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Broken Minds Thriller #1
Closer Than You Think
Meet Bryce Davison, a gifted psychologist who can heal any troubled mind—except his own.
You see, Bryce’s life is falling apart. His marriage is crumbling. His insomnia brings only half-sleep and troubled dreams—visions of dark and buried memories he’d rather forget or ignore completely. And the new female patient in his psych ward just might be more trouble than he’s able to cope with.
…and now he has a stalker.
Somebody’s been watching Bryce for a long time. Somebody who knows his life inside and out—his fears, his regrets, his greatest longings and deepest despairs. Somebody with access to his most private places—his workplace, his home, his family…anywhere Bryce might have felt safe.
They do their dirty work in the shadows… and they want Bryce Davison dead.
So Bryce has got to get his life together. To save his patients. To save his family. To save his marriage…and his life.
Because no matter how close Bryce gets to the deadly truth, the enigmatic stalker is always closer than he thinks.
Fans of psychological thrillers like I Am Watching You by Teresa Driscoll, Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine, and No Exit by Taylor Adams will love this book.
You will enjoy Closer Than You Think if you like:
Psychological thrillers
Psychological suspense
Cerebral mysteries
You see, Bryce’s life is falling apart. His marriage is crumbling. His insomnia brings only half-sleep and troubled dreams—visions of dark and buried memories he’d rather forget or ignore completely. And the new female patient in his psych ward just might be more trouble than he’s able to cope with.
…and now he has a stalker.
Somebody’s been watching Bryce for a long time. Somebody who knows his life inside and out—his fears, his regrets, his greatest longings and deepest despairs. Somebody with access to his most private places—his workplace, his home, his family…anywhere Bryce might have felt safe.
They do their dirty work in the shadows… and they want Bryce Davison dead.
So Bryce has got to get his life together. To save his patients. To save his family. To save his marriage…and his life.
Because no matter how close Bryce gets to the deadly truth, the enigmatic stalker is always closer than he thinks.
Fans of psychological thrillers like I Am Watching You by Teresa Driscoll, Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine, and No Exit by Taylor Adams will love this book.
You will enjoy Closer Than You Think if you like:
Psychological thrillers
Psychological suspense
Cerebral mysteries
312 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2019
88 people are currently reading
248 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
June 16, 2019
You can also read my reviews on WP: https://anisabookreviews.wordpress.co...
3.5 stars rounded to 4
This novel will have you looking behind your back and into the darkest circuits of your mind.
The scent of perfume lingers in the air. A floral scent he cannot quite place. But he's been in that moment before. It is a sweet bouquet that lurches him from the deepest dreams and sends him into overdrive. Who's been in Dr. Bryce Davidson's house?
Dr. Davidson is a psychotherapist with a practice in an inpatient facility for adolescents suffering from mental health issues. While he is gifted in easing his patients' mind, the pieces of his life are crumbling. After losing his first patient, guilt became a framework for the rest of his life, taking a toll on his wife, his practice and his mind.
Strange events start to emerge in the doctor's life and it is personal. Dead flowers, items of clothing and strange messages. Bryce tries to pull away from his thick paranoia to step closer to who or what is toying with him and his mind.
Closer than you think.....
Is it a message from a patient, a stalker, or his dark delusions?
Closer than you think is a great mystery and page turner, Lee Maguire delivers a different spin on the stalker tale; it is written from the male perspective as the victim. The characters are nicely woven and engaging. The author's insight into psychology was intriguing and added a depth to the setting and characters of the novel. My one critic of the novel which leads to the 3.5-star review is that the stalking aspects often felt unrealistic. Or is it just my paranoia?
Thank you, TCK publishing for a copy of the novel to review.
3.5 stars rounded to 4
This novel will have you looking behind your back and into the darkest circuits of your mind.
The scent of perfume lingers in the air. A floral scent he cannot quite place. But he's been in that moment before. It is a sweet bouquet that lurches him from the deepest dreams and sends him into overdrive. Who's been in Dr. Bryce Davidson's house?
Dr. Davidson is a psychotherapist with a practice in an inpatient facility for adolescents suffering from mental health issues. While he is gifted in easing his patients' mind, the pieces of his life are crumbling. After losing his first patient, guilt became a framework for the rest of his life, taking a toll on his wife, his practice and his mind.
Strange events start to emerge in the doctor's life and it is personal. Dead flowers, items of clothing and strange messages. Bryce tries to pull away from his thick paranoia to step closer to who or what is toying with him and his mind.
Closer than you think.....
Is it a message from a patient, a stalker, or his dark delusions?
Closer than you think is a great mystery and page turner, Lee Maguire delivers a different spin on the stalker tale; it is written from the male perspective as the victim. The characters are nicely woven and engaging. The author's insight into psychology was intriguing and added a depth to the setting and characters of the novel. My one critic of the novel which leads to the 3.5-star review is that the stalking aspects often felt unrealistic. Or is it just my paranoia?
Thank you, TCK publishing for a copy of the novel to review.
July 14, 2019
Synopsis
In the first instalment in this “Broken Minds” mystery series, we’re introduced to Dr. Bryce Davison, a psychologist with his own broken mind. His marriage is on the rocks, his insomnia is threatening his livelihood, and now he has a stalker. Someone who’s been watching him for a long time and is determined to destroy his marriage, his career, and his mind…
~Plot~
Dr. Bryce Davison is a mental health professional. When he realizes that he has a stalker, the list of potential suspects is quite long. This makes for an interesting mystery. I could immediately tell that the author works or has worked in the industry, because the writing has an authentic feel that permeates through the setting, the plot, and the way that Bryce talks about his career and his patients.
Maguire jumps right into the story with little explanation as to who the characters are. This made it a little difficult to get into and to understand. (For instance, it took me a few pages to figure out that "Max" was his dog). That said, it’s definitely worth pushing through those first few chapters, because the excitement starts up pretty quickly and doesn’t let up for the whole book. There are many twists and turns that make this book a one-sitting read.
There are quite a few matter-of-fact-style descriptions of Bryce's conversations and his work day. This book might not appeal to those who aren’t at all interested in the daily struggle of psychologists. I genuinely enjoyed Bryce’s interactions with coworkers and the “disturbed” youths that he deals with. Although, I did think that the author could have skipped some scenes to get to the juicier stuff. It reminded me a little of Patricia Cornwell's early Scarpetta books. You get a peak into what it's like to work in that profession, even when some of the things being mentioned don't directly relate to the plot. That said, Maguire ingeniously takes these opportunities to casually insert clues as to who Bryce's stalker is, which makes these chapters even more interesting to me, a self-proclaimed amateur couch sleuth.
There are quite a few flashbacks throughout the novel. It’s not immediately clear how they’re relevant, but Maguire ties them into the overall character arc quite nicely.
~Characters~
Dr. Bryce Davison strikes me as highly paranoid right from the get go. I was surprised by how quickly he figured out that he was being stalked. I find strange smells in my apartment on the regular, and I never assume that it means that someone was in my apartment. (Although, now I’m starting to worry about that! I mean, I know that I don’t smoke cigarettes. Who’s been coming into my apartment to smoke cigarettes?!).
That said, Dr. Davison is very smart and does all the right things that he should have done when being stalked, i.e. Call the police. That’s really the most important thing to do, in my opinion. He also keeps a record of all the things that are being done. While the stalker clearly wanted to put his personal life and job at risk, I was never too worried about him losing his job, because of the way he was meticulously keeping the police informed of what was happening to him.
~Language~
The writing style is a little stilted at times, particularly in the way that the teenagers talk. It pulled me out of the story a little bit, but the plot was so darn compelling that I kept reading anyway.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for an intriguing psychological thriller featuring a psychologist whose mind is just as broken as those he’s sworn to help.
*Thank you to TCK Publishing for the review copy*
This review appeared first on https://powerlibrarian.wordpress.com/
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My 2019 Reading Challenge
In the first instalment in this “Broken Minds” mystery series, we’re introduced to Dr. Bryce Davison, a psychologist with his own broken mind. His marriage is on the rocks, his insomnia is threatening his livelihood, and now he has a stalker. Someone who’s been watching him for a long time and is determined to destroy his marriage, his career, and his mind…
~Plot~
Dr. Bryce Davison is a mental health professional. When he realizes that he has a stalker, the list of potential suspects is quite long. This makes for an interesting mystery. I could immediately tell that the author works or has worked in the industry, because the writing has an authentic feel that permeates through the setting, the plot, and the way that Bryce talks about his career and his patients.
Maguire jumps right into the story with little explanation as to who the characters are. This made it a little difficult to get into and to understand. (For instance, it took me a few pages to figure out that "Max" was his dog). That said, it’s definitely worth pushing through those first few chapters, because the excitement starts up pretty quickly and doesn’t let up for the whole book. There are many twists and turns that make this book a one-sitting read.
There are quite a few matter-of-fact-style descriptions of Bryce's conversations and his work day. This book might not appeal to those who aren’t at all interested in the daily struggle of psychologists. I genuinely enjoyed Bryce’s interactions with coworkers and the “disturbed” youths that he deals with. Although, I did think that the author could have skipped some scenes to get to the juicier stuff. It reminded me a little of Patricia Cornwell's early Scarpetta books. You get a peak into what it's like to work in that profession, even when some of the things being mentioned don't directly relate to the plot. That said, Maguire ingeniously takes these opportunities to casually insert clues as to who Bryce's stalker is, which makes these chapters even more interesting to me, a self-proclaimed amateur couch sleuth.
There are quite a few flashbacks throughout the novel. It’s not immediately clear how they’re relevant, but Maguire ties them into the overall character arc quite nicely.
~Characters~
Dr. Bryce Davison strikes me as highly paranoid right from the get go. I was surprised by how quickly he figured out that he was being stalked. I find strange smells in my apartment on the regular, and I never assume that it means that someone was in my apartment. (Although, now I’m starting to worry about that! I mean, I know that I don’t smoke cigarettes. Who’s been coming into my apartment to smoke cigarettes?!).
That said, Dr. Davison is very smart and does all the right things that he should have done when being stalked, i.e. Call the police. That’s really the most important thing to do, in my opinion. He also keeps a record of all the things that are being done. While the stalker clearly wanted to put his personal life and job at risk, I was never too worried about him losing his job, because of the way he was meticulously keeping the police informed of what was happening to him.
~Language~
The writing style is a little stilted at times, particularly in the way that the teenagers talk. It pulled me out of the story a little bit, but the plot was so darn compelling that I kept reading anyway.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for an intriguing psychological thriller featuring a psychologist whose mind is just as broken as those he’s sworn to help.
*Thank you to TCK Publishing for the review copy*
This review appeared first on https://powerlibrarian.wordpress.com/
Instagram | Blog | Website | Twitter
My 2019 Reading Challenge
April 9, 2019
It's not paranoia if they're really out to get you.... Harold Finch
Meet Bryce Davison, a psychologist who seems to be able to help everyone except himself.
Bryce has a stalker .. someone who's been watching and following him for a really long time. Someone has access to his home, his computer, his office, his family. Bryce doesn't feel safe anywhere. And worse .. no one believes him.
Is there really a stalker ... or has his own mind snapped? He sleeps little ... nightmares hint at memories lost .. or buried.
Someone wants Bryce Davison dead.
No matter how close Bryce gets to the deadly truth, the enigmatic stalker is always closer than he thinks.
Highly suspenseful, this is a real page turner. The story premise is good ... unpredictable. The characters are finely drawn. This author brings his personal experience in the world of psychology to these pages, bringing credibility to Bryce Davison.
Many thanks to the author and TCK Publishing for the digital copy of this thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Meet Bryce Davison, a psychologist who seems to be able to help everyone except himself.
Bryce has a stalker .. someone who's been watching and following him for a really long time. Someone has access to his home, his computer, his office, his family. Bryce doesn't feel safe anywhere. And worse .. no one believes him.
Is there really a stalker ... or has his own mind snapped? He sleeps little ... nightmares hint at memories lost .. or buried.
Someone wants Bryce Davison dead.
No matter how close Bryce gets to the deadly truth, the enigmatic stalker is always closer than he thinks.
Highly suspenseful, this is a real page turner. The story premise is good ... unpredictable. The characters are finely drawn. This author brings his personal experience in the world of psychology to these pages, bringing credibility to Bryce Davison.
Many thanks to the author and TCK Publishing for the digital copy of this thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
May 12, 2019
See my full blog post here.
I kindly received a copy of this book by the publisher. This review will contain my honest opinion about the book.
The book sounded promising, the story containing a creepy stalker and lots of unsettling events. Unfortunately it wasn't that exciting. Grammar and spelling mistakes were discovered, together with conversations that sounded not even human.
The plot wasn't bad, though the writing style and superficial storytelling minimalised the suspense that could have been created.
I'm sad to say that this was disappointing.
You can buy the book here.
Visit the author's Facebook.
Visit the publisher's Website, Twitter and Facebook
I kindly received a copy of this book by the publisher. This review will contain my honest opinion about the book.
The book sounded promising, the story containing a creepy stalker and lots of unsettling events. Unfortunately it wasn't that exciting. Grammar and spelling mistakes were discovered, together with conversations that sounded not even human.
The plot wasn't bad, though the writing style and superficial storytelling minimalised the suspense that could have been created.
I'm sad to say that this was disappointing.
You can buy the book here.
Visit the author's Facebook.
Visit the publisher's Website, Twitter and Facebook
May 9, 2019
This book is crazy twisted. I thought that the incidents that kept happening to Bryce were weird, until everything unfolded and everything made sense. The psychologist perspective on a stalker are different from other stalkerish stories, but I felt like this one was forced, like the author tried to give everything that could happen with a stalker to the same poor guy, verging on the impossible.
Trigger warnings for suicide attempt, sexual abuse.
I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
You can but the book
here.
The publisher's website, Facebook and Twitter.
Lee’s Facebook.
Trigger warnings for suicide attempt, sexual abuse.
I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
You can but the book
here.
The publisher's website, Facebook and Twitter.
Lee’s Facebook.
May 28, 2019
A different thriller of sorts where the psychologist was so many paranoid about every small thing that it was a wonder where he found the sanity to treat patients. But well he did. Till one day he found a stalker. He was Bryce the leading force behind the book, and someone wanted him dead.
My first book by author Lee Maguire saw me flipping through the pages really fast. The plot line was creepy. Bryce was followed everywhere, his home was broken into, his dog doused with perfume, his wife left him. He had problems galore. I liked parts of his characterization.
Then came my niggles, I didn't like Bryce. I didn't understand or connect with him. There were pages and pages of his thoughts which could be easily skipped. The emotions behind the words were missing. The writing flatlined, everything felt as it was told to me. This was a thriller which didn't thrill me at all. The easiest metaphor I could give was a cola where the bubbles have fizzed out!!
I read this book with a hop, skip, and a jump and finished it in less than an hour. All my love was for the idea of the plot.
My first book by author Lee Maguire saw me flipping through the pages really fast. The plot line was creepy. Bryce was followed everywhere, his home was broken into, his dog doused with perfume, his wife left him. He had problems galore. I liked parts of his characterization.
Then came my niggles, I didn't like Bryce. I didn't understand or connect with him. There were pages and pages of his thoughts which could be easily skipped. The emotions behind the words were missing. The writing flatlined, everything felt as it was told to me. This was a thriller which didn't thrill me at all. The easiest metaphor I could give was a cola where the bubbles have fizzed out!!
I read this book with a hop, skip, and a jump and finished it in less than an hour. All my love was for the idea of the plot.
February 19, 2019
I found this book to be poorly written, littered with grammatical and spelling errors, and an utterly predictable plot. I regret reading it, but I forced myself to get through it for the sake of completeness. Just my opinion, others may disagree based on positive reviews I've seen here. Judge for yourself :)
May 9, 2020
Psychologist Bryce Davison is not quite sure where life is taking him right now. Him and his wife are on a "break", although sharing Max, the beagle and he is supposed to be a role-model to his patients and the other psychologists he manages, yet he feels like his life is losing control and that someone is out to get him.
First it was the slight smell of perfume. Maybe he had made it up in the dream, he as asleep. But is smelled so real. Maybe he was being paranoid. Then a pair of underwear are left on his car and he has gotten strange emails and phone calls. He is becoming more and more paranoid and is now eyeing everyone as a suspect.
There are some new arrivals to his ward, and she seems to be trouble. Although, often they just need to find the right psychiatrist to connect with to open the communication line. She freaks out when doing nothing, and goes mute. Albeit, she seems to be ok opening up to Bryce. He is not sure why, but he cannot deal with this right now although patients need to come first.
Things are getting more and more strange for him at home, and he is now fearful for his life. His wife thinks he has gone off his rocker, and his co-workers are seeing that he is a bit jumpy. Even though the police have now been involved with some of the incident's of this "stalker" he still doesn't feel safe.
This new patient is still being difficult, and talking in riddles. He knows she is keeping something dark a secret, but this is what they need to help her. She doesn't want to talk about but knows she needs to, but is terrified. Something or someone has scared her into being mute about something that happened. The idea to do hypnosis is brought up, and she agrees to this. What harm can come out of it.
The truth of what she reveals may just be the key to connecting all of the dots needed to find Bryce's stalker. But how would this be related to his personal life. Someone from his past? An old patient? His wife maybe? Will they be able to get her to bring her memories to the forefront and reveal what really is or has happened?
A good, fast paced thriller. It was a fast, easy read and I enjoyed reading about Max being treated as a child having to share time between mom and dad. Thank you to the author, Lee Maguire and to TCK Publishing for the free novel to read and review. I look forward to seeing what Dr. Bryce Davison runs into next.
First it was the slight smell of perfume. Maybe he had made it up in the dream, he as asleep. But is smelled so real. Maybe he was being paranoid. Then a pair of underwear are left on his car and he has gotten strange emails and phone calls. He is becoming more and more paranoid and is now eyeing everyone as a suspect.
There are some new arrivals to his ward, and she seems to be trouble. Although, often they just need to find the right psychiatrist to connect with to open the communication line. She freaks out when doing nothing, and goes mute. Albeit, she seems to be ok opening up to Bryce. He is not sure why, but he cannot deal with this right now although patients need to come first.
Things are getting more and more strange for him at home, and he is now fearful for his life. His wife thinks he has gone off his rocker, and his co-workers are seeing that he is a bit jumpy. Even though the police have now been involved with some of the incident's of this "stalker" he still doesn't feel safe.
This new patient is still being difficult, and talking in riddles. He knows she is keeping something dark a secret, but this is what they need to help her. She doesn't want to talk about but knows she needs to, but is terrified. Something or someone has scared her into being mute about something that happened. The idea to do hypnosis is brought up, and she agrees to this. What harm can come out of it.
The truth of what she reveals may just be the key to connecting all of the dots needed to find Bryce's stalker. But how would this be related to his personal life. Someone from his past? An old patient? His wife maybe? Will they be able to get her to bring her memories to the forefront and reveal what really is or has happened?
A good, fast paced thriller. It was a fast, easy read and I enjoyed reading about Max being treated as a child having to share time between mom and dad. Thank you to the author, Lee Maguire and to TCK Publishing for the free novel to read and review. I look forward to seeing what Dr. Bryce Davison runs into next.
Read
September 22, 2019DNF at page 75.
It isn't at all that this book is badly written or badly plotted,that's not the case at all looked at practically.
However subjectively I couldn't engage at all with the main protagonist, who for me was a bit whiny and not terribly sensible given that he's a psychiatrist looking after other people's mental issues.
Also it's a stalker story of which I've read a few this year and this one isn't offering me anything fresh so given the size of my to be read pile I'm reluctantly going to admit I'm not going to get through it and move on.
It isn't at all that this book is badly written or badly plotted,that's not the case at all looked at practically.
However subjectively I couldn't engage at all with the main protagonist, who for me was a bit whiny and not terribly sensible given that he's a psychiatrist looking after other people's mental issues.
Also it's a stalker story of which I've read a few this year and this one isn't offering me anything fresh so given the size of my to be read pile I'm reluctantly going to admit I'm not going to get through it and move on.
February 6, 2023
I loved it! It was really good!
Oh my! That never end with all the drama 😳…he had no idea that Tom and Nancy are sibling shocking! Man, really good so far!
Looking forward to read more book series soon…
Oh my! That never end with all the drama 😳…he had no idea that Tom and Nancy are sibling shocking! Man, really good so far!
Looking forward to read more book series soon…
May 17, 2019
What happens when a psychologist is stalked? Does he or she react differently than a member of the gen pop would? Bryce Davison shows us that, in fact, they would. Or, at least, he did. Threatening emails, cryptic notes, and obvious home invasions seem to have only a momentary effect on our guy. Then it’s business as usual – conquering the mental challenges of today’s youth. He’s a machine.
I wanted to be sucked into the action, to feel the escalating drama, to be pushed into a proverbial corner by this secretive stalker. But the highs and lows of this book didn’t allow it. And in the end, it just felt… clinical.
Nice effort, but it just didn't pan out into a good book for me.
I wanted to be sucked into the action, to feel the escalating drama, to be pushed into a proverbial corner by this secretive stalker. But the highs and lows of this book didn’t allow it. And in the end, it just felt… clinical.
Nice effort, but it just didn't pan out into a good book for me.
March 25, 2021
Whooo! This is one messed up paranoid dude. Or is he?
Bryce Davison is a psychologist with plenty of problems of his own and he also has a stalker. Bah, who hasn't had one of those? But it's a bit different when they are watching your every move, invading your home, sending messages, and it's completely obvious that it's somebody close to you and knows so many personal details about you. It leads you not to trust anybody you know, even those you love the most. Scary!
The story itself is a slow burn, but I like stories that draw you in, build the world, the character, the drama, the suspense. At times, oh my, it can be a creepy read.
It was refreshing to read a story about a man being stalked. Every time he thinks he has sussed out who the stalker is, he hits a brick wall. Not literally of course. His stalker is not only always behind him, but it's also in front of him too. Always reading his every move.
The author knows his stuff when it comes to the psychology part of this novel.
This is a good thriller with a good twist.
As others have pointed out, there were some errors but it didn't prevent me from enjoying Closer Than You Think.
It will be interesting to see what this author does next. I certainly don't think we have seen the last of Bryce Davison.
Bryce Davison is a psychologist with plenty of problems of his own and he also has a stalker. Bah, who hasn't had one of those? But it's a bit different when they are watching your every move, invading your home, sending messages, and it's completely obvious that it's somebody close to you and knows so many personal details about you. It leads you not to trust anybody you know, even those you love the most. Scary!
The story itself is a slow burn, but I like stories that draw you in, build the world, the character, the drama, the suspense. At times, oh my, it can be a creepy read.
It was refreshing to read a story about a man being stalked. Every time he thinks he has sussed out who the stalker is, he hits a brick wall. Not literally of course. His stalker is not only always behind him, but it's also in front of him too. Always reading his every move.
The author knows his stuff when it comes to the psychology part of this novel.
This is a good thriller with a good twist.
As others have pointed out, there were some errors but it didn't prevent me from enjoying Closer Than You Think.
It will be interesting to see what this author does next. I certainly don't think we have seen the last of Bryce Davison.
October 11, 2019
Oh this thriller. Great premise. Execution was lacking. The dialogue felt unnatural a lot of the time, I figured out the culprits very early on and the climax was... nonexistent. I did enjoy the parts with Maegan and some of the psychology parts. Unfortunately, not my jam, jelly or shot of whiskey. 🤷🏻♀️
April 13, 2019
This book started off a bit slow for me. I wasn't even sure that I liked the MC at first. He seemed weak and clingy. Some of the incidents that he was dealing with were odd and didn't make sense until the story started to unfold. Once the story picked up, I began to like Bryce more. He seemed more confident in his work life than he did in his home life. I felt bad for the young girl being caught up in all of what was happening in his life. The ending was a bit of a surprise. I kind of guessed part of it but there was so much more to the story than I had figured out. I loved that it all made sense at the end but it wasn't overly obvious throughout the book. Overall, after the slow start, I really did enjoy the book.
November 8, 2019
Disclaimer: the publisher offered me a free ARC copy of this book. This this not affect my review.
In brief, this is a promising debut novel (in a planned series of psychological thrillers), narrated in the first person, with a solid stalker plot (clues, red-herrings and twists likely to make most readers of the genre happy), an interesting setting (a mental health treatment facility for troubled youths) and a good development of the main character (psychologist Bryce Davidson, a man with an unsettled and traumatic past), and a wonderful Basset Hound. On the minus side, it could do with a tighter editing, more development of the secondary characters, and more attention to the pacing of the action.
This book will be especially appealing to those who enjoy psychological suspense, with particular emphasis on the “psychological” part. The author’s professional experience shines through, and that aspect of the novel is particularly well achieved, although it might seem overdetailed to people used to faster-paced thrillers.
The first-person point of view works well for the type of story, as it allows readers to share in the doubts and thoughts of the victim, experiencing his anxiety, reliving the trauma he experienced when he was young, and also trying to piece together the clues with him. On the other hand, the novel reads, at times, like a poorly focused memoir, with plenty of repetition of everyday living activities and chores that don’t help move the action forward and don’t add much to our understanding of the character. (There are so many times we can read about the character having a shower, the fact that his fridge is empty, or his switching or on off the computer). I’ve read novels that meander through stuff that does not seem particularly noteworthy, but the style of writing makes it impossible not to enjoy the detour. In this novel, neither the style of writing nor the genre are best suited for it. The other characters are not very well developed, partly perhaps to do with the choice of point of view, and in some cases, like Bryce’s wife, that has the effect of making them appear inconsistent or totally at odds with the protagonist’s opinion of them.
The suspenseful plot and the way it builds up work well, although I agree with some of the reviewers that complain about the ending and the final explanation being too rushed. The story is not heavy on action or violence, although there is some, and the ending itself is satisfying.
As I said, this is a solid first novel that could be further improved by another round of editing, and I’d recommend it to people who prefer psychological suspense and who value plot over character building. Also recommended to Basset Hound lovers.
In brief, this is a promising debut novel (in a planned series of psychological thrillers), narrated in the first person, with a solid stalker plot (clues, red-herrings and twists likely to make most readers of the genre happy), an interesting setting (a mental health treatment facility for troubled youths) and a good development of the main character (psychologist Bryce Davidson, a man with an unsettled and traumatic past), and a wonderful Basset Hound. On the minus side, it could do with a tighter editing, more development of the secondary characters, and more attention to the pacing of the action.
This book will be especially appealing to those who enjoy psychological suspense, with particular emphasis on the “psychological” part. The author’s professional experience shines through, and that aspect of the novel is particularly well achieved, although it might seem overdetailed to people used to faster-paced thrillers.
The first-person point of view works well for the type of story, as it allows readers to share in the doubts and thoughts of the victim, experiencing his anxiety, reliving the trauma he experienced when he was young, and also trying to piece together the clues with him. On the other hand, the novel reads, at times, like a poorly focused memoir, with plenty of repetition of everyday living activities and chores that don’t help move the action forward and don’t add much to our understanding of the character. (There are so many times we can read about the character having a shower, the fact that his fridge is empty, or his switching or on off the computer). I’ve read novels that meander through stuff that does not seem particularly noteworthy, but the style of writing makes it impossible not to enjoy the detour. In this novel, neither the style of writing nor the genre are best suited for it. The other characters are not very well developed, partly perhaps to do with the choice of point of view, and in some cases, like Bryce’s wife, that has the effect of making them appear inconsistent or totally at odds with the protagonist’s opinion of them.
The suspenseful plot and the way it builds up work well, although I agree with some of the reviewers that complain about the ending and the final explanation being too rushed. The story is not heavy on action or violence, although there is some, and the ending itself is satisfying.
As I said, this is a solid first novel that could be further improved by another round of editing, and I’d recommend it to people who prefer psychological suspense and who value plot over character building. Also recommended to Basset Hound lovers.
April 15, 2019
Books about Stalkers for me are always some of the most creepy. These stories are about people how try an insert themselves into the lives of others believing that it is there rightful place. They create fantasies that for them at least seep into the real world. They tell them selves the fairy tale long enough for it to seems as real as another encounter we have with those we call part of our lives. But there is always two sides to any coin and for all those that belive love is just a matter of pushing the puzzle pieces into the right order there are also those how simple want to tear another life to pieces. We have all read the stories be it in fiction or in the nightly headlines.
What we see more often than not it that the victim is female some poor women who has done nothing to gain this unwanted attention. What this author has done is to spin this around an place us in side the head of a male victim. It is through the thoughts and encounters of Dr Bryce Davison. For me it opens up a whole new chapter in the stalker genre. The way our lead tackles this unwanted attention changes the narrative. What we get is a subtle shift in the way this story plays out. For female victims the most dominate emotion is fear. For Davison it does carry some of that as you would come to expect by from the male psyche it is also anger and a need to confront who ever is doing it. A need to explore his own life in a search for clues as to why this is taking place. This is a man who's life is already starting to fall apart before the first signs appear. So what we get as the reader is a large pool of people to suspect in this crime.
For most of the book we are a clueless as the Doctor him self, he has so many people to distrust. If we where to look into our own lives how much do we truly trust the people around us. It is difficult to imagine anyone one around us of doing such a thing. So then we must also think of those people we don't. That stranger at the coffee shop who stares a little to long. On the person that follows us down the street. It brings about it's own form of psychosis. The author looks into what can happen to a man as he tries to think of all the people he has wronged and what is there ultimate long game. On top of all this he is also a man trying to do his job, dealing with teen who have there own mental health problems. The author show with remarkable care as these two worlds bleed into each other. How one directly impacts on the other. When does a duty of care to his patients become a direct risk to it's self. it is with this muddying of waters that our story breaks it's peak and revelations tear it all down. There is a lot to like within this book. You find yourself being absorbed into the world. I especially liked that the author doesn't dumb down all the Doctor talk in the book. I enjoy look up terms and names for things I don't know, It helps to expand my own knowledge.
This book for me works in a whole different way to previous books about stalkers. There is a shift from the feeling that creeps up the back of your spine in a cold tingling way. For me it allows for much more of a mystery element. We become just as invested as the doctor in pulling apart the clues and motives as to this offender. Somethings still cross over however, what could he have possibly done wrong to warrant all this. While a little slow to start off once it gets going I could not pull my self away from the book and by the end of the book I was completely in the doctors head space.
What we see more often than not it that the victim is female some poor women who has done nothing to gain this unwanted attention. What this author has done is to spin this around an place us in side the head of a male victim. It is through the thoughts and encounters of Dr Bryce Davison. For me it opens up a whole new chapter in the stalker genre. The way our lead tackles this unwanted attention changes the narrative. What we get is a subtle shift in the way this story plays out. For female victims the most dominate emotion is fear. For Davison it does carry some of that as you would come to expect by from the male psyche it is also anger and a need to confront who ever is doing it. A need to explore his own life in a search for clues as to why this is taking place. This is a man who's life is already starting to fall apart before the first signs appear. So what we get as the reader is a large pool of people to suspect in this crime.
For most of the book we are a clueless as the Doctor him self, he has so many people to distrust. If we where to look into our own lives how much do we truly trust the people around us. It is difficult to imagine anyone one around us of doing such a thing. So then we must also think of those people we don't. That stranger at the coffee shop who stares a little to long. On the person that follows us down the street. It brings about it's own form of psychosis. The author looks into what can happen to a man as he tries to think of all the people he has wronged and what is there ultimate long game. On top of all this he is also a man trying to do his job, dealing with teen who have there own mental health problems. The author show with remarkable care as these two worlds bleed into each other. How one directly impacts on the other. When does a duty of care to his patients become a direct risk to it's self. it is with this muddying of waters that our story breaks it's peak and revelations tear it all down. There is a lot to like within this book. You find yourself being absorbed into the world. I especially liked that the author doesn't dumb down all the Doctor talk in the book. I enjoy look up terms and names for things I don't know, It helps to expand my own knowledge.
This book for me works in a whole different way to previous books about stalkers. There is a shift from the feeling that creeps up the back of your spine in a cold tingling way. For me it allows for much more of a mystery element. We become just as invested as the doctor in pulling apart the clues and motives as to this offender. Somethings still cross over however, what could he have possibly done wrong to warrant all this. While a little slow to start off once it gets going I could not pull my self away from the book and by the end of the book I was completely in the doctors head space.
June 2, 2019
Closer Than You Think is a thriller that left me uncertain about my beliefs regarding it are. Usually, I know if I like a book or not, and especially, I know why is that. With this novel, I can't quite identify my feelings in order to put it on the right shelf. I have finished the book one week ago and delayed this review because I didn't want to write something that is not quite right, but today I settled down to write it while I still have its words fresh in my mind.
I have found the first quarter of the book really thrilling. I started reading it at night before closing my eyes, which wasn't the best idea as it left me with this impression that someone is in my room. Someone else than my sleeping dog. As Dr. Bryce started to suspect that someone is following him and breaking into his house and office, I thought that this will be a book that will keep my interest throughout its entire length. Well, I was wrong. At times I've found myself skipping pages without reading each word and that's because I had the feeling that the author wrote the same words over and over again.
About the plot and the idea itself, I believe they are both really great, however, at times, Lee's writing style and choices made me believe that the story was rushed where it shouldn't have been, and delayed where it should have been as short as possible.
Also, I was left disappointed by the poor grammar and misspellings (and this coming from a person whose English is not the First Language).
Probably the thing that I liked the most was the fact that I didn't guess the ending. Usually, I pick up things that ultimately lead to the light at the end of the tunnel, but with Closer Than You Think I failed to do it. So that's a good point for this novel.
The book deals with mental health which I find interesting and I have always something to learn from these books, something that could help me in the future and, maybe, something to share with others. Dr. Bryce is a psychologist and now I wonder if (in the future novels coming out on this series) he will end up having some mental issues as well. That would be a turning point for sure.
Despite all these, I couldn't bring myself to rate the novel higher than Three Stars. Maybe I will re-read it one day, but I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to get some goosebumps on the arms at night.
I have found the first quarter of the book really thrilling. I started reading it at night before closing my eyes, which wasn't the best idea as it left me with this impression that someone is in my room. Someone else than my sleeping dog. As Dr. Bryce started to suspect that someone is following him and breaking into his house and office, I thought that this will be a book that will keep my interest throughout its entire length. Well, I was wrong. At times I've found myself skipping pages without reading each word and that's because I had the feeling that the author wrote the same words over and over again.
About the plot and the idea itself, I believe they are both really great, however, at times, Lee's writing style and choices made me believe that the story was rushed where it shouldn't have been, and delayed where it should have been as short as possible.
Also, I was left disappointed by the poor grammar and misspellings (and this coming from a person whose English is not the First Language).
Probably the thing that I liked the most was the fact that I didn't guess the ending. Usually, I pick up things that ultimately lead to the light at the end of the tunnel, but with Closer Than You Think I failed to do it. So that's a good point for this novel.
The book deals with mental health which I find interesting and I have always something to learn from these books, something that could help me in the future and, maybe, something to share with others. Dr. Bryce is a psychologist and now I wonder if (in the future novels coming out on this series) he will end up having some mental issues as well. That would be a turning point for sure.
Despite all these, I couldn't bring myself to rate the novel higher than Three Stars. Maybe I will re-read it one day, but I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to get some goosebumps on the arms at night.
April 28, 2019
Someone has it out for psychologist Bryce Davidson. He’s already dealing with a messy separation from his wife, now someone is sending him threatening emails, breaking in to his house, and they know EVERYTHING about his life. Working in an institution surrounded by other psychologists, psychiatrists and patients, Dr. Davidson has a pretty big suspect list to pull from, but who could possibly hate him to this extent of revenge?
This novel started out a little slow, and there were so many characters and plot lines to keep up with but once everything started coming together towards the end it was awesome! Loaded with twists and turns, I was left in the dark just like Dr. Davidson about the identity of his stalker right until the very last second. This book is definitely creepy enough to have you glancing over your shoulder as you’re reading. Besides the thriller aspect, I really enjoyed the medical/psychological aspect, like the hypnosis and therapy of one of the patients, especially since the author has a background similar to that of Bryce’s. It looks like this will be a series and I can’t wait to follow Dr. Bryce Davidson along on his next journey.
Thank you to TCK Publishing for gifting me a copy of this book.
Get the book-http://geni.us/closerthanyouthinkm
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Author's Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/Dr-Bryce-Dav...
February 1, 2023
great book
I read, and reviewed , the second book from this series, thoroughly enjoying it, but worried at all of the allusions to the first book. So here i am! Exciting story, great characters, and I have also purchased book three. (and four)
I read, and reviewed , the second book from this series, thoroughly enjoying it, but worried at all of the allusions to the first book. So here i am! Exciting story, great characters, and I have also purchased book three. (and four)
September 2, 2019
Rated 3.5 stars.
Maguire writes a psychology-laden mystery that lands the reader in the midst of a stalkers obsession of Dr. Bryce Davison, a well regarded psychologist. Bryce is going through many trials in his personal life as he is separated from his wife, battling his own emotional issues tied to his childhood and then his workplace, a rehabilitation ward for children with psychiatric need, takes in a new female ward that shakes things up entirely. On the outskirts of this, Bryce has developed a stalker that has found their way into all facets of his personal and professional life.
The story moves at a steady pace and the mystery grows until the very end. The twist at the end was not as satisfying as I would have hoped nor did it explain the severity of the actions or the "how" some things were done. So while the book had a great flow, the payoff was a tad lackluster for true mystery lovers. The characterization was done pretty well with readers probably liking the main character, Bryce but also being annoyed by his aloofness and lack of bravery one minute then heroic efforts the next. He seemed like two people in one body which was explained by his different demeanor while on the job versus in his personal life. I think this was an error on the authors behalf as readers value consistency then a change later after they've learned through action or experience, a real reason to change.
The secondary characters were done very well...well, some of them. I found the ominous writing to be a definite plus to some characters while also rolling my eyes with others (Mr. Stud being the worst and Vicki being massively underdeveloped to have such a prominent role in the main characters life). The dialogue could use some help in that many people spoke like they wanted to have the "best" line in the conversation rather than taking note of how people really interact and what they would harp on in real life. (If there was something I wanted to know, I wouldn't say to another person, let's talk about that later and just sit and have coffee.) I'd need some urgent reason why I couldn't talk about it or some emotional tie as to why the timing was bad. So I found that to be an area that stood out in the dialogue.
In the end, I found the read to be enjoyable and interesting even with minimal flaws. I enjoyed Max and the attention paid to her as well as the interesting psychology shared throughout the story which didn't seem to overtake the plot. While the book didn't seem very well planned out, the plot still stands on its own as wholly enjoyable.
Raging Book Reviews
Full Review on www.ragingbookreviews.com
Maguire writes a psychology-laden mystery that lands the reader in the midst of a stalkers obsession of Dr. Bryce Davison, a well regarded psychologist. Bryce is going through many trials in his personal life as he is separated from his wife, battling his own emotional issues tied to his childhood and then his workplace, a rehabilitation ward for children with psychiatric need, takes in a new female ward that shakes things up entirely. On the outskirts of this, Bryce has developed a stalker that has found their way into all facets of his personal and professional life.
The story moves at a steady pace and the mystery grows until the very end. The twist at the end was not as satisfying as I would have hoped nor did it explain the severity of the actions or the "how" some things were done. So while the book had a great flow, the payoff was a tad lackluster for true mystery lovers. The characterization was done pretty well with readers probably liking the main character, Bryce but also being annoyed by his aloofness and lack of bravery one minute then heroic efforts the next. He seemed like two people in one body which was explained by his different demeanor while on the job versus in his personal life. I think this was an error on the authors behalf as readers value consistency then a change later after they've learned through action or experience, a real reason to change.
The secondary characters were done very well...well, some of them. I found the ominous writing to be a definite plus to some characters while also rolling my eyes with others (Mr. Stud being the worst and Vicki being massively underdeveloped to have such a prominent role in the main characters life). The dialogue could use some help in that many people spoke like they wanted to have the "best" line in the conversation rather than taking note of how people really interact and what they would harp on in real life. (If there was something I wanted to know, I wouldn't say to another person, let's talk about that later and just sit and have coffee.) I'd need some urgent reason why I couldn't talk about it or some emotional tie as to why the timing was bad. So I found that to be an area that stood out in the dialogue.
In the end, I found the read to be enjoyable and interesting even with minimal flaws. I enjoyed Max and the attention paid to her as well as the interesting psychology shared throughout the story which didn't seem to overtake the plot. While the book didn't seem very well planned out, the plot still stands on its own as wholly enjoyable.
Raging Book Reviews
Full Review on www.ragingbookreviews.com
June 10, 2019
A well-thought-out and carefully crafted story of pursuit.
Bryce, an every-day, relatable guy, finds his life spiraling out of control. While forced to accept that his wife doesn’t want reconciliation and plagued with sleepless nights haunted by childhood events, he tries to create order from the chaos in the psych ward where he works as a psychologist. He acts with calm and foresight when it comes to his patients, but in his own life, well, he’s a mess.
But there are forces beyond Bryce’s control at work here. He has a stalker. A jilted lover? A wronged individual from the past? A figment of his imagination?
As everyone he knows, including his boss, coworkers and estranged wife, begin to question Bryce’s intentions and integrity, he works to uncover the mystery of who is out to get him, and why. Without spoiling the ending, the plot was well thought out and the clues dropped like subtle breadcrumbs within the pages.
What I enjoyed most about this book was the realism. Written almost humoristically, it portrayed a series of events that could happen to anyone, and thus the style made it believable and relatable. However, this casual, conversational tone of voice also lessened the impact of what could have been a psychological thriller/suspense but fell short. I thoroughly enjoyed chumming along with Bryce throughout his days and found the characters witty and interesting, but the atmosphere of dread and suspicion was not developed as fully or credibly as I would have liked.
I also read the first few pages before understanding that Bryce was a man, not a woman, and off and on throughout the story had to remind myself as his over-reactions and crying episodes seemed weak. That’s not to say that women protagonists are weak and men characters strong, far from it as any avid reader knows, I only point out that in this instance the reactions didn’t match the image I had for Bryce as a competent, thirty-something psychologist. But maybe that was Maguire’s point — we all have fears and past traumas that bring us to our knees when events misalign…or a stalker orchestrates our destruction.
Overall, I enjoyed Closer Than You Think and gave it four stars. I read the whole book in only two days, even with a busy workload, and enjoyed every minute of it. As the book’s title references “A Broken Minds Thriller” I assume this is the first novel in the series. If so, I look forward to the next book and seeing Bryce in action once again.
Bryce, an every-day, relatable guy, finds his life spiraling out of control. While forced to accept that his wife doesn’t want reconciliation and plagued with sleepless nights haunted by childhood events, he tries to create order from the chaos in the psych ward where he works as a psychologist. He acts with calm and foresight when it comes to his patients, but in his own life, well, he’s a mess.
But there are forces beyond Bryce’s control at work here. He has a stalker. A jilted lover? A wronged individual from the past? A figment of his imagination?
As everyone he knows, including his boss, coworkers and estranged wife, begin to question Bryce’s intentions and integrity, he works to uncover the mystery of who is out to get him, and why. Without spoiling the ending, the plot was well thought out and the clues dropped like subtle breadcrumbs within the pages.
What I enjoyed most about this book was the realism. Written almost humoristically, it portrayed a series of events that could happen to anyone, and thus the style made it believable and relatable. However, this casual, conversational tone of voice also lessened the impact of what could have been a psychological thriller/suspense but fell short. I thoroughly enjoyed chumming along with Bryce throughout his days and found the characters witty and interesting, but the atmosphere of dread and suspicion was not developed as fully or credibly as I would have liked.
I also read the first few pages before understanding that Bryce was a man, not a woman, and off and on throughout the story had to remind myself as his over-reactions and crying episodes seemed weak. That’s not to say that women protagonists are weak and men characters strong, far from it as any avid reader knows, I only point out that in this instance the reactions didn’t match the image I had for Bryce as a competent, thirty-something psychologist. But maybe that was Maguire’s point — we all have fears and past traumas that bring us to our knees when events misalign…or a stalker orchestrates our destruction.
Overall, I enjoyed Closer Than You Think and gave it four stars. I read the whole book in only two days, even with a busy workload, and enjoyed every minute of it. As the book’s title references “A Broken Minds Thriller” I assume this is the first novel in the series. If so, I look forward to the next book and seeing Bryce in action once again.
June 20, 2019
All my reviews can be found at: http://jessicasreadingroom.com
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This review will post on my site on June 24, 2019.
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Closer Than You Think is the first novel in the Broken Minds series by Lee Maguire. Maguire takes what he knows from his occupation and brings us the main protagonist of Dr. Bryce Davison. Dr. Davison is far from perfect himself, as his personal life is in chaos and now he is dealing with a stalker…. Or could it be something more, or does Dr. Davison need some psychological services himself?
Despite some grammatical and spelling errors in the arc copy that I received, which were hopefully corrected by the publication day this past October, I really enjoyed this novel. It was definitely suspenseful but not so much a thriller. I wondered how far things were going to go with Davison’s situation. Who is going to get hurt next and in what way? Who is behind everything that is going on? And is somehow Davison himself responsible for what is going on?
My only negative thought as I was reading was: “If you kill the dog, I’m gonna riot!” I worried for Max the whole novel; I did not want anything to happen to her.
At first Dr. Davison was not very likeable nor came off as professional as he was supposed to be. He just seemed to be too much of a troubled man to be a psychologist. Eventually, I did grow to like and root for him: I wanted a good ending for him. The last 20 or so pages of the novel were totally unexpected! Everything was put together and wrapped in a nice bow.
Some may see the totality of the novel a bit far-fetched, but I enjoyed it. As this is the first in the series, I look forward to reading more of Dr. Davison’s stories.
Special thanks to TCK Publishing for sending me an arc copy to read and review.
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This review will post on my site on June 24, 2019.
~~~~
Closer Than You Think is the first novel in the Broken Minds series by Lee Maguire. Maguire takes what he knows from his occupation and brings us the main protagonist of Dr. Bryce Davison. Dr. Davison is far from perfect himself, as his personal life is in chaos and now he is dealing with a stalker…. Or could it be something more, or does Dr. Davison need some psychological services himself?
Despite some grammatical and spelling errors in the arc copy that I received, which were hopefully corrected by the publication day this past October, I really enjoyed this novel. It was definitely suspenseful but not so much a thriller. I wondered how far things were going to go with Davison’s situation. Who is going to get hurt next and in what way? Who is behind everything that is going on? And is somehow Davison himself responsible for what is going on?
My only negative thought as I was reading was: “If you kill the dog, I’m gonna riot!” I worried for Max the whole novel; I did not want anything to happen to her.
At first Dr. Davison was not very likeable nor came off as professional as he was supposed to be. He just seemed to be too much of a troubled man to be a psychologist. Eventually, I did grow to like and root for him: I wanted a good ending for him. The last 20 or so pages of the novel were totally unexpected! Everything was put together and wrapped in a nice bow.
Some may see the totality of the novel a bit far-fetched, but I enjoyed it. As this is the first in the series, I look forward to reading more of Dr. Davison’s stories.
Special thanks to TCK Publishing for sending me an arc copy to read and review.
June 8, 2019
If you are looking for a psychological thriller, then you might want to check this book out. This book had me gobsmacked with the twists and turns, especially at the end and I never would have guessed how this book would play out.
Stalkers are real and you only have to look as far as this book to peek into the warped mind of those wishing to cause others harm.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I wondered who was gaslighting Bryce (or harassing him) and how that played into the events that were occurring. I even was nervous when it came to Bryce's mom and his wife and if they would be ok with everything that was happening. There were times when I wondered if Bryce was imagining everything or if there really was someone out to get him. It was interesting how Bryce's own insecurities played into the situations, but also his knowledge and understanding of people and their inner workings as humans. I did suspect one character but only because this person seemed suspicious. However, there was so much more to this story and those involved and why.
I loved Max - but then I'm a sucker for dogs no matter what kind. I felt like she added a little something to the story and helped tie Bryce to his wife despite her wanting a divorce. And Max earned her treats at the end of the story as it wraps ups and we understand who was involved and why.
Overall an enjoyable story and we give it 4 paws up.
(other reviews have mentioned errors but I didn't really see any or nothing major)
Stalkers are real and you only have to look as far as this book to peek into the warped mind of those wishing to cause others harm.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I wondered who was gaslighting Bryce (or harassing him) and how that played into the events that were occurring. I even was nervous when it came to Bryce's mom and his wife and if they would be ok with everything that was happening. There were times when I wondered if Bryce was imagining everything or if there really was someone out to get him. It was interesting how Bryce's own insecurities played into the situations, but also his knowledge and understanding of people and their inner workings as humans. I did suspect one character but only because this person seemed suspicious. However, there was so much more to this story and those involved and why.
I loved Max - but then I'm a sucker for dogs no matter what kind. I felt like she added a little something to the story and helped tie Bryce to his wife despite her wanting a divorce. And Max earned her treats at the end of the story as it wraps ups and we understand who was involved and why.
Overall an enjoyable story and we give it 4 paws up.
(other reviews have mentioned errors but I didn't really see any or nothing major)
May 29, 2019
What a thrilling read! Completely plausible, and all the more frightening because of it.
Bryce Davison is a psychologist with a fairly senior position. Most of his work entails looking after troubled children in a residential unit. He is very much in control of his work life, but his personal life is anything but smooth and he tends to let things get to him. The last thing he needs in his life is a stalker - but it seems that is exactly what he has got.
For a debut novel, this is a fantastic read. Not in the least far-fetched, this is an entirely believable scenario. I was invested in the story from the very beginning; beautifully written in an easy flowing style, it is a riveting read. With no shortage of goings-on and no idea of who the stalker is, this is a gripping novel and one which I thoroughly enjoyed. There are lighter moments with the presence of Max, a very charismatic dog with real personality who made me smile, even when I was nervous about the situations Bryce found himself in. Did I guess 'whodunnit'? Not a chance! It was a real eye-opener, and so gratifying to have all the loose ends tied up before the final page. This is a series - and an author - I will happily follow in future; in fact, I'm looking forward to reading more about Dr Davison. An exciting book which has fully earned five stars.
My thanks to Maria Inot of TCK Publishing for my copy. This is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.
Bryce Davison is a psychologist with a fairly senior position. Most of his work entails looking after troubled children in a residential unit. He is very much in control of his work life, but his personal life is anything but smooth and he tends to let things get to him. The last thing he needs in his life is a stalker - but it seems that is exactly what he has got.
For a debut novel, this is a fantastic read. Not in the least far-fetched, this is an entirely believable scenario. I was invested in the story from the very beginning; beautifully written in an easy flowing style, it is a riveting read. With no shortage of goings-on and no idea of who the stalker is, this is a gripping novel and one which I thoroughly enjoyed. There are lighter moments with the presence of Max, a very charismatic dog with real personality who made me smile, even when I was nervous about the situations Bryce found himself in. Did I guess 'whodunnit'? Not a chance! It was a real eye-opener, and so gratifying to have all the loose ends tied up before the final page. This is a series - and an author - I will happily follow in future; in fact, I'm looking forward to reading more about Dr Davison. An exciting book which has fully earned five stars.
My thanks to Maria Inot of TCK Publishing for my copy. This is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.
October 22, 2019
I certainly do not enjoy writing unfavorable reviews. That is never a fun thing for me! However, I just really wasn't a fan of this book.
Every time I would find something that I could somewhat enjoy, something else would come along that I had issues with. Let me be clear, I didn't hate everything about this book. Actually, I definitely can't say that at all because I didn't even finish it. I DNF'd it about halfway through.
It is extremely rare for me to DNF a book. I hate to do that. I am aware that there is chance that I may have gotten better to me later. But, as I've said before, I have come to realize that life is too short to read books that you don't enjoy! There are too many books that I DO want to read so I don't want to waste my time with one that just isn't for me!
Every time I would find something that I could somewhat enjoy, something else would come along that I had issues with. Let me be clear, I didn't hate everything about this book. Actually, I definitely can't say that at all because I didn't even finish it. I DNF'd it about halfway through.
It is extremely rare for me to DNF a book. I hate to do that. I am aware that there is chance that I may have gotten better to me later. But, as I've said before, I have come to realize that life is too short to read books that you don't enjoy! There are too many books that I DO want to read so I don't want to waste my time with one that just isn't for me!
February 14, 2023
Great read
Wow, what a great read. I never suspected this! Captivating, easily draws you in and takes you on a thrilling journey with Dr. Bryce and his dog max. His marriage is falling apart, his life is filled with paranoia, vision of memories from an time he would like to forget and patients in the psych ward where he works all add to the chaos of his messed up life. He is struggling to figure out who is out to get him, and has almost everyone on a list of potential suspects. The plot was well thought out, this book offers humor, suspense and a series of events that could really happen. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
Wow, what a great read. I never suspected this! Captivating, easily draws you in and takes you on a thrilling journey with Dr. Bryce and his dog max. His marriage is falling apart, his life is filled with paranoia, vision of memories from an time he would like to forget and patients in the psych ward where he works all add to the chaos of his messed up life. He is struggling to figure out who is out to get him, and has almost everyone on a list of potential suspects. The plot was well thought out, this book offers humor, suspense and a series of events that could really happen. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
January 23, 2021
A psychologist is being stalked and doesn't know who or why. I found it an interesting book, especially the twists of who is doing it and why. I liked the dog Max and had to laugh at the separated couple sharing custody of her. I tell my adult kids that's what they'll have to do if they ever move out. The psychologist is surprisingly less effective in his personal life than his professional, which made me wonder if most psychologists choose that profession because of trauma in their lives. Anyway, it was a pretty good read.
June 6, 2019
A great read
This is really a great book with interesting characters... For my full review check out https://www.refort.co/book-review-clo...
Without Music Life Has No Soul
This is really a great book with interesting characters... For my full review check out https://www.refort.co/book-review-clo...
Without Music Life Has No Soul
July 4, 2024
Exciting
The pages on this one just kept turning. Enjoyable characters and an exciting storyline made this a pleasure to read. Really enjoyed the difference of a psychiatrist as the main character.
The pages on this one just kept turning. Enjoyable characters and an exciting storyline made this a pleasure to read. Really enjoyed the difference of a psychiatrist as the main character.
February 11, 2021
Good book! I enjoyed reading it.
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