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Zoe Goldman #3
The Secret Room
Her patients are dying. Some are apparent suicides and others possible accidents, but rumors are flying that Dr. Zoe Goldman is an angel of death-intentionally helping hopeless cases go to a "better place"-or, worse yet, a dangerously incompetent doctor.
As a new psychiatry fellow at the local correctional facility, Zoe is still learning the ropes while watching her back to avoid some dangerous prisoners. As the deaths mount up, Zoe is wracked with horror and guilt, feverishly trying to figure out what is going wrong and even questioning her own sanity.
What Zoe doesn't realize is that someone is targeting her patients to get to her. Someone who has access to her deepest secrets and fears. Someone who will stop at nothing to take everything Zoe has, even her life.
As a new psychiatry fellow at the local correctional facility, Zoe is still learning the ropes while watching her back to avoid some dangerous prisoners. As the deaths mount up, Zoe is wracked with horror and guilt, feverishly trying to figure out what is going wrong and even questioning her own sanity.
What Zoe doesn't realize is that someone is targeting her patients to get to her. Someone who has access to her deepest secrets and fears. Someone who will stop at nothing to take everything Zoe has, even her life.
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First published April 18, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
July 5, 2017
3.5 A very intriguing premise for this series. Dr. Zoe, serving her fellowship at a local forensic hospital. She has a very interesting back story, in fact her sister, is a prisoner at this same facility. Patients are dying, patients thought to be stable, and they all happen to be Zoe's patients.
So many things are happening in this book that serves to make the pace a very quick one. It is an entertaining it book but I felt it was too cluttered, to much was happening at the same time. In her personal life and on the unit, though I did find the cases she worked on interesting, too many things were happening there as well. Just didn't find it credible nor feasible, especially in such a short time frame. This is though a series I would definitely read again just on the strength of her character. She has many issues of her own to overcome and I want to see how she manages. So plus and minuses with this one.
ARC from Netgalley.
Publishes the end of August by Grand Central.
So many things are happening in this book that serves to make the pace a very quick one. It is an entertaining it book but I felt it was too cluttered, to much was happening at the same time. In her personal life and on the unit, though I did find the cases she worked on interesting, too many things were happening there as well. Just didn't find it credible nor feasible, especially in such a short time frame. This is though a series I would definitely read again just on the strength of her character. She has many issues of her own to overcome and I want to see how she manages. So plus and minuses with this one.
ARC from Netgalley.
Publishes the end of August by Grand Central.
April 27, 2017
THE SECRET ROOM is the third installment in Zoe Goldman series by Sandra Block. Having read the first two: The Girl Without a Name and Little Black Lies, and really enjoying them, I was eager to start this novel. I recommend reading all the books in sequence to understand the background on Dr. Zoe Goldman.
We first meet Dr. Zoe Goldman, a psychiatry resident at a Buffalo, N.Y., hospital, In her debut novel, Little Black Lies. She suffers from ADHD, and a and a troubled past. Her biological mother, died in a fire…for which Zoe now suffers from recurring nightmares. She needs to know more about the past, her mother and the events surrounding her death. Her adoptive mother suffered from dementia. Her last patient was connected with her past and she is still struggling with the aftermath.
The first half of the book centers around her practice, her patients and their treatment. One of her patients is Sophia, a sociopath, who has been institutionalized for having murdered her mother, and the attempted homicide of her brother. Zoe must unlock the secrets that Sophia has hidden for so long.
In the second book in the series, The Girl Without a Name, this book picks up where the other book left off. Dr. Zoe Goldman is stumped when a highly unusual case arrives. A young African American girl, found wandering the streets of Buffalo in a catatonic state, is brought in by police. No one has come forward to claim her.
Now in the 3rd installment of this series, THE SECRET ROOM, this is Zoe’s first year as a psychiatrist (Forensic psychiatry fellowship) in a prison facility. As a new psychiatry fellow at the local correctional facility, Zoe is still learning the ropes while watching her back to avoid some dangerous prisoners. These prisoners are mentally disturbed suffering from sociopathic disorders, hallucinations, schizophrenia, cutting and personality disorders.
But something is wrong-Zoe’s patients are dying! And Zoe is being set-up to take the fall.! Her superiors no longer trust her judgement…and are saying that she is an incompetent doctor. As the deaths mount up, Zoe starts to question her own sanity. Why is someone doing this to her?
“What Zoe doesn't realize is that someone is targeting her patients to get to her. Someone who has access to her deepest secrets and fears. Someone who will stop at nothing to take everything Zoe has, even her life.”
THE SECRET ROOM is a psychological suspense thriller, with an original plot and extensive medical knowledge allow the author to control the development of the story. It is full of metaphors, in relationship to the “room” in the story as well within our minds. It is a very thought-provoking novel with many subliminal messages.
This was my favourite book in the series! They keep getting better and better! Highly recommended. An easy 5-Star rating from me!
Many thanks to the author, Sandra Block, Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC.
We first meet Dr. Zoe Goldman, a psychiatry resident at a Buffalo, N.Y., hospital, In her debut novel, Little Black Lies. She suffers from ADHD, and a and a troubled past. Her biological mother, died in a fire…for which Zoe now suffers from recurring nightmares. She needs to know more about the past, her mother and the events surrounding her death. Her adoptive mother suffered from dementia. Her last patient was connected with her past and she is still struggling with the aftermath.
The first half of the book centers around her practice, her patients and their treatment. One of her patients is Sophia, a sociopath, who has been institutionalized for having murdered her mother, and the attempted homicide of her brother. Zoe must unlock the secrets that Sophia has hidden for so long.
In the second book in the series, The Girl Without a Name, this book picks up where the other book left off. Dr. Zoe Goldman is stumped when a highly unusual case arrives. A young African American girl, found wandering the streets of Buffalo in a catatonic state, is brought in by police. No one has come forward to claim her.
Now in the 3rd installment of this series, THE SECRET ROOM, this is Zoe’s first year as a psychiatrist (Forensic psychiatry fellowship) in a prison facility. As a new psychiatry fellow at the local correctional facility, Zoe is still learning the ropes while watching her back to avoid some dangerous prisoners. These prisoners are mentally disturbed suffering from sociopathic disorders, hallucinations, schizophrenia, cutting and personality disorders.
But something is wrong-Zoe’s patients are dying! And Zoe is being set-up to take the fall.! Her superiors no longer trust her judgement…and are saying that she is an incompetent doctor. As the deaths mount up, Zoe starts to question her own sanity. Why is someone doing this to her?
“What Zoe doesn't realize is that someone is targeting her patients to get to her. Someone who has access to her deepest secrets and fears. Someone who will stop at nothing to take everything Zoe has, even her life.”
THE SECRET ROOM is a psychological suspense thriller, with an original plot and extensive medical knowledge allow the author to control the development of the story. It is full of metaphors, in relationship to the “room” in the story as well within our minds. It is a very thought-provoking novel with many subliminal messages.
This was my favourite book in the series! They keep getting better and better! Highly recommended. An easy 5-Star rating from me!
Many thanks to the author, Sandra Block, Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC.
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June 27, 2017I won this in a book giveaway and decided to read the first two books in the series first, since this is a series. I already reviewed the first book and will be reviewing the second book later on today. I am already half way through this book and will be reviewing this as soon as I get finished. I am really loving this series.
April 18, 2017
I read The Girl Without a Name the previous book in the series two years ago and really liked it and was thrilled to get The Secret Room to read. I haven't read Little Black Lies, but this book deals with what happened in that book by having Zoe's sister in the story. And, that's a subject that intrigued me very much and one some levels did I find it more interesting than the main story about the prisoners that dies. I guess the troubled relationship Zoe has with her sister just fascinates me more since what happened between them that makes Zoe mistrust her. Yeah, I'm trying to be as vague as possible if you haven't read any of the books.
Dr. Zoe Goldman is a new psychiatry fellow at the local correctional facility. Lately has problems arisen with prisoners dying, either by suicide or by accidents. But, they have all been her patients and the prison warden is getting more and more displeased with her and Zoe is racked with guilt and self-doubt. Then, she starts to suspect that someone is helping the prisoners die. But, who could it be, could someone of the prisoners be after her, but why?
I found the whole prisoner dying plot interesting, Zoe herself suspects a certain person, but I had a feeling that it would be too easy if it was so. However, I had some suspicious feeling that Zoe was played by that person. That even if this person was not the one behind it could it be that the person in question had some knowledge or even helped out. It will be interesting reading the next book to see the consequences of the events in this book.
Besides the hardship at work is Zoe dealing with her own "little" problem, she has learned something that will affect her whole life and she's struggling with this during the book. She has to make a decision and this storyline added quite a lot of drama to the story. But, in a good why. I quite liked this development.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
Dr. Zoe Goldman is a new psychiatry fellow at the local correctional facility. Lately has problems arisen with prisoners dying, either by suicide or by accidents. But, they have all been her patients and the prison warden is getting more and more displeased with her and Zoe is racked with guilt and self-doubt. Then, she starts to suspect that someone is helping the prisoners die. But, who could it be, could someone of the prisoners be after her, but why?
I found the whole prisoner dying plot interesting, Zoe herself suspects a certain person, but I had a feeling that it would be too easy if it was so. However, I had some suspicious feeling that Zoe was played by that person. That even if this person was not the one behind it could it be that the person in question had some knowledge or even helped out. It will be interesting reading the next book to see the consequences of the events in this book.
Besides the hardship at work is Zoe dealing with her own "little" problem, she has learned something that will affect her whole life and she's struggling with this during the book. She has to make a decision and this storyline added quite a lot of drama to the story. But, in a good why. I quite liked this development.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
April 21, 2017
It’s a thin line between sanity and madness. But it’s also the line between being malicious and being victim. And in The Secret Room, we wonder where this line lies. is the third installment in Zoe Goldman series by Sandra Block.
Zoe Goldman is a psychiatrist at the local correctional facility. She had had her own share of bad events in the past installments and in her life is just coming back together. Having a job that she likes, a loving boyfriend and a career to look forward to, the past is now behind, or so she thinks.
She has all kinds of patients. Some are hallucinating, schizophrenic or narcissists while others can even go to the limit of inflicting self-harm. Quite a dangerous career with a lot to keep her eyes wide open. Yet, Zoe is good at what she does and she’s taking good care of her patients, until …
Something is not right. Her patients are dying, one after the other. Her career is at risk. No matter how careful she is about her patients, they terminate their own lives one way or the other. The warden blames it all on her. He thinks she’s careless and he might even fire her.
Well, if that’s not enough, her biological sister, Sofia, is now one of her patients. Her supervisor insists that Zoe includes Sofia as her first patient in a research project. Sofia had been enough trouble for Zoe in previous installments killing their own biological mother and attempting to kill Zoe. Zoe can never forget that. However, Sofia insists she had changed. She can’t let Zoe alone. She claims she only wants her forgiveness.
On a parallel sphere, something sinister is going on in a secret room. A mysterious woman is talking about it. We only read her words and it’s very threatening. Something evil is going on. We only hope someone will notice this. As a reader, my mind keeps spinning. Who’s that woman?
Zoe is receiving mysterious haunting messages. Someone is trying to torture her with those messages. With her career is on the line, and her sanity too with those messages, Zoe can’t fight the urge to act as a detective. She needs to get to the bottom of it.
The Secret Room has been quite a mystery book for me. I enjoyed every part of it. I was even sorry I haven’t noticed the previous installments before. I loved the mystery. It got me wondering and guessing all the time. I also loved Zoe. She’s quite a character. I could feel her light spirit through the pages while she wondered who was trying to frame her and acting like a detective herself. Sandra Block has a wonderful writing style. The pages flew by keeping me up all night. I was desperate to know what’s going on. I just loved it.
Though the events are somehow linked in the three installments, I could read the third installment, The Secret Room, quite easily without having read the previous books. However, this is not advisable because you will be missing a lot of fun. The books and the story are quite enjoyable. You wouldn’t want to miss that. I am now going back to read the previous installments.
**Special thanks to NetGalley & Grand Central Publishing for supplying my copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. **
For all my reviews please visit http://www.meshascorner.net
Zoe Goldman is a psychiatrist at the local correctional facility. She had had her own share of bad events in the past installments and in her life is just coming back together. Having a job that she likes, a loving boyfriend and a career to look forward to, the past is now behind, or so she thinks.
She has all kinds of patients. Some are hallucinating, schizophrenic or narcissists while others can even go to the limit of inflicting self-harm. Quite a dangerous career with a lot to keep her eyes wide open. Yet, Zoe is good at what she does and she’s taking good care of her patients, until …
Something is not right. Her patients are dying, one after the other. Her career is at risk. No matter how careful she is about her patients, they terminate their own lives one way or the other. The warden blames it all on her. He thinks she’s careless and he might even fire her.
Well, if that’s not enough, her biological sister, Sofia, is now one of her patients. Her supervisor insists that Zoe includes Sofia as her first patient in a research project. Sofia had been enough trouble for Zoe in previous installments killing their own biological mother and attempting to kill Zoe. Zoe can never forget that. However, Sofia insists she had changed. She can’t let Zoe alone. She claims she only wants her forgiveness.
On a parallel sphere, something sinister is going on in a secret room. A mysterious woman is talking about it. We only read her words and it’s very threatening. Something evil is going on. We only hope someone will notice this. As a reader, my mind keeps spinning. Who’s that woman?
Zoe is receiving mysterious haunting messages. Someone is trying to torture her with those messages. With her career is on the line, and her sanity too with those messages, Zoe can’t fight the urge to act as a detective. She needs to get to the bottom of it.
The Secret Room has been quite a mystery book for me. I enjoyed every part of it. I was even sorry I haven’t noticed the previous installments before. I loved the mystery. It got me wondering and guessing all the time. I also loved Zoe. She’s quite a character. I could feel her light spirit through the pages while she wondered who was trying to frame her and acting like a detective herself. Sandra Block has a wonderful writing style. The pages flew by keeping me up all night. I was desperate to know what’s going on. I just loved it.
Though the events are somehow linked in the three installments, I could read the third installment, The Secret Room, quite easily without having read the previous books. However, this is not advisable because you will be missing a lot of fun. The books and the story are quite enjoyable. You wouldn’t want to miss that. I am now going back to read the previous installments.
**Special thanks to NetGalley & Grand Central Publishing for supplying my copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. **
For all my reviews please visit http://www.meshascorner.net
April 18, 2017
Sandra Block returns following: The Girl Without a Name and Little Black Lies, with her latest Zoe Goldman installment THE SECRET ROOM — Psychologically rich full of intrigue, suspense, chills, twists, and action.
From strong imaginations, darkness, metaphors, comics, dual personalities, magic pills, obsessions, a secret room, to depersonalization. When a patient thinks they are not real, somehow like fake humans in this world.
In Little Black Lies, we met Dr. Zoe Goldman, a Yale graduate, and a psychiatry resident at a Buffalo, N.Y., hospital, where she suffers from ADHD, with a number of personal issues. She likes repairing her patients, while on probation, and continuing to struggle with the control, of her own thoughts.
Zoe was haunted by her past and discovered dark secrets and lies behind her biological mother’s death, while her adoptive mother suffered from dementia. Her last patient was connected with her past and she is still struggling with the aftermath.
In The Girl Without A Name a Jane Doe shows up at the hospital. An African American girl approximately thirteen years of age; no past, no name, no history—landing at the Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, NY. Zoe becomes immersed in this patient and her life. A world of fear, identity, and facades.
Presently with THE SECRET ROOM, this is Zoe’s first year as a psychiatrist in a prison facility. Forensic psychiatry fellowship. A local correctional facility where Zoe is still learning the ropes while watching her back to avoid some dangerous prisoners.
Of course, as usual, there are plenty of mentally disturbing and dangerous prisoners. From narcissistic and sociopathic behaviors, delusions, hallucinations, schizophrenia, cutting, personality disorders – fighting their devils and demons. (Plus more)
The Secret Room
Zoe’s patients are dying. While some are suicides and others possible accidents. Someone is texting and tormenting her. Is Dr. Zoe Goldman an angel of death-intentionally helping hopeless cases go to a "better place" or she is -being set up while targeting her patients?
Who is manipulating her patients? When it does not take much to push these mentally disturbed patients over the edge.
The mysterious woman in the secret room. Sprinkled throughout we hear weird X-rated thoughts and happenings about a Professor. An unhealthy obsession with her teacher.
Then there is the teenage patient, Andre who thinks his father is the devil. However, was his diagnosis correct? Why was he a different person before?
In the middle of everything, Zoe has been requested to start a research project on a new behavior technique and the Doctor wants her first patient to be her biological sister, Sofia.
Zoe’s birth mother died. She was adopted when she was three years old and Sofia was fourteen (killed their mother). Zoe had completely blocked it out from her memory. The adoptive mother tried to hide the truth from her.
Her sister was an ex-patient who also stabbed her in the neck. (Zoe is surrounded by dysfunction and drama). Has her sister really changed? Can a psychopath really ever change? Can she possibly help Zoe this time around?
Jack, their brother lost his eye when she stabbed him, who was left to fend for himself in a slew of foster homes until he found heroin and religion. (more about him here as well).
Clever plotting and extensive medical knowledge allow the author to control the story, full of suspense and enough edge to keep you glued to the pages. (with a nice balance of personal life from Zoe).
As in Block’s past books, THE SECRET ROOM is full of metaphors in relation to the concept of “rooms.” Both physical, also within our minds.
In addition, references to dual identities throughout the book with both Zoe and her patients. Before and after. "In truth, none of us are who we seem to be. Many of us wear masks at times for one reason or another. To protect or hide behind."
I always enjoy reading the author’s work, which is thought-provoking, compelling, and leaves the reader with a strong takeaway message or question to ponder. Who am I? Would make for an ideal book club selection, for further discussions.
Highly recommend starting with the first book to really understand the character of Zoe (she always seems to be on leave, at the end of each book) recuperating from a trauma. However, the author provides insight to get you up to speed and rest assured she will be back in full force for the next battle.
Fans of psychological and medical thrillers (authors): Tess Gerritsen, Kelly Parsons, Lisa Unger, and Michael (Daniel) Palmer will enjoy. The author is a practicing neurologist and her medical knowledge is reflective throughout. Hope to hear more from Zoe!
A special thank you to Grand Central and NetGalley for providing an early reading copy.
JDCMustReadBooks
From strong imaginations, darkness, metaphors, comics, dual personalities, magic pills, obsessions, a secret room, to depersonalization. When a patient thinks they are not real, somehow like fake humans in this world.
In Little Black Lies, we met Dr. Zoe Goldman, a Yale graduate, and a psychiatry resident at a Buffalo, N.Y., hospital, where she suffers from ADHD, with a number of personal issues. She likes repairing her patients, while on probation, and continuing to struggle with the control, of her own thoughts.
Zoe was haunted by her past and discovered dark secrets and lies behind her biological mother’s death, while her adoptive mother suffered from dementia. Her last patient was connected with her past and she is still struggling with the aftermath.
In The Girl Without A Name a Jane Doe shows up at the hospital. An African American girl approximately thirteen years of age; no past, no name, no history—landing at the Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, NY. Zoe becomes immersed in this patient and her life. A world of fear, identity, and facades.
Presently with THE SECRET ROOM, this is Zoe’s first year as a psychiatrist in a prison facility. Forensic psychiatry fellowship. A local correctional facility where Zoe is still learning the ropes while watching her back to avoid some dangerous prisoners.
Of course, as usual, there are plenty of mentally disturbing and dangerous prisoners. From narcissistic and sociopathic behaviors, delusions, hallucinations, schizophrenia, cutting, personality disorders – fighting their devils and demons. (Plus more)
The Secret Room
“Wake up. Eat breakfast. Kill time. Eat Lunch. Kill time. Eat dinner. Kill time. Lights out. Repeat. That was my life. That would be my life, for years, too many years to come. Until I met you, Professor, and everything changed. And I knew that I could never go back to my life before you, that half a life, that living death. Never. And I would do anything it took to keep you. Anything. Even kill for you.”
Zoe’s patients are dying. While some are suicides and others possible accidents. Someone is texting and tormenting her. Is Dr. Zoe Goldman an angel of death-intentionally helping hopeless cases go to a "better place" or she is -being set up while targeting her patients?
Who is manipulating her patients? When it does not take much to push these mentally disturbed patients over the edge.
The mysterious woman in the secret room. Sprinkled throughout we hear weird X-rated thoughts and happenings about a Professor. An unhealthy obsession with her teacher.
Then there is the teenage patient, Andre who thinks his father is the devil. However, was his diagnosis correct? Why was he a different person before?
In the middle of everything, Zoe has been requested to start a research project on a new behavior technique and the Doctor wants her first patient to be her biological sister, Sofia.
Zoe’s birth mother died. She was adopted when she was three years old and Sofia was fourteen (killed their mother). Zoe had completely blocked it out from her memory. The adoptive mother tried to hide the truth from her.
Her sister was an ex-patient who also stabbed her in the neck. (Zoe is surrounded by dysfunction and drama). Has her sister really changed? Can a psychopath really ever change? Can she possibly help Zoe this time around?
Jack, their brother lost his eye when she stabbed him, who was left to fend for himself in a slew of foster homes until he found heroin and religion. (more about him here as well).
Clever plotting and extensive medical knowledge allow the author to control the story, full of suspense and enough edge to keep you glued to the pages. (with a nice balance of personal life from Zoe).
As in Block’s past books, THE SECRET ROOM is full of metaphors in relation to the concept of “rooms.” Both physical, also within our minds.
“Freud might say we have hidden rooms inside our minds that emerge in dreams or unconscious actions.”
In addition, references to dual identities throughout the book with both Zoe and her patients. Before and after. "In truth, none of us are who we seem to be. Many of us wear masks at times for one reason or another. To protect or hide behind."
I always enjoy reading the author’s work, which is thought-provoking, compelling, and leaves the reader with a strong takeaway message or question to ponder. Who am I? Would make for an ideal book club selection, for further discussions.
Highly recommend starting with the first book to really understand the character of Zoe (she always seems to be on leave, at the end of each book) recuperating from a trauma. However, the author provides insight to get you up to speed and rest assured she will be back in full force for the next battle.
Fans of psychological and medical thrillers (authors): Tess Gerritsen, Kelly Parsons, Lisa Unger, and Michael (Daniel) Palmer will enjoy. The author is a practicing neurologist and her medical knowledge is reflective throughout. Hope to hear more from Zoe!
A special thank you to Grand Central and NetGalley for providing an early reading copy.
JDCMustReadBooks
April 10, 2017
Lately, I have found myself in the mood for reading mystery and thriller type novels, and it's a good thing since there has been an influx lately of good ones. An author whom I had read previously and enjoyed Sandra Block has a new one out at the end of April and thanks to Netgalley; I got an early copy. Zoe Goldman is a psych doctor doing her residency at a prison where her biological sister is also held for killing their biological mother and trying to kill Zoe and her sibling. It seems though that there is an Angel of Death at work as Zoe's patients seem to be dying and in the form of suicides, even the ones that aren't suicidal. Can Zoe figure out who is behind this as she has one guess but is she looking in the right direction? The other two main storylines in The Secret Room is A) Zoe has been asked to set up a research project on a new behaviour technique and the Doctor wants her first patient to be her biological sister - has she really changed or is this another of her manipulative mind games to cause mayhem and chaos in Zoe's life ? The other storyline is set around a patient of Zoe's - a teenage boy named Andre. Andre was diagnosed with schizophrenia after his mother died and he believed his father was the devil; he was arrested after he stabbed his father. Was Andre's diagnosis correct or is there a bigger conspiracy at play surrounding Andre's condition as Zoe starts to dig into Andre's life and those in his family tree ? If you are on the lookout for a good mystery and psychological thriller and a book that you won't see the ending coming then check out The Secret Room by Zoe Goldman today as you won't be disappointed.
March 4, 2017
Sandra Block has created a unique character with Zoe Goldman. A psychiatry fellow with her own issues makes for interesting stories. This is the 3rd in the series & I love the continuation.
December 19, 2017
Read this in a mere 24hrs. Love this series. Hope there’s another one soon for me to devour.
December 31, 2022
120 pages in and there's a lot of death but not really any movement in the book. The big reveal regarding Sofia was predictable and boring. DNF
March 27, 2017
I loved the previous two Zoe Goldman books, and I really liked this one. I read it in a matter of hours ... I was riveted!!
Dr. Zoe Goldman is one hot mess ... but she's in love with her boyfriend and her dog and enjoys spending time with her "hacker/barista" brother Scotty. She has family drama of her own, not the least of which is that her crazy half-sister, Sofia, is back and that her patients are mysteriously dying. I don't like how the author made Zoe pregnant (honestly, isn't she enough of a mess??!) for seemingly no reason, but the mysteries in this book were addicting ... the mystery behind Zoe's patients dying and the mystery regarding the couple in "the secret room." I loved being surprised when their identities were finally revealed!!
Thank you, Netgalley, for this ARC. I highly recommend this series!
Dr. Zoe Goldman is one hot mess ... but she's in love with her boyfriend and her dog and enjoys spending time with her "hacker/barista" brother Scotty. She has family drama of her own, not the least of which is that her crazy half-sister, Sofia, is back and that her patients are mysteriously dying. I don't like how the author made Zoe pregnant (honestly, isn't she enough of a mess??!) for seemingly no reason, but the mysteries in this book were addicting ... the mystery behind Zoe's patients dying and the mystery regarding the couple in "the secret room." I loved being surprised when their identities were finally revealed!!
Thank you, Netgalley, for this ARC. I highly recommend this series!
August 7, 2017
Let it all fade away. Everything. Every problem, evil texters, evil sisters. Probation. Patients who rely on you until you fail them. Apricots you don't even deserve.
Zoe has a plate full. With her patients being killed mysteriously in the penitentiary and texts that arrive in riddles, Zoe must find out who is behind the texts to protect her patients. She suspects her sister Sophie is behind the texts but all her sister wants from her is her forgiveness as she is doing time for the murder of her mother. Zoe has her own issues.
The narration is done in Zoe's voice has she has conflicting emotions about her sister, her patients, her relationship status, and the life-alternating surprise she keeps to herself. The other voice is the voice of a very demented female that is under the yoke of the Professor who manipulates her to do his bidding in the pen. Who has a agenda against Zoe and the people she loves. This part of the narration is very crass and even though each segment is short, can be very disturbing.
The who done it and why all comes together- Was I surprised? No because I have read this author before and enjoy how she leads her readers down many trails. It is more plot driven than character driven for me. A change of pace!
A Special Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
Zoe has a plate full. With her patients being killed mysteriously in the penitentiary and texts that arrive in riddles, Zoe must find out who is behind the texts to protect her patients. She suspects her sister Sophie is behind the texts but all her sister wants from her is her forgiveness as she is doing time for the murder of her mother. Zoe has her own issues.
The narration is done in Zoe's voice has she has conflicting emotions about her sister, her patients, her relationship status, and the life-alternating surprise she keeps to herself. The other voice is the voice of a very demented female that is under the yoke of the Professor who manipulates her to do his bidding in the pen. Who has a agenda against Zoe and the people she loves. This part of the narration is very crass and even though each segment is short, can be very disturbing.
The who done it and why all comes together- Was I surprised? No because I have read this author before and enjoy how she leads her readers down many trails. It is more plot driven than character driven for me. A change of pace!
A Special Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
June 19, 2017
I won an ARC of this book in a goodreads drawing.
It's not too often that there's a series of psychological suspense novels. I guess Zoe Goldman is an exception. She's a prison psychiatrist, with a very strange background, and she has a psychotic sister who tried to kill her more than once, now incarcerated at the prison where she works.
Goldman's patients are dying. She's in danger of getting fired, and even losing her license. Plus, it seems somebody is trying to kill her. She has to get to the bottom of things, and then she gets pregnant.
Not bad. Some harrowing moments.
It's not too often that there's a series of psychological suspense novels. I guess Zoe Goldman is an exception. She's a prison psychiatrist, with a very strange background, and she has a psychotic sister who tried to kill her more than once, now incarcerated at the prison where she works.
Goldman's patients are dying. She's in danger of getting fired, and even losing her license. Plus, it seems somebody is trying to kill her. She has to get to the bottom of things, and then she gets pregnant.
Not bad. Some harrowing moments.
April 26, 2017
Zoe Goldman is working as a psychiatry fellow at the local correctional facility, spending her days tending to the mental health of the prisoners, ignoring the catcalls, spit and threats from the cells, and attempting to get her coin-obsessed supervisor Dr "Nowhere" to actually give her any feedback on her patients. When her patients start dying, and she starts receiving threatening text messages, Zoe becomes convinced that someone is targeting her patients to get to her, and sets out to figure out what's going on.
This was a capable thriller, with an idiosyncratic protagonist – Zoe often works counter to her own best interests, partly because of her ADHD and OCD (she has a tendency to latch onto certain ideas and follow them doggedly, regardless of their logic, or her safety). She comes across as a very real person, with unique quirks and opinions and characteristics. Unfortunately, while her character is fleshed out, we only really see things from her perspective – we hear a lot of her inner voice – so the rest of the characters come across a bit nondescript. The one exception tot his is Sophia, her sociopath sister (who tried to murder her in book 1, but who is currently trying to win Zoe's forgiveness).
The mystery is also not that hard to figure out – there's a limited number of notable characters who have access to the prisoners, and most of them have no reason or motivation to be the one trying to ruin Zoe's life. Nonetheless, the writing is entertaining enough that the slight lack-of-mystery isn't a problem: watching Zoe think her way through things is satisfying, if at times frustrating in a "girl, what are you doing" kind of way.
Provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read more reviews like this at my blog!
This was a capable thriller, with an idiosyncratic protagonist – Zoe often works counter to her own best interests, partly because of her ADHD and OCD (she has a tendency to latch onto certain ideas and follow them doggedly, regardless of their logic, or her safety). She comes across as a very real person, with unique quirks and opinions and characteristics. Unfortunately, while her character is fleshed out, we only really see things from her perspective – we hear a lot of her inner voice – so the rest of the characters come across a bit nondescript. The one exception tot his is Sophia, her sociopath sister (who tried to murder her in book 1, but who is currently trying to win Zoe's forgiveness).
The mystery is also not that hard to figure out – there's a limited number of notable characters who have access to the prisoners, and most of them have no reason or motivation to be the one trying to ruin Zoe's life. Nonetheless, the writing is entertaining enough that the slight lack-of-mystery isn't a problem: watching Zoe think her way through things is satisfying, if at times frustrating in a "girl, what are you doing" kind of way.
Provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read more reviews like this at my blog!
May 5, 2017
**Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary ARC of THE SECRET ROOM in exchange for my honest review**
3.5 stars
Dr Zoe Goldman is doing her psychiatric fellowship in a prison when her patients begin to die of mysterious circumstances. She suspects Sofia, her sister and an inmate jailed for trying to kill Zoe.
THE SECRET ROOM is Sandra Block's third Zoe Goldman novel. I recommend reading them in order, though each can also be read as a stand alone story.
I'm a psychologist and a stickler for accuracy in mental health. Block does a good job with diagnoses and behaviors, though she took a lot of liberties with Zoe as a forensic psychiatrist fellow. For example, psychiatrists can't treat family members, particularly one tried to kill said psychiatrist and did kill their mother.
Block writes engaging prose and she kept me interested thought THE SECRET ROOM. I love that she created Zoe as such a flawed individual. Zoe is a terribly unethical practitioner, she ought to go work with the police or FBI, but not treat patients, lol.
THE SECRET ROOM kept me guessing. I was certain about the identity of the suspect, I actually hoped he or she had been the doer. The killer's identity felt like a letdown, but I can't say why because I don't want any spoilers.
If you're a Zoe Goldman fan, THE SECRET ROOM is a great addition to the series.
3.5 stars
Dr Zoe Goldman is doing her psychiatric fellowship in a prison when her patients begin to die of mysterious circumstances. She suspects Sofia, her sister and an inmate jailed for trying to kill Zoe.
THE SECRET ROOM is Sandra Block's third Zoe Goldman novel. I recommend reading them in order, though each can also be read as a stand alone story.
I'm a psychologist and a stickler for accuracy in mental health. Block does a good job with diagnoses and behaviors, though she took a lot of liberties with Zoe as a forensic psychiatrist fellow. For example, psychiatrists can't treat family members, particularly one tried to kill said psychiatrist and did kill their mother.
Block writes engaging prose and she kept me interested thought THE SECRET ROOM. I love that she created Zoe as such a flawed individual. Zoe is a terribly unethical practitioner, she ought to go work with the police or FBI, but not treat patients, lol.
THE SECRET ROOM kept me guessing. I was certain about the identity of the suspect, I actually hoped he or she had been the doer. The killer's identity felt like a letdown, but I can't say why because I don't want any spoilers.
If you're a Zoe Goldman fan, THE SECRET ROOM is a great addition to the series.
January 17, 2018
The Secret Room by Sandra Block is book #3 in the Zoe Goldman series and in this tale you can see the talent and depth of Block as she weaves another mystery of emotional, mental, and physical drama. Zoe Goldman is a terrific character and perhaps one of her more endearing qualities is that is as far from the caricature of a heroine or detective as one can get.
"...Aubrey is silent then and finally answers with an embarrassed nod. Maloney snickers, and Destiny pats her arm. 'You want to rest in the quiet room for a little bit?' She asks, Aubrey nods again, her nose runny. She looks like a little girl, crying over a lost snowball fight.
Destiny gives her another pat. 'It'll be okay. You'll see.'
'Please don't put me in solitary,' Aubrey begs.
'Don't you worry about that right now,' Destiny says, cooing.
'I can't go in there.'
'If you would cut this crap, we wouldn't have to send you there,' Maloney says. I'm thinking much the same, but it's not the time or place to discuss more effective coping skills.
'I can't go back there. The room.' Aubrey is talking to herself now. 'He kept me in a room..."
Zoe Goldman has had far from the smoothest careers. She has joined the team of Psychiatrists at the Buffalo Correctional Facility, treating the prisoners and trying to rebuild her shattered career. But Zoe's patients are beginning to die. Some are suicides and some are accidents. Now the rumors are beginning that perhaps Dr. Goldman is intentionally helping her more hopeless cases to a better place. That she is an angel of death, or instead a seriously incompetent doctor.
But Zoe doesn't realize yet is that someone is targeting her. Someone who knows all about Zoe's past and all about her insecurities.
"...Razors, rope, gas or pills?
I stare at the message in dull confusion as my brain wakes up. The number is unfamiliar, a long-distance number. I think you are texting the wrong person, I text back.
No. It's a riddle for you.
I sit up straight in bed now, reading it again.
Who is this?
Razor, rope, gas or pills. Can you guess?
The text looms on the screen while I decide what to do. My fingers tremble as I type. I'm not playing games. Stop texting me or I will call the police.
I'm not playing games either. But if you can't solve it, I'll give you the answer.
There is a pause then, and I find myself gripping the phone waiting.
Razors, rope, gas or pills?
How many patients will you kill..."
It would be a mistake to think that this novel is solely about Zoe Goldman or about the deaths of the inmates. There is the underlying mystery that is Zoe and what remains of her biological family. The brother whose guilt at not protecting her has crippled him and her sister, Sofia. Her sister who murdered their mother, burned their home and has attempted to kill Zoe several times. Sofia who is now asking for forgiveness.
Zoe is fractured and at times held together by sheer force of will. But still in her is the resolve that only a survivor can have. But will it be enough to save her patients from the killer among them, and what does her sister Sofia have to do with what is happening at the prison.
This series is one of my favorites. Each novel is a stand alone tale on its own. But to really get a sense of the characters, it is best to begin at, well, the beginning and then work your way to this tale.
A really good read!
"...Aubrey is silent then and finally answers with an embarrassed nod. Maloney snickers, and Destiny pats her arm. 'You want to rest in the quiet room for a little bit?' She asks, Aubrey nods again, her nose runny. She looks like a little girl, crying over a lost snowball fight.
Destiny gives her another pat. 'It'll be okay. You'll see.'
'Please don't put me in solitary,' Aubrey begs.
'Don't you worry about that right now,' Destiny says, cooing.
'I can't go in there.'
'If you would cut this crap, we wouldn't have to send you there,' Maloney says. I'm thinking much the same, but it's not the time or place to discuss more effective coping skills.
'I can't go back there. The room.' Aubrey is talking to herself now. 'He kept me in a room..."
Zoe Goldman has had far from the smoothest careers. She has joined the team of Psychiatrists at the Buffalo Correctional Facility, treating the prisoners and trying to rebuild her shattered career. But Zoe's patients are beginning to die. Some are suicides and some are accidents. Now the rumors are beginning that perhaps Dr. Goldman is intentionally helping her more hopeless cases to a better place. That she is an angel of death, or instead a seriously incompetent doctor.
But Zoe doesn't realize yet is that someone is targeting her. Someone who knows all about Zoe's past and all about her insecurities.
"...Razors, rope, gas or pills?
I stare at the message in dull confusion as my brain wakes up. The number is unfamiliar, a long-distance number. I think you are texting the wrong person, I text back.
No. It's a riddle for you.
I sit up straight in bed now, reading it again.
Who is this?
Razor, rope, gas or pills. Can you guess?
The text looms on the screen while I decide what to do. My fingers tremble as I type. I'm not playing games. Stop texting me or I will call the police.
I'm not playing games either. But if you can't solve it, I'll give you the answer.
There is a pause then, and I find myself gripping the phone waiting.
Razors, rope, gas or pills?
How many patients will you kill..."
It would be a mistake to think that this novel is solely about Zoe Goldman or about the deaths of the inmates. There is the underlying mystery that is Zoe and what remains of her biological family. The brother whose guilt at not protecting her has crippled him and her sister, Sofia. Her sister who murdered their mother, burned their home and has attempted to kill Zoe several times. Sofia who is now asking for forgiveness.
Zoe is fractured and at times held together by sheer force of will. But still in her is the resolve that only a survivor can have. But will it be enough to save her patients from the killer among them, and what does her sister Sofia have to do with what is happening at the prison.
This series is one of my favorites. Each novel is a stand alone tale on its own. But to really get a sense of the characters, it is best to begin at, well, the beginning and then work your way to this tale.
A really good read!
October 27, 2021
In truth, none of us are who we seem to be. Many of us wear masks at times for one reason or another. To protect or hide behind.
Read this book because a friend recommended it to me. Did not read the previous 2 books in the series but The Secret Room can be read as a standalone.
As a new psychiatry fellow at the local correctional facility, Zoe is still learning the ropes while watching her back to avoid some dangerous prisoners. Zoe has all kinds of patients, some are schizophrenic, some are hallucinating and delusional, some display sociopathic and narcissistic behaviours, and some have personality disorders and even self-harm. On top of that, her biological sister, Sofia, (who murdered their biological mother and attempted to kill Zoe) is also at the correctional facility. And Sofia is to be her first patient in a research project on her supervisor's instructions.
What's alarming is the fact that Zoe's patients are dying, one after another. Their cause of death either suicide accidental. For fear of bad press, the prison warden gets increasingly upset with Zoe and he starts questioning her competence as a doctor. Zoe too is overcome with guilt and starts doubting herself. What Zoe doesn't realise is there is someone keen on ruining her life by targeting her patients to get to her. Someone who will stop at nothing to take everything Zoe has, even her life.
The Secret Room is a fast paced, suspenseful and thrilling read. Zoe not only has to deal with the guilt and stress from the deaths of her patients, she is also tormented by an unknown texter who she suspects is the mastermind behind it all. However, after being deemed incompetent at her job, she has a hard time convincing her supervisors that the deaths were orchestrated by someone. To make things worse, she stopped taking medications for her own mental conditions after a life-changing discovery (little lemon), adding on to her distress.
I was kept on my toes the entire read. I could empathise with Zoe's struggles when her supervisors were dismissive as she tried to convince everyone that someone was trying to set her up. So much such that she started questioning her own reality and sanity. (And I think that is the worst state of mind one can ever be in) I was so invested I felt her anxiety and her frustrations. Zoe's difficult relationship with Sofia also added on to the mystery as I kept wondering if Sofia was sincere or was she simply manipulating Zoe. I loved the mystery and the whole trying to figure out who was behind it along with Zoe. It was a good psychological thriller!
**SPOILER AHEAD**
The whole subplot of Mike not putting up boundaries around his co-worker despite being attached to Zoe sounded the alarm in my head at first. But all I can say is I have never been more glad to be wrong. The whole point of bringing this up is because I wanted to share a quote by Mike which I thought to be really sweet and reassuring.
He doesn't answer immediately, seeming to weigh his words. "I want to do whatever you want to do. If it were only up to me, yes, I would keep it. But it's your decision. And if you need two weeks to decide, I can handle that. We're in this together, either way."
June 4, 2017
Dr. Zoe Goldman is a psychiatrist at a prison. She begins to run into problems when a patient commits suicide, it won't be the last death on Zoe's watch. She starts receiving creepy, threatening texts from an unknown number. Police can't trace the sender as the phone is a burner. With the warden doubting her abilities and off her own meds, Zoe is overwhelmed. But there's more to come.
The Secret Room is a good read if you're in the mood for a little darkness. Zoe's character seems true to life and I enjoyed spending time with her. Author Sandra Block is a doctor which gives authenticity to the medical tidbits. Because this book is #3 in a series and I haven't read the previous books, I believe I've learned some spoilers. That won't stop me from going back to the start to get the full picture of Zoe's backstory. Recommended.
The Secret Room is a good read if you're in the mood for a little darkness. Zoe's character seems true to life and I enjoyed spending time with her. Author Sandra Block is a doctor which gives authenticity to the medical tidbits. Because this book is #3 in a series and I haven't read the previous books, I believe I've learned some spoilers. That won't stop me from going back to the start to get the full picture of Zoe's backstory. Recommended.
October 20, 2018
The Secret Room is the third book featuring Zoe Goldman, Forensic Psychiatrist. This time around, she is finally working on her fellowship at the prison. Patients of hers seem to keep dying and things are looking suspicious. This was a welcome addition to the series.
I loved this installment. I read it in pretty much one sitting. Zoe has been a favorite main character of mine. I love a flawed character and Zoe has lots of flaws. But, she is also smart and resourceful. I love her drive to find out what is really gong on with her patients, even if it means breaking some rules along the way. The other characters were great as well. I loved Mike in the end. The mystery kept me guessing. I was genuinely surprised at one of the reveals. I had my suspicions about the other one and was correct. I'm not going to discuss the plot any more than that so I won't spoil anything.
The only negative thing I can say about this book is that is doesn't really hold up as a stand alone. You kind of have to read the first two to be caught up on some of the characters and how they relate to Zoe. I highly recommend this one as well as the series.
I loved this installment. I read it in pretty much one sitting. Zoe has been a favorite main character of mine. I love a flawed character and Zoe has lots of flaws. But, she is also smart and resourceful. I love her drive to find out what is really gong on with her patients, even if it means breaking some rules along the way. The other characters were great as well. I loved Mike in the end. The mystery kept me guessing. I was genuinely surprised at one of the reveals. I had my suspicions about the other one and was correct. I'm not going to discuss the plot any more than that so I won't spoil anything.
The only negative thing I can say about this book is that is doesn't really hold up as a stand alone. You kind of have to read the first two to be caught up on some of the characters and how they relate to Zoe. I highly recommend this one as well as the series.
May 28, 2017
I love this series, and Zoe's character. I would have given it a 5, except some parts were so dark that I had to put the book down for a bit - which certainly added to the suspense - but detracted a little from my enjoyment. And how many incompetent supervisors can one doctor have?
January 2, 2018
I love the Zoe Goldman books and The Secret Room did not disappoint! I love a smartly written book, and Sandra Block's dialogue absolutely sings. I found myself frantically turning pages as the chapters peeled off, and staying up way past my bedtime to finish. 5 enthusiastic stars!
March 19, 2017
Review to come closer to pub date.
Quick thoughts:
Zoe is an interesting and quirky character. I enjoy getting deeper into her character with each book.
This book has a few storylines that are twisting around Zoe: her patients are dying- is she killing them? Or is someone using her patients to send a message?
Zoe also has other things on her mind- it's the first holiday season without her mom and her sister, Sophia, is still making trouble.
If you've enjoyed other Zoe books, you'll enjoy this one.
Quick thoughts:
Zoe is an interesting and quirky character. I enjoy getting deeper into her character with each book.
This book has a few storylines that are twisting around Zoe: her patients are dying- is she killing them? Or is someone using her patients to send a message?
Zoe also has other things on her mind- it's the first holiday season without her mom and her sister, Sophia, is still making trouble.
If you've enjoyed other Zoe books, you'll enjoy this one.
September 25, 2020
***3.5 stars***
May 29, 2017
Zoe Goldman is the Nancy Drew of psychiatrists. She's doing her time as a fellow at a local prison, living her life, walking her dog, occasionally getting stabbed by psychopaths...all the stuff you would expect. She seems to know her stuff, but when her patients start dying under sketchy circumstances, Zoe feels compelled to clear her name.
The Secret Room being the third in a series, it contains significant spoilers about the first two books. This makes it easy for new readers to jump in, but will definitely ruin the experience for anyone who decides to go back and read the first two...which is too bad for me, because this was enjoyable enough to make me want more. It's clear, light reading that charges forward without letting up.
I couldn't help rolling my eyes that (could it have been any more obvious?). Attempts to find some deeper meaning in the novel--see the Reading Group Guide and Reader Questions--are also really reaching. This isn't some psychological character study that will solve your identity crisis. The Secret Room is exactly what it appears to be: a slick little whodunnit with a likeable sleuth.
(I received this book for free through a Goodreads giveaway.)
The Secret Room being the third in a series, it contains significant spoilers about the first two books. This makes it easy for new readers to jump in, but will definitely ruin the experience for anyone who decides to go back and read the first two...which is too bad for me, because this was enjoyable enough to make me want more. It's clear, light reading that charges forward without letting up.
I couldn't help rolling my eyes that (could it have been any more obvious?). Attempts to find some deeper meaning in the novel--see the Reading Group Guide and Reader Questions--are also really reaching. This isn't some psychological character study that will solve your identity crisis. The Secret Room is exactly what it appears to be: a slick little whodunnit with a likeable sleuth.
(I received this book for free through a Goodreads giveaway.)
December 2, 2017
Fantastic 3rd book in the Zoe Goldman series! I read this entire book in one sitting. The Secret Room is highly addicting and I need more books by Sandra Block!
September 18, 2017
A Neurological Adventure
Sandra Block is part of an exclusive conglomerate, being both a practicing neurologist and a writer who can weave her personal experience into her stories. Her ability to translate her personal knowledge onto paper is quite remarkable, something quite apparent with the third book in Zoe Goldman series, titled The Secret Room.
Zoe Goldman is a doctor and a new psychiatry fellow at a correctional facility, still getting used to the scene. However, soon an unscrupulous rumour is passed around: Zoe Goldman is in fact an angel of death, giving the ultimate peace to patients whose cases are without hope… or perhaps she’s just a tremendously incompetent doctor. Understandably upset and in search of answers, her desire to find out the truth will put her on a collision course with a rather unexpected nemesis who will see her ruined in every way possible.
Before moving on, I just want to say that this book will still make every bit of sense even if you haven't read the previous ones in the series.
Of Mystery and Ethics
The groundwork laid out for the story to follow is quite simple in its essence: Zoe must solve the mystery of the patient deaths at the hospital, all while simultaneously struggling with personal issues conducive to character development.
In this case, the main plot is actually quite engaging for a couple of reasons. To begin with, the strong enigmatic atmosphere remains throughout the whole book and whatever answers we find only raise new questions to keep us going up until the very end. It’s simply engaging to watch a tough, likeable and smart protagonist follow the thread to see the surprising vistas it leads to.
Additionally, as you might have guessed, this plot touches on the subject mercy killing, which is a topic that I feel will remain relevant to our lives for decades, if not centuries to come. Block doesn’t preach or force her views upon anyone, leaning more towards sharing observations in a neutral capacity.
The Experience Shines
The medical facility inside the prison Zoe works at is described in tremendously interesting and accurate detail from A to Z. As the reader, there’s never any doubt that Block knows what she’s talking about and that she’s trying to integrate the countless things she has learned over the years.
This attention to setting-creation is what, in my opinion, elevates the book above many of its peers in the medical thriller genre. You are always interested to see what every corner of this world holds in store for you, not really knowing where this unusual environment can take you next, what it might reveal in its dark underbelly.
The Final Verdict
In the end, I would venture to say that The Secret Room is one of the best medical thrillers that has been released on the shelves in recent memory. It has everything from fleshed out, unique and likeable characters, to an engaging mystery set in a highly-detailed and interesting backdrop, complete with some food for thought on a hotly contested topic of modern times. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a thriller that will stimulate them in a every way a book possibly can.
This was an abridged version of the full review which can be found here: https://bookwormex.com/secret-room-sa...
Sandra Block is part of an exclusive conglomerate, being both a practicing neurologist and a writer who can weave her personal experience into her stories. Her ability to translate her personal knowledge onto paper is quite remarkable, something quite apparent with the third book in Zoe Goldman series, titled The Secret Room.
Zoe Goldman is a doctor and a new psychiatry fellow at a correctional facility, still getting used to the scene. However, soon an unscrupulous rumour is passed around: Zoe Goldman is in fact an angel of death, giving the ultimate peace to patients whose cases are without hope… or perhaps she’s just a tremendously incompetent doctor. Understandably upset and in search of answers, her desire to find out the truth will put her on a collision course with a rather unexpected nemesis who will see her ruined in every way possible.
Before moving on, I just want to say that this book will still make every bit of sense even if you haven't read the previous ones in the series.
Of Mystery and Ethics
The groundwork laid out for the story to follow is quite simple in its essence: Zoe must solve the mystery of the patient deaths at the hospital, all while simultaneously struggling with personal issues conducive to character development.
In this case, the main plot is actually quite engaging for a couple of reasons. To begin with, the strong enigmatic atmosphere remains throughout the whole book and whatever answers we find only raise new questions to keep us going up until the very end. It’s simply engaging to watch a tough, likeable and smart protagonist follow the thread to see the surprising vistas it leads to.
Additionally, as you might have guessed, this plot touches on the subject mercy killing, which is a topic that I feel will remain relevant to our lives for decades, if not centuries to come. Block doesn’t preach or force her views upon anyone, leaning more towards sharing observations in a neutral capacity.
The Experience Shines
The medical facility inside the prison Zoe works at is described in tremendously interesting and accurate detail from A to Z. As the reader, there’s never any doubt that Block knows what she’s talking about and that she’s trying to integrate the countless things she has learned over the years.
This attention to setting-creation is what, in my opinion, elevates the book above many of its peers in the medical thriller genre. You are always interested to see what every corner of this world holds in store for you, not really knowing where this unusual environment can take you next, what it might reveal in its dark underbelly.
The Final Verdict
In the end, I would venture to say that The Secret Room is one of the best medical thrillers that has been released on the shelves in recent memory. It has everything from fleshed out, unique and likeable characters, to an engaging mystery set in a highly-detailed and interesting backdrop, complete with some food for thought on a hotly contested topic of modern times. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a thriller that will stimulate them in a every way a book possibly can.
This was an abridged version of the full review which can be found here: https://bookwormex.com/secret-room-sa...
July 30, 2017
http://openbooksociety.com/article/th...
The Secret Room
Zoe Goldman, Book #3
By Sandra Block
ISBN: 9781478916253
Author Website: http://www.sandraablock.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer jerjen
Synopsis:
Her patients are dying. Some are apparent suicides and others possible accidents, but rumors are flying that Dr. Zoe Goldman is an angel of death-intentionally helping hopeless cases go to a “better place”-or, worse yet, a dangerously incompetent doctor.
As a new psychiatry fellow at the local correctional facility, Zoe is still learning the ropes while watching her back to avoid some dangerous prisoners. As the deaths mount up, Zoe is wracked with horror and guilt, feverishly trying to figure out what is going wrong and even questioning her own sanity.
What Zoe doesn’t realize is that someone is targeting her patients to get to her. Someone who has access to her deepest secrets and fears. Someone who will stop at nothing to take everything Zoe has, even her life. (Goodreads)
Review:
Zoe Goldman is a new psychiatric fellow at the local correctional facility. She not only has to deal with her patients but she also has to deal with her supervisor, “Dr. Nowhere” who leaves a lot to be desired. It is hard enough to try to care of the patients she is in charge of but when those patients start dying, she realizes she has a problem. She does not know if these deaths are her fault, and she begins to question her ability as a doctor. As the death count mounts, she realizes that she and her patients are being targeted by someone who is out to get her. She had better figure out who it is before the next death is hers.
The characters are well developed and well rounded. Zoe is a unique individual who has her own baggage. She has ADHD and OCD and she is trying to deal with these conditions. She has a sister that is a patient in the correctional facility because of murder and attempted murder. That is a lot for anyone to deal with and Zoe does the best she can. She felt very human and vulnerable to me and that made me like her even more.
The writing style flows smoothly. The author is very talented in suspense writing and she grabbed my attention right from the start and did not let go. I found myself unable to stop turning pages, needing to find out what was going to happen next. But I was also afraid to keep turning pages because I was afraid of what would happen next. The mystery was well plotted and held my attention from the beginning.
The author is also very talented in introducing more than one story line and weaving them together into a one fascinating book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted psychological suspense mystery. I must warn you, it is not for the faint of heart. But if you like a thrilling mystery than you should check this book out. I plan on reading the first two books in the series. I have not read them but I had no trouble following the storyline.
The Secret Room
Zoe Goldman, Book #3
By Sandra Block
ISBN: 9781478916253
Author Website: http://www.sandraablock.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer jerjen
Synopsis:
Her patients are dying. Some are apparent suicides and others possible accidents, but rumors are flying that Dr. Zoe Goldman is an angel of death-intentionally helping hopeless cases go to a “better place”-or, worse yet, a dangerously incompetent doctor.
As a new psychiatry fellow at the local correctional facility, Zoe is still learning the ropes while watching her back to avoid some dangerous prisoners. As the deaths mount up, Zoe is wracked with horror and guilt, feverishly trying to figure out what is going wrong and even questioning her own sanity.
What Zoe doesn’t realize is that someone is targeting her patients to get to her. Someone who has access to her deepest secrets and fears. Someone who will stop at nothing to take everything Zoe has, even her life. (Goodreads)
Review:
Zoe Goldman is a new psychiatric fellow at the local correctional facility. She not only has to deal with her patients but she also has to deal with her supervisor, “Dr. Nowhere” who leaves a lot to be desired. It is hard enough to try to care of the patients she is in charge of but when those patients start dying, she realizes she has a problem. She does not know if these deaths are her fault, and she begins to question her ability as a doctor. As the death count mounts, she realizes that she and her patients are being targeted by someone who is out to get her. She had better figure out who it is before the next death is hers.
The characters are well developed and well rounded. Zoe is a unique individual who has her own baggage. She has ADHD and OCD and she is trying to deal with these conditions. She has a sister that is a patient in the correctional facility because of murder and attempted murder. That is a lot for anyone to deal with and Zoe does the best she can. She felt very human and vulnerable to me and that made me like her even more.
The writing style flows smoothly. The author is very talented in suspense writing and she grabbed my attention right from the start and did not let go. I found myself unable to stop turning pages, needing to find out what was going to happen next. But I was also afraid to keep turning pages because I was afraid of what would happen next. The mystery was well plotted and held my attention from the beginning.
The author is also very talented in introducing more than one story line and weaving them together into a one fascinating book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted psychological suspense mystery. I must warn you, it is not for the faint of heart. But if you like a thrilling mystery than you should check this book out. I plan on reading the first two books in the series. I have not read them but I had no trouble following the storyline.
December 18, 2018
I went into this book not aware that it was part of a series. Fortunately, it's a great stand-alone book and you don't need knowledge of the previous 2. Unfortunately, that means I probably won't go back and read the previous two because I have knowledge of what probably happened.
Further proving that it can work on its own, this was probably the best thriller/psychological suspense novel I've read all year thus far. I hadn't even heard of it before landing on it at the bookstore. It was a page-turning mix consisting of mentally challenged inmates, a mystery narrator who sometimes narrates chapters, scary plotting, a possibly reformed inmate who also happens to know Zoe, and a shocking resolution. A lot of the thrillers I read recently lacked a good balance. This one never stopped being a page-turner and you'll probably get through it quickly.
The only thing that makes it closer to a 4.5 star ranking is This book was plenty exciting without it. (Though then again, maybe it's just part of their life that's being fleshed out through the series.) And I *kind of* see how it added something to the book, at least.
Overall, a great surprise choice if you're into the genre. Well done, Ms. Block. I will no doubt be looking into new novels by her.
Further proving that it can work on its own, this was probably the best thriller/psychological suspense novel I've read all year thus far. I hadn't even heard of it before landing on it at the bookstore. It was a page-turning mix consisting of mentally challenged inmates, a mystery narrator who sometimes narrates chapters, scary plotting, a possibly reformed inmate who also happens to know Zoe, and a shocking resolution. A lot of the thrillers I read recently lacked a good balance. This one never stopped being a page-turner and you'll probably get through it quickly.
The only thing that makes it closer to a 4.5 star ranking is This book was plenty exciting without it. (Though then again, maybe it's just part of their life that's being fleshed out through the series.) And I *kind of* see how it added something to the book, at least.
Overall, a great surprise choice if you're into the genre. Well done, Ms. Block. I will no doubt be looking into new novels by her.
July 11, 2018
Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of The Secret Room. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.
Dr. Zoe Goldman has been doing her forensic psychiatry fellowship at the Buffalo Correctional Facility, trying her best to help the inmates with various psychological issues. Having lost two patients in the last six months, one to suicide and one of an overdose, the warden is none too pleased with Zoe and her methods. Zoe is convinced that something more sinister is at play, but will she be able to figure out what is happening before more inmates die? Will a new project help Zoe to face her past?
The book is written in Zoe's perspective, as well as that of an unknown perpetrator. The author does a good job of weaving Zoe's personal life in with that of her professional one. Despite the fact that I did not read the previous two novels, I feel as though I got a good handle on Zoe and her issues. Some of the plot was unrealistic, as it is improbable that the warden of a prison would give the level of access to outsiders that he does. The side plot with Zoe's boyfriend seemed to have no place and its omission would have helped to focus the plot more. I would recommend The Secret Room to readers who like psychological thrillers and mysteries.
Dr. Zoe Goldman has been doing her forensic psychiatry fellowship at the Buffalo Correctional Facility, trying her best to help the inmates with various psychological issues. Having lost two patients in the last six months, one to suicide and one of an overdose, the warden is none too pleased with Zoe and her methods. Zoe is convinced that something more sinister is at play, but will she be able to figure out what is happening before more inmates die? Will a new project help Zoe to face her past?
The book is written in Zoe's perspective, as well as that of an unknown perpetrator. The author does a good job of weaving Zoe's personal life in with that of her professional one. Despite the fact that I did not read the previous two novels, I feel as though I got a good handle on Zoe and her issues. Some of the plot was unrealistic, as it is improbable that the warden of a prison would give the level of access to outsiders that he does. The side plot with Zoe's boyfriend seemed to have no place and its omission would have helped to focus the plot more. I would recommend The Secret Room to readers who like psychological thrillers and mysteries.
June 29, 2017
The Secret Room is the third book in the Zoe Goldman series. While each can stand alone, they do build upon each other in terms of character development, so I would strongly recommend readers choosing to read the entire series. You won't be sorry. The Secret Room is amazing. So good, in fact, that I found myself rationing the amount I allowed myself to read. I simply didn't want it to end. Zoe has accepted a fellowship at a prison in Buffalo, a prison where her biological sister, Sofia, is incarcerated for trying to kill her. Oddly enough, when Zoe is attacked by another inmate, pushed to kill her by someone else (I never saw it coming), Sofia is the one who saves her. I have to think that Sandra Block will continue this series, because she has left so very many loose ends. I have to hope that she continues the series forever, because she has created a cast of characters I have developed relationships with (come on, readers, you know we do that!) Write fast, Ms. Block, you have left me hungry for more.
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