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The Clinic
From the critically acclaimed author of Black Widows comes a thriller set in a remote rehab clinic on the Pacific Northwest coast, in which the death of a woman inside prompts her sister to enter the clinic as a patient in order to find the truth. Perfect for fans of Stacy Willingham and Tarryn Fisher!
Meg works for a casino in LA, catching cheaters and popping a few too many pain pills to cope, following a far different path than her sister Haley, a famous actress. But suddenly reports surface of Haley dying at the remote rehab facility where she had been forced to go to get her addictions under control.
There are whispers of suicide, but Meg can't believe it. She decides that the best way to find out what happened to her sister is to check in herself – to investigate what really happened from the inside.
Battling her own addictions and figuring out the truth will be much more difficult than she imagined, far away from friends, family – and anyone who could help her.
Meg works for a casino in LA, catching cheaters and popping a few too many pain pills to cope, following a far different path than her sister Haley, a famous actress. But suddenly reports surface of Haley dying at the remote rehab facility where she had been forced to go to get her addictions under control.
There are whispers of suicide, but Meg can't believe it. She decides that the best way to find out what happened to her sister is to check in herself – to investigate what really happened from the inside.
Battling her own addictions and figuring out the truth will be much more difficult than she imagined, far away from friends, family – and anyone who could help her.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published January 23, 2024
2663 people are currently reading
79403 people want to read
About the author
Cate Quinn
5 books835 followersCate Quinn is a travel and lifestyle journalist for The Times, the Guardian and the Mirror, alongside many magazines. Prior to this, Quinn's background in historic research won prestigious postgraduate funding from the British Art Council. Quinn pooled these resources, combining historical research with first-hand experiences in far-flung places to create critically acclaimed and bestselling historical fiction.
Books by Cate Quinn - Black Widows and Blood Sisters
Books by Cate Quinn - Black Widows and Blood Sisters
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,356 reviews
January 20, 2024
2.5🌟
What started off as a strong read quickly lost its momentum… along with this reader!
Meg works for a casino rooting out the high-rollers that are scamming the system. And Meg is rather good at what she does. But with so much on the line, she can find herself in some very dangerous situations. One in particular changed everything. Meg suffered an injury severe enough to require oxy. A habit she cannot give up.
Learning of her sister Hailey’s suicide at a rehab clinic, she refuses to believe Hailey would ever take her own life. So certain in fact, she checks herself into this private clinic that exclusively serves the upper-crust of society. Meg will stop at nothing to find answers!
Once again… Loved the premise! All in from the start.
But as Meg enters rehab it quickly went off the rails.
I enjoyed the scenes with the two police officers Hanson and Meyers, and wished so much more could have been developed with their characters. Felt like this was a missed opportunity. It didn’t make much sense that they virtually vanished mid-book.🤷🏼♀️
If you’re a fan of short chapters, this fits the bill perfectly. Though usually short chapters mean a book moves at a fast clip.
Not the case here. Totally stalling after the first 15%, I was left wondering if the counter on my kindle was broken, since I kept turning pages but my %-read remained the same. (Never a good sign).
I won’t reveal any spoilers. Extremely difficult, because everything I want to say will give away what was happening behind the gates of the clinic. But just to be clear, whatever went on inside this clinic was so far OTT that it became outlandish. The so-called medical aspects just didn’t make any sense. (Once again, my nursing degree got in the way of my fictional reading).
Overall, it felt very disjointed with so many sub plots and characters left dangling. A frustrating read.
I am definitely an outlier as this book is receiving very positive reviews. So be sure to read all the four and five star reviews before making a decision.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark.
What started off as a strong read quickly lost its momentum… along with this reader!
Meg works for a casino rooting out the high-rollers that are scamming the system. And Meg is rather good at what she does. But with so much on the line, she can find herself in some very dangerous situations. One in particular changed everything. Meg suffered an injury severe enough to require oxy. A habit she cannot give up.
Learning of her sister Hailey’s suicide at a rehab clinic, she refuses to believe Hailey would ever take her own life. So certain in fact, she checks herself into this private clinic that exclusively serves the upper-crust of society. Meg will stop at nothing to find answers!
Once again… Loved the premise! All in from the start.
But as Meg enters rehab it quickly went off the rails.
I enjoyed the scenes with the two police officers Hanson and Meyers, and wished so much more could have been developed with their characters. Felt like this was a missed opportunity. It didn’t make much sense that they virtually vanished mid-book.🤷🏼♀️
If you’re a fan of short chapters, this fits the bill perfectly. Though usually short chapters mean a book moves at a fast clip.
Not the case here. Totally stalling after the first 15%, I was left wondering if the counter on my kindle was broken, since I kept turning pages but my %-read remained the same. (Never a good sign).
I won’t reveal any spoilers. Extremely difficult, because everything I want to say will give away what was happening behind the gates of the clinic. But just to be clear, whatever went on inside this clinic was so far OTT that it became outlandish. The so-called medical aspects just didn’t make any sense. (Once again, my nursing degree got in the way of my fictional reading).
Overall, it felt very disjointed with so many sub plots and characters left dangling. A frustrating read.
I am definitely an outlier as this book is receiving very positive reviews. So be sure to read all the four and five star reviews before making a decision.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark.
January 10, 2024
The Clinic
by Cate Quinn is a psychological thriller that tackles tough issues along with a mystery. Meg works for a Los Angeles casino catching cheaters. However, after an injured shoulder during a frightening event last year, she is now hooked on pain pills and drinking too much alcohol. Her sister Haley enters a remote rehab clinic on the coast of Oregon and reports say she has died there. Meg decides to go undercover and checks herself into the facility so she can investigate what really happened. With her own addictions, learning the truth isn’t straightforward.
Meg believes emotions cloud your judgment. She doesn’t have a frame of reference for normal so she looks to others for clues on how to act normal. Childhood trauma and nightmares have affected her as well. She often uses humor to divert attention and is impulsive and guarded. She isn’t tactful and gets angry easily, but she’s a fantastic poker player. Cara is the administrative manager at the clinic. She’s organized, uptight, rule-oriented, and doesn’t trust others. Max is the psychologist for the clients. He has a calming and reassuring effect on others. He seems stern and somewhat aloof, but committed to his patients. Dr. Lutz owns the clinic, is unorthodox, is the clinical manager, and he has a derogatory attitude toward the local police.
This story switches points of view between Meg and Cara. There are only a few clients so the character list is manageable and readers get a feel for each. The author does a great job of bringing the main and secondary characters to life. Relationships, childhood trauma, betrayal, lies, power, money, addiction, mental health, paranoia, and the manipulation of others play varying roles in the story. The world-building was fantastic giving readers the ability to easily visualize the people and places in the novel, with the clinic almost being another character itself.
The story grabbed my attention immediately and didn’t let up as I rapidly turned the pages. The plot is twisty and riveting and there is a feeling of deep anxiety. I felt concerned for Meg as she tries to make sense of what has happened and what is happening to her. There are some exciting and frightening scenes that have a terrifying realism to them. Both the inner and outer conflicts faced by Meg move the story forward and through some unexpected turns.
Overall, this engrossing and unsettling thriller has great characterization and world-building and pulls on the heart strings. I’m looking forward to reading my next book by this author.
SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and Cate Quinn provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for January 23, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.05 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Meg believes emotions cloud your judgment. She doesn’t have a frame of reference for normal so she looks to others for clues on how to act normal. Childhood trauma and nightmares have affected her as well. She often uses humor to divert attention and is impulsive and guarded. She isn’t tactful and gets angry easily, but she’s a fantastic poker player. Cara is the administrative manager at the clinic. She’s organized, uptight, rule-oriented, and doesn’t trust others. Max is the psychologist for the clients. He has a calming and reassuring effect on others. He seems stern and somewhat aloof, but committed to his patients. Dr. Lutz owns the clinic, is unorthodox, is the clinical manager, and he has a derogatory attitude toward the local police.
This story switches points of view between Meg and Cara. There are only a few clients so the character list is manageable and readers get a feel for each. The author does a great job of bringing the main and secondary characters to life. Relationships, childhood trauma, betrayal, lies, power, money, addiction, mental health, paranoia, and the manipulation of others play varying roles in the story. The world-building was fantastic giving readers the ability to easily visualize the people and places in the novel, with the clinic almost being another character itself.
The story grabbed my attention immediately and didn’t let up as I rapidly turned the pages. The plot is twisty and riveting and there is a feeling of deep anxiety. I felt concerned for Meg as she tries to make sense of what has happened and what is happening to her. There are some exciting and frightening scenes that have a terrifying realism to them. Both the inner and outer conflicts faced by Meg move the story forward and through some unexpected turns.
Overall, this engrossing and unsettling thriller has great characterization and world-building and pulls on the heart strings. I’m looking forward to reading my next book by this author.
SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and Cate Quinn provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for January 23, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.05 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
July 8, 2025
In Cate Quinn's recent Thriller, The Clinic, the Reader is transported to the Pacific Northwest coast, where a remote Addictions Treatment Center caters to the rich and famous.
One of the perspectives we follow is Meg, whose estranged sister, Haley, a famous actress, has been receiving in-patient care there. When Meg hears the news that her sister has overdosed while in treatment, and rumors swirl it was possibly suicide, Meg doesn't believe it.
As in, she really thinks there is no way in heck her sister would have overdosed, let alone on purpose. Meg suspects foul play and decides to go undercover at the Clinic to try to figure out what really happened to Haley.
We also follow a woman employed at the Clinic, Cara. She's relatively new and as she begins to settle in and get to know everyone around her, she too suspects something may be off.
As the narrative shifts back and forth, it offers the Reader an inside glimpse into the Clinic from both a worker's and a patient's perspective. It's through that dual view that the truth is able to come to light.
Y'all, this is a very basic way of summing up all that is going on in this story, but I don't want to risk giving anything else away. It's best to go into this knowing as little as possible.
I enjoyed the set-up of this one a lot, as well as the setting. It hooked me from the very start. I felt like the opening scene really set the stage for all that was about to play out.
I really loved Meg as a main character. Her perspective just fit my tastes so well. She's tough, smart and no-nonsense, but also flawed and struggling with a lot of things in her life; including her own addiction to painkillers and alcohol.
I liked learning about her, the events in her past that had propelled her to her current state. I felt like Quinn did an incredible job of bringing Meg to life, breathing humanity into her and making her actions and motivations understandable. Honestly, I became very attached to her.
That's unsurprising though, as I love flawed characters. If characters are too perfect, I don't like 'em. No one is perfect, why would I want my fictional characters to be?
I was excited to go undercover with Meg and investigate the Clinic. It seemed shady as all get out from the start and I liked meeting all the various players within that setting.
It also felt very claustrophobic; like once Meg was in there, it felt like there was seriously no turning back. The fact that she was also grappling with her own addictions issues, and that her mind wasn't in top form through that, added to the sense of being trapped and desperate.
I feel like Quinn really succeeded in that regard.
I wasn't as sold on the other perspective, Cara, but I do understand and appreciate why it was necessary for the overall story. For things to ultimately play out the way they did, both women were needed.
This definitely went in an unexpected direction for me and I thought it was so much fun. It gets pretty wild and I loved being with Meg as she tried to navigate through all the chaos. Some of her choices, oh baby, were they intense.
I would definitely recommend this to Readers who enjoy tense, suspenseful Thrillers with flawed MCs and questionable organizations. This had a lot of action and a full cast of unlikable side characters as well. It's engaging and a bit OTT. Overall, a great read!
Thank you so much to the publisher, Sourcebooks Landmark, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
I cannot wait to read more from Cate Quinn!!!
One of the perspectives we follow is Meg, whose estranged sister, Haley, a famous actress, has been receiving in-patient care there. When Meg hears the news that her sister has overdosed while in treatment, and rumors swirl it was possibly suicide, Meg doesn't believe it.
As in, she really thinks there is no way in heck her sister would have overdosed, let alone on purpose. Meg suspects foul play and decides to go undercover at the Clinic to try to figure out what really happened to Haley.
We also follow a woman employed at the Clinic, Cara. She's relatively new and as she begins to settle in and get to know everyone around her, she too suspects something may be off.
As the narrative shifts back and forth, it offers the Reader an inside glimpse into the Clinic from both a worker's and a patient's perspective. It's through that dual view that the truth is able to come to light.
Y'all, this is a very basic way of summing up all that is going on in this story, but I don't want to risk giving anything else away. It's best to go into this knowing as little as possible.
I enjoyed the set-up of this one a lot, as well as the setting. It hooked me from the very start. I felt like the opening scene really set the stage for all that was about to play out.
I really loved Meg as a main character. Her perspective just fit my tastes so well. She's tough, smart and no-nonsense, but also flawed and struggling with a lot of things in her life; including her own addiction to painkillers and alcohol.
I liked learning about her, the events in her past that had propelled her to her current state. I felt like Quinn did an incredible job of bringing Meg to life, breathing humanity into her and making her actions and motivations understandable. Honestly, I became very attached to her.
That's unsurprising though, as I love flawed characters. If characters are too perfect, I don't like 'em. No one is perfect, why would I want my fictional characters to be?
I was excited to go undercover with Meg and investigate the Clinic. It seemed shady as all get out from the start and I liked meeting all the various players within that setting.
It also felt very claustrophobic; like once Meg was in there, it felt like there was seriously no turning back. The fact that she was also grappling with her own addictions issues, and that her mind wasn't in top form through that, added to the sense of being trapped and desperate.
I feel like Quinn really succeeded in that regard.
I wasn't as sold on the other perspective, Cara, but I do understand and appreciate why it was necessary for the overall story. For things to ultimately play out the way they did, both women were needed.
This definitely went in an unexpected direction for me and I thought it was so much fun. It gets pretty wild and I loved being with Meg as she tried to navigate through all the chaos. Some of her choices, oh baby, were they intense.
I would definitely recommend this to Readers who enjoy tense, suspenseful Thrillers with flawed MCs and questionable organizations. This had a lot of action and a full cast of unlikable side characters as well. It's engaging and a bit OTT. Overall, a great read!
Thank you so much to the publisher, Sourcebooks Landmark, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
I cannot wait to read more from Cate Quinn!!!
April 11, 2024
this book got on my nerves so bad that now ima be petty and it’s not getting a full review☺️.
main things you need to know:
➙ all the characters are terrible
➙ has the most scooby doo “twist” reveal
➙ the accents for 2 of the characters was giving nails on a chalkboard
➙ the story is so far fetched and makes no sense
➙ i wasted my time😍
main things you need to know:
➙ all the characters are terrible
➙ has the most scooby doo “twist” reveal
➙ the accents for 2 of the characters was giving nails on a chalkboard
➙ the story is so far fetched and makes no sense
➙ i wasted my time😍
May 16, 2024
2.5/5 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚
I'm so confused for what to feel for this book. On one hand I really like the content of the story and I appreciate that this was inspired by the author's own experiences. I just think there was a lot of loose ends that didn't fit together in the end, and maybe I don't understand the content as well as I thought I did? I'm just so confused I don't know if I can review this properly
︶︶︶ ⊹ ︶︶︶⠀୨♡୧⠀︶︶︶ ⊹ ︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ reading log
16/05 8:35pm ୨ৎ
i am so close to finishing this but dnfing it would also feel so good but i've come this far ive got to know how it ends
15/05 4:20pm ୨ৎ
okay so i feel like the premise of this is really good but the execution has fallen slightly short? it just feels weird and choppy but i am really invested in the outcome, im just not spooked or anything like i feel i should be?
14/05 9:44pm ୨ৎ
how does one balance reading and work/school
13/05 7:44am ୨ৎ
i'm always nervous to read on the train because i dont like people looking over my shoulder
₊˚⊹♡ pre-reading
i'm not doing so good on my planned may tbr (the gripes of being a huge mood reader) - but i'm not tooo mad about breaking it for this one because i loved the premise of this thriller, but i've been put off by the reviews, so let's see how it goes.
︶︶︶ ⊹ ︶︶︶⠀୨♡୧⠀︶︶︶ ⊹ ︶︶︶
may tbr:
ಇ.salt to the sea
ಇ. powerless
ಇ. house of earth and blood
ಇ. everyone in my family has killed someone
ಇ. bride
ಇ. listen for the lie
ಇ. she's not sorry
ಇ. love on the brain
ಇ. the familiar
ಇ.a court of wings and ruin
+a good girl's guide to murder
+ the clinic
I'm so confused for what to feel for this book. On one hand I really like the content of the story and I appreciate that this was inspired by the author's own experiences. I just think there was a lot of loose ends that didn't fit together in the end, and maybe I don't understand the content as well as I thought I did? I'm just so confused I don't know if I can review this properly
︶︶︶ ⊹ ︶︶︶⠀୨♡୧⠀︶︶︶ ⊹ ︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ reading log
16/05 8:35pm ୨ৎ
i am so close to finishing this but dnfing it would also feel so good but i've come this far ive got to know how it ends
15/05 4:20pm ୨ৎ
okay so i feel like the premise of this is really good but the execution has fallen slightly short? it just feels weird and choppy but i am really invested in the outcome, im just not spooked or anything like i feel i should be?
14/05 9:44pm ୨ৎ
how does one balance reading and work/school
13/05 7:44am ୨ৎ
i'm always nervous to read on the train because i dont like people looking over my shoulder
₊˚⊹♡ pre-reading
i'm not doing so good on my planned may tbr (the gripes of being a huge mood reader) - but i'm not tooo mad about breaking it for this one because i loved the premise of this thriller, but i've been put off by the reviews, so let's see how it goes.
︶︶︶ ⊹ ︶︶︶⠀୨♡୧⠀︶︶︶ ⊹ ︶︶︶
may tbr:
ಇ.
ಇ. powerless
ಇ. house of earth and blood
ಇ. everyone in my family has killed someone
ಇ. bride
ಇ. listen for the lie
ಇ. she's not sorry
ಇ. love on the brain
ಇ. the familiar
ಇ.
+
+ the clinic
April 18, 2024
This is an intriguing concept, reminiscent of Stephanie Wrobel's novel "This Might Hurt" mixed with Steven Soderbergh's psychological thriller film "Unsane," shot entirely with an iPhone.
The story takes place in a rehab clinic and is told from two perspectives: Meg, a mandatory patient who seeks to unravel the mystery behind her pop star sister Haley's death, and Cara, the manager of the facility.
There are several qualities that captivated me and kept my interest alive throughout the book. The short chapters and the riveting tone in the second half, where the pace intensifies and curiosity is awakened, compelled me to flip through the pages faster, eagerly anticipating the heart-throbbing climax. The author's approach to mental health awareness, addiction, sobriety, and the psychological issues that underlie these struggles, combined with her own journey to celebrate sobriety, made the story engaging and realistic. Additionally, the jaw-dropping and unexpected twists, which I never saw coming, heightened my excitement and raised my expectations.
The plot surrounding the mystery of Haley's death and the potential involvement of one of the patients kept me hooked, encouraging me to concoct theories and guesses until the very end.
However, there were a few points that prevented me from giving this book a five-star rating. The narrators, particularly Cara, were not very likable, and it was difficult to connect with them. Beth, on the other hand, was more tolerable, especially as an undercover poker expert whose character reminded me of Natasha Lynn's Charlie from "Pokerface." Her struggles with personal demons, her rehabilitation journey, and her complex relationship with her sister made her more relatable. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Cara.
I also had some questions about the ending, which felt rushed and somewhat far-fetched, and some of the twists didn't fully resonate with me.
Additionally, the first half of the book was slow-paced and overly wordy, which didn't provide a promising beginning. Thankfully, the second half was unputdownable, smart, and attention-grabbing.
Overall, this is still a good psychological thriller with a genuine and thoughtful approach to mental health awareness. I would give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars and definitely recommend it to fans of the genre who are ready to stay up all night devouring it in one sitting.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with a digital review copy of this thrilling book in exchange for my honest feedback.
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The story takes place in a rehab clinic and is told from two perspectives: Meg, a mandatory patient who seeks to unravel the mystery behind her pop star sister Haley's death, and Cara, the manager of the facility.
There are several qualities that captivated me and kept my interest alive throughout the book. The short chapters and the riveting tone in the second half, where the pace intensifies and curiosity is awakened, compelled me to flip through the pages faster, eagerly anticipating the heart-throbbing climax. The author's approach to mental health awareness, addiction, sobriety, and the psychological issues that underlie these struggles, combined with her own journey to celebrate sobriety, made the story engaging and realistic. Additionally, the jaw-dropping and unexpected twists, which I never saw coming, heightened my excitement and raised my expectations.
The plot surrounding the mystery of Haley's death and the potential involvement of one of the patients kept me hooked, encouraging me to concoct theories and guesses until the very end.
However, there were a few points that prevented me from giving this book a five-star rating. The narrators, particularly Cara, were not very likable, and it was difficult to connect with them. Beth, on the other hand, was more tolerable, especially as an undercover poker expert whose character reminded me of Natasha Lynn's Charlie from "Pokerface." Her struggles with personal demons, her rehabilitation journey, and her complex relationship with her sister made her more relatable. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Cara.
I also had some questions about the ending, which felt rushed and somewhat far-fetched, and some of the twists didn't fully resonate with me.
Additionally, the first half of the book was slow-paced and overly wordy, which didn't provide a promising beginning. Thankfully, the second half was unputdownable, smart, and attention-grabbing.
Overall, this is still a good psychological thriller with a genuine and thoughtful approach to mental health awareness. I would give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars and definitely recommend it to fans of the genre who are ready to stay up all night devouring it in one sitting.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with a digital review copy of this thrilling book in exchange for my honest feedback.
medium.com
dnf
January 10, 2024I'm legit super excited to read this one this weekend, the whole atmospheric vibe of the PNW, mystery and unreliable characters.... Yes. My cup of tea. 🫖☕🍪
Many thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Cate Quinn for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Cate Quinn for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 23, 2024
If this was my first mystery book, I would never read another one for the rest of my life.
November 15, 2023
3.5 rounded up
Meg works at a casino in Los Angeles, her job to catch cheaters but it’s taken its toll with a work based injury leading to overuse of pill popping. Her sister, Haley Banks, is a famous actress and after one successful sting operation, Meg hears a news report of Haley’s death at a remote rehabilitation clinic. Later, rumours surface of the possibility that Haley commits suicide and so Meg realises the only way she can discover the truth is to check herself into the clinic. She becomes increasingly convinced that Haley has been murdered. The story is narrated by Meg which works well and by Cara Morse, the manager of the clinic. Whilst the information that Cara learns is useful to the investigation, her point of view is more bland than Megs - less personal involvement I guess.
I really like the premise of this latest novel from the talented Cate Quinn and this one is personal for her as she explains at the start. However, whilst there is much to praise I can’t get around the fact that it is slow to get going. Thankfully, the pace does pick up helped by the short sharp chapters and then it becomes a very gripping read. On occasion, it does feel like a surreal ride into crazy town due to the behaviour of some of the celebrity inmates and a very dodgy clinician in charge in Dr Lutz, there are very odd vibes and inevitably there are game players. It’s engrossing as emotions run wild and it becomes clear that it’s a wider deeper issue that what may or may not be going on at the clinic. It becomes quite shocking with some weird and disturbing incidents which are interspersed with Meg’s memories, disassociation and obvious trauma from the past.
It’s hard to like the characters although I do like Meg as she has guts and determination. Through Cara your suspicions are allowed to grow as what the manager thought she knew about her place of employment is blown out of the water. Lutz is central to this and I like the believable direction the author takes the plot.
So, all becomes very intriguing but then I feel as if the crazy train suffers a bit of a derailment with a wheel or two rolling off which is a disappointment after such a good build up. It seems to me to feel rushed and a bit far fetched. However, the storytelling overall has a lot of merit and so I’ve rounded my star rating up as I like what the author has tried to do here.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Orion Publishing Group for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Meg works at a casino in Los Angeles, her job to catch cheaters but it’s taken its toll with a work based injury leading to overuse of pill popping. Her sister, Haley Banks, is a famous actress and after one successful sting operation, Meg hears a news report of Haley’s death at a remote rehabilitation clinic. Later, rumours surface of the possibility that Haley commits suicide and so Meg realises the only way she can discover the truth is to check herself into the clinic. She becomes increasingly convinced that Haley has been murdered. The story is narrated by Meg which works well and by Cara Morse, the manager of the clinic. Whilst the information that Cara learns is useful to the investigation, her point of view is more bland than Megs - less personal involvement I guess.
I really like the premise of this latest novel from the talented Cate Quinn and this one is personal for her as she explains at the start. However, whilst there is much to praise I can’t get around the fact that it is slow to get going. Thankfully, the pace does pick up helped by the short sharp chapters and then it becomes a very gripping read. On occasion, it does feel like a surreal ride into crazy town due to the behaviour of some of the celebrity inmates and a very dodgy clinician in charge in Dr Lutz, there are very odd vibes and inevitably there are game players. It’s engrossing as emotions run wild and it becomes clear that it’s a wider deeper issue that what may or may not be going on at the clinic. It becomes quite shocking with some weird and disturbing incidents which are interspersed with Meg’s memories, disassociation and obvious trauma from the past.
It’s hard to like the characters although I do like Meg as she has guts and determination. Through Cara your suspicions are allowed to grow as what the manager thought she knew about her place of employment is blown out of the water. Lutz is central to this and I like the believable direction the author takes the plot.
So, all becomes very intriguing but then I feel as if the crazy train suffers a bit of a derailment with a wheel or two rolling off which is a disappointment after such a good build up. It seems to me to feel rushed and a bit far fetched. However, the storytelling overall has a lot of merit and so I’ve rounded my star rating up as I like what the author has tried to do here.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Orion Publishing Group for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Read
March 16, 2024first dnf of the year and i'd consider it a success if this wasn't also the fourth book i picked up after my unfortunate 3-month long slump -_-'
on to a new book we go, then.
on to a new book we go, then.
February 7, 2026
For a full spoiler version of this review, please check out my book review blog here: https://spoiledbooks.blogspot.com/
⭐⭐⭐ 3 out of 5 stars
The Clinic is one of those books that had me excited from page one… and then slowly lost me along the way. The premise is solid: a woman checks into a luxury rehab facility where her famous sister recently died, determined to uncover what really happened. Add in addiction, secrecy, and a shady treatment center, and it *should* be a recipe for tension. 😬
The chapters are short (a big plus for me), and I love stories set in rehab clinics because addicts make for naturally unreliable narrators. Unfortunately, the writing style never fully pulled me in, and the pacing felt uneven — intriguing at first, then oddly dull. I kept reading mostly to get to the end, not because I was hooked.
Not bad, just not as sharp as it could’ve been.
⭐⭐⭐ 3 out of 5 stars
The Clinic is one of those books that had me excited from page one… and then slowly lost me along the way. The premise is solid: a woman checks into a luxury rehab facility where her famous sister recently died, determined to uncover what really happened. Add in addiction, secrecy, and a shady treatment center, and it *should* be a recipe for tension. 😬
The chapters are short (a big plus for me), and I love stories set in rehab clinics because addicts make for naturally unreliable narrators. Unfortunately, the writing style never fully pulled me in, and the pacing felt uneven — intriguing at first, then oddly dull. I kept reading mostly to get to the end, not because I was hooked.
Not bad, just not as sharp as it could’ve been.
November 28, 2023
I have read and enjoyed previous books by Cate Quinn, but The Clinic is now my favourite. For a long book it was a fast read and I finished it in 2 sittings. Short chapters, alternating points of view and unreliable characters made it a binge worthy story for me.
When Meg hears that her famous, estranged sister has died by suicide in rehab she is highly sceptical. She knows her sister better than anyone and she would not take her own life. Struggling from addiction to prescription painkillers and alcohol herself, she checks into The Clinic to find out what really happened to her sister. It is a rehab facility for the rich and famous and one of them killed Haley. Who can she trust?
I loved this book. With all the patients being treated for some kind of addiction, it was hard to know what was true. The staff at the facility weren’t much better. So many secrets, so many lies. So much fun to read.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book. Publishes on January 23rd.
When Meg hears that her famous, estranged sister has died by suicide in rehab she is highly sceptical. She knows her sister better than anyone and she would not take her own life. Struggling from addiction to prescription painkillers and alcohol herself, she checks into The Clinic to find out what really happened to her sister. It is a rehab facility for the rich and famous and one of them killed Haley. Who can she trust?
I loved this book. With all the patients being treated for some kind of addiction, it was hard to know what was true. The staff at the facility weren’t much better. So many secrets, so many lies. So much fun to read.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book. Publishes on January 23rd.
November 7, 2023
Cate Quinn’s newest thriller is set in a rehabilitation center located in the Pacific Northwest, named “The Clinic.” Our main protagonist, Meg works for a casino in LA, going undercover to try and catch scammers and cheaters. When Meg sees a text from her famous actress sister, Haley, she ignores it because of her strained relationship with her. Meg has her own issues to deal with—whether it’s pills or vodka—but she isn’t ready to handle that right now. When news breaks that Haley has died while at The Clinic, Meg starts to understand the texts she just receives and wants to figure out what happened. Meg decides to go undercover at The Clinic to find out, but Meg has her own demons to battle and this luxury rehabilitation center will do everything in its power to keep their secrets within their walls.
This book was really fun, but way too long. I was hooked throughout the entire novel, but I wish they cut a good 100 pages, especially in the second quarter of the story. It takes a lot to build up, but when it’s finally there, the story is a lot of fun! The book juggles multiple point of views, but Meg is my favorite and (IMO) the most important. This book deals heavily with addiction and mental health and I felt that this book will hit closer to home for readers. The rehab center, The Clinic, was creepy and had an atmospheric setting—10s across the board for creepy vibes! Overall THE CLINIC feels more personal than other thrillers I’ve read recently and I’ll definitely stay tuned and see what’s next for Cate Quinn.
This book was really fun, but way too long. I was hooked throughout the entire novel, but I wish they cut a good 100 pages, especially in the second quarter of the story. It takes a lot to build up, but when it’s finally there, the story is a lot of fun! The book juggles multiple point of views, but Meg is my favorite and (IMO) the most important. This book deals heavily with addiction and mental health and I felt that this book will hit closer to home for readers. The rehab center, The Clinic, was creepy and had an atmospheric setting—10s across the board for creepy vibes! Overall THE CLINIC feels more personal than other thrillers I’ve read recently and I’ll definitely stay tuned and see what’s next for Cate Quinn.
February 26, 2024
Woof. Ok. I have felt very torn on this review and, further than that, posting this review. First of all, I just feel so much guilt posting negative reviews. Secondly, this is a book about addiction and rehab, and I read that the author herself wrote this after coming out of rehab.
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As someone who herself is a sober writer, I never want to put down someone who had said they were nervous that they couldn’t write a book sober. I also felt that way before getting sober or dealing with my mental health. Who I am without being fucked up? Thankfully this has proven to not be true. I’ve written way more than I ever did before getting sober.
However, before I knew that, it read to me like it was written by someone who has no experience with addiction or recover. I’m sorry but that is what I thought!!! What really ground my gears was its treatment of mental health. The addicts kept saying they’re pieces of shit (obviously!!) because they are addicts. I get that many addicts feel this way, but come on. Also someone with OCD and intrusive thoughts poisons her family with bleach?? Don’t totally love the idea that people with OCD or mental illness will act on their worst thoughts………. Makes me think of how the bipolar girl in Midsommar killed her parents and herself (I’ll never forget this). Also they kept diagnosing people based on brain scans? I looked on Google (so I basically have an MFA in Psychology now), and this can be helpful in diagnostics but is far from being conclusive…
ANYWAY, apart from that there was just far too much suspension of disbelief. It was so far beyond reality, and I won’t say anymore to avoid spoiling if you still choose to pick this one up based on my glowing review LOL. The writing was also less than stellar. The characters were not quite distinct enough for me to keep them straight in my head. The guilt for going in on this book as hard as I am is killing me a little!!! So, I’m sorry.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for an advance copy of this book (out on Jan 23rd) in exchange for an honest review!
Follow me @mugsreads on IG for more reviews!
As someone who herself is a sober writer, I never want to put down someone who had said they were nervous that they couldn’t write a book sober. I also felt that way before getting sober or dealing with my mental health. Who I am without being fucked up? Thankfully this has proven to not be true. I’ve written way more than I ever did before getting sober.
However, before I knew that, it read to me like it was written by someone who has no experience with addiction or recover. I’m sorry but that is what I thought!!! What really ground my gears was its treatment of mental health. The addicts kept saying they’re pieces of shit (obviously!!) because they are addicts. I get that many addicts feel this way, but come on. Also someone with OCD and intrusive thoughts poisons her family with bleach?? Don’t totally love the idea that people with OCD or mental illness will act on their worst thoughts………. Makes me think of how the bipolar girl in Midsommar killed her parents and herself (I’ll never forget this). Also they kept diagnosing people based on brain scans? I looked on Google (so I basically have an MFA in Psychology now), and this can be helpful in diagnostics but is far from being conclusive…
ANYWAY, apart from that there was just far too much suspension of disbelief. It was so far beyond reality, and I won’t say anymore to avoid spoiling if you still choose to pick this one up based on my glowing review LOL. The writing was also less than stellar. The characters were not quite distinct enough for me to keep them straight in my head. The guilt for going in on this book as hard as I am is killing me a little!!! So, I’m sorry.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for an advance copy of this book (out on Jan 23rd) in exchange for an honest review!
August 28, 2023
3.75 ⭐ rounded up
Cate Quinn takes us on an interesting journey through addiction, sobriety, mental health and psychological issues in this dark and disturbing clinic on the Pacific North West coast. Meg works at a casino undercover catching cheaters. When she hears that her famous sister has died during another stay at a rehab clinic, she can't bring herself to accept Haley's death. Determined to find out what really happened there she infiltrates the clinic posing as an addict. Unfortunately that isn't far from the truth as Meg is battling her own addiction. Will she be able to discover what happened inside the clinic? Was it Suicide? Overdose? Murder? Who can she trust?
She is about to find out that there is so much more going on inside The Clinic.
I really enjoyed this book even though it started off a bit slow, you quickly find yourself engrossed in the characters and trying to determine who is lying and why. With many twists and turns I found The Clinic to be a wild ride through some dark and disturbing minds.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review
Cate Quinn takes us on an interesting journey through addiction, sobriety, mental health and psychological issues in this dark and disturbing clinic on the Pacific North West coast. Meg works at a casino undercover catching cheaters. When she hears that her famous sister has died during another stay at a rehab clinic, she can't bring herself to accept Haley's death. Determined to find out what really happened there she infiltrates the clinic posing as an addict. Unfortunately that isn't far from the truth as Meg is battling her own addiction. Will she be able to discover what happened inside the clinic? Was it Suicide? Overdose? Murder? Who can she trust?
She is about to find out that there is so much more going on inside The Clinic.
I really enjoyed this book even though it started off a bit slow, you quickly find yourself engrossed in the characters and trying to determine who is lying and why. With many twists and turns I found The Clinic to be a wild ride through some dark and disturbing minds.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review
March 15, 2025
2.5 🌟 rounded up for GR
March 3, 2024
Things that were supposed to make this interesting, but didn't:
-- dual POVs (there's no reason why Cara's existed, and in fact third person omniscient would probably have worked better for this story)
-- celebrity rehab (regular people are interesting enough, and the "celebrity" part makes no difference here; it's shortcut character writing/monkeywrench which isn't even really utilized)
-- drug addiction/psychological issues (portrayed and handled questionably, and the place is more of a spa than anything else. I'd get a massage and go sit in the salt cave and cryochamber, too.)
-- dramatic back story for the main character (*yawn*)
What would have helped: strong characters, emotion, research, a more interesting/nuanced relationship between the sisters, a more complex/thought-out central mystery at the clinic, and atmosphere. This lacks all of that.
Audio Notes: The two narrator voices are pleasant enough, but their accents for non-Americans are truly mediocre. The one of them also skews really young for the MC's voice, which contributes to an overall YA-type feeling for what's supposed to be an adult book.
Anyway, I rarely 1-star books but bleh. Not terrible as you go through it until you start yelling at the ludicrousness of what is happening/not happening, but ultimately no redeeming qualities as far as I'm concerned.
-- dual POVs (there's no reason why Cara's existed, and in fact third person omniscient would probably have worked better for this story)
-- celebrity rehab (regular people are interesting enough, and the "celebrity" part makes no difference here; it's shortcut character writing/monkeywrench which isn't even really utilized)
-- drug addiction/psychological issues (portrayed and handled questionably, and the place is more of a spa than anything else. I'd get a massage and go sit in the salt cave and cryochamber, too.)
-- dramatic back story for the main character (*yawn*)
What would have helped: strong characters, emotion, research, a more interesting/nuanced relationship between the sisters, a more complex/thought-out central mystery at the clinic, and atmosphere. This lacks all of that.
Audio Notes: The two narrator voices are pleasant enough, but their accents for non-Americans are truly mediocre. The one of them also skews really young for the MC's voice, which contributes to an overall YA-type feeling for what's supposed to be an adult book.
Anyway, I rarely 1-star books but bleh. Not terrible as you go through it until you start yelling at the ludicrousness of what is happening/not happening, but ultimately no redeeming qualities as far as I'm concerned.
January 24, 2024
Happy publication day!!
This book is getting a sold 4 out of 5 stars! I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the intriguing plot.
Cate Quinn does a fantastic job taking the experience she had in rehab herself and turning it into a diabolical read.
The plot mainly surrounds Meg. Meg has some troubles with alcohol and pills, but gets by as a professional poker player spotting out and arresting loan sharks. She does have a way with accents and disguises… When she finds out her Hollywood singer sister dies in a celebrity luxury rehab on the Pacific Northwest Coast, Meg becomes obsessed with finding out who murdered her. So she commits herself to this facility and finds that there is way more going on behind the scenes than she was prepared for.
I’ll admit it- I didn’t see the big plot twist coming. I was totally set up. I was shocked! The ending also blew me away.
Short chapters, multiple viewpoints, characters with history and depth, themes of addiction and childhood trauma. These are all the things that made this a fantastic read for me.
However, there’s also a not terribly reliable protagonist, annoying characters, decisions made that were a little crazy, and slow sections of this novel. But, I got over it. The plot twist was worth it for me.
I loved The Clinic and I now love Cate Quinn. I would completely recommend to anyone!
A great thank you goes out to Cate Quinn, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book is getting a sold 4 out of 5 stars! I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the intriguing plot.
Cate Quinn does a fantastic job taking the experience she had in rehab herself and turning it into a diabolical read.
The plot mainly surrounds Meg. Meg has some troubles with alcohol and pills, but gets by as a professional poker player spotting out and arresting loan sharks. She does have a way with accents and disguises… When she finds out her Hollywood singer sister dies in a celebrity luxury rehab on the Pacific Northwest Coast, Meg becomes obsessed with finding out who murdered her. So she commits herself to this facility and finds that there is way more going on behind the scenes than she was prepared for.
I’ll admit it- I didn’t see the big plot twist coming. I was totally set up. I was shocked! The ending also blew me away.
Short chapters, multiple viewpoints, characters with history and depth, themes of addiction and childhood trauma. These are all the things that made this a fantastic read for me.
However, there’s also a not terribly reliable protagonist, annoying characters, decisions made that were a little crazy, and slow sections of this novel. But, I got over it. The plot twist was worth it for me.
I loved The Clinic and I now love Cate Quinn. I would completely recommend to anyone!
A great thank you goes out to Cate Quinn, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 7, 2024
why are we still letting out breaths we didn't know we were holding in 2024. but also "I heard a high-pitched noise and realized it was me screaming" or whatever that line was also irked me. this definitely did not need to be 439 pages, but the short chapters made it fly, and the story itself was a fun time. I also liked the twists and reveals about the clinic; it was just overall too long for a thriller, but at the same time I appreciate a slow burn, so we'll settle for a 4 star rating lol.
February 26, 2024
The Clinic had a lot of potential, but in the end, it just fizzled out for me. After her boss tells her to get help or else he will have to fire her, Meg enters the posh rehab facility run by the enigmatic Dr. Lutz to investigate her sister's suicide. Meg has issues with trauma and drug abuse, so the clinic is a two-for-one deal as far as she is concerned. But Meg doesn’t seem too interested in addressing her issues, just uncovering the truth about her sister. What unfolds is a novel about a clinic with some disturbing treatment methods that creeped me out and not much substance to keep me turning the page. This novel was close to 450 pages with an ending that was not all that exciting. With editing and a stronger ending, this could have held my interest. I feel I’m being generous with three stars.
November 10, 2023
I absolutely enjoyed this book. I'd like to thank netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
When I first read the about for The Clinic, I thought it was so intrigued and thought it was so unlike any book.
From the beginning this book held my interest. Please check your tw as this book talks about suicide and drug and alcohol use. It is often hard to believe when we hear a loved one commits suicide, so when Meg, who is an undercover agent hears the news of her sisters suicide while she was in rehab, she is determined to learn the truth. However, she must get through many webs to uncover the truth, and part of that is dealing with her own addiction.
This book had so many twists and turns and it was so enjoyable.
When I first read the about for The Clinic, I thought it was so intrigued and thought it was so unlike any book.
From the beginning this book held my interest. Please check your tw as this book talks about suicide and drug and alcohol use. It is often hard to believe when we hear a loved one commits suicide, so when Meg, who is an undercover agent hears the news of her sisters suicide while she was in rehab, she is determined to learn the truth. However, she must get through many webs to uncover the truth, and part of that is dealing with her own addiction.
This book had so many twists and turns and it was so enjoyable.
November 12, 2023
Unmasking Secrets, Challenging Stereotypes …
Book Information
“The Clinic” by Cate Quinn is a 320-page mystery/thriller with a planned publication date of January 23, 2024. Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book for review.
Summary
Meg's job in a Los Angeles casino revolves around catching cheaters and relying on a copious amount of pain medication for solace, a path distinctly different from her famous actress sister, Haley. When shocking reports emerge of Haley's death at a secluded rehab center, supposedly by her own hand, Meg's disbelief drives her to a daring decision. She opts to infiltrate the same rehab facility, where she must grapple with her own addiction demons while unearthing the truth.
My Thoughts
Cate Quinn's "The Clinic" is a well-written and highly entertaining book. The narrative is very character-driven, offering a diverse cast with histories and depths that are both compelling and unique. It also features short chapters (LOVE short chapters) which keep the story engaging and constantly moving.
The story unfolds primarily through the perspectives of two different characters, which adds a layer of intrigue. What makes "The Clinic" even more realistic is that the author draws from her own experiences in rehab, giving the story a genuine and authentic feel. In addition, the level of research that went into this book is evident, as the author spent time consulting experts and seeking experiences like those endured by the characters. This dedication to accuracy pays off, making the narrative all the more immersive.
One of the standout aspects of the book is the variety of characters and their distinct personalities. Each character is unique and quirky, and even if you initially find them unlikeable, as I did with Meg and her snarky attitude, they grow on you as the story unfolds.
Cate Quinn expertly layers reality throughout the book. Readers struggle along with the characters as they grapple with what's real and attempt to make sense of their surroundings. The uncertainty adds depth to the psychological thriller aspect of the story.
"The Clinic" boasts several significant twists that keep readers engaged. The main twist, in particular, is well-executed and took me by surprise. While some twists might stretch the bounds of belief, they add a thrilling element to the story.
One thing that sets this book apart is how it responsibly addresses addiction and portrays neurodiversity in a positive light. Unlike the clichéd portrayal of addiction, mental illness, or neurodiversity as inherently bad or villainous, "The Clinic" paints a more accurate picture that these traits do not equate to moral character.
Recommendation
"The Clinic" is an excellent psychological thriller that combines well-crafted characters, a gripping storyline, and a responsible exploration of complex themes. Cate Quinn's storytelling prowess shines through in this gripping and thought-provoking novel. Recommended.
Rating
4 Rehabbed Stars
Book Information
“The Clinic” by Cate Quinn is a 320-page mystery/thriller with a planned publication date of January 23, 2024. Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book for review.
Summary
Meg's job in a Los Angeles casino revolves around catching cheaters and relying on a copious amount of pain medication for solace, a path distinctly different from her famous actress sister, Haley. When shocking reports emerge of Haley's death at a secluded rehab center, supposedly by her own hand, Meg's disbelief drives her to a daring decision. She opts to infiltrate the same rehab facility, where she must grapple with her own addiction demons while unearthing the truth.
My Thoughts
Cate Quinn's "The Clinic" is a well-written and highly entertaining book. The narrative is very character-driven, offering a diverse cast with histories and depths that are both compelling and unique. It also features short chapters (LOVE short chapters) which keep the story engaging and constantly moving.
The story unfolds primarily through the perspectives of two different characters, which adds a layer of intrigue. What makes "The Clinic" even more realistic is that the author draws from her own experiences in rehab, giving the story a genuine and authentic feel. In addition, the level of research that went into this book is evident, as the author spent time consulting experts and seeking experiences like those endured by the characters. This dedication to accuracy pays off, making the narrative all the more immersive.
One of the standout aspects of the book is the variety of characters and their distinct personalities. Each character is unique and quirky, and even if you initially find them unlikeable, as I did with Meg and her snarky attitude, they grow on you as the story unfolds.
Cate Quinn expertly layers reality throughout the book. Readers struggle along with the characters as they grapple with what's real and attempt to make sense of their surroundings. The uncertainty adds depth to the psychological thriller aspect of the story.
"The Clinic" boasts several significant twists that keep readers engaged. The main twist, in particular, is well-executed and took me by surprise. While some twists might stretch the bounds of belief, they add a thrilling element to the story.
One thing that sets this book apart is how it responsibly addresses addiction and portrays neurodiversity in a positive light. Unlike the clichéd portrayal of addiction, mental illness, or neurodiversity as inherently bad or villainous, "The Clinic" paints a more accurate picture that these traits do not equate to moral character.
Recommendation
"The Clinic" is an excellent psychological thriller that combines well-crafted characters, a gripping storyline, and a responsible exploration of complex themes. Cate Quinn's storytelling prowess shines through in this gripping and thought-provoking novel. Recommended.
Rating
4 Rehabbed Stars
December 6, 2023
Some books are good and some books are memorable and this book is both and then some! I absolutely devoured this in one day and couldn’t believe the many shocks and twists it took. While many of the conclusions I drew were likely based on my own traumas, Cate Quinn truly took me on a journey and I’m excited to check out some of her other books!
October 20, 2025
Pedestrian ~
Predictable ~
I found The Clinic, by Cate Quinn difficult to finish. By page 145(ish) I was losing interest, the writing was not compelling.
Predictable ~
I found The Clinic, by Cate Quinn difficult to finish. By page 145(ish) I was losing interest, the writing was not compelling.
August 1, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
This book was ok. I struggled to stay interested in the storyline and the entire concept of this rehab facility was hard to grasp and unrealistic.
I didn’t at all find the setting to have enough atmosphere to make this a gothic novel like it was made to sound.
It was really a mystery of Haley being listed as dead and her sisters search for answers at the same facility.
I just didn’t find it to be as much of a thriller as I expected or as interesting as the summary made it sound.
This book was ok. I struggled to stay interested in the storyline and the entire concept of this rehab facility was hard to grasp and unrealistic.
I didn’t at all find the setting to have enough atmosphere to make this a gothic novel like it was made to sound.
It was really a mystery of Haley being listed as dead and her sisters search for answers at the same facility.
I just didn’t find it to be as much of a thriller as I expected or as interesting as the summary made it sound.
November 28, 2023
To keep things general: this one just wasn’t for me. The overall concept and setting was intriguing, but the execution didn’t hit the mark. I struggled to stay interested from the start, which is really hard for a longer book, and it got a bit far fetched in the end. Most disappointing was the setting itself. Given the cover and descriptions, I was hoping for something creepy and gothic, but it was just too “LA Chic.” Don’t you look at that cover and get excited for something spine-tingly?? That part I’ll take the blame for - I shouldn’t have assumed. Despite that, the book still didn’t give me much. I liked the short chapters, as it made it easy to feel like I could keep going, but the overall plot never gave me a tug. Never the, “I have to know what happens next!!” The only way I got through this was the short chapters and “Ugh, I guess I can do one more because they’re only a couple pages," feeling.
Getting more specific (POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD): the “big killer reveal” was just blah. Maybe I read too many thrillers, but this wasn’t twisty or very shocking, it tried to be, but again, execution didn’t hit the mark.
Things that really annoyed me (AGAIN, SPOILERS):
-The “Fedora Man” and “Queen of Hearts” plot seemed like a throw-away story line in the end. We spend what feels like 75% of the book tapping into Meg’s traumatic past with these characters, and Fedora Man just waltzes in, talks to Meg and explains her confusing history in a 5 min conversation, then leaves. It was the quickest “resolution” and we just move right along like we didn’t spend the entire book fixated on this plot!
-A similar annoyance - The clinic was under some sort of lockdown. Fedora Man even says he couldn’t get in right away, waits in his car, then comes in when possible. He talks to Meg, barely questions her on why she’s there, barely questions what lockdown is all about (I think he may have ask if she wanted a ride, but doesn’t push the subject much), then just leaves like it’s no big deal…. MEANWHILE, someone has alerted the police of a murder and the cops state they can’t come until the morning because of the weather. Fedora Man = "Imma head home, no problemo," but cops investigating multiple murders with a killer on the loose = "nah, we’ll wait this one out a bit." Absurd.
-Unethical things probably happen all the time in these types of clinics, but there are also mandates/rules for clinic facilities and the security of medication and more staff seems like a big important thing. Meg just comes in with drugs and a phone and is barely searched? No staff/security with locked medication and drugs, even despite a recent patient break in and overdose? Where is the staff?? We have an owner, a doctor, an office manager, and some offhand mention of nurses that do absolutely nothing outside of being henchmen for the boss… we’re just letting detoxing patients who are quite volatile just roam around and interact with each other seemingly unsupervised?
-Plot seemed all over the place and we kept weaving new things in. First, Meg’s past was the main plot, discovering her sister’s killer by navigating her history. Then we add in blowfish treatments and the black market (okay weird, but fine). Next, right near the end, we add in a sociopath/mental health diagnoses component out of the blue. Plot points were so ridiculous it took away my interest.
-The characters weren’t well developed. Everyone including the main narrators Cara/Meg had similar voices. While they had different backstories and physical characteristics, their personalities and interactions were so similar it was hard to differentiate. Dex and Tom were just two interchangeable men with anger problems literally fooling around with everyone, and Jade and Sierra quite frankly were also a similar blur, just one had an English accent…
-You have to suspend reality. An officer bringing baby with to investigate a murder? The cops being so persistent on upholding the law but then shrugging off ethics in the very end? Our main character who proves to follow every rule and question every shady situation, then throws all morals out the window in a months time?
Those are only a few issues, but it took some effort to get through the unbelievable aspects.
I hate to rate this book so low, especially as I appreciated the look into rehab, the minds of addicts, and how difficult recovery can be. I also commend the author for writing her first novel sober and pulling from her life and rehab experience. That being said, there is a lot of addiction themes and a later focus on mental health diagnoses. It felt very personal and maybe I would have responded differently if I had any connection to the topic.
This is my honest review based on an ARC provided by NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark.
Getting more specific (POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD): the “big killer reveal” was just blah. Maybe I read too many thrillers, but this wasn’t twisty or very shocking, it tried to be, but again, execution didn’t hit the mark.
Things that really annoyed me (AGAIN, SPOILERS):
-The “Fedora Man” and “Queen of Hearts” plot seemed like a throw-away story line in the end. We spend what feels like 75% of the book tapping into Meg’s traumatic past with these characters, and Fedora Man just waltzes in, talks to Meg and explains her confusing history in a 5 min conversation, then leaves. It was the quickest “resolution” and we just move right along like we didn’t spend the entire book fixated on this plot!
-A similar annoyance - The clinic was under some sort of lockdown. Fedora Man even says he couldn’t get in right away, waits in his car, then comes in when possible. He talks to Meg, barely questions her on why she’s there, barely questions what lockdown is all about (I think he may have ask if she wanted a ride, but doesn’t push the subject much), then just leaves like it’s no big deal…. MEANWHILE, someone has alerted the police of a murder and the cops state they can’t come until the morning because of the weather. Fedora Man = "Imma head home, no problemo," but cops investigating multiple murders with a killer on the loose = "nah, we’ll wait this one out a bit." Absurd.
-Unethical things probably happen all the time in these types of clinics, but there are also mandates/rules for clinic facilities and the security of medication and more staff seems like a big important thing. Meg just comes in with drugs and a phone and is barely searched? No staff/security with locked medication and drugs, even despite a recent patient break in and overdose? Where is the staff?? We have an owner, a doctor, an office manager, and some offhand mention of nurses that do absolutely nothing outside of being henchmen for the boss… we’re just letting detoxing patients who are quite volatile just roam around and interact with each other seemingly unsupervised?
-Plot seemed all over the place and we kept weaving new things in. First, Meg’s past was the main plot, discovering her sister’s killer by navigating her history. Then we add in blowfish treatments and the black market (okay weird, but fine). Next, right near the end, we add in a sociopath/mental health diagnoses component out of the blue. Plot points were so ridiculous it took away my interest.
-The characters weren’t well developed. Everyone including the main narrators Cara/Meg had similar voices. While they had different backstories and physical characteristics, their personalities and interactions were so similar it was hard to differentiate. Dex and Tom were just two interchangeable men with anger problems literally fooling around with everyone, and Jade and Sierra quite frankly were also a similar blur, just one had an English accent…
-You have to suspend reality. An officer bringing baby with to investigate a murder? The cops being so persistent on upholding the law but then shrugging off ethics in the very end? Our main character who proves to follow every rule and question every shady situation, then throws all morals out the window in a months time?
Those are only a few issues, but it took some effort to get through the unbelievable aspects.
I hate to rate this book so low, especially as I appreciated the look into rehab, the minds of addicts, and how difficult recovery can be. I also commend the author for writing her first novel sober and pulling from her life and rehab experience. That being said, there is a lot of addiction themes and a later focus on mental health diagnoses. It felt very personal and maybe I would have responded differently if I had any connection to the topic.
This is my honest review based on an ARC provided by NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark.
January 8, 2024
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Jan. 23, 2024
Cate Quinn’s “The Clinic” is a locked-room mystery, with a twist!
Meg works in a casino in Los Angeles, helping to catch those who try to cheat. She’s good at her job, maybe too good, but it takes its toll on her and she resorts to alcohol and opiates to cope. Her sister, Haley, is a famous pop star and although they’re estranged, Meg suffers a blow when she discovers her sister is dead, taking her own life during her stay in the secretive rehab clinic for the rich and famous. Meg is convinced her sister would not commit suicide and she is determined to find out what happened- even if it means checking into rehab and dealing with her own demons. At “The Clinic”, everyone is a suspect and no one is who they claim to be but Meg is convinced that at least one of them is a murderer.
“The Clinic” is a remote estate tucked away in the countryside. This is not an entirely unique location and a suspicious death among the select few residents is also not new. But what Quinn manages to do with this? I was beyond impressed.
Meg narrates part of the novel and Cara, the Clinic manager, narrates a portion. Both women are tied to the Clinic in very different ways and both are hiding terrible secrets. Cara is a far more subtle character than Meg is as readers know right from the start who Meg is and what she’s searching for. Cara’s character serves to help readers understand the inner workings of the rehab facility, and the who’s-who of the administration, which comes in handy as the story progresses. Both women are very different and yet they both have their own individual charm that serves to make them relatable and likable.
Nothing is as it seems from page one and once the twists start coming, they don’t stop. Everyone has a secret and Quinn keeps the tension high until the final pages. The conclusion was unexpected, and slightly less believable, although it was thoroughly satisfying.
I loved the inside look at the devastating and traumatic world of addiction (as well as learning about the surprising effects of the blow fish poison). Quinn has taken an overdone trope and an overused setting and somehow managed to make “The Clinic” refreshing, unique and deliciously unique! Quinn is now moved swiftly onto my radar and I will be keeping an eye out for her future works!
Expected publication date: Jan. 23, 2024
Cate Quinn’s “The Clinic” is a locked-room mystery, with a twist!
Meg works in a casino in Los Angeles, helping to catch those who try to cheat. She’s good at her job, maybe too good, but it takes its toll on her and she resorts to alcohol and opiates to cope. Her sister, Haley, is a famous pop star and although they’re estranged, Meg suffers a blow when she discovers her sister is dead, taking her own life during her stay in the secretive rehab clinic for the rich and famous. Meg is convinced her sister would not commit suicide and she is determined to find out what happened- even if it means checking into rehab and dealing with her own demons. At “The Clinic”, everyone is a suspect and no one is who they claim to be but Meg is convinced that at least one of them is a murderer.
“The Clinic” is a remote estate tucked away in the countryside. This is not an entirely unique location and a suspicious death among the select few residents is also not new. But what Quinn manages to do with this? I was beyond impressed.
Meg narrates part of the novel and Cara, the Clinic manager, narrates a portion. Both women are tied to the Clinic in very different ways and both are hiding terrible secrets. Cara is a far more subtle character than Meg is as readers know right from the start who Meg is and what she’s searching for. Cara’s character serves to help readers understand the inner workings of the rehab facility, and the who’s-who of the administration, which comes in handy as the story progresses. Both women are very different and yet they both have their own individual charm that serves to make them relatable and likable.
Nothing is as it seems from page one and once the twists start coming, they don’t stop. Everyone has a secret and Quinn keeps the tension high until the final pages. The conclusion was unexpected, and slightly less believable, although it was thoroughly satisfying.
I loved the inside look at the devastating and traumatic world of addiction (as well as learning about the surprising effects of the blow fish poison). Quinn has taken an overdone trope and an overused setting and somehow managed to make “The Clinic” refreshing, unique and deliciously unique! Quinn is now moved swiftly onto my radar and I will be keeping an eye out for her future works!
January 25, 2024
I usually love a hospital/clinic setting so i expected to love this!
it started out really strong, Meg’s country star sister ends up dead in a rehab facility and she infiltrates the clinic to figure out what really happened to her sister - really interesting premise and i was really hooked for about the first 25%. but once Meg actually gets to the clinic it all came to a halt for me, the pace slows down and the reveals go very OTT. this book is wayyyy too long, even with short chapters i believe this comes out to around 400 pages and it really dragged in the middle.
it started out really strong, Meg’s country star sister ends up dead in a rehab facility and she infiltrates the clinic to figure out what really happened to her sister - really interesting premise and i was really hooked for about the first 25%. but once Meg actually gets to the clinic it all came to a halt for me, the pace slows down and the reveals go very OTT. this book is wayyyy too long, even with short chapters i believe this comes out to around 400 pages and it really dragged in the middle.
January 23, 2024
**Happy Publication Day!!**
*3.5 stars rounded up
When Meg learns her older sister Haley's death while in rehab has been ruled a suicide, she decides to check herself in to prove otherwise. Could one of her fellow patients be a murderer?
The author writes that she used her own personal experiences in rehab to inform her story. This is the first book she's written sober. It's a quick read with lots of surprising twists and some interesting insights into addiction and the tools used to try to help patients recover.
I was invited to read an arc of this novel by the publisher. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
*3.5 stars rounded up
When Meg learns her older sister Haley's death while in rehab has been ruled a suicide, she decides to check herself in to prove otherwise. Could one of her fellow patients be a murderer?
The author writes that she used her own personal experiences in rehab to inform her story. This is the first book she's written sober. It's a quick read with lots of surprising twists and some interesting insights into addiction and the tools used to try to help patients recover.
I was invited to read an arc of this novel by the publisher. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
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