial killer, psychiatrist
As interesting as it was, I do feel like Chapter 1 should actually have been listed as a prologue because it comes from the accused on death row in the 1st person, while the rest of the story comes from Sharon in the 1st as well.
The Blue River Strangler has turned himself in and confessed to murdering 28 young women. There is no doubt he committed these crimes because his DNA has been linked to some of the bodies.
Dr. Sharon Stevenson is a forensic psychiatrist that evaluates the accused to determine if they're competent enough to stand trial. When she begins the interview process with Kevin she soon realizes there's much more to him then meets the eye.
She strongly believes Kevin has DID, or dissociative identity disorder. DID is said to be very uncommon, so she's having a tough time getting anyone to believe her. Successfully diagnosing him could not only help her career, but also save him from death row, so she becomes borderline obsessed with proving her theory. But is there a blurred line because Sharon's daughter is missing and she might be one of his victims not yet discovered? Honestly Sharon didn't seem too broken up about her daughter because their relationship was already strained before she went missing. She's not overly likable, but seems to be good at her job and she lets you know she's one of the best in the country.
The knowledge put forth in the novel shows since Falk studied Psychology, Neuroscience, and Criminology. During this time, he not only studied serial killers and their pathologies, but he also studied the anatomy and physiology of mental illness. To further gain experience in the field, Falk worked as a mental health counselor at a residential treatment facility for children who were victims of physical and/or sexual abuse.
Overall, I was impressed with this debut. It's fast paced with a couple edge of the seat moments to keep the momentum going. Could I have figured out the twist earlier on, probably so, but it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment. It's well written and I thought I was actually reading about a real case. Maybe because there are quite a bit of real serial killer name drops.
Side note ~ you know how some words just grate on your nerves when you read them over and over again? Well this one was "nuh-uh."
*Thanks to the author, Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
You can preorder your copy on Amazon.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Genre ~ psychological fiction
Setting ~ Wyoming in the 1990's
Publication date ~ February 5, 2024
Est page Count ~ 323 (50 chapters)
POV ~ single 1st
Featuring ~ debut, serial killer, psychiatrist
As interesting as it was, I do feel like Chapter 1 should actually have been listed as a prologue because it comes from the accused on death row in the 1st person, while the rest of the story comes from Sharon in the 1st as well.
The Blue River Strangler has turned himself in and confessed to murdering 28 young women. There is no doubt he committed these crimes because his DNA has been linked to some of the bodies.
Dr. Sharon Stevenson is a forensic psychiatrist that evaluates the accused to determine if they're competent enough to stand trial. When she begins the interview process with Kevin she soon realizes there's much more to him then meets the eye.
She strongly believes Kevin has DID, or dissociative identity disorder. DID is said to be very uncommon, so she's having a tough time getting anyone to believe her. Successfully diagnosing him could not only help her career, but also save him from death row, so she becomes borderline obsessed with proving her theory. But is there a blurred line because Sharon's daughter is missing and she might be one of his victims not yet discovered? Honestly Sharon didn't seem too broken up about her daughter because their relationship was already strained before she went missing. She's not overly likable, but seems to be good at her job and she lets you know she's one of the best in the country.
The knowledge put forth in the novel shows since Falk studied Psychology, Neuroscience, and Criminology. During this time, he not only studied serial killers and their pathologies, but he also studied the anatomy and physiology of mental illness. To further gain experience in the field, Falk worked as a mental health counselor at a residential treatment facility for children who were victims of physical and/or sexual abuse.
Overall, I was impressed with this debut. It's fast paced with a couple edge of the seat moments to keep the momentum going. Could I have figured out the twist earlier on, probably so, but it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment. It's well written and I thought I was actually reading about a real case. Maybe because there are quite a bit of real serial killer name drops.
Side note ~ you know how some words just grate on your nerves when you read them over and over again? Well this one was "nuh-uh."
*Thanks to the author, Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
You can preorder your copy on Amazon.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
January 12, 2024
“Dr. Sharon Stevenson is a forensic psychiatrist. Her job is to decide whether a patient is of sound enough mind to stand trial, not whether they did or didn’t commit a crime.”
That synopsis pulled me right in, and I knew I was in for a twisty ride with this book! Kevin is a man who has been arrested for being a serial killer known as the Blue River Strangler. He has strangled over two dozen women, and is facing the death penalty in Wyoming. Dr. Stevenson is brought in to see if he is mentally competent to stand trial. When she meets Kevin, she can’t believe what she is suspecting about him - but what other conclusion is there?
The rest gets into spoiler territory, but Dr. Stevenson is also missing a daughter, and the case is making her feel like she’s losing her mind. I actually thought her daughter didn’t even need to be a character; it seemed more a trick to get the main character overly involved with this man and his murder case. Regardless, it worked - overly involved she did become, and overly shocking were her findings.
This book was fast-paced and suspenseful, and I liked the character of Kevin. The doctor herself was a bit of a mess, as were some of her colleagues, but overall I really enjoyed this story. How does a serial killer evolve? Are they born that way, or does trauma kickstart something in their brains? This book tackles those questions, as well as entertains you with the mystery within. Four stars!
(Thank you to Storm Publishing, S.A. Falk, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be published on February 5, 2024.)
That synopsis pulled me right in, and I knew I was in for a twisty ride with this book! Kevin is a man who has been arrested for being a serial killer known as the Blue River Strangler. He has strangled over two dozen women, and is facing the death penalty in Wyoming. Dr. Stevenson is brought in to see if he is mentally competent to stand trial. When she meets Kevin, she can’t believe what she is suspecting about him - but what other conclusion is there?
The rest gets into spoiler territory, but Dr. Stevenson is also missing a daughter, and the case is making her feel like she’s losing her mind. I actually thought her daughter didn’t even need to be a character; it seemed more a trick to get the main character overly involved with this man and his murder case. Regardless, it worked - overly involved she did become, and overly shocking were her findings.
This book was fast-paced and suspenseful, and I liked the character of Kevin. The doctor herself was a bit of a mess, as were some of her colleagues, but overall I really enjoyed this story. How does a serial killer evolve? Are they born that way, or does trauma kickstart something in their brains? This book tackles those questions, as well as entertains you with the mystery within. Four stars!
(Thank you to Storm Publishing, S.A. Falk, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be published on February 5, 2024.)
April 15, 2024
3.5 stars
The Patient’s Secret by S.A. Falk is a psychological thriller about a doctor who thinks her new patient may have killed her daughter.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Storm Publishing and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Dr. Sharon Stevenson is a forensic psychiatrist, hired to determine whether Kevin Blackford is sane enough to stand trial for murdering twenty-eight people.
Something is wrong with Kevin, she knows that. But even though she is sure that he is guilty, she is not convinced the death penalty is the answer. A life-long move to a mental facility would be better.
In the back of her mind, the good doctor wonders if Kevin also killed her own daughter, who ran away from at 17, and hasn't been seen since.
It soon becomes evident that her career of over 30 years will be questioned, as she fights for the fate of both Blackford, and herself. Is she willing to risk everything over her obsession with this case? Is she being duped by Kevin Blackford....and is she allowing herself to be duped?
My Opinions:
First, I've never been one of those people who have to check the last chapter to see who did it....and I really don't want to start now. That's why I was somewhat disappointed when the first chapter told us how the story would end. I think that took away from the suspense. However, this was not at all what it looked like. The twist was really good (although it became obvious a few chapters before it happened).
Among other things, the book looks at the criminal justice system, and how it deals with mental illness. It is also about murder, obsession, and a woman's determination to find the truth.
As a debut novel, I was very impressed. The writing was good, and the characters intriguing. I didn't particularly like many of them (including Sharon at times)...but I liked Kevin (go figure). I felt the ending was a little rushed, but overall the book was quite good. I will watch for more from this author!
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
January 5, 2024
Oh this was so nearly a 4 star or even 5 star read. A beautiful set up where we start at the end of the story where a serial killer is being executed, witnessed by the forensic psychiatrist who’s job it is to evaluate killers and see if they are of sound mind or insane. The difference between life in a psychiatric hospital and a death sentence.
Narrated by the killer, he gives his final thoughts and smiles when he sees Sharon Stevenson, the psychiatrist whose reputation he has ruined having apparently fooled her about his diagnosis.
After that first stunning chapter we go back to when a man has been captured and charged with the killings of over two dozen women. Sharon is called to evaluate the accused after he more or less gave himself up with letters to the police confessing.
Sharon soon finds out that the accused says he has no recollection of the killings and has huge memory losses. He then presents with multiple personalities and Sharon wonders does she have one of those extremely rare (and unproven) cases on her hands, thus definitely excluding the accused from the death sentence, or is she dealing with an extremely intelligent and manipulative sociopath who, if she gets her diagnosis wrong could see her reputation in tatters or conversely send a mentally ill man to his death.
That’s the gist of this intriguing story. It’s a whodunnit at its core as, even though we begin at the end, we don’t get the name of the killer in that opening chapter so we don’t really know if it is the accused or not.
The first half of this book is great. Real page turning stuff. The only negative is Sharon who, with a background in psychology makes some rather bizarre and emotional decisions. This is kind of explained away by the disappearance of her daughter many years ago but it feels an awkward and forced plot device to explain her somewhat questionable, obsessive and irrational decisions.
The final quarter of the book jumps the shark and loses it completely. It just gets ridiculously silly to the point where I considered not finishing the book after being so invested for so long.
There is a really good book and story in there somewhere. You’ve got maybe two thirds of a great book and a final third that is truly awful.
I think 3 stars is about right overall. Loads and loads of promise in this one and the author. It just falls apart eventually and spectacularly so.
Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
Narrated by the killer, he gives his final thoughts and smiles when he sees Sharon Stevenson, the psychiatrist whose reputation he has ruined having apparently fooled her about his diagnosis.
After that first stunning chapter we go back to when a man has been captured and charged with the killings of over two dozen women. Sharon is called to evaluate the accused after he more or less gave himself up with letters to the police confessing.
Sharon soon finds out that the accused says he has no recollection of the killings and has huge memory losses. He then presents with multiple personalities and Sharon wonders does she have one of those extremely rare (and unproven) cases on her hands, thus definitely excluding the accused from the death sentence, or is she dealing with an extremely intelligent and manipulative sociopath who, if she gets her diagnosis wrong could see her reputation in tatters or conversely send a mentally ill man to his death.
That’s the gist of this intriguing story. It’s a whodunnit at its core as, even though we begin at the end, we don’t get the name of the killer in that opening chapter so we don’t really know if it is the accused or not.
The first half of this book is great. Real page turning stuff. The only negative is Sharon who, with a background in psychology makes some rather bizarre and emotional decisions. This is kind of explained away by the disappearance of her daughter many years ago but it feels an awkward and forced plot device to explain her somewhat questionable, obsessive and irrational decisions.
The final quarter of the book jumps the shark and loses it completely. It just gets ridiculously silly to the point where I considered not finishing the book after being so invested for so long.
There is a really good book and story in there somewhere. You’ve got maybe two thirds of a great book and a final third that is truly awful.
I think 3 stars is about right overall. Loads and loads of promise in this one and the author. It just falls apart eventually and spectacularly so.
Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
March 14, 2025
4.5⭐A twisted tale of justice, mental illness, tragedy, death, and the hunt for the Blue River Strangler. A gripping psychological thriller with a shocking twist
Sharon Stevenson, a forensic psychiatrist, has been tasked with deciding whether Kevin, the notorious serial killer known as the Blue River Strangler, is fit to stand trial. But Sharon is also a mother grieving the disappearance of her seventeen-year-old daughter, Maddie.
The story, setting, characters, and plot are all unique and kept me turning the pages, filled with twists and turns. What should I believe? Is Kevin the real killer, or is someone else involved? Did Kevin have dissociative identity disorder, or was he faking it? I admire Sharon for her determination to search for the truth, even if it damages her reputation. It is wrong to put Kevin on death row; he should be in a psychiatric hospital. This case has become a stepping stone for those in power seeking promotion rather than serving justice. It's a well-written, complex story filled with raw emotions that you can't miss and a twisty ending you won't expect.
Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing, for providing me with an eARC. I enjoyed it.
Sharon Stevenson, a forensic psychiatrist, has been tasked with deciding whether Kevin, the notorious serial killer known as the Blue River Strangler, is fit to stand trial. But Sharon is also a mother grieving the disappearance of her seventeen-year-old daughter, Maddie.
The story, setting, characters, and plot are all unique and kept me turning the pages, filled with twists and turns. What should I believe? Is Kevin the real killer, or is someone else involved? Did Kevin have dissociative identity disorder, or was he faking it? I admire Sharon for her determination to search for the truth, even if it damages her reputation. It is wrong to put Kevin on death row; he should be in a psychiatric hospital. This case has become a stepping stone for those in power seeking promotion rather than serving justice. It's a well-written, complex story filled with raw emotions that you can't miss and a twisty ending you won't expect.
Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing, for providing me with an eARC. I enjoyed it.
December 17, 2023
Dr. Sharon Stevenson, well regarded forensic psychiatrist, is asked by the prosecution to determine whether Kevin Blackford, known as the Blue River Strangler, is competent and culpable to stand trial for the murders of twenty seven women. After her first meeting with Kevin, Sharon is too undecided to make a definitive diagnosis, and requests more time. Unable to believe what she is seeing and hearing, Sharon asks for a second opinion from her long time friend, Dr. Georg Edmund, and their assessments continue.
This is very different, written from an alternative POV, with the serial killer already in custody awaiting trial.
A compelling, page turner of a book, well written, interesting characters and great subject matter. Yes, unbelievable at times, but always an element of maybe! With a twist which I didn’t see coming, always a bonus.
One to recommend.
Thank you NetGalley and Storm.
This is very different, written from an alternative POV, with the serial killer already in custody awaiting trial.
A compelling, page turner of a book, well written, interesting characters and great subject matter. Yes, unbelievable at times, but always an element of maybe! With a twist which I didn’t see coming, always a bonus.
One to recommend.
Thank you NetGalley and Storm.
December 17, 2024
4.5 Stars
FINALLY! An ARC that had me engaged the entirety of the story. Falk really had me guessing until the big reveal. As someone who reads their fair share of thrillers, I can whole-heartedly say that the plot twist and ending really shocked me.
While I enjoyed the whole story, I found an immense appreciating for the seamless integration of real-world happenings. Falk’s way of weaving a fictional story into a very real field full of cases similar to the one he created was very impressive. I am just about to graduate with my degree in Criminal Justice and Forensic Psych and I really enjoyed recognizing the references that Falk made. For those that crave both a captivating narrative with a touch of genuine world experiences, this is truly a great read. I highly recommend!
FINALLY! An ARC that had me engaged the entirety of the story. Falk really had me guessing until the big reveal. As someone who reads their fair share of thrillers, I can whole-heartedly say that the plot twist and ending really shocked me.
While I enjoyed the whole story, I found an immense appreciating for the seamless integration of real-world happenings. Falk’s way of weaving a fictional story into a very real field full of cases similar to the one he created was very impressive. I am just about to graduate with my degree in Criminal Justice and Forensic Psych and I really enjoyed recognizing the references that Falk made. For those that crave both a captivating narrative with a touch of genuine world experiences, this is truly a great read. I highly recommend!
March 23, 2024
What a great book! This was different from the normal thrillers. It was an intriguing book that follows forensic psychiatrist Sharon and her death row patient Kevin. Sharon works with him to see if he can be deemed competent to stand trial. Kevin appears to have multiple personalities as well as memory loss, and Sharon is dealing with her own issues.
This was such a well thought out plot. It was twisty, and the ending was unexpected. The characters were written in a way that had me completely invested in what would happen with them and their storylines. I found myself thoroughly engrossed the entire ride! This was fast-paced and full of suspense, and I truly enjoyed it.
Thank you NetGalley and Storm publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was such a well thought out plot. It was twisty, and the ending was unexpected. The characters were written in a way that had me completely invested in what would happen with them and their storylines. I found myself thoroughly engrossed the entire ride! This was fast-paced and full of suspense, and I truly enjoyed it.
Thank you NetGalley and Storm publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 30, 2024
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for sending me an advanced readers copy. All opinions are my own.
That read was a whirlwind. The first chapter drew me into the book and made it an instant page-turner and I stayed up until 2am finishing because it was hard to put down. I really went into this book with high hopes, but honestly, it did not meet expectations.
The last 20% of the book felt so rushed compared to the first half. The first part of the book felt dragged out with little substance, it essentially went on for 150 pages without anything major happening. Although the start of the book was so slow, you didn’t get the opportunity to bond to any of the characters. It felt so surface level. By the end of the book where the plot is being rushed, I didn’t feel any excitement or anger or any emotion really; I didn’t care about the characters enough to have a reaction. They were quite literally just words on a page rather than feeling like complete people.
Towards the end I could kind of guess what was going to happen a couple of chapters before it was made obvious. The suspense was minimal but there was nice closure at the end.
Also, a major part of the book is focusing on the potential mental illnesses that Kevin (the main character) could have, to explain the crimes. I feel like this just adds to the stigma that already demonised mental health conditions have.
Overall, not the best book but not the worst book. I’ve given it an average rating of 3 stars. Although I don’t regret reading the book, I also doubt that I will be rereading it.
That read was a whirlwind. The first chapter drew me into the book and made it an instant page-turner and I stayed up until 2am finishing because it was hard to put down. I really went into this book with high hopes, but honestly, it did not meet expectations.
The last 20% of the book felt so rushed compared to the first half. The first part of the book felt dragged out with little substance, it essentially went on for 150 pages without anything major happening. Although the start of the book was so slow, you didn’t get the opportunity to bond to any of the characters. It felt so surface level. By the end of the book where the plot is being rushed, I didn’t feel any excitement or anger or any emotion really; I didn’t care about the characters enough to have a reaction. They were quite literally just words on a page rather than feeling like complete people.
Towards the end I could kind of guess what was going to happen a couple of chapters before it was made obvious. The suspense was minimal but there was nice closure at the end.
Also, a major part of the book is focusing on the potential mental illnesses that Kevin (the main character) could have, to explain the crimes. I feel like this just adds to the stigma that already demonised mental health conditions have.
Overall, not the best book but not the worst book. I’ve given it an average rating of 3 stars. Although I don’t regret reading the book, I also doubt that I will be rereading it.
January 13, 2024
Omg what can I say. Parts of this book screwed with my mind. I loved it. I exhaled the book.
Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion
Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion
May 24, 2024
Dare I say I this was better than the silent patient? Yes. It was.
January 30, 2024
Sharon finds herself in a cat and mouse game between truth and lies of a serial killer. When she has to do an investigation to the mental state of a person on death row, it’s not all as straight forward as it seems. Kevin comes to light to having multiple personalities, but is he faking it? It’s time to find out the truth, but what will be dragged up from the past?
This book is truly incredible, a true nail biting story that keeps you hooked from start to finish.
This book is truly incredible, a true nail biting story that keeps you hooked from start to finish.
December 20, 2023
This is a complicated, emotional tale of death, mental illness and justice. When mental illness and homicide collide, it’s important to find out if the perpetrator is competent to stand trial for his crimes. And that is the job of Dr. Sharon Stevenson, the renowned psychiatrist. But when the alleged killer is suspected to have dissociative identity disorder, is it wrong to put him to death for the heinous crimes that only one of his personas allegedly committed?
This twisty tale is absolutely riveting and worthy of 4 stars. The subject matter, the characters and the plot are all unique and kept me turning pages late into the night.
Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced copy. This is due to be published on February 5, 2024.
This twisty tale is absolutely riveting and worthy of 4 stars. The subject matter, the characters and the plot are all unique and kept me turning pages late into the night.
Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced copy. This is due to be published on February 5, 2024.
January 17, 2024
Read this!
I was so invested, the world needs more Sharon’s.
I could read it again and find things I missed.
Great, intense and I could read more about Kevin!
I was so invested, the world needs more Sharon’s.
I could read it again and find things I missed.
Great, intense and I could read more about Kevin!
February 12, 2025
The author admits basing this story on consultations with appropriate professionals rather than actual experience and it shows. What we end up with are repetitive, inaccurate portrayals of forensic interviews in correctional settings (does the author know the difference between a prison and a jail?) by an arrogant, obsessed psychiatrist. Slangy language bothered me a lot: “Nuh-uh,” “anyways” “I dunno,” etc. And, for the record, “all right” is two words, not one.
January 10, 2024
This book was absolutely 5 stars for me. I don’t think I can articulate well enough how much I enjoyed it, and it was exactly what I’ve been craving lately. It is about Kevin, an individual whom is arrested and suspected of being the serial killer that had been tormenting the area for years. He targets young women and always they are found a specific way. It discusses his case, his mental illness, or “lack there of,” and those in charge of defending and prosecuting him. He has very few people in his life and we learn their involvement, if any, that they have in the case.
Some take aways are that not everything is black and white, this examines some of the “gray” areas in our justice system from the very start. In the beginning, it allows you to consider where you draw the line when someone has committed such terrible crimes; how they go about assessing for mental illness, if the insanity defense applies, and how he could get out of the death penalty if it went down that road. The prosecutor seemed so “set” on that and her career, that she had no regard for him as a human being.. which was appalling to the psychiatrist. The psychiatrist wanted the insanity defense because of his mental illness, and was willing to risk everything trying to prove it, but absolutely everyone and everything was standing in her way. It got to the point that even she was getting a little sloppy and she was second guessing herself, but I think that’s when her personal life and work life began to blur and she crossed the line. I still think it’s important to go with your gut, and when you think something is wrong, it probably is.
My mind was wandering of course, even when I wasn’t reading, about what my opinion is and how the book seemed to debate whether they knew all the true facts, is it morally okay to give him the death penalty when he truly wasn’t aware of any of it? Is he psychotic and just manipulating her like the prosecutor says? Even the psychiatrist was unsure for part of the book. Is it okay to execute and end one person’s LIFE when it’s for the “greater good” of the community like the prosecutor stated? It is unnerving to think about honesty alone when it comes to cases. Regardless of one’s role in a case, there’s no way to ever know if someone is 100% telling the truth, whether it’s the prosecutor, defendant, or witness unless the evidence can support whatever their truth may be without question. I liked that in the author’s note he included that although everyone may not have the same opinions, his goal is to get people talking and for the book to resonate with you long after you read it.
This book was absolutely the most thought provoking book I’ve read in a some time. With each of the characters, I took time to reflect and absorb what was being discussed and consider my own thoughts and morals regarding what was going on and how my opinion may have changed as the book went on. I feel like this book took me a little bit longer than a thriller typically would in the first half because of that, but in the second half when the suspense picked up and my heart began to race, I just needed to know the outcome quicker.
My power and my weakness is my empathy so I can totally relate to his psychiatrist in that aspect. However, I feel like hers was more so driven by her grief and wanting to find answers, and whether this case led her to her own answers or not it didn’t matter, she just couldn’t let this rest without success because she was unable to be successful when it came to her daughter, so she had to be everywhere else.
I cannot wait for other books by this author! I can’t believe this is his debut! 5⭐️
Publication date for this book is February 5, 2024. I was given a DRC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to S.A. Falk, Storm Publishing & NetGalley!
Some take aways are that not everything is black and white, this examines some of the “gray” areas in our justice system from the very start. In the beginning, it allows you to consider where you draw the line when someone has committed such terrible crimes; how they go about assessing for mental illness, if the insanity defense applies, and how he could get out of the death penalty if it went down that road. The prosecutor seemed so “set” on that and her career, that she had no regard for him as a human being.. which was appalling to the psychiatrist. The psychiatrist wanted the insanity defense because of his mental illness, and was willing to risk everything trying to prove it, but absolutely everyone and everything was standing in her way. It got to the point that even she was getting a little sloppy and she was second guessing herself, but I think that’s when her personal life and work life began to blur and she crossed the line. I still think it’s important to go with your gut, and when you think something is wrong, it probably is.
My mind was wandering of course, even when I wasn’t reading, about what my opinion is and how the book seemed to debate whether they knew all the true facts, is it morally okay to give him the death penalty when he truly wasn’t aware of any of it? Is he psychotic and just manipulating her like the prosecutor says? Even the psychiatrist was unsure for part of the book. Is it okay to execute and end one person’s LIFE when it’s for the “greater good” of the community like the prosecutor stated? It is unnerving to think about honesty alone when it comes to cases. Regardless of one’s role in a case, there’s no way to ever know if someone is 100% telling the truth, whether it’s the prosecutor, defendant, or witness unless the evidence can support whatever their truth may be without question. I liked that in the author’s note he included that although everyone may not have the same opinions, his goal is to get people talking and for the book to resonate with you long after you read it.
This book was absolutely the most thought provoking book I’ve read in a some time. With each of the characters, I took time to reflect and absorb what was being discussed and consider my own thoughts and morals regarding what was going on and how my opinion may have changed as the book went on. I feel like this book took me a little bit longer than a thriller typically would in the first half because of that, but in the second half when the suspense picked up and my heart began to race, I just needed to know the outcome quicker.
My power and my weakness is my empathy so I can totally relate to his psychiatrist in that aspect. However, I feel like hers was more so driven by her grief and wanting to find answers, and whether this case led her to her own answers or not it didn’t matter, she just couldn’t let this rest without success because she was unable to be successful when it came to her daughter, so she had to be everywhere else.
I cannot wait for other books by this author! I can’t believe this is his debut! 5⭐️
Publication date for this book is February 5, 2024. I was given a DRC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to S.A. Falk, Storm Publishing & NetGalley!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2023
Sharon Stevenson is a forensic psychiatrist who works with prisoners to determine whether they are sane enough to stand trial. She is also a mother dealing with the disappearance of her 17 year old daughter Maddie who was on drugs and ran away from home 10 years ago never to be found.
Sharon is asked by the prosecutor Kim Matthews to fly to Wyoming to evaluate Kevin Blackford, the notorious serial killer known as the Blue River Strangler. He was accused of strangling to death over 28 women. During her visits to Kevin’s cell, she diagnoses him with dissociative identity disorder, better known as multiple personality disorder. Sharon has to figure out if Kevin is faking it or not. She’s determined to search for the truth and if Kevin has this disorder then she needs to fight to keep him from death row and get him institutionalized in a mental institution. The more visits she has with Kevin the more she’s convinced Kevin has this disorder. She meets the different personalities Kevin has. Sharon even requests her good friend of over 20 years and a psychiatrist, Dr Georg Edmund, to confirm her assessment. Sharon ends up working with Kevin’s defense lawyer, Arlo, instead of the prosecutor. The prosecutor is getting pressured by higher powers to get Kevin to stand trial and to be executed plus this case can get her a promotion.
During the assessment Sharon finds out Kevin’s personas deal with the traumas in his past. His mother was a drug addict and Kevin was put into a group home that wasn’t good. He ends up getting taken in by his uncle. As an adult Kevin worked in a school with his uncle as a janitor. Kevin is quiet, doesn’t remember things and is looked at as stupid. After questioning Kevin’s uncle and after he leaves the state, Sharon is suspicious of him and believes he had something to do with the killings. While Kevin is in prison, 4 more women are found dead which makes Sharon believe Kevin wasn’t the strangler. She travels to New Mexico where the women were found to speak to the police. Georg is there because his mother fell. After speaking with Sharon, Georg calls the police and tells them she’s obsessed with the murders and he thinks she had something to do with the murders. The police get DNA from Sharon . When the results come back, Sharon is cleared but the DNA matches one of the dead women. One of the women is Sharon’s daughter. As upset as Sharon is with Georg, Sharon calls him for comfort. She takes a ride with him to a cabin owned by his father. At the cabin she sees a girl tied up. It’s revealed that Georg is the strangler. Sharon manages to escape and the police find and arrest Georg who confesses. He gets the death penalty. Kim Matthews, who’s now the attorney general, still believes Kevin is guilty as an accessory to murder, even though Georg set him up and made Kevin help him.
Georg was involved in an experiment done by a professor where students were incarcerated in the basement of the college. The basement was made into a jail setting. The students actually became violent and acted like criminals.
The story tells the serial killer’s story after he has been convicted, focusing on what caused him to commit the crimes. It makes the reader question what makes us the way we are and makes us do things: genetics or experiences? The novel explores the criminal mind and questions our perceptions of the justice system. It questions the ethics and views of capital punishment and views on criminal rehabilitation. It also questions the connection between mental illness and criminality. The author educates us that research shows that inmates are twice as likely to suffer from mental illness than those not incarcerated. The author makes us ask: should the goal of incarceration focus more on punishment or rehabilitation? The story makes the reader reflect on their beliefs on the justice system, mental illness and crimes, and the death penalty.
This is a story of justice, mental illness and tragedy. The assessment of Kevin made me question if he was lying. It made me think of how many mentally ill people or innocent people are incarcerated. Sharon was a persistent person who didn’t give up and believed in doing what’s right. The prosecutor only cared about doing what was good for her and caving into the pressure of others in higher positions.
Publication: February 5, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing
Sharon is asked by the prosecutor Kim Matthews to fly to Wyoming to evaluate Kevin Blackford, the notorious serial killer known as the Blue River Strangler. He was accused of strangling to death over 28 women. During her visits to Kevin’s cell, she diagnoses him with dissociative identity disorder, better known as multiple personality disorder. Sharon has to figure out if Kevin is faking it or not. She’s determined to search for the truth and if Kevin has this disorder then she needs to fight to keep him from death row and get him institutionalized in a mental institution. The more visits she has with Kevin the more she’s convinced Kevin has this disorder. She meets the different personalities Kevin has. Sharon even requests her good friend of over 20 years and a psychiatrist, Dr Georg Edmund, to confirm her assessment. Sharon ends up working with Kevin’s defense lawyer, Arlo, instead of the prosecutor. The prosecutor is getting pressured by higher powers to get Kevin to stand trial and to be executed plus this case can get her a promotion.
During the assessment Sharon finds out Kevin’s personas deal with the traumas in his past. His mother was a drug addict and Kevin was put into a group home that wasn’t good. He ends up getting taken in by his uncle. As an adult Kevin worked in a school with his uncle as a janitor. Kevin is quiet, doesn’t remember things and is looked at as stupid. After questioning Kevin’s uncle and after he leaves the state, Sharon is suspicious of him and believes he had something to do with the killings. While Kevin is in prison, 4 more women are found dead which makes Sharon believe Kevin wasn’t the strangler. She travels to New Mexico where the women were found to speak to the police. Georg is there because his mother fell. After speaking with Sharon, Georg calls the police and tells them she’s obsessed with the murders and he thinks she had something to do with the murders. The police get DNA from Sharon . When the results come back, Sharon is cleared but the DNA matches one of the dead women. One of the women is Sharon’s daughter. As upset as Sharon is with Georg, Sharon calls him for comfort. She takes a ride with him to a cabin owned by his father. At the cabin she sees a girl tied up. It’s revealed that Georg is the strangler. Sharon manages to escape and the police find and arrest Georg who confesses. He gets the death penalty. Kim Matthews, who’s now the attorney general, still believes Kevin is guilty as an accessory to murder, even though Georg set him up and made Kevin help him.
Georg was involved in an experiment done by a professor where students were incarcerated in the basement of the college. The basement was made into a jail setting. The students actually became violent and acted like criminals.
The story tells the serial killer’s story after he has been convicted, focusing on what caused him to commit the crimes. It makes the reader question what makes us the way we are and makes us do things: genetics or experiences? The novel explores the criminal mind and questions our perceptions of the justice system. It questions the ethics and views of capital punishment and views on criminal rehabilitation. It also questions the connection between mental illness and criminality. The author educates us that research shows that inmates are twice as likely to suffer from mental illness than those not incarcerated. The author makes us ask: should the goal of incarceration focus more on punishment or rehabilitation? The story makes the reader reflect on their beliefs on the justice system, mental illness and crimes, and the death penalty.
This is a story of justice, mental illness and tragedy. The assessment of Kevin made me question if he was lying. It made me think of how many mentally ill people or innocent people are incarcerated. Sharon was a persistent person who didn’t give up and believed in doing what’s right. The prosecutor only cared about doing what was good for her and caving into the pressure of others in higher positions.
Publication: February 5, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2024
We follow Sharon Stevenson, a forensic psychiatrist that’s assigned to evaluate the mental competence of the Blue River Strangler – Kevin Blackford – who’s facing death penalty for murdering several women. However, Sharon is facing personal challenges since she is a mother who’s grieving the disappearance of her daughter.
This story was full of twists and turns and left me full of doubts. Is Kevin the actual killer or perhaps was someone else? Does he have a mental disorder or is it all fake? The fact that the main character goes against everything and everyone and made the decisions that she did was fantastic and gave a sense of justice to the story.
I found this story complicated and emotional, touching mental illness and justice while facing death and other life’s tragedies. It has a unique plot and characters that I felt connected with and I was not able to put it down until it was over. For those who enjoys a good psychological thriller with twists and a medical perspective, add this book to your tbr. It was such a tense ride.
Thank you, Storm Publishing and NetGalley, for approving me to read this arc and write this review.
This story was full of twists and turns and left me full of doubts. Is Kevin the actual killer or perhaps was someone else? Does he have a mental disorder or is it all fake? The fact that the main character goes against everything and everyone and made the decisions that she did was fantastic and gave a sense of justice to the story.
I found this story complicated and emotional, touching mental illness and justice while facing death and other life’s tragedies. It has a unique plot and characters that I felt connected with and I was not able to put it down until it was over. For those who enjoys a good psychological thriller with twists and a medical perspective, add this book to your tbr. It was such a tense ride.
Thank you, Storm Publishing and NetGalley, for approving me to read this arc and write this review.
February 6, 2024
What a great read - a huge difference from the usual thrillers we find in this category. This story follows Dr Sharon Stevenson as a forensic psychiatrist whose job is to deem if someone is able to stand trial guilty or they are not of sane mind. Sharon is drafted in to decide if Kevin - the accused Blue River Strangler , is mentally competent to stand trial. With 28 victims found dead with kevins dna found on the bodies this really is a twisty tale and almost reads like a movie
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the advanced copy of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the advanced copy of this book.
January 5, 2024
Unputdownable and thought-provoking read. The author has written a compelling thriller that makes you think about the justice system and mental illness. The book kept me on the edge of my seat and the twists and revelations made me second-guess everything. It's not just a thriller about a serial killer, it's also a deep-dive into the human psyche. Highly recommended!
September 18, 2024
Meet Sharon Stevenson, a forensic psychiatrist with a knack for unraveling the minds of her patients. Her job is to figure out if someone's mentally fit to stand trial, not play detective about their guilt or innocence.
The Patient’s Secret is a well written psychological thriller. This book has an edge of your seat plot with many twists and turns
🔴Dissociative identity disorder or multiple personality disorder, it’s something where people can have several personas. They’re like identities. As if there are several different people in one body. In legitimate cases of dissociative identity disorder, the identities are aware of each other.
🔴Serial killers really are a fascinating breed of criminal. They’re not typically motivated by extrinsic factors like money or security. They’re motivated by something that is buried deep within their being. Something that has taken years, possibly decades, to be sown and nurtured.
🔴Borderline personality disorder manifests itself through impulsivity and extreme shifts in temperament. Anger and depression mostly. Intense anger, in fact. borderline personality disorder, and the majority of them experience these bouts of spontaneous violence. Toward others and toward themselves. borderline personality disorder typically had a fragmented and unstable sense of self. They didn’t necessarily give these fragments names, but working with people who are borderline often feels like you’re working with completely different people depending on the day.
🔴 “We used to call it multiple personality disorder not that long ago, but the general idea is similar. Basically, a person presents at least two distinct personalities as a means of coping. Usually with a childhood trauma of some kind. So it isn’t really that they have separate personalities per se; it’s that they create personas as a way to dissociate from whatever has caused them pain in the past.”
The Patient’s Secret is a well written psychological thriller. This book has an edge of your seat plot with many twists and turns
🔴Dissociative identity disorder or multiple personality disorder, it’s something where people can have several personas. They’re like identities. As if there are several different people in one body. In legitimate cases of dissociative identity disorder, the identities are aware of each other.
🔴Serial killers really are a fascinating breed of criminal. They’re not typically motivated by extrinsic factors like money or security. They’re motivated by something that is buried deep within their being. Something that has taken years, possibly decades, to be sown and nurtured.
🔴Borderline personality disorder manifests itself through impulsivity and extreme shifts in temperament. Anger and depression mostly. Intense anger, in fact. borderline personality disorder, and the majority of them experience these bouts of spontaneous violence. Toward others and toward themselves. borderline personality disorder typically had a fragmented and unstable sense of self. They didn’t necessarily give these fragments names, but working with people who are borderline often feels like you’re working with completely different people depending on the day.
🔴 “We used to call it multiple personality disorder not that long ago, but the general idea is similar. Basically, a person presents at least two distinct personalities as a means of coping. Usually with a childhood trauma of some kind. So it isn’t really that they have separate personalities per se; it’s that they create personas as a way to dissociate from whatever has caused them pain in the past.”
February 8, 2024
Absolutely amazing. This book had me absolutely hooked from the first page. In the story, we meet Dr Sharon Stevenson, about to be tested mire than ever before as she is asked to pyschoanalyse Kevin Blackford, a simple man who has been charged as the infamous ' Blue River Strangler'. With overwhelming DNA evidence, Sharon just needs to prove he was sane enough to be put in trial. However, through her time with Blackford, she realises that not only does not deserve to be put through a trial due to a rare metal condition, but actually should he be in this situation at all?
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc read.
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc read.
February 18, 2024
The patients secret was a very intriguing read that had me hooked from the start, tense, thrilling and unexpected!
The relationship between the forensic psychiatrist Sharon and her death row patient Kevin was an extremely intense, one , complicated by Kevin’s multiple personalities and memory loss, whilst Sharon herself has her own issues!
Diagnosing Kevin is a complicated and traumatic experience for Sharon and drives her to make very emotional , questionable decisions , not helped by her colleagues opinions!
The twisty tale takes the reader on an extraordinary journey as Sharon tries to get justice for Kevin, putting her career and life in jeopardy!
A very detailed, complicated, twisty plot covering hard subjects such as murder, loss, mental health and an overriding obsession to seek justice , but at what cost!
Thank you NetGalley for this early read.l
The relationship between the forensic psychiatrist Sharon and her death row patient Kevin was an extremely intense, one , complicated by Kevin’s multiple personalities and memory loss, whilst Sharon herself has her own issues!
Diagnosing Kevin is a complicated and traumatic experience for Sharon and drives her to make very emotional , questionable decisions , not helped by her colleagues opinions!
The twisty tale takes the reader on an extraordinary journey as Sharon tries to get justice for Kevin, putting her career and life in jeopardy!
A very detailed, complicated, twisty plot covering hard subjects such as murder, loss, mental health and an overriding obsession to seek justice , but at what cost!
Thank you NetGalley for this early read.l
May 11, 2025
I enjoyed this book a lot that I had to give up some hours of sleep. I guess I enjoy books with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), because this picked my interest and didn’t disappoint.
All evidence pointed to him and it was hard to doubt such substantial evidence, but could it be him or one of his personalities? Read to find out, cheers
All evidence pointed to him and it was hard to doubt such substantial evidence, but could it be him or one of his personalities? Read to find out, cheers
February 28, 2024
An intriguing story about a forensic psychiatrist who is called in to evaluate a prisoner accused of multiple murders over many years. Sharon Stevenson needs to decide if he is mentally fit to stand trial. At first it seems straightforward but changes of character convince Sharon she is dealing with a rare disorder.
This story really grabbed me and I devoured it voraciously until the ending which I did not find plausible and spoiled an otherwise delicious read.
This story really grabbed me and I devoured it voraciously until the ending which I did not find plausible and spoiled an otherwise delicious read.
March 31, 2024
This is a really well done thriller! The suspense is built up well and the story has some chilling moments. I really enjoyed this and would recommend it! Special Thank You to S.A. Falk, Storm Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2024
I liked it, but it could have been a little shorter maybe? The plot twists didn’t give me whiplash..too bad.
3 stars for a solid read..i enjoyed it but it also didn’t make me go uhhhh aaahh gasp and wow 😗
3 stars for a solid read..i enjoyed it but it also didn’t make me go uhhhh aaahh gasp and wow 😗
January 26, 2025
I liked this book by S.A. Falk much better than The Therapist! The setting of pre cellphones and internet made the book more interesting, in my opinion.
January 30, 2024
How far would you go to save a potentially mentally ill serial killers life? Would you disxredit yourself as a doctor? In this book, we follow Sharon (a psychiatrist who works on the prisons) as she tries to determine if Kevin is actually insane or just pretending to be to avoid the death penalty.
A fast paced read. The character of Kevin is done very well. And the author gives a nice twisty finale. I would rate the book 4.2/5 if we could give partial stars.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A fast paced read. The character of Kevin is done very well. And the author gives a nice twisty finale. I would rate the book 4.2/5 if we could give partial stars.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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