All Is Not Forgotten

by Wendy Walker

‘Deeply intriguing and provocative,… ALL IS NOT FORGOTTEN is not to be missed’

–KARIN SLAUGHTER

You can erase the memory. But you cannot erase the crime.

Jenny’s wounds have healed.
An experimental treatment has removed the memory of a horrific and degrading attack.
She is moving on with her life.

That was the plan. Except it’s not working out.
Something has gone. The light in the eyes. And something was left behind. A scar. On her lower back. Which she can’t stop touching.
And she’s getting worse.
Not to mention the fact that her father is obsessed with finding her attacker and her mother is in toxic denial.

It may be that the only way to uncover what’s wrong is to help Jenny recover her memory. But even if it can be done, pulling at the threads of her suppressed experience will unravel much more than the truth about her attack.

‘Original, compelling and very, very clever’
-B.A. Paris, bestselling author of Behind Closed Doors

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Book Club, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Audiobook

319 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 12, 2016

About the author

Wendy Walker is the author of psychological suspense. Her novels have been translated into 23 foreign languages, have topped bestseller lists both nationally and abroad, and have been optioned for television and film. Prior to writing, Wendy worked in banking and several areas of the law. She spent most of her childhood as a competitive figure skater. Wendy has three grown sons and resides in Connecticut.

Reviews

[Emily May · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to know why she did not behave the way I would have expected. I wanted to know why I could not see the rape in her eyes.

Everything about this book is just repulsive.

But I can sum up my main problem with All Is Not Forgotten into four words: I hated the narrator. And I also hated the style of narration.

Strangely, this book is actually written in my favourite narrative style - first person minor. It's used in many of my favourite novels, from Wuthering Heights to Tiger Lily. I'm not sure why I love it so much, but there's something about a first person narrative from the POV of a character just outside of the main plot events, a mostly quiet observer, that gives me a broad scope of the story and characters, but also pulls me in on a personal level.

Here, though, I hated it. All Is Not Forgotten is told by a psychiatrist, Dr. Forrester, who treats a rape victim, her mother and father, as well as several other characters. After Jenny Kramer is brutally raped, her parents agree to an experimental treatment that will erase her memories of her attack. But she soon finds she cannot cope with the not knowing and this leads the family toward Dr. Forrester.

The doctor tries to help them - help Jenny uncover her memories, help her father deal with his obsessive quest for revenge, and help her mother deal with some childhood issues. Through him, their stories are told and the rapist's identity is gradually uncovered.

Problem is, this guy is an insufferable douchebag. And no, I don't mean he's a flawed, interesting character prone to human vices like selfishness and jealousy. I mean he's a smug, pompous know-it-all who slut-shames, patronizes his wife, and wants to see the rape in Jenny's eyes.

He introduces himself like this:

My name is Dr. Alan Forrester. I am a psychiatrist. In case you are unaware of the various credentials that exist among mental health professionals, I am the kind that went to medical school. I am a medical doctor, an M.D., graduated from Johns Hopkins University summa cum laude.

Whoop-dee-doo, asshole.

Dr. Forrester is a nauseating narrator. His narrative made my skin crawl and this tale of such a horrific crime feels so gratuitous through his eyes. I can't explain without posting quotes that I honestly just don't want to post, but he's not interesting, not even evil (which would have been preferable), he's just plain... icky.

I mean, let me just share some of the gems we get from him:

It is hardly worth the effort to elucidate the vapid motivations of this particular girl.

My wife's name is Julie Marin Forrester. I love my wife. It feels disingenuous to use this phrase after I have proselytized to such a degree about how nebulous love is.

This perfect child, her body defiled, violated. Her virtue stolen. Her spirit broken. I sound melodramatic. Cliche. But this man ripped into her body with such force that she required surgery. Consider that.

For fuck sake. Why would I want to sit through this self-masturbatory bullshit? Consider that.

He does that a lot, by the way. Side-eyes the reader and says something like "consider that" or "don't you think?" or my personal favourite “I know I belabor this analogy...”

... yes! You have been belaboring this analogy for a whole chapter! If you know you're doing it, why won't you stop? Please?!

Also, he goes off on a million tangents that just drag the narrative down even more. We get a chapter full of psychobabble about why Demarco can't be the culprit. We get "Writing Class 101" tangents where he waxes poetic about human nature and how stupid everyone but he is. It made the book very slow and boring.

It is true that complex, morally questionable characters are the best kind, but a narrator this insufferable simply irritates. The reveal at the end elicits little emotion, most likely due to my hatred for the doctor, and it just further complicates an already messy plot.

CW: Rape (graphic).

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[Kristin (KC) · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5 stars. What a compelling read!*

This book is equal to a beautiful voice singing an ugly song. Its subject matter is dark and dreadful, but its skillful prose struck me to the core and I couldn't turn away.

What affected me most was its honesty. There’s nothing off-limits, as this author puts everything out there, even the crude. The plot focuses heavily on the rape of a young girl and her painful struggle to remember. It is detailed and graphic and will easily dismantle your comfort.

This is not a story that sets out to shock just for the sake of entertainment. Instead, it offers a genuine portrayal of tragedy and despair, and digs deeply into the workings of the human psyche, narrowing in on various mental conditions.

I became convinced that this author is either an expert of the mind, or has done some serious homework, because the information in this story sparkles with authenticity. There are a lot of clinical descriptions, which I found both fascinating and powerful.

This is a bumpy journey delivered largely through narration with little dialogue — yet still it held me captive. The writing was simply stunning. You probably won’t like the characters, and, as with many psychological reads, you’re most likely not meant to. That is not the point. The point in this one is to see the ugly and the weak and the flawed--without any filters. But this doesn't negate the fact that you can still draw inspiration from their moments of strength, because, as unconventional as it was delivered, there IS some hope to be found in these pages.

I’m not going to discuss any plot details. I won’t even tell you who the narrator is, (which actually isn't revealed right away) because being surprised makes everything better in book-land.

As far as this story’s mystery is concerned—every chapter ends with a suspenseful segue into the next and will keep you flipping the pages. The *reveals* aren't predictable, and I doubt you’ll be disappointed—I’m totally calling it!


*** Here are some awesome "All is Not Forgotten" quotes for your viewing pleasure :***

"It requires far more strength to experience emotion than to suppress it.”

"White lies, black lies, a million lies a million times every day, everywhere, by every one of us. We are all hiding something from someone.”

“Feelings do not require justification.”

"Regret is more devious than guilt. It is more more corrosive than envy. And it is more powerful than fear."

“I could feel myself unraveling. I can’t describe it any better than that. Like a thread had been pulled, and now it was working its way out of the seam, inch by inch.”

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! This was a fantastic book. It gets all five stars! And if I could steal some stars from somewhere I would give it even more!

I really don't even know where to start with this one. It's one of those books that makes you think hard about everything you are reading. Quite often I can read a book and my mind will be on other things while still enjoying the story. But not with this book. I was focused on everything I was reading.

However, there are some parts that were extremely emotional and disturbing to read. I did have to put the book down a time or two especially when reading about the details of the attack. Although it was upsetting and there was a lot of detail, I didn't feel like the author was trying to sensationalize anything. It was graphic but I really feel the author just wanted to try to show the reader everything Jenny went through.

After she was brutally attacked at a party, Fifteen-year-old Jenny Kramer undergoes an experimental treatment that is supposed to rid her of memories of the night she was attacked. However, this doesn't work at all like the doctors, Jenny and her family hoped it would.

There will be unexpected consequences for everyone involved....


**There may possibly be some very minor spoilers ahead**



The treatment has to be given within hours of the trauma for it to be effective. The parents are told that every minute that passes can reduce the effectiveness. This doesn't give the family very much time to think things over, let alone speak to a psychiatrist or anyone else for more information or a second opinion.

Jenny's mother and father did not agree about giving her treatment at first. However, her mother pushes for it and her father eventually gives in. Because the treatment has to be done right away, it causes concern for the police and her father. Because if Jenny has no memory of what happened, she won't possibly be able to help the police find who did this to her.

"if she couldn't remember, how could she help them find this creature? How could she help put him behind bars, where he would get what he deserved?"

Jenny's parents had been told it was a miracle treatment - to have the most horrible trauma erased from your mind. This did not end up being the miracle for Jenny. Unfortunately it didn't completely rid her of the emotional and physiological memory of the assault. So what was removed from her mind lived on in her body and soul. Causing horrible depression and anxiety.

Dr. Alan Forrester is a psychiatrist that the family hires to help Jenny regain her traumatic memories, to return what was taken away by the drug. This psychiatrist works with other patients who have suffered after undergoing the so called "miracle treatment". He also runs a support group for these patients.

While the psychiatrist works with Jenny, her family begins to unravel. Her father feels that he failed as he was not there to protect her. He becomes crazed with trying to find out who did this to her. Police don't have a lot to go on and the mother is dealing with things in her own way. It was very interesting to see how this all played out among the family.

There's a lot going on in this novel but I found it was easy to keep up and I wasn't at all bored, exactly the opposite. Though we don't know who the narrator is for the first while there are some good clues and so when we find out who it is, it's not surprising.

I can't imagine being given the opportunity to literally erase an event from my memory, traumatic or otherwise. Honestly I wouldn't know how I would react unless I was in a position where it would be an option. I feel that prior to reading this book if I had suffered a horrible trauma I may have jumped at the opportunity. But honestly after reading this book, I'm not so sure.

But I can also understand the pull. A pill that can make you forget something so horrific, a pill, instead of years in therapy. It might sound good at first. But I guess we should know by now that nothing is that simple. Trauma cannot be cured by taking a pill. But when a doctor is telling you that it will work, that it has to be done now or never? It might be a very difficult decision to make. I'm sure I would desperately want to believe it would work.

This book had quite a few OMG moments, that I did not see coming. Of course I had some ideas about what was on and what had happened but for the most part I was way off. Some moments snuck up on me, leaving me stunned. I would finally gather my thoughts again and get back into the story eager to read what was going to happen next.

Very well written, this was a great psychological suspense novel. With an amazing plot and great characters, I was hooked from the start right up until the very satisfying ending. I can't wait to read more from Wendy Walker.

**The author does clarify in her note that the drug treatment in the book does not currently exist (entirely). Scientists have in fact used drugs to successfully alter memories and alleviate the emotional impact with similar drugs and therapies described in this book. They are still looking for a drug to erase the memories completely. Originally intended to potentially help soldiers with things like PTSD. However, apparently it has already made it's way into the civilian world. And as the author says it's likely extremely controversial.

Thank you to NetGalley, Wendy Walker and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please check out more of my reviews at www.bookaddicthaven.com

When I first saw the reviews for 'All Is Not Forgotten' start to pop up on friends' pages, I was intrigued. It sounded like exactly the type of story that I would love. It was dark, suspenseful and a total mindf*ck. Everyone that read this book seemed to love it.

I knew it would be my next read, so I went to Amazon.com and that's when it happened--I saw the atrocious price of $12.99 for the Kindle edition! Yep, you read that right. Not $2.99 or $1.99, but a whopping $12.99! So, I said "to hell with that" and picked another book to read. After all, this author was a complete unknown to me and even bestselling authors that I know I can count on to deliver generally don't charge more than $5.99 for a Kindle edition, with very rare exception.

Maybe I'm a cheapo, but the price tag on this book was a huge deterrent...no matter how much the blurb and the reviews called to me. (Granted, most of my friends who wrote these early reviews had received ARCs and didn't purchase this book at it's over-inflated price.) It is really a shame too, because I know that many readers feel the same way and this book deserves to be read. I'm no marketing guru, but I'd bet that this book would top the charts and be much more profitable if offered at a more reasonable price.

Now that I've gotten my rant about the ridiculously high price out of the way, let me say that it was worth every penny. Months later, I continued to hear about this book. I couldn't quit wondering about it and kept coming back to it. Eventually, being the book addict that I am, I caved and bought it. I don't regret it for a minute, but I also know that I am an obsessive reader and most people would have walked away and never given it another thought. That makes me very sad, because this story was phenomenal.

'All Is Not Forgotten' tells the story of a teenaged girl, Jenny Kramer, whose innocence is stolen in the most brutal of ways. She is tortured and raped when she steps outside to clear her head, just yards away from a raging house party. Readers are immediately confronted with Jenny's traumatic experience, Ms. Walker not wasting any time or holding back any punches.

The entire story is told from the POV of Dr. Alan Forrester, as he recounts his encounters with the various cast members that were tied into this story. You see, Dr. Forrester became the Psychiatrist that treated Jenny, as well as her parents. He helped them, both collaboratively and separately, heal following Jenny's assault. In addition, Dr. Forrester was tied, both personally and through his professional practice, to many other characters that prove to be integral to the story.

Although it took a little getting used to at first, looking back now, I couldn't have imagined the story told in any other way. No other character had such an expansive knowledge of Jenny's case, or could have connected the dots like Dr. Forrester did. Ms. Walker did a masterful job of writing this story. It was absolutely brilliant!

In the hours immediately following Jenny's rape, her parents are forced to make a very tough decision. They are given the option to "treat" Jenny with an experimental medication, which would suppress her memories of her attack. The drug, designed to prevent PTSD in soldiers, creates a type of amnesia. The theory is that if the patient can't remember the traumatic event, they won't suffer the negative psychological effects that follow the trauma.

Jenny's father, Tom, opposes the treatment. He wants Jenny's rapist brought to justice and realizes that this is unlikely if she cannot remember the attack. Jenny's mother, Charolette, wants to pretend that nothing ever happened and move on with their lives. She sees the treatment as the easiest way to make that happen.

In the end, as the more dominant person in their marriage, Charolette wins out. It is a decision that has consequences that nobody could have anticipated. Some events are too horrific to be entirely erased. They leave their mark, even if the person living with it doesn't even know it. Such is the case with Jenny, who spirals into depression after the treatment.

I don't want to give too much away, because this is a story that needs to be experienced. I will say that it is a story about far more than just rape, although that is clearly a crucial component of this story. It is a story about the connections that people make over the course of their lives, some healthy and some unhealthy, and the lengths that they will go to in order to maintain those connections. It is also a story of a parent's love and how good people will do terrible things if necessary to protect their offspring.

Every character became a suspect, but the truth was not revealed until the very end. Every time I thought I knew where something was heading, I'd be surprised. Let me just say that it blew me away! I could not believe how twisted the truth really was. I didn't see it coming at all.

I found this story to be multifaceted and absolutely riveting. From the first page to the last, I could not pull myself away from this book. I thought about it for days after finishing it. It is the type of story that becomes all-consuming.

Even though this book comes with a hefty price tag, I highly recommend it. It is worth every penny. This book was mind-blowing! It is easily one of my top-reads for the year and a new favorite of mine. I cannot do it justice. Just, read it!

[Chelsea Humphrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever had a traumatic experience that you couldn't remember? Some event that your brain just completely blacked out? When I was a senior in high school I was involved in a pretty bad car accident and my brain did just that. All I remember is getting ready to make a left turn onto a highway and the next thing I remember is being removed from my crumpled car. I was informed later that a man came speeding around a school bus, going 60mph in a school zone that was flashing 25mph at the time. Our cars collided which flipped my car around, shattered my windshield, and caused the airbag to deploy and break my nose and dislocate my shoulder. I still have no memory of the accident but suffered debilitating anxiety related to cars and driving for 2 years following the accident and went through therapy to begin functioning again.

This is not what happened to our main character Jenny, but as I read her story through the eyes of her therapist, this was the closest way I could relate. The premise of this psychological suspense novel is there is a drug that can erase your memory of a traumatic event if administered within hours of the trauma occurring. How would this work? Would it even be realistic, and if so, would it truly be beneficial? All of this is addressed in the book. The story is told from the POV of Alan, the Kramer family therapist, 1 year post the brutal rape of their daughter Jenny. The police have come up short in suspects and leads toward solving the horrific crime that occurred during a high school party and the family is rethinking their decision to administer this drug to "erase" her memory of the event. Without going into too much detail, Jenny is still suffering from anxiety and fear related to an instance she cannot remember and cannot attach these feelings to any memory. You can see how this would cause problems and Jenny does something in response that causes her family extreme concern, enough to see out Alan's help.

Alan is attempting to recreate the night of the rape using smells, replicas of clothing, conversations, etc so that hopefully Jenny will recover her memories and find a clue to who her attacker was. There was a satisfying twist (or two) at the end and everything is tied up nicely.

One thing I appreciated was how believable the medical science and explanations were regarding this procedure and why it wouldn't be beneficial long term to patients of any kind. The author's note at the end said she based this story on a real, experimental procedure that is being tested for military officials returning suffering from PTSD. This one made me think, and I always enjoy a book that is fictional that can cause me to think about real life issues in depth. The story flowed quickly and was easy to follow as the POV stayed consistent through out. I was impressed that Ms Walker was able to pull off this type of book, as the last story I read from her was women's fiction and I wasn't impressed enough to read her other work. I'm really glad that I requested this one and will have to put her back on my radar!

[Jennifer Masterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one hell of a book!!! I'm giving it all the stars! "All Is Not Forgotten" is a smart, intellectual psychological mystery more than it is a thriller. The story is told by the victim's psychiatrist. I just loved this novel! It is so well done! Each twist was so slight, yet I never saw any of them coming!

This is also a phenomenal audiobook! Actor, Dylan Baker, is perfect as Dr. Alan Forrester, the psychiatrist narrator! He gets 10 Stars! His style of narration is so intimate it made me feel as if I was there.

Jenny is brutally raped in the woods the night she went to a party. Her memory is then erased by a drug, but is it? Is her memory truly erased? Charlotte is Jenny's mother. She's a piece of work! Jenny's father, Tom, is out for revenge. Something else happens to Jenny and this forces the entire family into therapy. That's all I am going to say. I just don't want to give away spoilers.

I couldn't wait to listen to this book because I am from the same city in Connecticut that the author lives in. Even thought the town in the novel is fictionalized, many things in my part of Connecticut were mentioned, including our minor league baseball team, The Bluefish. Also, Charlotte, reminded me of some people I know. I'm not going to lie, some of the stereotypes did ring true.

This would make for an excellent book group read. There is so much to discuss!!! Wendy Walker is an exceptional talent! I look forward to her next book!

This book is being made into a movie with Reese Witherspoon. Check out the article here...http://variety.com/2015/film/news/ree...

Highly recommended!!! *Note - trigger warning rape.* *Graphic sexual scenes.*

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

All is not Forgotten by Wendy Walker is a 2016 St. Martin’s Press publication.

Oh man, did this book mess with my head.

Compared to some psychological thrillers that keep your heart rate up with an ‘easy on the joints’, low impact workout, this book was like a high impact workout for the mind. So much so, my poor brain needed time to recover before I could write this review.

After Jenny Kramer is brutally raped, she is given a drug to make her forget what happened. But, instead of helping her cope, it only stymies her ability to heal emotionally and move forward with her life, which leads her into a very dark place.

In the meantime, Jenny’s parents, Tom and Charlotte, deal with the fallout, which turns the cracks in their marriage into asteroid sized craters.

Shocking secrets spill out, and the investigation turns up evidence that suggests the attacker might not be a stranger, but someone living right there in their small community.

This novel kept me on edge from the first page forward. There is so much to think about, so many layers, and corners filled with dark shadows, paranoia, revenge, and anger. But, often it’s the morality and ethical questions that really added the spice to the pot, on several different fronts.

One of the most compelling topics this book addresses is the use of a drug that could erase your memory of a traumatic event. On the surface, this may seem like an act of compassion, but it raises a plethora of questions, which could certainly inspire some interesting debate.

But, there are other dilemmas that arise, and frankly, I was just as torn over those issues as with anything else going on.

Not only that, we see every individual in treatment go through intense therapy, both as individuals and as a group. Watching them all come to terms with their pasts, taking slow, measured steps toward healing, and seeing real promising results, despite the incredibly bizarre circumstances, was often a harrowing, but fascinating process.

With so much going on, these individual threads could have easily spiraled out of control, but the author kept them right on track and then slowly merged them until I was sitting there watching what was sure to become a spectacular eruption, frozen in my seat unable to tear my eyes from the impending collision.

I really, really liked this book!! It’s absorbing, thought provoking, troubling, tense, and riveting! I could not have guessed the way things would turn out, was never sure who to trust, and had to ask myself on more than one occasion: “What would I do in this situation?’

Be warned, however, that there are graphic descriptions of rape, with some very disturbing passages to read through, but because of the memory erasing side effects, it was necessary to delve deeper into the physical trauma, and was relevant to the story.

Also, it is worth mentioning that while the drug featured in this story has not been marketed in real life, there are drugs similar to it, that are currently being tested, along with therapy, that could indeed alter, impact, or erase memories.

Overall, this is super smart, perfectly paced, psychological thriller, unique and original, and I really appreciated the challenge it presented, how it held my attention and the way everything wrapped up. There are still a few secrets held close to the vest, but the reader knows all, and I had to give the author a big nod of approval for giving me that insider knowledge which was a nice touch and a perfect way to conclude the story.

I think the book deserves the five -star treatment!!

[karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is total book club bait.

which sounds like the kind of thing a booksnobby type would say as they thumb-nosed the middlebrow, but no one's likely to ever accuse ME of being a booksnob, so it should be clear that i'm only saying that this is one of those jodi picoult type of ripped-from-the-headlines, issue-based books which is full of ethical arguments just waiting to be had between its readers. in this case, the book is preceding the headlines a bit, as the memory-eradicating drug therapy used as treatment for ptsd is part of the emerging research and technology in memory science and is not yet being employed in the civilian world, but the plot isn't the crazy science fiction it would have seemed in the not-so-distant past. which makes it the perfect time to start the conversation about the value we place on our memories - both the beautiful and the painful, and what the psychological advantages/disadvantages are in suppressing memories of trauma, and what factors influence how these choices are made.

it's definitely a psychological novel, but it's neither a psychological thriller nor psychological suspense. there are certainly crimes committed between its covers, and the underlying "whodunnit" question, but its pacing is much slower and more meditative, marking this as one of those "what would you do in this situation?" discussion-springboards than an edge-of-your-seat thrill ride. it's a slow-burn suspense novel, and one which peeks underneath that glossy suburban shine to uncover the secrets holding up the happy neighbor veneer.

the biggest obstacle i think readers may have with this book is the voice. the narrator is dr. forrester, a psychiatrist treating several of the book's characters and therefore better-informed than any of the characters individually and certainly more so than the police. the story is delivered in a very clinical tone, with frequent interruptions which detour from the action in order to explore cognitive or psychological functions, provide definitions or drop ancillary exposition. it's a dangerous thing for an author to do - it risks losing the audience to zzzzz, but if you stick with it, and you can get past this rather distancing technique, there's a lot of good story to chew on. dr. forrester isn't necessarily an unreliable narrator, but he's definitely a controlling narrator who knows more than he's saying, but never fear - he will eventually reveal all, just on his own timeline. at first, the voice annoyed me, because i felt like i was being held at arm's length and not allowed in to the story, but it's like reading a book written in dialect - once you get into it, it becomes more natural, and i found several of the densely-detailed asides fascinating.

this book doesn't come out until august 2016, which is like a million years away, in booknerd time, so i'm a little hesitant to go into too much more detail. even though i've historically been pretty mattress-tag-cavalier with my reviewing of arcs and so far no one has come to my house to yell at me for not following the rules of etiquette around when to post and quotations and suchlike, since it is SO far out this time, i'm gonna behave.

warnings to those with rape-triggers - there are some very descriptive passages that may be too graphic for those with their own ptsd situations.

3.5, we'll call it four.

come to my blog!

[Norma ~ The Sisters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gets five whopping sparkly stars from me! Wow! Oh my goodness this was an extraordinary read! ALL IS NOT FORGOTTEN by WENDY WALKER is a psychological thriller that is extremely tense, gripping and a suspenseful read which I thought was absolutely brilliant!

The writing, the details, the reveal, the voice......
I knew I was going to love this one right away!

Although the first chapter was somewhat disturbing for me to read, it brought back memories of a similar experience that I had when I was a teenager but nowhere near the horrific ordeal that Jenny went through, I was still hooked right from the very first few pages of this book. The details of Jenny's actual attack is quite graphic and definitely made me a bit queasy and emotional but I think that the author needed to include this in the story.

The plot was extremely interesting and had quite a few surprises that I didn't see coming which made this novel exciting to read. I only figured out who actually done it but not the why or the reasoning behind it. There was a lot happening in this novel but I found it easy to follow along with the storyline and all the characters involved. We don't know who the narrator is for the first few chapters although we are given some clues and we have our suspicions, it was still a nice surprise when we do actually find out who it is. I found that the details and information that we are given throughout this novel is enlightening and very pleasing for a complete reading experience. Quite a bit of the narrative resonated with me and I think that is why I enjoyed it so much.

I always like to figure out why an author chooses a particular title for their novel and see if I can decipher the reasoning behind it. The title of this book was brilliant and I found the cover quite appealing as well.

To some it all up it was well written, gripping, interesting, fast-paced, quick and easy read, with a very satisfying ending. Would highly recommend!!!

[Lindsay L · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars! Wow - what a gripping and suspenseful book! I couldn't read this fast enough - it kept me on the edge of my seat from the first to last page. I'm still trying to catch my breath......

The premise of the story surrounds a fifteen year old girl whose parents and doctor decide to give a controversial drug to erase her memory of a brutal attack. Warning - there are many parts of this book that are difficult to read, as they describe the attack in detail.

The narration was brilliant!!! We don't find out who is telling the story until chapter seven. The author, Wendy Walker, did an exceptional job executing the clever and unique narration!

There are a few quotes that really stuck with me throughout the book regarding the parent/child bond:

"We need our parents to love us without condition, without logic, and beyond reason. We need them to see us through lenses warped by this love and to tell us in every way that just having us walk this earth fills them with joy."

"This is my son. My child. He is my legacy in this world. He is an extension of me."

I thoroughly enjoyed this unputdownable book! I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers. I look forward to reading more from Wendy Walker!

[Paromjit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely brilliant and extraordinary dark psychological thriller. It is intricately plotted to lead to reveals that maintain the highest levels of suspense and tension. A 15 year old Jenny Kramer was violently raped at a party. Whilst at hospital her parents take the momentous decision to agree that she is given a drug which will magically erase all memory of her traumatic attack. If only. As the title points out, all is not forgotten. For starters, everyone else knows in the local community and Jenny knows she was raped, but cannot connect with the details of the trauma. On top of that, Jenny is experiencing nightmarish feelings and is an emotional mess. The fallout of what happened to Jenny has devastating consequences for her family.

Jenny and her parents are now undergoing family therapy with the unsettling Dr Alan Forrester. The story is told through the POV of Alan, which works really well as he has access to a more complete picture than anyone else. Forrester uses a wide variety of techniques to get Jenny to recall the details of her assaults. We are informed in detail of the neuroscience. We learn more about the therapist and his motivations. The parents, Tom and Charlotte, have secrets that come out as does the state of their marriage. Notions of revenge and justice are considered. We glimpse the lives of Forrester's other patients. There are jaw dropping twists which keep you turning the pages ever faster.

The author has constructed an unusual story that is compelling and absorbing. This is an intelligent and immensely thought provoking read that will stay with you. The characterisation is superb. With regard to the central premise of medically erasing trauma, there are real life attempts to reach this supposed holy grail. I am reminded of Tennessee Williams, "If I got rid of my demons, I'd lose my angels". A must read that I highly recommend. Many thanks to Cara at Harlequin for an ARC.

[Shelby *trains flying monkeys* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in a small monied town..nothing ever goes wrong. Until Jenny Kramer gets raped at a party. The afterward is that her country club mom just wants it to never have happened and her dad wants justice. Mom wins.
Jenny is given a new drug that is being tested on victims of PTSD to wipe her memory clean of the rape.


Problem being with that? So many things. She can't identify her attacker and even if she could it would never hold in court because of the memory blocking drug. She can't see justice served. She can't work through her rage at what has happened to her. So it bottles up.

The story is told by her psychiatrist and the writing in this book does read so very well. The twisty turning of the characters inner and outer turmoils are very thriller-est.
You see the inner working of her and her families 'treatments.'


And the lies that encompass small town life.

Now I think I'm in a complete and total reading slump, because it took me forever and a day to read this one. Not because it was bad, but because I just wanted fluffy and quick. This book is not that.
Don't read too many reviews before going into it either, you do not want the chance of getting spoiled.

Just jump into this book completely blind.


Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.

[Elyse Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You have a moment of mental rebellion, where your brain rejects the information that is coming in. It is too toxic, a virus, and it's going to require the massive realignment of emotions and attachments that give you pleasure or maybe just peace of mind. It is going to wreak havoc".

Tom Kramer feels unworthy....
He also feels he's the only one who gives a shit about finding his daughters rapist.

Charlotte Kramer, Tom's wife, is having an affair with Tom's boss. She has secrets from childhood.

Jenny Kramer, 16 years old, is given a drug which is used for PTSD, to erase the memories of the night she was brutally raped in the woods.

The narrator of this story is indispensable.....

A few questions?
Who the frickin hell raped Jenny? You will want to know.
How do you feel about medical drug altering emotional memories and trauma?
.......Through the storytelling of Wendy Walker's psychological
thriller....the reader 'does' get to step back - from - the story itself from time-to-time ---and explore personal thoughts about this controversial topic.

In the last few years -- new books have come out referencing "Gone Girl". We've been sick of it, haven't we? "STOP", we've said. "Oh please"... I've heard myself say.
Recently I surrendered.
It wouldn't surprise me to see a new word in the dictionary, 'Gone Girl'. ...with the definition: Psychological thriller genre. R rated.

"All is Not Forgotten"....is the book that may break 'Gone Girl' novel and box office records... ( or at least a close match). We don't get fluffy 'treat-chuckles' --
--( no Amazing Amy children's books), but we get an interesting added element with a medical drug to wipe out memory. ---observe how it might actually work.

......mystery, twists - turns - and surprises......
Warning... once you begin reading - no matter what your judgements are - it's very hard to pull yourself away. As creepy as the subject is... I found this story to be
very well written. 4.5

Morals, values, integrity, ethical behavior are not inspiring. High standards, heroes,
champions are not characters driving this novel.....
but 'mental thinking' is. NOT...much will be forgotten!

Thank You St. Martin's Press, Netgalley, and Wendy Walker

[Mackey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just Wow! It took me forever to finish this book, not because it was terrible but because it was so incredible that I began to over identify with the characters. My gosh! Wendy Walker does an outstanding job developing the characters and making them come alive!

In a small, rural Connecticut town a 15 year old girl is brutally raped. Her parents are offered the opportunity to give her a drug that will erase all memories of event. It also will mean that the rapist never will be caught. The mother immediately says yes. This drug is used, in real life, for treatment of PTSD. Allegedly what you cannot remember won't hurt you. Ahhh, but that's not really true - your body remembers what your mind forgets. What happens to Jenny next is an emotional roller coaster for her and everyone in the town!

There were so many lines crossed in this book - the cops, the doctors, the psychiatrist, the parents... but it's a small town and now that I live in one I understand that this is how they work. It still made me sick. I also was given a drug similar to this at one point in my life and now, 30 years later, I would give anything to have back those memories. All that to say - this is a tough read. There is a very graphic rape scene. There is abuse of Doctor/patient privilege. There are scenes from war that are detailed. Again, Wendy Walker is an amazing writer. If these scenarios will bother you then this book isn't for you. Otherwise, it is absolutely fantastic!

[Svetlana · Rating 4 out of 5]

To erase the memory, or not to erase the memory, that is the question.

This is one of those books that I'm not going to easily forget. I don't think I have ever read anything like it before, but I am honestly so impressed with Wendy Walker's writing skills! She really knows how to engage a reader and keep a firm hold of their attention. She created her characters with such excellence and detail that they were brought to life. It felt like I was reading an actual report of all the events and conversations that took place. I even had to keep reminding myself that what I was reading wasn't real, just a work of fiction. THAT'S how much I was engrossed in the plot!

This is a remarkable story told by an exceptional narrator. Wendy Walker certainly has a gift for writing, so don't hesitate to pick this up if it interests you!

But please know that the rape scene was very graphic and if that is something you are uncomfortable with or if it is triggering, then maybe skip this one.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALL IS NOT FORGOTTEN by Wendy Walker is a dark complex psychological thriller, with high levels of suspense and tension. This book was mind-blowing and definitely one of the best novels that I have read in 2016. The reason being is that not only does this story grip you from beginning until end…it will remain with you for days to come.

“He followed her into the woods behind the house.”

The story is set in a small town of Fairview, Connecticut.

Jenny Kramer had grown up as a “tomboy”, but had blossomed out in her teenage years. She had been invited to a house party by Doug Hastings, where the parents were out of town, lots of booze, beer, and loud music …the ideal environment for trouble. When Jenny realized that Doug had been with another girl at the party, she was devastated, drowned herself in booze, vomited and ran out into the woods to be alone and cry.

But someone else was out there hiding in the woods.

The brutal rape of Jenny Kramer sets the framework for this captivating novel that will study and explore the effect of trauma on the lives of their victims. After the vicious rape, Jenny’s parents allowed doctors to administer a controversial drug that erased certain memories, and stops Jenny from remembering that night and the ruthless attack. Her mother, Charlotte, who has her own secrets, was more interested in protecting her social status, and sweeping this event under the rug. Her father, Tom who becomes obsessed with finding the culprit. Shortly, after the attack, Jenny and her parents end up attending therapy sessions with a local psychiatrist, Dr. Alan Forrester.

“But her father had wanted revenge, justice… But her mother never looked back”
“Jenny had no memory of the rape, but the terror lived in her body”

The story is told from the perspective of the local psychiatrist, Dr. Alan Forrester telling the story to the reader. At first, I wasn’t quite sure who was narrating, but after a few chapters it became apparent that it was the therapist who was telling the story. The reader is fortunate to sit in with each family member as they receive therapy and slowly their stories reveal intriguing back stories, their childhood traumas and secrets that are at the centre of the novel.


This psychological thriller was like no other novel I have read. The pacing was steady, and information was revealed on a need-to-know basis. But most of all, the flawed characters are well flushed out.

Many thanks to Wendy Walker, St. Martin's Press, for my ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the first novel I have read by Wendy Walker and I will certainly be looking for more of her work.

I will be thinking about this book for days to come!

[Esil · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is something really wrong with the way in which this book is described in the GR blurb. I had assumed that it was definitely not for me – I am finicky about psychological thrillers and generally try to stay away from novels in which sexual assault is the featured event – and the idea of a drug that erases your memory sounds really hokey. So it took two email nudges from the publisher and a few positive GR reviews for me to decide that I would give All Is Not Forgotten a try. But I was poised to dislike it and quickly move on. So I was truly surprised by what I read and how engrossed I was. Yes, this is a book that starts with a brutal rape involving a victim who does not recall what happened because she was given a memory loss drug to assist with the PTSD. But that’s just the starting point – and fortunately there is little in the way of graphic violence. What is not mentioned in the blurb and what made this story a worthy read for me is that the book is told entirely from the perspective of the victim’s psychiatrist – and he turns out to be an interesting piece of work. His ostensible motivation is to help Jenny recover her memory to assist her and the police figure out the identity of the rapist. But his motives and interests end up being way more complicated. I can’t say more – I don’t want to divulge spoilers or diminish the effect of how this story is told. But I will say that this turns out to be my kind of thriller – not too much graphic violence, very clever twisted narration, interesting characters and a few unexpected twists. The end was a bit odd and a complete surprise, but interesting. So my problem remains that I wish I could shut the door on psychological thrillers once and for all, but every now and then I read one like All Is Not Forgotten, and realize that there are a few good apples for me out there. Thanks to the publisher for the nudges and to Netgalley for making an advance copy available.

[Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

TRIGGER WARNING: VIOLENT, BRUTAL RAPE-discussed throughout the book.

I have enjoyed Wendy Walker’s last two offerings, “The Night Before” and “Don’t Look For Me” so I wanted to acquaint myself with some of her earlier work.

I had NO IDEA about just how GRAPHIC and CRUDE this book would be.

How RAPE affects a Victim EMOTIONALLY as well as PHYSICALLY is explored, as we get to know 15 year old Jenny Kramer and her parents, Charlotte and Tom, through their psychiatrist, Dr. Alan Forrester.

When Jenny was originally brought to the hospital on the evening of the assault, the Doctors on call offered to give Jenny, a controversial drug that would erase all memory of the attack. It had originally been developed to treat soldiers with PTSD, but the catch is-you have to administer it quickly if it is to have the desired effect on the patient receiving it.

There is no time to consult with other Drs or do any kind of online research.

YES OR NO?

Jenny’s parents do not agree on what to do-but Jenny’s mom wins the battle and Jenny receives the drug. But, not remembering may not be the best way to move past a traumatic experience...

How can Jenny get justice if she cannot remember anything that would help to convict her attacker?
Would it be better to allow Dr. Forrester to recover the memories that have been blocked?

WHO CAN YOU TRUST?

My library only had this available for download as an Audible, so I listened to this one, which made it feel like I was attending a fascinating lecture on Memory Recovery Research, and Sexual Assault, at times.

Though listening was definitely uncomfortable-this is a POWERFUL examination of a horrific crime.

Wendy Walker did not downplay or shy away from a thing.

[Katie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was a tough book to read because of the subject matter. It's definitely not one you take with you to the beach for a day of relaxing. It's a story that will make you feel and one that will probably be on your mind long after it's over.

While attending a party in her small town in Connecticut, teenager Jenny Kramer is raped. She is given a controversial drug that is intended to erase her memory of the brutal attack. But that doesn't mean her life will go right back to normal. Her parents, Tom and Charlotte, have differing views on how to move on from here. This is a story of how lives can be changed in an instant.

The first half of the book is just so incredibly well written it will feel like a sucker punch as you witness this family dealing with the aftermath of a rape. I could only read so much at a time before I would have to put it down for awhile. I just needed a mental break now and again because it is a lot to emotionally handle all at once.

After reading half the book I really thought it was shaping up to be a 5 star read. I wouldn't say I hated the second half, it's more I thought it started to resemble other books in the genre which was kinda disappointing. I guess the best way to explain this is I thought the book up until that point was thought-provoking and unlike anything I had read before but then it veered more into typical psychological thriller territory. I had mixed feelings about whether the narrator enhanced or hurt the overall story.

I still do recommend this book if you can handle the subject matter. It's the type of book that will make you feel uncomfortable but that's exactly what it is supposed to do. I like my fair share of mindless reads but it is good to challenge yourself occasionally. Definitely worth it in this case as it is one that will stay with me for a long time.

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Narrative fiction, our unreliable narrator a psychiatrist, a vicious rape of a young girl at a party, a drug given that backfires, a drug to remove the memory of the act. Yet, though the mind may forget the details, the body remembers, but now the remembering doesn't connect to the act. So enters our narrator.

If I was to award stars based solely on the writing, I would have given it five stars. But I found the characters unlikable, with the exception of the victim and her father. Though if it was mentioned one more time on how much he cried, I think I would have screamed. All the other drama going on I felt took away from the victim, the seriousness of what was done to her, how hard it was to carry on a normal life. Found that frustrating. The ending was to graphic for me and yes I am a wimpy reader, but after the long, slow process of the unveiling, I felt as if I was socked in the gut.

So a five for the writing, but the rest of the story I found lacking. Unpopular though this review will be to those who loved this book.

ARC from netgalley.

[Maria E (de Enigma, Espada, Esfinge…) · Rating 4 out of 5]

O Dilema


Imagine-se um daqueles acidentes traumatizantes que marcam para a Vida!...
E ainda que há um fármaco no mercado, capaz de apagar todos e quaisquer vestígios residentes na memória sobre o dito cujo!
Que fazer perante tal quadro de acontecimentos?
Emborcar o fármaco ou enfrentar a dolorosa situação com garra e eventual orientação dum terapeuta devidamente qualificado?

É por demais sabido que todo o evento que consta no rol das experiências do nosso Percurso de Vida, é bifacetado:
O Bom e o Mau estão lá sempre -- coladinhos que nem gémeos siameses -- inseparáveis; concomitantes!...
E a Lei da Felicidade leva-nos a desfrutar do Bom e alquimizar o Mau.

Após um trauma é frequente cair-se num Buraco Negro. E o regresso à Luz é uma garantida Viagem de Auto-Descoberta -- partimos em busca duma Força Interior que desconhecemos mas temos!
Há um período em que protagonizamos o filme "Fénix a Renascer das Cinzas" e... encontramos um pouco mais de Nós, acrescentando Força à força ;)

"Nem Tudo Será Esquecido" é uma leitura psicologicamente rica, que não termina na última página!
Uma vez concluída apetece dissertar, discutir, analisar, reflectir ...
Não será uma estória perfeita e irão certamente detectar-lhe aqui e ali algumas incongruências. Contudo, ninguém lhe rouba o mérito de nos pôr a magicar!
Como observou a Mafi e muito bem, deixa-nos com um nó no cérebro. Enquanto não o desatarmos, não sossegamos ;)

Food for thought!
Recomenda-se 👍

[megs_bookrack · Rating 4 out of 5]

**3.5-stars rounded up**

First things first, All Is Not Forgotten is a story about a girl who was raped.

Proceed with caution, if that would be a triggering topic for you, as the repercussions of the event are woven throughout the story. It is the story.



If you are okay with reading it though, I do think it is a good one. This had an unusual way of introducing the narrator; it's sort of held back for a bit. I liked that and found it compelling.



I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed wondering, who is this person? How do they come by all this information?



I had a few ideas and one of them did in fact turn out to be correct. Am I mad about it? No, because I felt the writing was strong; it made up for the slightly predictable reveal.



I loved the elements regarding the relationships between parents and children.

The examination of what you would do to protect your children, if you could? Some of these elements reminded me a lot of the dynamic of The Dinner by Herman Koch.



I will say, having read some other reviews, I was surprised by how low some of them were.

While I wouldn't give this 5-stars, to me it was a solid story. I enjoyed the pace and how different events were revealed.



It wasn't super dynamic as far as Thrillers go, but there was a lot of psychological examination that will be enjoyable for many Readers.

Strong effort overall. I will definitely pick up more books by this author!

[Kelly (and the Book Boar) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/

Ummmmm, hi and welcome to the worst review in the history of Goodreads . . . .



I know what you’re thinking: “How is this different from all of your other reviews?????” (See trolls, I do the work so you don’t have to. Now stay the hell away from my Elizabeth Is Missing review. Your children are probably mortified and want to ban you from social media for your bad behavior.)

Unlike all of my other bad reviews, this time I think I actually read the book right. And therein lies the rub. You see, I went in to this completely blind based on Jennifer’s 5 Star rating. I didn’t read her review, I didn’t even read the book blurb, I just immediately went to my library’s website and put myself on the wait list.

So I could tell you if you liked Book X or the writing styles of Author Y, this is almost sure to be up your alley, but even that would be too much and you might get an inkling of what kind of story you were going to be reading and that’s not okay. You need to know NOTHING in order to fully appreciate this slow roller.

The only thing I can say to maybe convince one or two of you to pick this up? I’m giving it all the stars. Y’all know I’m a greedy heifer when it comes to handing out 5s. In case you don’t know me but are now seeing my reviews and updates incessantly due to the new upgrade (HI STRANGERS!!!), here’s a breakdown for you. All Is Not Forgotten is my 155th book of the year. Out of those 155 books I’ve handed out SIX 5s to non-smutty books (smexytimes stories are rated on an entirely different type of scale that I can't even explain). Like I said – greedy . . . and also heifer.

Now get outta here and get to your library, you crazy kids!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Not one, not one of us, shows the whole self to any one person."

Let me preface this review with a bit of a cautionary warning. It's not for everyone. The subject matter throughout is heavy with detail and slams into you like the backside of a long-handled shovel. But it is reality for many a lost soul.

Jenny Kramer checks her lip gloss in the mirror. Like many young girls heading out for the evening, she is filled with excitement. A party presents an opportunity to kick back and have fun. Fun that steps outside of the lines. But what follows Jenny into the woods that night pulls her into the dark recesses of a brutal and horrendous attack.

Fairview, Connecticut is a place designed for families and boasts of a friendly community. Shock reverberates as Jenny is taken to the local emergency room that night. Her parents, Tom and Charlotte, arrive and are faced with a decision that will carry deadly ramifications like no other. A controversial drug can be administered to Jenny in which her memory of the trauma will be miraculously erased. Charlotte convinces Tom that this will certainly protect their injured daughter from the nightmare she experienced. But then nightmares seem to ooze their way into the unguarded cracks of our lives no matter what...... Don't they?

Wendy Walker's approach to this story is quite unprecedented. The voice that follows this shocking incident is that of Dr. Alan Forrester, a psychiatrist, who will eventually treat Jenny as well as her parents. "Because that is what we aim to achieve -- the helping of a human being to escape the pain inflicted by his own mind."

The reality of this approach is that no matter what trauma we face in life, chosen or unchosen, the aftermath of that experience casts a very wide net that encompasses more than just ourselves. Through the voice of Dr. Forrester, we learn of the hidden details of the backstairs lives of each of the characters. Forrester delves into the whispered dialogue of these people that reveal an intricate complexity we would never have been privy to otherwise. And Walker keeps her finger on the pulse of all of them revealing just enough to walk you precariously into the finale.

The drug, of course, is pure fiction. But science does venture into various means of treating PTSD. The unsettling truth is how differently the mind heals as opposed to the body. There are deep furrows within the brain that lay in wait and react to the suppressed lightning and thunder of trauma. Wendy Walker takes you through this storm. Better watch your step.

[Zoeytron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A copy was furnished to me by Net Galley in exchange for a review.

The traumatic memory of a violent rape is erased from a young girl's mind using a controversial mind altering drug. Her parents allow the treatment, meant as a kindness to their daughter. Although the memory of the act itself is blocked from her conscious mind, the accompanying fear associated with it remains free floating with nothing to which it can attach. This novel illustrates perfectly why easy fixes and short cuts are not always the route to go.

The title of the book is most apropos, and I found it refreshing that we weren't socked in the head with yet another multiple POV setup. It is truly amazing and not a little frightening of just how easily a person's mind and memories can be manipulated by a scent, a voice, a subtle suggestion.

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh what a tangled web…

Fairview, Connecticut is a nice sized, somewhat well-to-do town, not so small that everyone knows everything about everybody, but small enough to know who is who when fifteen year-old Jenny is attacked, raped in the woods outside a nice home in this nice town where she has just left a party of her peers.

One of the doctors suggests a medical course of action that will effectively wipe out all memory of the rape from Jenny’s mind. Since this needs to be done as soon as possible after the incident, any memories, any identification of anyone involved would be effectively wiped away. Of course, everyone knows what happened, this isn’t meant to prevent Jenny from being aware that it happened, just to keep her from “reliving” the nightmare over and over again.

How everything comes together is the story between the pages.

The narrator leads you down many paths, following the stories of the parents, individually, each of their unhappy backgrounds, their friends, the therapist treating Jenny and several of his other patients, his family, etc. All of these stories manage to connect by the end.

“Thrillers,” in general, are not really my favorite genre, typically I like to be able to sleep at night, but this was a really interesting psychological story with several twists and turns... the various twists in the story were unexpected, as well.

Pub Date: 12 July 2016

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and author Wendy Walker for providing me with an advanced copy for reading and review

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 STARS

An all-around good psychological thriller that deals with a very emotional issue. The book opens pretty dramatically with the rape of a 15 year old girl named Jenny. Her parents are offered a rather new treatment drug that will erase the memory of the traumatic rape. The book deals with her coping with the aftermath and her eventual recovery of her memory. It's quite graphic and dark at times. I thought the way the author chose to tell the story was pretty clever. There are many people involved in the story. I can tell the author heavily researched many aspects of psychiatry. I think it was a little stagnant in some parts. Perhaps too "clinical" at times but still a good intricately woven tale of suspense that leaves you guessing, "Who raped Jenny?" to the very end.

The cover of my book says the film rights have been sold to Warner Brother's. I actually think this could make an even better film.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: ⛔️ Huge trigger warnings on this book: rape, sexual abuse, suicide attempt- graphic in description ⛔️ This psychological thriller is a tangled web indeed. 😬 The focus/premise involves traumatic memory storage, use of memory altering drugs and recovery/ability to alter/skew those memories. The author did extensive research on that specific drug/therapy and its impact upon the brains ability to recall memories- which I found interesting/intriguing. 🤓 The story itself has so many inter tangled pieces- that I couldn’t begin to guess what actually happened. The graphic nature and description of the crime itself, makes this a difficult read- so keep that in mind before choosing to pick this one up.

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

TRIGGER WARNING: RAPE - SOME GRAPHIC SCENES

Now let me get this off my chest. In the following picture (for those of us that watch Game of Thrones) we all know what is going to happen. This is my wish for all rapists. Especially those that brutalize horrifically!



This is the story of the brutal rape of Jenny Kramer. The story is told from her psychiatrists point of view, his name is Dr. Alan Forrester.

--->EXCERPT<---

He followed her into the woods behind the house. The ground there was littered with winter debris, dead leaves and twigs that had fallen over the past six months and decayed beneath a blanket of snow. She may have heard him approach. She may have turned and seen him wearing the black wool mask whose fibers were found beneath her nails. As she fell to her knees, what was left of the brittle twigs snapped like old bones and scraped her bare skin. Her face and chest pressed hard into the ground, likely with the outside of his forearm, she would have felt the mist from the sprinklers blowing off the lawn not twenty feet away. Her hair was wet when they found her.

Jenny's parents gave the go ahead on a drug that you can give to a victim to ward off PTSD or other nightmares. They had to make the decision before she went into surgery because if it's not administered right away then it might not take.

But taking this drug means Jenny can't give any information on her attacker. Her parents, or rather her mom, didn't want her to remember the brutal attack so she was given the drug. The drug doesn't keep away feelings that things aren't right and sometimes you start to remember.

After something else happens with Jenny, she starts to see Dr. Alan Forrester. He introduces her to a nice guy from the military named Sean that has been given the drug for PTSD. They both want to remember, they help each other a little. The story isn't focused on these two, it's just in the story as two people that can relate.

The story did get boring for me from time to time when the Dr. is talking about different lives, including his own. This is a great idea, but I was too pumped up to find the killer and take him down!

Dr. Forrester tells the stories of Jenny's parents as he counsels them. He tells stories of inmates he sees and other things. But the main thing is his stories of Jenny, what Jenny says about herself and about what happens when she starts to remember with the help of the doctor.

Even though the Dr. is the one telling the story, the other people in the book talk so don't think it's just him droning on.

For some reason I wanted it to be the one person the author was trying to pinpoint, but it was too obvious. I just think it would have been really whack. Although, when you find out the killer and the situation it's even more creepy. The ending was a wow moment, not an explosion wow, but just a wow did that really happen and OMG what were you thinking.

I have to stop talking now or I will give out a spoiler!

*I would like to thank Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for inviting me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.*

MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List

[Caro · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if you could take a pill that would erase from your memory your most traumatic event? Would you take it or would you live with the memories? This is what this book explores in the most suspenseful, interesting, and intriguing way.

This book tells the story of Jenny, a high-school student that was raped in the woods during a party. After the rape is over she's taken to the hospital and is administered an experimental pill that erases the memories of this event.

The reasoning behind the use of this pill is that if the person cannot remember the traumatic event then most likely they would not suffer the psychological effects associated with the trauma. This is probably true, right? Well, I won't confirm or deny that, you have to read the book to find out.

The book is told from the point of view of Dr. Alan Forrester, he is an amazing narrator. Not only do we hear the stories of Jenny but also from other characters affected by the event and all of these stories are fascinating.

Overall I loved this book, in fact, I've read this book twice and twice I've LOVED it! I recommend it to all who love engaging stories with interesting characters.