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The Chart
The chart says she's declining. The chart is lying.
Rachel Adler did everything right. She read the reviews. She toured in daylight. She chose the memory-care facility with the 4.5 stars and the lobby that smelled like eucalyptus, and she signed the papers, and she drove home believing her mother was safe.
Then she visited at night.
At 1 AM the hallway smells like urine. One aide covers twenty-six patients. Call lights blink in the dark and no one comes. Her mother's water pitcher is bone dry, and the chart says she drank. The chart says she rested. The chart says she was comfortable.
Her mother says: I asked but nobody came.
So Rachel starts writing down the hours no one watches. Times. Room numbers. The gap between what the record claims and what the dark hallway actually holds. The night-shift aide who has walked that hallway alone for two years starts writing with her. And what the two of them assemble does not stop at one bad building.
Forty-seven facilities. Six states. The same sentence in every denial.
But the system that moved fast enough to fail her mother moves very slowly when a daughter starts asking questions. And the deeper Rachel digs, the more it costs the one person who can no longer speak for herself.
THE CHART is a quietly devastating thriller about the documents we trust, the people we leave in rooms we do not visit, and the unbearable distance between a record that says comfortable and a hand reaching for a button no one will answer.
For readers of Jodi Picoult, Lisa Genova, and Lisa Scottoline.
Rachel Adler did everything right. She read the reviews. She toured in daylight. She chose the memory-care facility with the 4.5 stars and the lobby that smelled like eucalyptus, and she signed the papers, and she drove home believing her mother was safe.
Then she visited at night.
At 1 AM the hallway smells like urine. One aide covers twenty-six patients. Call lights blink in the dark and no one comes. Her mother's water pitcher is bone dry, and the chart says she drank. The chart says she rested. The chart says she was comfortable.
Her mother says: I asked but nobody came.
So Rachel starts writing down the hours no one watches. Times. Room numbers. The gap between what the record claims and what the dark hallway actually holds. The night-shift aide who has walked that hallway alone for two years starts writing with her. And what the two of them assemble does not stop at one bad building.
Forty-seven facilities. Six states. The same sentence in every denial.
But the system that moved fast enough to fail her mother moves very slowly when a daughter starts asking questions. And the deeper Rachel digs, the more it costs the one person who can no longer speak for herself.
THE CHART is a quietly devastating thriller about the documents we trust, the people we leave in rooms we do not visit, and the unbearable distance between a record that says comfortable and a hand reaching for a button no one will answer.
For readers of Jodi Picoult, Lisa Genova, and Lisa Scottoline.
- GenresThriller
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 5, 2026
About the author
A.R. Hollowell
9 books97 followersA.R. Hollowell writes psychological thrillers about impossible choices: the kind that keep you up at night, not because they are frightening, but because you are no longer sure what you would have done.
The stories live in the space between what is legal and what is right, where ordinary people get caught inside the systems built to protect them and have to choose when every option costs something. There are no clean answers, and that is the point.
When not writing, A.R. is usually flying a drone, building something new, or watching a movie with family.
Readers who want to know what comes next can follow A.R. Hollowell by joining the Hollowell Circle of Trust Facebook group here
The stories live in the space between what is legal and what is right, where ordinary people get caught inside the systems built to protect them and have to choose when every option costs something. There are no clean answers, and that is the point.
When not writing, A.R. is usually flying a drone, building something new, or watching a movie with family.
Readers who want to know what comes next can follow A.R. Hollowell by joining the Hollowell Circle of Trust Facebook group here
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
August 9, 2026
Thank you A. R. Hollowell and BookSirens for the advanced audiobook of this novel.
4.25 Stars
I have mixed feelings about this novel. In some aspects the writing is brilliant because it is tiresome. Being in the mind of a patient with dementia left me feeling a bit exhausted by the end.
That being said, some of the repetitive stream of consciousness was so mentally taxing that I was looking forward to being finished but that also lends to what makes the story so compelling.
Definitely a challenge for me in style but likely a story I won't soon forget. It really makes you think about what goes on in nursing homes and how much you can really trust what is being documented.
Good read.
4.25 Stars
I have mixed feelings about this novel. In some aspects the writing is brilliant because it is tiresome. Being in the mind of a patient with dementia left me feeling a bit exhausted by the end.
That being said, some of the repetitive stream of consciousness was so mentally taxing that I was looking forward to being finished but that also lends to what makes the story so compelling.
Definitely a challenge for me in style but likely a story I won't soon forget. It really makes you think about what goes on in nursing homes and how much you can really trust what is being documented.
Good read.
Read
August 29, 2026Dark long unvested road
far from care
far from tender star
sub to unclean mood
sided by huge tired tree
unwanted toy
falso costss
sharp ignorance
hit by trust absinss
chart
dark sad part
ask
far from care
far from tender star
sub to unclean mood
sided by huge tired tree
unwanted toy
falso costss
sharp ignorance
hit by trust absinss
chart
dark sad part
ask
August 14, 2026
The Chart is a deeply unsettling story that makes you question just how much truth can really be found in a medical record. When the chart belongs to a patient in a memory care facility, can you trust what has been documented, or is the real story hidden somewhere between the lines?
Having extensive experience in nursing homes, this part of the book really hit home for me. I know firsthand how important accurate, thorough documentation is and how much a patient’s chart can influence the way their care is understood. But this story made me stop and consider what happens when the chart doesn’t tell the whole story. Is it truly documenting the patient’s care and condition, or can documentation sometimes reflect the facility’s perspective more than the resident’s reality?
It also made me think about what can happen during those overnight hours when staffing is lighter and there are fewer eyes on what is happening. Anyone who has worked in long-term care knows that a chart only tells you what was documented—it doesn’t necessarily tell you everything that happened. That distinction made The Chart especially unsettling for me, and it’s something I’ll continue thinking about long after finishing the book.
A.R. Hollowell has a talent for exploring the darker side of institutional systems and exposing what can happen when those systems fail the very people they are supposed to protect. His stories aren't necessarily comfortable, but they are thought-provoking and disturbingly believable. They make me question what is right and wrong, how I might respond in the same situation, and whether enough safeguards are really in place to prevent these kinds of failures.
The Chart isn't just a story you read and move on from. It's the kind of book that makes you stop, think, and question what you believe to be the truth. And honestly, I love a book that stays with me long after I turn the final page.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Having extensive experience in nursing homes, this part of the book really hit home for me. I know firsthand how important accurate, thorough documentation is and how much a patient’s chart can influence the way their care is understood. But this story made me stop and consider what happens when the chart doesn’t tell the whole story. Is it truly documenting the patient’s care and condition, or can documentation sometimes reflect the facility’s perspective more than the resident’s reality?
It also made me think about what can happen during those overnight hours when staffing is lighter and there are fewer eyes on what is happening. Anyone who has worked in long-term care knows that a chart only tells you what was documented—it doesn’t necessarily tell you everything that happened. That distinction made The Chart especially unsettling for me, and it’s something I’ll continue thinking about long after finishing the book.
A.R. Hollowell has a talent for exploring the darker side of institutional systems and exposing what can happen when those systems fail the very people they are supposed to protect. His stories aren't necessarily comfortable, but they are thought-provoking and disturbingly believable. They make me question what is right and wrong, how I might respond in the same situation, and whether enough safeguards are really in place to prevent these kinds of failures.
The Chart isn't just a story you read and move on from. It's the kind of book that makes you stop, think, and question what you believe to be the truth. And honestly, I love a book that stays with me long after I turn the final page.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 10, 2026
This book really hit home for me, as my mom had dementia and spent time in memory care and eventually a nursing home before she passed away two years ago. I found myself relating so deeply to Helen’s daughter and her experience as a caregiver. Dementia is such an awful disease—not only for the person living with it, but also for the family and caregivers who are navigating it alongside them.
I think A. R. Hollowell did a phenomenal job portraying the perspectives of the patient, the caregiver, and the realities of what can happen within these facilities. So much of it felt incredibly relatable and authentic, which made the story even more emotional and impactful for me.
A powerful, heartfelt read that really stayed with me. I can’t wait to dive into Book 2!
I think A. R. Hollowell did a phenomenal job portraying the perspectives of the patient, the caregiver, and the realities of what can happen within these facilities. So much of it felt incredibly relatable and authentic, which made the story even more emotional and impactful for me.
A powerful, heartfelt read that really stayed with me. I can’t wait to dive into Book 2!
August 22, 2026
### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ *The Chart* by A.R. Hollowell
I leave this review voluntarily. I received this book as an ARC reader.
*The Chart* is one of those books that I couldn't put down but was "triggered " because the most frightening part is how real it feels and sadly how in reality this happens.
This book hit home for me because I saw some of this in real life as a loved one, I saw for others that didn't have a loved one there, I have said something and always will. I have alot of unwanted not pleasant experience with nursing homes with a few decent ones sprinkled in. I have been and am a caregiver of a loved one.
I experienced such a wide range of emotions. I felt rage and anger, alot of anger.. along with fear, anxiety and sadness.
It was very good, well written but due to the topic, it was a hard read, but it kept me engaged.
If you work in a nursing home or memory care facility and are caring, gentle,responsive, honest and reliable, thank you.
For anyone who has a loved one in a nursing home or memory-care facility, reading this may be a hard hit. It was for me, but I also want to say, visit at 2am.
I leave this review voluntarily. I received this book as an ARC reader.
*The Chart* is one of those books that I couldn't put down but was "triggered " because the most frightening part is how real it feels and sadly how in reality this happens.
This book hit home for me because I saw some of this in real life as a loved one, I saw for others that didn't have a loved one there, I have said something and always will. I have alot of unwanted not pleasant experience with nursing homes with a few decent ones sprinkled in. I have been and am a caregiver of a loved one.
I experienced such a wide range of emotions. I felt rage and anger, alot of anger.. along with fear, anxiety and sadness.
It was very good, well written but due to the topic, it was a hard read, but it kept me engaged.
If you work in a nursing home or memory care facility and are caring, gentle,responsive, honest and reliable, thank you.
For anyone who has a loved one in a nursing home or memory-care facility, reading this may be a hard hit. It was for me, but I also want to say, visit at 2am.
August 7, 2026
The Chart Reveals What We’re Not Supposed to See
Wow! Wow! Wow! Another fantastic book by this amazing author. This is my second book that I have read by A R Howell and I was completely blown away.
This is a story about something we all have to face, the idea of getting older and going into a nursing home. Even though Meridian Oaks has 4.5 stars the book explains how what might look great as a brochure when the lights go out it is a totally different atmosphere and the chart tells a different story then what is really going on in the facility.
What I love about this author is they have the ability to make you really look at the system and see flaws in it . The author also does a great job describing everything in such detail that you feel like you are in the book and can feel how the characters feel. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes psychological thrillers and also likes to look critically at the institutions that that are supposed to “take care of others.”.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Wow! Wow! Wow! Another fantastic book by this amazing author. This is my second book that I have read by A R Howell and I was completely blown away.
This is a story about something we all have to face, the idea of getting older and going into a nursing home. Even though Meridian Oaks has 4.5 stars the book explains how what might look great as a brochure when the lights go out it is a totally different atmosphere and the chart tells a different story then what is really going on in the facility.
What I love about this author is they have the ability to make you really look at the system and see flaws in it . The author also does a great job describing everything in such detail that you feel like you are in the book and can feel how the characters feel. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes psychological thrillers and also likes to look critically at the institutions that that are supposed to “take care of others.”.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 11, 2026
The Chart is a very unsettling look at truth. Is the chart for a patient in a memory care facility the truth or does that truth lie somewhere else?
The book will really make you think twice about what is documented in medical charts. Does the chart cover for the facility or does it tell the truth about the patient. What happens in the middle of the night when there are fewer eyes watching? I will certainly wonder about this long after reading The Chart.
A.R. Hollowell writes stories about institutional systems and what happens when these systems fail to protect those they were designed for. His books make me really think about right and wrong, what would I do in the same situation, and what checks are in place to prevent these kind of failures. These are not happy topics, but they are topics that could play out in real life. I love a story that makes me think and question.
The book will really make you think twice about what is documented in medical charts. Does the chart cover for the facility or does it tell the truth about the patient. What happens in the middle of the night when there are fewer eyes watching? I will certainly wonder about this long after reading The Chart.
A.R. Hollowell writes stories about institutional systems and what happens when these systems fail to protect those they were designed for. His books make me really think about right and wrong, what would I do in the same situation, and what checks are in place to prevent these kind of failures. These are not happy topics, but they are topics that could play out in real life. I love a story that makes me think and question.
July 24, 2026
“The Chart” by A. R. Hollowell is a thought-provoking start to the Meridian Files Thrillers series. While it's a slow burn, it's packed with intensity and it’s vivid, descriptive writing pulled me into the story.
Following both a caregiver and a patient, this novel explores the heartbreaking reality of an understaffed facility overwhelmed by a broken system. It tackles heavy, emotional topics and shines a light on a truth that feels all too relevant today, when corporations often prioritize compliance over genuine care.
This isn't a fast-paced thriller, but it's one that lingers with you long after you finish. It’s dark, powerful, and unsettling. The Chart is an impactful read that I really enjoyed.
Following both a caregiver and a patient, this novel explores the heartbreaking reality of an understaffed facility overwhelmed by a broken system. It tackles heavy, emotional topics and shines a light on a truth that feels all too relevant today, when corporations often prioritize compliance over genuine care.
This isn't a fast-paced thriller, but it's one that lingers with you long after you finish. It’s dark, powerful, and unsettling. The Chart is an impactful read that I really enjoyed.
August 11, 2026
I received an advanced reader copy and chose to share my honest thoughts voluntarily.
This book is very thought provoking. It takes a deeper look at what can happen in a nursing home. Rachel places her mother in a highly ranked memory care home. But what happens beyond the day hours? This book carefully crafts the image of the reputable care system and what happens in reality. The information documented for the state and the actual care at night. Are their discrepancies? How can they be determined? Rachel is resolved to uncover the truth.
Again, as with all of the books that I have read by this author, there are dilemmas to be faced by several characters.
I look forward to seeing how this unfolds in the next book.
This book is very thought provoking. It takes a deeper look at what can happen in a nursing home. Rachel places her mother in a highly ranked memory care home. But what happens beyond the day hours? This book carefully crafts the image of the reputable care system and what happens in reality. The information documented for the state and the actual care at night. Are their discrepancies? How can they be determined? Rachel is resolved to uncover the truth.
Again, as with all of the books that I have read by this author, there are dilemmas to be faced by several characters.
I look forward to seeing how this unfolds in the next book.
August 16, 2026
I received an ARC of The Chart from author A.R. Hollowell. This is my voluntary review.
This is my 3rd book I've read from Hollowell and once again, he did not disappoint! Some psychological thriller readers may argue this isn't a thriller. In my humble opinion, it definitely is. I really enjoy Hollowell's style of writing. The Chart pulled me in and captivated me from start to finish. I quite enjoy Hollowell's emotional style of writing. I've seen and heard the Cora's, Rachel's and Helen's. The system needs to do better. Looking forward to starting my next Hollowell ARC today!
This is my 3rd book I've read from Hollowell and once again, he did not disappoint! Some psychological thriller readers may argue this isn't a thriller. In my humble opinion, it definitely is. I really enjoy Hollowell's style of writing. The Chart pulled me in and captivated me from start to finish. I quite enjoy Hollowell's emotional style of writing. I've seen and heard the Cora's, Rachel's and Helen's. The system needs to do better. Looking forward to starting my next Hollowell ARC today!
August 17, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book was so good pulling you in and making you think what truly goes on behind the scenes and at night in a nursing home. It makes you question if there is truly more than what the chart is showing. The book is a slow burn which I usually struggle to read but this one kept me engaged until the end. I feel like A. R. Hollowell did a great job portraying the different perspectives of the patient, the caregiver and the other roles as well. Looking forward to book 2 of this series!
This book was so good pulling you in and making you think what truly goes on behind the scenes and at night in a nursing home. It makes you question if there is truly more than what the chart is showing. The book is a slow burn which I usually struggle to read but this one kept me engaged until the end. I feel like A. R. Hollowell did a great job portraying the different perspectives of the patient, the caregiver and the other roles as well. Looking forward to book 2 of this series!
August 23, 2026
This was such an amazingly written story. It felt so real and authentic. It was heartbreaking and chilling because I know things like this take place in the world on a daily basis. And it’s sad to think that this so true. The depth of this was wonderful as it really brought emphasis and reality. I loved that these women went above and beyond to expose this. Sadly after kissing her mother to this. I was so invested in this story. It really pulled me in.
August 5, 2026
Y’all, The Chart proves the scariest stories don’t need monsters—they just need paperwork that lies. Rachel Adler believes she’s found a safe memory-care home for her mother, but one late-night visit exposes ignored call lights, empty water pitchers, and charts that paint a picture that simply doesn’t exist. Teaming up with an exhausted night-shift aide, Rachel starts pulling on a thread that unravels far more than one troubled facility.
A.R. Hollowell’s writing is sharp, immersive, and quietly devastating, letting the truth do the heavy lifting. This is a slow burn, but every revelation cranks the tension a little higher until you can’t help but keep turning the pages. Equal parts gripping and thought-provoking, this is the kind of story that sticks with you long after the final chapter.
A.R. Hollowell’s writing is sharp, immersive, and quietly devastating, letting the truth do the heavy lifting. This is a slow burn, but every revelation cranks the tension a little higher until you can’t help but keep turning the pages. Equal parts gripping and thought-provoking, this is the kind of story that sticks with you long after the final chapter.
August 11, 2026
This book captured and held my attention. I related to this story on multiple levels. I have been a part of this system multiple times in multiple ways during my life. I have worked like Cora. I have also been similar to Rachel. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
August 14, 2026
THE CHART - I don't consider this book much of a thriller. I had a hard time keeping my interest in the story and the characters weren't interesting. The sad thing is I've experienced some of these questions with a parent. Source: BookSirens. 3*
August 20, 2026
*Goodreads winner*
I enjoyed how the book was written, the different perspectives. I didn't like the ending, but I guess for a series you need a hook..lol
Great read and one of my very few 5 star reads this year.
I enjoyed how the book was written, the different perspectives. I didn't like the ending, but I guess for a series you need a hook..lol
Great read and one of my very few 5 star reads this year.
July 12, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I am absolutely shook from this read! I lost my step father in 2020 and my father in 2023 both while in a nursing home so the read was very difficult for me. But don’t get me wrong, it was an amazingly written story about the process of nursing home care and the importance of caring for the elderly.
The ending was such a shocker that I just cannot wait for the next book in this series!! The authors unique way of writing has me hooked for all his book!
I am absolutely shook from this read! I lost my step father in 2020 and my father in 2023 both while in a nursing home so the read was very difficult for me. But don’t get me wrong, it was an amazingly written story about the process of nursing home care and the importance of caring for the elderly.
The ending was such a shocker that I just cannot wait for the next book in this series!! The authors unique way of writing has me hooked for all his book!
August 20, 2026
I enjoyed this storyline and am looking forward to see where the series goes. The scary part is this shit happens in real life! Hits close to home for many families
August 31, 2026
This is my 3rd book by this author. It was really good and very much felt like I was in the book watching everything unfold. Now on to another of his books.
August 7, 2026
What if the danger to the person you love most only comes out at night?
When Rachel reluctantly settles her mother, Helen, into a seemingly pristine memory care home, her gut tells her something is wrong, an instinct that pulls her back under cover of night.
What follows is a heart-wrenching descent into institutional compliance, risk, and systemic failure.
A.R. Hollowell delivers an emotionally raw read that settles deep under your skin and lingers long after the final page. Anchored by tender, haunting glimpses of Helen's past as a schoolteacher and her heartbreaking reliance on counting, the story lays bare the fierce love, faith, and tenacity it takes to protect the people who once protected us.
It is a devastatingly tender look at vulnerability, the meticulous care Alzheimer's patients deserve, and the quiet courage of those who refuse to let that vulnerability be exploited.
My thanks to Booksirens and the author for the ARC. This is my own opinion.
When Rachel reluctantly settles her mother, Helen, into a seemingly pristine memory care home, her gut tells her something is wrong, an instinct that pulls her back under cover of night.
What follows is a heart-wrenching descent into institutional compliance, risk, and systemic failure.
A.R. Hollowell delivers an emotionally raw read that settles deep under your skin and lingers long after the final page. Anchored by tender, haunting glimpses of Helen's past as a schoolteacher and her heartbreaking reliance on counting, the story lays bare the fierce love, faith, and tenacity it takes to protect the people who once protected us.
It is a devastatingly tender look at vulnerability, the meticulous care Alzheimer's patients deserve, and the quiet courage of those who refuse to let that vulnerability be exploited.
My thanks to Booksirens and the author for the ARC. This is my own opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book definitely delivers. A.R. Hollowell has such a unique way of writing and of tying things together. He takes a fictional story about Healthcare and writes it in a way you that makes you believe it's a true story.
Hollowell loves to make you think and to question everything. Would you do the same if it involved you or would you look the other way? Or even a bigger question would you do it for someone else?
We all face decisions everyday. Do we take the high road and get involved or do we pretend we didn't see anything?
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Hollowell loves to make you think and to question everything. Would you do the same if it involved you or would you look the other way? Or even a bigger question would you do it for someone else?
We all face decisions everyday. Do we take the high road and get involved or do we pretend we didn't see anything?
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 27, 2026
The Chart tore my heart to pieces and moved me to the point of tears several times. Though fiction, real hard truths about dementia, elder abuse and neglect, institutions and their politics, and facing making difficult choices are rife in this novel. Helen is a dementia patient in such an institution where she pays a high price for care. On the night shift in particular, there is often one aide to care for all of the patients on two wings. As such, her response time to emergencies is delayed as she refills empty water jugs, changes bed pads, and charts her findings. Helen's daughter, Rachel, begins to notice clues that things are not what they seem so she begins night visits which reveal a disturbing shadowy world. Management and higher-ups have certain quotas to meet and finances are tight so hands are tied and corners are cut. So is care. Rachel and a healthcare member take action.
At the beginning of the book, the author reminds the reader that this is a difficult read and to take necessary breaks. Many of us are going through this with family members right now so it hits terribly close to home. But this is an incredibly powerful and impactful read, not just for the subject matter but the writing is gorgeous. Stream of consciousness does not usually work for me but this is on a completely different level which clicked. The insight into human nature gave me goosebumps and caused me to pause many times to absorb and mull over what the author wrote. I started highlighting the gems which struck me most… and discovered a wealth of wisdom. I felt the gamut of emotions from anger to grief to frustration to helplessness to hope and lived (and loved) the story. This book will stick with me for a very long time. I absolutely cannot wait to read what the author has in store next in the new The Meridian Files series!
I received an advance review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
At the beginning of the book, the author reminds the reader that this is a difficult read and to take necessary breaks. Many of us are going through this with family members right now so it hits terribly close to home. But this is an incredibly powerful and impactful read, not just for the subject matter but the writing is gorgeous. Stream of consciousness does not usually work for me but this is on a completely different level which clicked. The insight into human nature gave me goosebumps and caused me to pause many times to absorb and mull over what the author wrote. I started highlighting the gems which struck me most… and discovered a wealth of wisdom. I felt the gamut of emotions from anger to grief to frustration to helplessness to hope and lived (and loved) the story. This book will stick with me for a very long time. I absolutely cannot wait to read what the author has in store next in the new The Meridian Files series!
I received an advance review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 4, 2026
This book was given to me as an ARC by BookSirens and The author ✍️ here is my voluntarily review.
4.2⭐️ This book had me from the beginning so intense and intriguing I couldn’t put it down . This is my 3rd book from this Author and I love reading every single one of them. This book it’s about trust, resilience, and how a single decision can change everything it keeps you thinking about everything not trusting anyone. Can’t wait for book 📕 2 .
4.2⭐️ This book had me from the beginning so intense and intriguing I couldn’t put it down . This is my 3rd book from this Author and I love reading every single one of them. This book it’s about trust, resilience, and how a single decision can change everything it keeps you thinking about everything not trusting anyone. Can’t wait for book 📕 2 .
August 15, 2026
5 ⭐️
Wow! Another extremely disturbing and well written storyline! I absolutely love everything I have read so far by this author. The books really open your mind and make you think.
Wow! Another extremely disturbing and well written storyline! I absolutely love everything I have read so far by this author. The books really open your mind and make you think.
August 5, 2026
This book was more of a slow burn, which generally I struggle to read, but I enjoy this author and ended up really enjoying the book as it did keep me interested all the way through. It really makes you think that what is put in a patient's chart is not always the full story. This story was both emotional and upsetting, and A.R. Hollewell did a great job showing how a broken system can affect both the patient and those attempting to do the right thing. Even after I finished the story, it still lingered in my thoughts. I am definitely looking forward to seeing where this story goes next.
I received an ARC of The Chart, and this is my honest review.
I received an ARC of The Chart, and this is my honest review.
August 13, 2026
The Chart grabbed me because it takes something painfully ordinary trusting a care facility with someone you love and turns it into something genuinely unsettling.
What I especially enjoyed was the contrast between what the records say and what is actually happening. Rachel Adler begins with a simple concern about her mother, but those small inconsistencies quickly become impossible to ignore. The nighttime scenes were particularly effective. There’s something disturbing about an empty hallway, unanswered call lights, and a chart insisting that everything is fine when the reality clearly says otherwise.
I also liked that the story isn’t simply about uncovering one terrible place. As Rachel starts documenting what she sees, the scope becomes much larger, and that made the investigation feel increasingly dangerous. The idea that the same failures could be happening across dozens of facilities gives the story a much heavier impact.
The writing has a quiet, almost restrained tension to it. It doesn’t need constant explosions or dramatic twists to make you uncomfortable. Sometimes a missing entry, a dry water pitcher, or one sentence in a medical record is enough.
What stayed with me most was the question at the heart of the book: How much do we trust a document simply because it says something happened?
That made The Chart feel like more than a thriller. It’s also a disturbing look at vulnerability, accountability, and what can happen when the people who are supposed to speak for someone stop listening.
A thought-provoking and increasingly tense read that kept me wondering what Rachel would uncover next.
What I especially enjoyed was the contrast between what the records say and what is actually happening. Rachel Adler begins with a simple concern about her mother, but those small inconsistencies quickly become impossible to ignore. The nighttime scenes were particularly effective. There’s something disturbing about an empty hallway, unanswered call lights, and a chart insisting that everything is fine when the reality clearly says otherwise.
I also liked that the story isn’t simply about uncovering one terrible place. As Rachel starts documenting what she sees, the scope becomes much larger, and that made the investigation feel increasingly dangerous. The idea that the same failures could be happening across dozens of facilities gives the story a much heavier impact.
The writing has a quiet, almost restrained tension to it. It doesn’t need constant explosions or dramatic twists to make you uncomfortable. Sometimes a missing entry, a dry water pitcher, or one sentence in a medical record is enough.
What stayed with me most was the question at the heart of the book: How much do we trust a document simply because it says something happened?
That made The Chart feel like more than a thriller. It’s also a disturbing look at vulnerability, accountability, and what can happen when the people who are supposed to speak for someone stop listening.
A thought-provoking and increasingly tense read that kept me wondering what Rachel would uncover next.
August 6, 2026
The Chart follows Rachel, who places her mother, Helen, in a memory care facility. After deciding to visit one evening, she begins noticing inconsistencies in the residents' charts that don't match what she's witnessing firsthand, gradually exposing a very different reality beneath the surface.
What I found most compelling was the contrast between the polished image the institution presents and what is actually happening behind closed doors. Little details—like eucalyptus being used to mask the smell of urine or deliberately vague chart notes that omit important information—paint a disturbing picture of institutional neglect and cover-ups.
The story really makes you question what is right and wrong, and it's unsettling to think that so many of us or our loved ones may one day rely on facilities like these. It was an interesting, thought-provoking read with a sad and genuinely shocking ending.
That said, I struggled with the writing. Early on I was convinced this would be a 4-star read, but the amount of repetition became impossible to ignore. The same points and observations were revisited so often that it became exhausting, and I honestly think the book could have been significantly shorter without losing any of its impact.
Overall, an engaging psychological thriller with an important message, but would still pack a punch without all the repetition.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What I found most compelling was the contrast between the polished image the institution presents and what is actually happening behind closed doors. Little details—like eucalyptus being used to mask the smell of urine or deliberately vague chart notes that omit important information—paint a disturbing picture of institutional neglect and cover-ups.
The story really makes you question what is right and wrong, and it's unsettling to think that so many of us or our loved ones may one day rely on facilities like these. It was an interesting, thought-provoking read with a sad and genuinely shocking ending.
That said, I struggled with the writing. Early on I was convinced this would be a 4-star read, but the amount of repetition became impossible to ignore. The same points and observations were revisited so often that it became exhausting, and I honestly think the book could have been significantly shorter without losing any of its impact.
Overall, an engaging psychological thriller with an important message, but would still pack a punch without all the repetition.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
Received as a review copy through Booksirens to read and review, this is an honest review.
The Chart is an absolute masterpiece... one that that emotionally broke me, for it hit way too close to home when I lost my grandmother in 2019, she died in the hospital... and I deeply wished I'd been able to say goodbye before she passed on.
I still miss her.
On the surface, Rachel Alder believed Meridian Oaks Memory Care was the correct place to care for the most precious person in her life: her mother Helen Alder. At first, Rachel trusts the information the Chart provides her; Rachel's oen job means she knows what a resident's will be telling over the many families that have come through facilities lile Meridian Oaks.
Visiting her mother in night hours changes everything for Rachel.
It's all elaborate lie. And when the saddest of news comes to the families of these most vulnerable of loved ones; searching for the truth means exposing the coldness and cruelly of places like Meridian Oaks before other families lose the most precious people in their lives before they should have have to.
Author A.R. Hollowell has created a story that's poignantly unforgettable and a stark reminder there are people out there that truly care - even when a system doesn't.
Highly recommended.
The Chart is an absolute masterpiece... one that that emotionally broke me, for it hit way too close to home when I lost my grandmother in 2019, she died in the hospital... and I deeply wished I'd been able to say goodbye before she passed on.
I still miss her.
On the surface, Rachel Alder believed Meridian Oaks Memory Care was the correct place to care for the most precious person in her life: her mother Helen Alder. At first, Rachel trusts the information the Chart provides her; Rachel's oen job means she knows what a resident's will be telling over the many families that have come through facilities lile Meridian Oaks.
Visiting her mother in night hours changes everything for Rachel.
It's all elaborate lie. And when the saddest of news comes to the families of these most vulnerable of loved ones; searching for the truth means exposing the coldness and cruelly of places like Meridian Oaks before other families lose the most precious people in their lives before they should have have to.
Author A.R. Hollowell has created a story that's poignantly unforgettable and a stark reminder there are people out there that truly care - even when a system doesn't.
Highly recommended.
August 6, 2026
Some books entertain you. Others stay with you because they hit a little too close to home. *The Chart* was one of those books for me.
Having watched a parent move through multiple care facilities, there were scenes in this story that were genuinely difficult to read, not because they were over-the-top, but because they felt painfully believable. The contrast between what was documented in the chart and what was actually happening behind closed doors brought back memories I wish I didn't have. What makes this story so unsettling isn't flashy twists or nonstop action. It's the quiet horror of wondering whether anyone is really paying attention when the visitors go home. The unanswered call lights. The understaffed night shifts. The records that say everything is fine while patients tell a very different story. That's the kind of horror that lingers because it feels possible. Rachel's determination to uncover the truth kept me invested from beginning to end, and I found myself rooting for everyone willing to stand up for people who could no longer advocate for themselves.
This is less of a pulse-pounding thriller and more of a quietly devastating one. It shines a light on a subject many families fear but few people talk about. If you've ever had a loved one in a long-term care or memory-care facility, be prepared, this one may hit harder than you expect.
Having watched a parent move through multiple care facilities, there were scenes in this story that were genuinely difficult to read, not because they were over-the-top, but because they felt painfully believable. The contrast between what was documented in the chart and what was actually happening behind closed doors brought back memories I wish I didn't have. What makes this story so unsettling isn't flashy twists or nonstop action. It's the quiet horror of wondering whether anyone is really paying attention when the visitors go home. The unanswered call lights. The understaffed night shifts. The records that say everything is fine while patients tell a very different story. That's the kind of horror that lingers because it feels possible. Rachel's determination to uncover the truth kept me invested from beginning to end, and I found myself rooting for everyone willing to stand up for people who could no longer advocate for themselves.
This is less of a pulse-pounding thriller and more of a quietly devastating one. It shines a light on a subject many families fear but few people talk about. If you've ever had a loved one in a long-term care or memory-care facility, be prepared, this one may hit harder than you expect.
Review of advance copy received from Author
When people look for a memory care facility for their loved one, they want to find the best place possible. They look until they find a place where they will receive the best possible care. A clean place with friendly, competent and compassionate staff members. That is what Rachel did when looking for a place for her mother, Helen. She got her settled in and things were great at first, until Rachel decided to visit at night. The fresh scent was gone and there were unpleasant odors. They were severely understaffed, so call buttons were not answered. Things were written up in charts to seem like everything is running smoothly, but it’s not.
This is a family’s worst nightmare and the scary thing is this could and probably does happen sometimes. A R Hollowell did a fantastic job once again in writing this book. His writing style makes you feel like you are there in the story. It is not a feel good story but it definitely shows what could happen when facilities are understaffed and they are told to paint a pretty picture no matter what.
I could not put this book down! I received an ARC of this book and am leaving my review voluntarily.
This is a family’s worst nightmare and the scary thing is this could and probably does happen sometimes. A R Hollowell did a fantastic job once again in writing this book. His writing style makes you feel like you are there in the story. It is not a feel good story but it definitely shows what could happen when facilities are understaffed and they are told to paint a pretty picture no matter what.
I could not put this book down! I received an ARC of this book and am leaving my review voluntarily.
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