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The Woman in the Park
When Manhattanite Sarah Rock meets a mysterious and handsome stranger in the park, she is drawn to him. Sarah wants to get away from her daily routine, her cheating husband and his crazy mistress, her frequent sessions with her heartless therapist, and her moody children.
But nothing is as it seems. Her life begins to unravel when a woman from the park goes missing and Sarah becomes the prime suspect in the woman’s disappearance. Her lover is nowhere to be found, her husband is suspicious of her, and her therapist is talking to the police.
With no one to trust, Sarah must face her inner demons and uncover the truth to prove her innocence.
A thriller that questions what is real-with its shocking twists, secrets, and lies―The Woman in the Park will leave readers breathless.
But nothing is as it seems. Her life begins to unravel when a woman from the park goes missing and Sarah becomes the prime suspect in the woman’s disappearance. Her lover is nowhere to be found, her husband is suspicious of her, and her therapist is talking to the police.
With no one to trust, Sarah must face her inner demons and uncover the truth to prove her innocence.
A thriller that questions what is real-with its shocking twists, secrets, and lies―The Woman in the Park will leave readers breathless.
244 pages, Hardcover
First published August 26, 2019
53 people are currently reading
9110 people want to read
About the author
Teresa Sorkin
3 books220 followersTeresa is a storyteller. Her passion is for telling, writing and producing stories. She is one of the founders of Roman Way Productions which currently has 32 projects in development, including television and film scripts and ideas. Her first novel “Woman in the Park,” is a psychological thriller that she co-authored with Tullan Holmqvist.
Teresa grew up in New York City and graduated with a Marketing Degree from New York University. She was an entertainment journalist and producer. She currently lives in Manhattan with her husband Ian and two children Jaden and Bella
teresasorkin.com
Teresa grew up in New York City and graduated with a Marketing Degree from New York University. She was an entertainment journalist and producer. She currently lives in Manhattan with her husband Ian and two children Jaden and Bella
teresasorkin.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 218 reviews
August 27, 2019
well, well, well...what do we have here????? A little gem of a book is what!
This was a pleasure from beginning to end. Go in as blind as possible. Seriously, don't skip ahead, avoid spoilers and dive into the pages of this riveting psychological thriller. This is a fast page turner that keeps the tension high and had me trying to figure out what was going on. I love putting on my super sleuth hat and trying to figure out books. I did figure one thing out around the halfway mark, but that only made the book better. (and let's face it, I didn't know for sure if my theory was correct until the end, but still...)
The premise is great: a woman who believes her husband is having an affair meets a man in the park. She feels happiness once again until a woman goes missing from the same park she frequents, and the police come knocking and her therapist appears to doubt her.
This book was hard to put down and really packs a lot into the 180 pages without being over the top. The pace is spot on and at times the tension leaps off the page. I loved the originality of the story and way the authors told the story. This writing duo had me trying to determine what was real and what wasn't. Who can be trusted? Look at the clues, and delve into this book of engaging suspense, drama and dark questions.
I received a copy of this book from the Authors, Beaufort Books and Edelweiss. All the thoughts and opinions are my own
This was a pleasure from beginning to end. Go in as blind as possible. Seriously, don't skip ahead, avoid spoilers and dive into the pages of this riveting psychological thriller. This is a fast page turner that keeps the tension high and had me trying to figure out what was going on. I love putting on my super sleuth hat and trying to figure out books. I did figure one thing out around the halfway mark, but that only made the book better. (and let's face it, I didn't know for sure if my theory was correct until the end, but still...)
The premise is great: a woman who believes her husband is having an affair meets a man in the park. She feels happiness once again until a woman goes missing from the same park she frequents, and the police come knocking and her therapist appears to doubt her.
This book was hard to put down and really packs a lot into the 180 pages without being over the top. The pace is spot on and at times the tension leaps off the page. I loved the originality of the story and way the authors told the story. This writing duo had me trying to determine what was real and what wasn't. Who can be trusted? Look at the clues, and delve into this book of engaging suspense, drama and dark questions.
I received a copy of this book from the Authors, Beaufort Books and Edelweiss. All the thoughts and opinions are my own
October 7, 2020
In The Woman in the Park, Sarah meets a handsome and mysterious man in the park. She is immediately drawn to him, and his presence adds a flame of excitement to her otherwise mundane life as a housewife to a cheating husband and children who are growing up and pulling away. But soon a woman from the park goes missing, and police come knocking on her door. And as the truth unravels, we realize nothing is as it seems.
This was a super fun and easy read. Once I started, I was hooked and I couldn't put it down. I've been in a reading slump lately where it has taken me many days to get through a book, but I bombed through this one in two days. It was fast-paced, and there were lots of twists and turns along the way to keep me entertained. I also liked the shorter length, and how the narration didn't get bogged down in the main character's internal ruminations (a pet peeve of mine in reading this genre of modern psychological thrillers).
But you guys, I called it, almost from the very beginning! Without giving anything away, I'll say that it reminded me of something I've seen before, and it pretty much had the same clues. For me, this is the problem with most books of this genre: there are only so many possibilities, so once you've seen some, you've seen them all. And my overactive brain refuses to shut off and let me enjoy it unspoiled. But that's my problem, and not the book's.
What an enjoyable and riveting story this was. I only wish I hadn't figured things out so early and instead had been surprised at every turn, the way many other readers were by this story. But I'm happy to overlook this because it's fairly rare for me to have a positive experience with this genre. This is a very promising start for this author duo, and I look forward to more from them.
This was a super fun and easy read. Once I started, I was hooked and I couldn't put it down. I've been in a reading slump lately where it has taken me many days to get through a book, but I bombed through this one in two days. It was fast-paced, and there were lots of twists and turns along the way to keep me entertained. I also liked the shorter length, and how the narration didn't get bogged down in the main character's internal ruminations (a pet peeve of mine in reading this genre of modern psychological thrillers).
But you guys, I called it, almost from the very beginning! Without giving anything away, I'll say that it reminded me of something I've seen before, and it pretty much had the same clues. For me, this is the problem with most books of this genre: there are only so many possibilities, so once you've seen some, you've seen them all. And my overactive brain refuses to shut off and let me enjoy it unspoiled. But that's my problem, and not the book's.
What an enjoyable and riveting story this was. I only wish I hadn't figured things out so early and instead had been surprised at every turn, the way many other readers were by this story. But I'm happy to overlook this because it's fairly rare for me to have a positive experience with this genre. This is a very promising start for this author duo, and I look forward to more from them.
April 30, 2020
Teresa Sorkin & Tullan Holmqvist joined us in The Behind the Pages Goodreads group for a Q & A. They shared some insight into their writing process and The Woman in the Park. I love this story even more now and highly recommend it. I can't stop thinking about it So I am very excited about our upcoming Q & A with them both on Jan 9. I can't stop thinking about it.
To view the Q & A you can find the thread here
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
My review
Hot Diggity, Dang! That was no walk in the park but a sprint right to that final reveal that had left me cheering for just how brilliantly written The Woman in the Park is.
At only 207 pages, The Woman in the Park is an intense, complex and entertaining story that questions what is real. I flew through it a couple of hours, only stopping for hubby time. I am not allowed even to have a book or Ipad near me because I can't be trusted not to try and sneak a chapter in. I was still thinking about it and couldn't wait to get back to it.
This is one I think you are better off not knowing too much about before going in, so I am not going to say too much about the story or how sharply written I thought this one was. I think it's one you need to experience yourself. There are twists that come out of nowhere ( not so convincing) and then there are twists that are so well executed that you feel came out of nowhere but then realize just how tightly layered they are. With this one, some readers might see it coming while others might not but no matter which one, it's easy to see just how clever it is written. Well, I am happy to say I thought The Women in the Park is very convincing with these shocking well-layered revelations and our characters here in this story. I highly recommend.
I received a copy from the authors
Our blog
https://travelingsistersbookreviews.com
To view the Q & A you can find the thread here
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
My review
Hot Diggity, Dang! That was no walk in the park but a sprint right to that final reveal that had left me cheering for just how brilliantly written The Woman in the Park is.
At only 207 pages, The Woman in the Park is an intense, complex and entertaining story that questions what is real. I flew through it a couple of hours, only stopping for hubby time. I am not allowed even to have a book or Ipad near me because I can't be trusted not to try and sneak a chapter in. I was still thinking about it and couldn't wait to get back to it.
This is one I think you are better off not knowing too much about before going in, so I am not going to say too much about the story or how sharply written I thought this one was. I think it's one you need to experience yourself. There are twists that come out of nowhere ( not so convincing) and then there are twists that are so well executed that you feel came out of nowhere but then realize just how tightly layered they are. With this one, some readers might see it coming while others might not but no matter which one, it's easy to see just how clever it is written. Well, I am happy to say I thought The Women in the Park is very convincing with these shocking well-layered revelations and our characters here in this story. I highly recommend.
I received a copy from the authors
Our blog
https://travelingsistersbookreviews.com
December 18, 2019
The Woman in the Park is one of those books which you start reading without any expectations and it simply blows you away. This is one of those book where it’s best to dive straight in without reading any spoilers or even the synopsis. Quite simply, this is a flawless psychological thriller.
Sarah Rock meets a mysterious and handsome stranger in the park, she is drawn to him. Sarah wants to get away from her daily routine, her cheating husband and his crazy mistress, her frequent sessions with her heartless therapist, and her moody children. But nothing is as it seems. I am not giving away too much of the story and it’s best to read the book to find out more.
The Woman in the Park is a dark & tense story that will keep the readers engrossed from beginning to end. A perfect thriller with many twists & turns―The Woman in the Park keeps the readers guessing.
The best thing about the book is that it’s so focused on the story right from start to end. There are no unnecessary characters or subplots. This book is just a nonstop thrill ride until the end. The story is original and the pace is relentless. The narrative often keeps you on the edge and you are not sure what to believe, right till the end. Just when you think, you had it all figured out, yet another twist changes everything.
Both Teresa Sorkin and Tullan Holmqvist have crafted a cleverly written story that is original and distinctive. There are few characters in this book but the character of Sarah was really well written, capturing her emotional turmoil as well as her attempts to grasp at what’s happening. The book keeps referring to the novel Thérèse Raquin by Emily Zola and you may not get all references if you haven’t read it. Also, the ending feels a bit rushed but was still well executed.
Overall, The Woman in the Park is a dark & clever psychological thriller. If you enjoy reading a good thriller, you will surely enjoy this. Recommended! 4.5 stars out of 5
Many thanks to the publishers Beaufort Books & Independent Publishers Group and Edelweiss for the ARC.
Sarah Rock meets a mysterious and handsome stranger in the park, she is drawn to him. Sarah wants to get away from her daily routine, her cheating husband and his crazy mistress, her frequent sessions with her heartless therapist, and her moody children. But nothing is as it seems. I am not giving away too much of the story and it’s best to read the book to find out more.
The Woman in the Park is a dark & tense story that will keep the readers engrossed from beginning to end. A perfect thriller with many twists & turns―The Woman in the Park keeps the readers guessing.
The best thing about the book is that it’s so focused on the story right from start to end. There are no unnecessary characters or subplots. This book is just a nonstop thrill ride until the end. The story is original and the pace is relentless. The narrative often keeps you on the edge and you are not sure what to believe, right till the end. Just when you think, you had it all figured out, yet another twist changes everything.
Both Teresa Sorkin and Tullan Holmqvist have crafted a cleverly written story that is original and distinctive. There are few characters in this book but the character of Sarah was really well written, capturing her emotional turmoil as well as her attempts to grasp at what’s happening. The book keeps referring to the novel Thérèse Raquin by Emily Zola and you may not get all references if you haven’t read it. Also, the ending feels a bit rushed but was still well executed.
Overall, The Woman in the Park is a dark & clever psychological thriller. If you enjoy reading a good thriller, you will surely enjoy this. Recommended! 4.5 stars out of 5
Many thanks to the publishers Beaufort Books & Independent Publishers Group and Edelweiss for the ARC.
January 10, 2020
Holy Shooty Balls! This was one riveting, tense & twisty psychological thriller!
THE WOMAN IN THE PARK by TERESA SORKIN and TULLAN HOLMQVIST was such an awesome and unexpected treasure of a book that was so darn entertaining and thrilling to read. I was immediately hooked and obsessed with what I was reading and couldn’t put this book down.
It really consumed my thoughts and I loved how this book tapped into all of my emotions—which even got a little under my skin. At one point I was so riled up with what was happening that I might have overreacted a little bit and forcefully closed my book. But my curiosity was piqued and I just had to read on. Then the next moment reading my jaw dropped and I was totally shocked by the turn of events. I loved that I was in the dark until that shocking and pivotal moment.
TERESA SORKIN and TULLAN HOLMQVIST deliver an extremely entertaining, suspenseful, gripping, baffling, fast-paced and well-written read here that I was constantly battling with as I was questioning the integrity and sanity of our main character here. I absolutely loved how seamlessly and cleverly written this story was and thought the authors did a fabulous job with the delivery.
This was a fantastic little book that packed quite the punch and had me questioning everything that I was reading.
Thank you so much to TERESA SORKIN and TULLAN HOLMQVIST for gifting me a copy of this book. It was an absolute pleasure, enjoyable, and thrilling reading experience!
I read this with my sister, Brenda and we both were thrilled and thoroughly entertained with it.
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Intriguing, eye-catching, mysterious, suspenseful, and a fitting representation to storyline.
Title: Well that title is an extremely clever one and had quite the appealing and exciting representation to storyline.
Writing/Prose: Easy to follow, suspenseful, brisk, well-written, entertaining, immersive, and gripping.
Plot: Engrossing, interesting, suspenseful, gripping, mysterious, puzzling, twisty, clever, refreshing, fast-paced, and entertaining.
Ending: Jaw-dropping, chilling, shocking, and completely satisfying.
Overall: Would absolutely recommend!!! This book definitely took me by surprise in more than one impressionable way!!
This review can also be seen at Two Sisters Lost in a Coulee Reading book blog:
https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com/
THE WOMAN IN THE PARK by TERESA SORKIN and TULLAN HOLMQVIST was such an awesome and unexpected treasure of a book that was so darn entertaining and thrilling to read. I was immediately hooked and obsessed with what I was reading and couldn’t put this book down.
It really consumed my thoughts and I loved how this book tapped into all of my emotions—which even got a little under my skin. At one point I was so riled up with what was happening that I might have overreacted a little bit and forcefully closed my book. But my curiosity was piqued and I just had to read on. Then the next moment reading my jaw dropped and I was totally shocked by the turn of events. I loved that I was in the dark until that shocking and pivotal moment.
TERESA SORKIN and TULLAN HOLMQVIST deliver an extremely entertaining, suspenseful, gripping, baffling, fast-paced and well-written read here that I was constantly battling with as I was questioning the integrity and sanity of our main character here. I absolutely loved how seamlessly and cleverly written this story was and thought the authors did a fabulous job with the delivery.
This was a fantastic little book that packed quite the punch and had me questioning everything that I was reading.
Thank you so much to TERESA SORKIN and TULLAN HOLMQVIST for gifting me a copy of this book. It was an absolute pleasure, enjoyable, and thrilling reading experience!
I read this with my sister, Brenda and we both were thrilled and thoroughly entertained with it.
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Intriguing, eye-catching, mysterious, suspenseful, and a fitting representation to storyline.
Title: Well that title is an extremely clever one and had quite the appealing and exciting representation to storyline.
Writing/Prose: Easy to follow, suspenseful, brisk, well-written, entertaining, immersive, and gripping.
Plot: Engrossing, interesting, suspenseful, gripping, mysterious, puzzling, twisty, clever, refreshing, fast-paced, and entertaining.
Ending: Jaw-dropping, chilling, shocking, and completely satisfying.
Overall: Would absolutely recommend!!! This book definitely took me by surprise in more than one impressionable way!!
This review can also be seen at Two Sisters Lost in a Coulee Reading book blog:
https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com/
July 25, 2019
Every once in awhile I crack open the cover of a book, start reading, and then think to myself "Girl, you've got this one figured out!" like the smart ass that I think I am. Jokes on me though because I was completely wrong. Well, not completely, but what I figured was just a small piece to a much bigger puzzle.
Sarah is a stay at home mom in an unhappy marriage because she is sure her husband is cheating on her. He has to be as he never pays her any attention anymore and is constantly away on business. Not only that but she is also suffering from empty nest syndrome as her two children are attending boarding school for the very first time this year.
While reading on a bench in Central Park she meets a stranger, Lawrence, and they immediately hit it off. He's a novelist like her and they both share an interest in classic literature. Sarah continues to return to the park hoping that she will see Lawrence again. She does and from here they begin an illicit affair.
Now, the police are knocking on her door asking her questions about a woman in the park that has gone missing. Do you know this woman, Sarah? You'll have to read this to find out.
This book is fast paced and filled with suspense from the very first page. I devoured this in record time. If you're looking for a satisfying beach, poolside read then this it. 4 stars!
Thank you to Edelweiss and Beaufort Books for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Sarah is a stay at home mom in an unhappy marriage because she is sure her husband is cheating on her. He has to be as he never pays her any attention anymore and is constantly away on business. Not only that but she is also suffering from empty nest syndrome as her two children are attending boarding school for the very first time this year.
While reading on a bench in Central Park she meets a stranger, Lawrence, and they immediately hit it off. He's a novelist like her and they both share an interest in classic literature. Sarah continues to return to the park hoping that she will see Lawrence again. She does and from here they begin an illicit affair.
Now, the police are knocking on her door asking her questions about a woman in the park that has gone missing. Do you know this woman, Sarah? You'll have to read this to find out.
This book is fast paced and filled with suspense from the very first page. I devoured this in record time. If you're looking for a satisfying beach, poolside read then this it. 4 stars!
Thank you to Edelweiss and Beaufort Books for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
December 28, 2019
A captivating debut mystery.
This was a rather short book (about 250 pages) with a quick pace.
The mystery involves Sarah Rock who becomes infatuated by an attractive stranger in Central Park. They are drawn to each other immediately. There is just something about him....
She thinks about this mystery man night and day until he goes missing. Then the police show up at her door.
The story is layered, intriguing, and well written. A delicious domestic tale full of surprises!
This one is out now and was a library loan for me!
This was a rather short book (about 250 pages) with a quick pace.
The mystery involves Sarah Rock who becomes infatuated by an attractive stranger in Central Park. They are drawn to each other immediately. There is just something about him....
She thinks about this mystery man night and day until he goes missing. Then the police show up at her door.
The story is layered, intriguing, and well written. A delicious domestic tale full of surprises!
This one is out now and was a library loan for me!
January 24, 2020
Sarah Rock's husband is cheating on her...she just knows it...she can feel it deep down and all the signs are there. She even knows who it is...it is that girl that he works late into the night with. Sarah is absolutely devastated, yet she keeps hoping it will get better. Even her kids know that dad isn't going to show up for dinner dates or their school events. Sarah just wants things to go back the way they used to be...in the beginning when they were a happy family.
Wow! I really felt for Sarah as she was so deeply distraught. As Sarah tried to cope with her husband's infidelity she started to hang out and read at the park. It helped her to relax and escape her reality. Except one day she meets a handsome stranger, one that seems to take a keen interest in her. It feels great to have someone pay attention to her and take an interest in her thoughts and feelings. Does she dare take this any further?
Sometimes you walk away from a thriller and you try to absorb what you just read. You are left dumbfounded as to how the author was able to blindside you so hard that you literally could feel the moment that you realized you have in fact been blindsided. So many twists and turns yet so expertly written. This wasn't a thriller that the twists came out of left field and you are left frustrated. Nope this is so cleverly written that at the end you are saying...nicely done, I hope you are writing another one soon! I loved this book and highly recommend getting your hands on a copy!
I had heard so many good things about this book and I was so excited to be invited along on this blog tour! Thank you so much to Suzy from Suzy Approved Book Tours! Thank you for this gorgeous gifted hardback copy from Beaufort Books.
Wow! I really felt for Sarah as she was so deeply distraught. As Sarah tried to cope with her husband's infidelity she started to hang out and read at the park. It helped her to relax and escape her reality. Except one day she meets a handsome stranger, one that seems to take a keen interest in her. It feels great to have someone pay attention to her and take an interest in her thoughts and feelings. Does she dare take this any further?
Sometimes you walk away from a thriller and you try to absorb what you just read. You are left dumbfounded as to how the author was able to blindside you so hard that you literally could feel the moment that you realized you have in fact been blindsided. So many twists and turns yet so expertly written. This wasn't a thriller that the twists came out of left field and you are left frustrated. Nope this is so cleverly written that at the end you are saying...nicely done, I hope you are writing another one soon! I loved this book and highly recommend getting your hands on a copy!
I had heard so many good things about this book and I was so excited to be invited along on this blog tour! Thank you so much to Suzy from Suzy Approved Book Tours! Thank you for this gorgeous gifted hardback copy from Beaufort Books.
June 20, 2019
Oh my, what a whirlwind of a read and so tense! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Sarah Rock meets a stranger in the park. She needs to get away from her life and all the overwhelming baggage she is juggling right now, and this handsome fellow may be her ticket out.
Then, a woman goes missing in the park, and Sarah is a suspect. Everyone turns on her including her husband and therapist, and now her lover is also missing.
I was on the edge of my seat wondering what was true versus lies. The Woman in the Park is a quick read, one that is perfectly paced, original, and shocking. I can’t say too much more because I don’t want to give anything away.
Sorkin and Holmqvist write seamlessly, and their debut novel, The Woman in the Park, is an utterly captivating read.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Sarah Rock meets a stranger in the park. She needs to get away from her life and all the overwhelming baggage she is juggling right now, and this handsome fellow may be her ticket out.
Then, a woman goes missing in the park, and Sarah is a suspect. Everyone turns on her including her husband and therapist, and now her lover is also missing.
I was on the edge of my seat wondering what was true versus lies. The Woman in the Park is a quick read, one that is perfectly paced, original, and shocking. I can’t say too much more because I don’t want to give anything away.
Sorkin and Holmqvist write seamlessly, and their debut novel, The Woman in the Park, is an utterly captivating read.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
September 4, 2019
4 Solid Stars
Sarah and Eric are married with two kids. One morning, when they were having breakfast, their doorbell rang and two detectives asked for Sarah. They were looking into missing persons case and wanted to see if she could help them out with any details. The missing person was a woman, the woman in the park… Now her husband and her therapist are suspicious of her. With no one to trust, Sarah must face her inner demons and uncover the truth to prove her innocence. The question is could she? And how, when she herself is an unreliable person…
Told mostly in single POV, 3rd person (and some through the therapist entry, 1st person), it’s a standalone novel. The Woman In The Park is a fast-paced psychological thriller and well-written. I thought I guess it right, actually I was partially right but I couldn’t guess the main twist. It’s unputdownable and I think it’s safe to say with a satisfying ending! It was my first read by this author and definitely won’t be my last! Overall, it was a very enjoyable read and hope you like it as well!
Sarah and Eric are married with two kids. One morning, when they were having breakfast, their doorbell rang and two detectives asked for Sarah. They were looking into missing persons case and wanted to see if she could help them out with any details. The missing person was a woman, the woman in the park… Now her husband and her therapist are suspicious of her. With no one to trust, Sarah must face her inner demons and uncover the truth to prove her innocence. The question is could she? And how, when she herself is an unreliable person…
Told mostly in single POV, 3rd person (and some through the therapist entry, 1st person), it’s a standalone novel. The Woman In The Park is a fast-paced psychological thriller and well-written. I thought I guess it right, actually I was partially right but I couldn’t guess the main twist. It’s unputdownable and I think it’s safe to say with a satisfying ending! It was my first read by this author and definitely won’t be my last! Overall, it was a very enjoyable read and hope you like it as well!
August 26, 2019
Sarah Rock appears to lead a sad and lonely life. Her children have been sent away to attend a boarding school and she is missing the sense of purpose they used to give her life. Her husband Eric has been spending more and more time away on business with his assistant Juliette, whose photos Sarah found on his phone. Eric keeps saying Sarah's jealousy is totally unfounded, but she seems to see Juliet everywhere they go. Worse than that, Sarah keeps noticing people giving her looks of pity and treating her as if she is particularly fragile.
One day, Sarah moves forward her appointment with her therapist Dr Helena Robin for an hour and spends this time in the park nearby, reading Theresa Raquin by Emile Zola. Immersed in the world of passion, Sarah is surprised to be approached by a young and handsome stranger who strikes a conversation with her. Lawrence is an aspiring writer, although he is quite reluctant to tell Sarah anyhting else about himself. He seems familiar. Could it be that they have met before but Sarah cannot remember it? Four weeks later the police knock on Sarah's door and inquire about a woman Sarah saw in the park the same day she saw Lawrence. Can she help the police without giving herself away? and why is Lawrence impossible to find?
The nature of the book is such that Sarah will keep you guessing what is real and what is not. There is no omniscient narrator to help you make sense of the events and the clues, you just have to experience it together with Sarah and try to understand who you can trust.
It is a short read, quite fast-paced and well-written. What I liked the most about it is the way the authors rendered Sarah's feelings: pervasive sadness, hope, elation, elusive and so rare moments of peace, confusion, calm, emotional pain.
I saw one major twist because the book reminded me of The trick is to keep breathing, which made an impression on me when I first read it years ago. If you have read this book by Janice Galloway, you might begin to see Sarah's experience from a certain angle quite early in the story. Having said it, Teresa Sorkin's story is original, written in a different genre, and will appeal to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with masterfully portrayed unreliable narrators.
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
One day, Sarah moves forward her appointment with her therapist Dr Helena Robin for an hour and spends this time in the park nearby, reading Theresa Raquin by Emile Zola. Immersed in the world of passion, Sarah is surprised to be approached by a young and handsome stranger who strikes a conversation with her. Lawrence is an aspiring writer, although he is quite reluctant to tell Sarah anyhting else about himself. He seems familiar. Could it be that they have met before but Sarah cannot remember it? Four weeks later the police knock on Sarah's door and inquire about a woman Sarah saw in the park the same day she saw Lawrence. Can she help the police without giving herself away? and why is Lawrence impossible to find?
The nature of the book is such that Sarah will keep you guessing what is real and what is not. There is no omniscient narrator to help you make sense of the events and the clues, you just have to experience it together with Sarah and try to understand who you can trust.
It is a short read, quite fast-paced and well-written. What I liked the most about it is the way the authors rendered Sarah's feelings: pervasive sadness, hope, elation, elusive and so rare moments of peace, confusion, calm, emotional pain.
I saw one major twist because the book reminded me of The trick is to keep breathing, which made an impression on me when I first read it years ago. If you have read this book by Janice Galloway, you might begin to see Sarah's experience from a certain angle quite early in the story. Having said it, Teresa Sorkin's story is original, written in a different genre, and will appeal to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with masterfully portrayed unreliable narrators.
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
June 29, 2019
WOW... let me say what a story packed in 180 pages!!
Sarah meets a stranger in the park and her life forever changes. Soon after, a woman goes missing from that same park and Sarah of course is a suspect. Everyone seems to be turning on Sarah... her husband, her therapist, and her lover has now disappeared.
What THE HECK is going on? So, many twists, turns, surprises, and bumps in this road that will leave you on the edge of your seat!
I had SO much fun with this one!! What a fast paced read with a punch line to the max!
Sorkin and Holmqvist write seamlessly across these pages!
Thank you for my complimentary copy!
4 stars!
Pub date is 8/26/19.
Sarah meets a stranger in the park and her life forever changes. Soon after, a woman goes missing from that same park and Sarah of course is a suspect. Everyone seems to be turning on Sarah... her husband, her therapist, and her lover has now disappeared.
What THE HECK is going on? So, many twists, turns, surprises, and bumps in this road that will leave you on the edge of your seat!
I had SO much fun with this one!! What a fast paced read with a punch line to the max!
Sorkin and Holmqvist write seamlessly across these pages!
Thank you for my complimentary copy!
4 stars!
Pub date is 8/26/19.
September 8, 2019
Sarah Rock is 39 and suffering from depression.
She suspects that her husband Eric is cheating with his lovely co-worker, Juliette, and she searches his collars for her lipstick when he is away..
Her children, are attending boarding school and even though they return home on the weekends, most of the week she has an "empty nest".
So, before her weekly therapy sessions with Dr. Robin, she sits in the park, reading, and watching young Moms with their children- recalling happier times.
The book which is her constant companion, is "Therese Raquin" by Emile Zola (1867). Its protagonist. Therese, is married off to her sickly cousin, Camille against her wishes, and when she meets Camille's friend, Laurent, a turbulent passion is unleashed.
The novel is intense, and surprisingly close to home, and she finds herself sympathizing with its heroine-even while she recoils from her craziness.
So, when a handsome stranger in the park strikes up a conversation with her one day, she is immediately drawn to him...which begins a dangerous obsession of her own- eventually making her a suspect in a woman's disappearance.
The book is told in two main parts..
Part One-Abstract and
Part Two-Reality-through Sarah's POV (with excerpts from both the novel, Therese Raquin, and Dr. Helena Robin's journal notes.)
As a frequent reader of this genre, I had my suspicions about a couple of things confirmed, BUT the ending caught me off guard! And, I feel confident that those who only read the genre occasionally will be surprised throughout!
Clever and Captivating, it's a book you just may read from start to finish in one sitting!
I would like to thank Edelweiss, Beaufort Books and co-authors Teresa Sorkin and Tullan Holmqvist for the digital ARC I received in exchange for a candid review!
This book will is available now!
She suspects that her husband Eric is cheating with his lovely co-worker, Juliette, and she searches his collars for her lipstick when he is away..
Her children, are attending boarding school and even though they return home on the weekends, most of the week she has an "empty nest".
So, before her weekly therapy sessions with Dr. Robin, she sits in the park, reading, and watching young Moms with their children- recalling happier times.
The book which is her constant companion, is "Therese Raquin" by Emile Zola (1867). Its protagonist. Therese, is married off to her sickly cousin, Camille against her wishes, and when she meets Camille's friend, Laurent, a turbulent passion is unleashed.
The novel is intense, and surprisingly close to home, and she finds herself sympathizing with its heroine-even while she recoils from her craziness.
So, when a handsome stranger in the park strikes up a conversation with her one day, she is immediately drawn to him...which begins a dangerous obsession of her own- eventually making her a suspect in a woman's disappearance.
The book is told in two main parts..
Part One-Abstract and
Part Two-Reality-through Sarah's POV (with excerpts from both the novel, Therese Raquin, and Dr. Helena Robin's journal notes.)
As a frequent reader of this genre, I had my suspicions about a couple of things confirmed, BUT the ending caught me off guard! And, I feel confident that those who only read the genre occasionally will be surprised throughout!
Clever and Captivating, it's a book you just may read from start to finish in one sitting!
I would like to thank Edelweiss, Beaufort Books and co-authors Teresa Sorkin and Tullan Holmqvist for the digital ARC I received in exchange for a candid review!
This book will is available now!
July 20, 2019
4 Stars!
Bravo, Ladies! I cannot believe this is your debut. Psychological thrillers have become harder and harder to write since there are so many but this was a crazy ride.
Sarah Rock is struggling in all aspects of her life and she seeks therapy to try to help. She also likes to go to the park and one day she meets a stranger and can't believe she's having these feelings. I mean, she is married so this is wrong right? But it feels oh so good and she because her husband is cheating is means she can too. One day, Sarah gets a knock on her door and there is a woman in the park who has been missing. Since Sarah frequents the park her name has been put in question. All of a sudden things start to unravel and everything is not quite what it seems. Sarah hopes to figure out the truth but she has to overcome so very large obstacles along the way.
I read this book in one sitting. It kept me wanting more from the first chapter and I just could not put it down. I feel like so many thrillers are categorized as 'physiological thrillers' without any psychological in them. This however had many aspects of psychology on both the character side and the actual reader side. I felt that I had a pretty good sense of what may be going on through most of the story however there were sometimes when it took another turn. I personally enjoy being wrong about twists and turns, it makes the reading experience more interesting to me.
Can we also talk about how hard it is to write a psychological thriller, or really any book, for that matter being co-authors? I feel like you really have to be connected and on the same page (pun intended) to make a really riveting story. These ladies did just that and I cannot wait to see what they come out with next!
If you want a quick, fast paced thriller definitely pick this up in August! Thank you to Suzyapprovedbooktours and Beaufort books for my ARC of this book.
Bravo, Ladies! I cannot believe this is your debut. Psychological thrillers have become harder and harder to write since there are so many but this was a crazy ride.
Sarah Rock is struggling in all aspects of her life and she seeks therapy to try to help. She also likes to go to the park and one day she meets a stranger and can't believe she's having these feelings. I mean, she is married so this is wrong right? But it feels oh so good and she because her husband is cheating is means she can too. One day, Sarah gets a knock on her door and there is a woman in the park who has been missing. Since Sarah frequents the park her name has been put in question. All of a sudden things start to unravel and everything is not quite what it seems. Sarah hopes to figure out the truth but she has to overcome so very large obstacles along the way.
I read this book in one sitting. It kept me wanting more from the first chapter and I just could not put it down. I feel like so many thrillers are categorized as 'physiological thrillers' without any psychological in them. This however had many aspects of psychology on both the character side and the actual reader side. I felt that I had a pretty good sense of what may be going on through most of the story however there were sometimes when it took another turn. I personally enjoy being wrong about twists and turns, it makes the reading experience more interesting to me.
Can we also talk about how hard it is to write a psychological thriller, or really any book, for that matter being co-authors? I feel like you really have to be connected and on the same page (pun intended) to make a really riveting story. These ladies did just that and I cannot wait to see what they come out with next!
If you want a quick, fast paced thriller definitely pick this up in August! Thank you to Suzyapprovedbooktours and Beaufort books for my ARC of this book.
September 14, 2019
A married woman, a mysterious stranger, a murder…
Teresa Sorkin and Tullan Holmqvist wrote a slam-dunk five-star thriller that kept my mind spinning to the very last delightfully twisted page! Once you pick up The Woman in the Park, you won’t be able to put it down!
About the Book
Manhattanite Sarah Rock is going through a tough time. She is certain her husband Eric is having an affair with his younger coworker Juliette. Her kids are away from home at boarding school. She’s so lonely. To fill her time in between preparing for her weekends with the kids, events with her husband, and appointments with her therapist, Sarah sometimes takes a book to Central Park to read.
One day, Sarah is reading in the park when she is approached by a handsome and mysterious stranger named Lawrence. He strikes up a conversation about her book, Thérèse Raquin, which he has read before. After the most authentic and intriguing adult conversation Sarah has had in ages, she finds herself think about Lawrence more and more. Running into eachother again in the park, it begins to become a regular thing, and before long the two strike up a steamy affair.
But when the police show up at Sarah’s door a few weeks later investigating the murder of a woman whom Sarah saw in the park, things begin to unravel. The woman is somehow connected to Lawrence. Sarah hasn’t heard from Lawrence in a while, and now she starts to wonder if there is more to this affair than she realized.
As Sarah finds herself accused of this serious crime, her view of what is true and what are lies becomes distorted. Sarah needs to find out what is going on, if she can keep it together long enough…
Reflection
This is a quick read, and the authors don’t waste a paragraph of this book on a throwaway moment. Every single sentence kept me glued to the pages. Truly, this is one of my favorite books of 2019! Twisted, dark, and disorienting in the most delightful and salacious way.
There’s no omniscient narrator in this book, which meant that I was never totally certain what to believe and what was happening. The writing is brilliant! How two authors collaborated in such a tightly woven story and kept the writing so flawless, I’ll never know! I wish I could ask them how they did it, because this is one of the most seamless dual-authored novels I’ve ever read.
The psychologist in me was obsessed with Sarah as the main character. Sarah isn’t unreliable in the way of lying to the reader, but she is unreliable in the sense that she is struggling a bit with her mental health, and so I found myself never really trusting her reporting of the events. Sarah is paranoid, she has gaps in time, and she’s a bit erratic. But there is something so pure and vulnerable about Sarah, that I felt my heart wanting to reach into the book and protect her.
But from who??
That’s the key to this book! What exactly is going on? Obviously, I’m not going to tell you, but I want to say this: I read a LOT of thrillers and I have seen a lot of twists, and I didn’t even come close to guessing what was happening in this book. Masterful! I thought I had it all figured out, and then suddenly everything turned over and then twisted again. The entire last third of the book is impossible to put down for even a moment!
A truly twisted ride that left me so satisfied, and simultaneously wanting more from these authors! I am blown away!!!
Thank you to the authors and to Suzy Approved Book Tours for my copy. Opinions are my own.
Teresa Sorkin and Tullan Holmqvist wrote a slam-dunk five-star thriller that kept my mind spinning to the very last delightfully twisted page! Once you pick up The Woman in the Park, you won’t be able to put it down!
About the Book
Manhattanite Sarah Rock is going through a tough time. She is certain her husband Eric is having an affair with his younger coworker Juliette. Her kids are away from home at boarding school. She’s so lonely. To fill her time in between preparing for her weekends with the kids, events with her husband, and appointments with her therapist, Sarah sometimes takes a book to Central Park to read.
One day, Sarah is reading in the park when she is approached by a handsome and mysterious stranger named Lawrence. He strikes up a conversation about her book, Thérèse Raquin, which he has read before. After the most authentic and intriguing adult conversation Sarah has had in ages, she finds herself think about Lawrence more and more. Running into eachother again in the park, it begins to become a regular thing, and before long the two strike up a steamy affair.
But when the police show up at Sarah’s door a few weeks later investigating the murder of a woman whom Sarah saw in the park, things begin to unravel. The woman is somehow connected to Lawrence. Sarah hasn’t heard from Lawrence in a while, and now she starts to wonder if there is more to this affair than she realized.
As Sarah finds herself accused of this serious crime, her view of what is true and what are lies becomes distorted. Sarah needs to find out what is going on, if she can keep it together long enough…
Reflection
This is a quick read, and the authors don’t waste a paragraph of this book on a throwaway moment. Every single sentence kept me glued to the pages. Truly, this is one of my favorite books of 2019! Twisted, dark, and disorienting in the most delightful and salacious way.
There’s no omniscient narrator in this book, which meant that I was never totally certain what to believe and what was happening. The writing is brilliant! How two authors collaborated in such a tightly woven story and kept the writing so flawless, I’ll never know! I wish I could ask them how they did it, because this is one of the most seamless dual-authored novels I’ve ever read.
The psychologist in me was obsessed with Sarah as the main character. Sarah isn’t unreliable in the way of lying to the reader, but she is unreliable in the sense that she is struggling a bit with her mental health, and so I found myself never really trusting her reporting of the events. Sarah is paranoid, she has gaps in time, and she’s a bit erratic. But there is something so pure and vulnerable about Sarah, that I felt my heart wanting to reach into the book and protect her.
But from who??
That’s the key to this book! What exactly is going on? Obviously, I’m not going to tell you, but I want to say this: I read a LOT of thrillers and I have seen a lot of twists, and I didn’t even come close to guessing what was happening in this book. Masterful! I thought I had it all figured out, and then suddenly everything turned over and then twisted again. The entire last third of the book is impossible to put down for even a moment!
A truly twisted ride that left me so satisfied, and simultaneously wanting more from these authors! I am blown away!!!
Thank you to the authors and to Suzy Approved Book Tours for my copy. Opinions are my own.
July 27, 2019
Well HOT damn there was a lot packed into this little firecracker of a story. 180 Pages packed with tension, miss direction, and suspense. Sarah is not only struggling with her empty nest but she is also convinced that her husband is cheating on her. One day while in the park innocently sitting on a bench reading a book she meets her kindred spirit in Lawrence. BUT then a woman goes missing a woman who was in the park at the very same time as Sarah, and now Sarah is the prime suspect. What follows is a wild story filled with twists and turns and misdirection and things i never saw coming. Sarah’s world is turned upside down and everyone she trusted seems to have turned against her. This book had me second-guessing everything and trusting nobody. What happened that day in the park and where is the woman?
*** thank you to the publisher for my copy of this book, book releases August 27 ***
*** thank you to the publisher for my copy of this book, book releases August 27 ***
August 26, 2019
Sarah is attracted to a handsome man she met in the park. This new man provides a way for Sarah to escape her unhappiness at home. When a woman Sarah recognizes from the park goes missing, Sarah comes under suspicion in the her disappearance. Sarah’s home life and secret life collide. Nothing is as it seems, and Sarah’s not sure who she can trust.
A suspenseful psychological thriller with an unreliable narrator. Sarah has discontent in her life, but she’s trying to manage things with therapy. As the story progresses, it’s hard to know if everything is based in reality. An entertaining trip down the rabbit hole of Sarah’s life.
A twisty debut novel. Good for readers who enjoy domestic thrillers with unreliable narrators. Dark, clever, and captivating.
I received a free advance digital copy from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
A suspenseful psychological thriller with an unreliable narrator. Sarah has discontent in her life, but she’s trying to manage things with therapy. As the story progresses, it’s hard to know if everything is based in reality. An entertaining trip down the rabbit hole of Sarah’s life.
A twisty debut novel. Good for readers who enjoy domestic thrillers with unreliable narrators. Dark, clever, and captivating.
I received a free advance digital copy from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
May 31, 2019
Bumped up to 4 since it's a debut novel by the dynamic duo Teresa Sorkin and Tullan Holmqvist.
The Woman in the Park is a great novella that will keep you guessing. The protagonist, Sarah Rock, lives a privileged life in Manhattan with her husband and two children. Sarah's children are in boarding school and her husband works intense hours, leaving her with little drive or purpose. She has therapy appointments, in between yoga and reading in the park. One day, police arrive at her doorstep to ask her about a woman who's been missing, but Sarah is confused because police are insinuating that Sarah is the lead suspect in this case. Why would Sarah have anything to do with this woman's disappearance? Sarah is already battling her own demons with an all time high level of stress—her husband is quite possibly having an affair! Sarah now needs to defend herself at all costs.
I can't say too much more about The Woman in the Park because it's a short, fast read. If I tell you any more, it would spoil how it turns out. The book is divided in two distinct parts—the first part setting the storyline, while the second part throws a wrench into the plot and changes everything. I really enjoyed how the story developed, and I wanted more! The second part moves fast so make sure to:
The Woman in the Park is a perfect beach read, or just a "night in" kind of story that you can finish in one sitting. If you enjoy books written by AJ Banner, this is definitely a type of story you will enjoy. I ended up really connecting with some of the characters, and felt their anguish while the story developed. Overall, I would definitely say this was a great debut novel and I can't wait to see what these authors come up with next.
The Woman in the Park is a great novella that will keep you guessing. The protagonist, Sarah Rock, lives a privileged life in Manhattan with her husband and two children. Sarah's children are in boarding school and her husband works intense hours, leaving her with little drive or purpose. She has therapy appointments, in between yoga and reading in the park. One day, police arrive at her doorstep to ask her about a woman who's been missing, but Sarah is confused because police are insinuating that Sarah is the lead suspect in this case. Why would Sarah have anything to do with this woman's disappearance? Sarah is already battling her own demons with an all time high level of stress—her husband is quite possibly having an affair! Sarah now needs to defend herself at all costs.
I can't say too much more about The Woman in the Park because it's a short, fast read. If I tell you any more, it would spoil how it turns out. The book is divided in two distinct parts—the first part setting the storyline, while the second part throws a wrench into the plot and changes everything. I really enjoyed how the story developed, and I wanted more! The second part moves fast so make sure to:
The Woman in the Park is a perfect beach read, or just a "night in" kind of story that you can finish in one sitting. If you enjoy books written by AJ Banner, this is definitely a type of story you will enjoy. I ended up really connecting with some of the characters, and felt their anguish while the story developed. Overall, I would definitely say this was a great debut novel and I can't wait to see what these authors come up with next.
November 30, 2020
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
Short, sharp and shiny! You will fly through this one in no time, not wanting to put it down!
Sarah Rock becomes a suspect in the murder of another woman in this fast paced thriller. She’s sure her husband is cheating on her, he’s never home, goes away a lot of the time for work and never spends time with the family. Their children are in boarding school and come home most weekends.
Sarah is lonely and has a history of mental problems so when she meets a stranger in the park she feels like her life has suddenly become exciting. Will he become her lover?
Everything is not how it seems and that’s all I will say although you may predict what’s happening early on (some of you may not, which is even better!) it’s an enjoyable and thrilling walk in the park!
Short, sharp and shiny! You will fly through this one in no time, not wanting to put it down!
Sarah Rock becomes a suspect in the murder of another woman in this fast paced thriller. She’s sure her husband is cheating on her, he’s never home, goes away a lot of the time for work and never spends time with the family. Their children are in boarding school and come home most weekends.
Sarah is lonely and has a history of mental problems so when she meets a stranger in the park she feels like her life has suddenly become exciting. Will he become her lover?
Everything is not how it seems and that’s all I will say although you may predict what’s happening early on (some of you may not, which is even better!) it’s an enjoyable and thrilling walk in the park!
January 16, 2020
WOW WOW WOW!! Don’t you just love reading a quick thriller that blow your mind away? I certainly do!
Sarah Rock is going through a loss and is seeing a therapist to help her through her depression. Reeling from her obsession that her husband Eric is cheating on her with a younger and prettier colleague, and her children recently enrolled in a boarding school, Sarah finds ways to pass her time by going to the park and reading her favorite book, Therese Raquin by Emile Zola. There she meets a handsome stranger who gives her attention and the time of day.
The story opens with NYC detectives investigating the death of a woman whom Sarah have seen in the park with her children. The story starts to unravel and now of course nothing is as it seems. I love how the story is set in different realities as opposed to the different time frames that we are used to reading. Loved the little clues left and will make you go back and reread some passages.
All in all, I love a great read that grabs the reader from the first page and will keep your focus. It is a quick read and will get you over any reading slump you have.
I really enjoyed this one for the amazing writing of these two debut authors and their brilliant imagination in this wonderful psychological thriller.
Sarah Rock is going through a loss and is seeing a therapist to help her through her depression. Reeling from her obsession that her husband Eric is cheating on her with a younger and prettier colleague, and her children recently enrolled in a boarding school, Sarah finds ways to pass her time by going to the park and reading her favorite book, Therese Raquin by Emile Zola. There she meets a handsome stranger who gives her attention and the time of day.
The story opens with NYC detectives investigating the death of a woman whom Sarah have seen in the park with her children. The story starts to unravel and now of course nothing is as it seems. I love how the story is set in different realities as opposed to the different time frames that we are used to reading. Loved the little clues left and will make you go back and reread some passages.
All in all, I love a great read that grabs the reader from the first page and will keep your focus. It is a quick read and will get you over any reading slump you have.
I really enjoyed this one for the amazing writing of these two debut authors and their brilliant imagination in this wonderful psychological thriller.
August 26, 2019
Blog tour Book Review 📚 Thank you to @beaufortbooks @suzyapprovedbooktours for having me join.
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What this book is about: Sarah, a stay at home mom, who thinks her husband is having an affair. He never pays attention to her, and he's always away! Her two kids are away at boarding school and she's having empty nest syndrome. She's unhappy and bored with her life.
She is at the park one day and meets a man, Lawrence, that she feels a spark with. He's a novelist like her, and they share common interests. She returns to the park in hopes of meeting him again, and she does. They start an affair!.
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Then the police show up at her house along all kinds of questions about a woman who went missing at the same park she was at. Does she know this woman?..
My review: this was a fun, quick read. At 180 pages this was a perfect book to read in a sitting or 2. I enjoyed this one. I had the twist figured out, but that totally didn't even matter, I still wanted to keep reading!! If you enjoy thrillers then I do think you will enjoy this one. Very twisty and fun! I give this 4⭐/5!!
.
What this book is about: Sarah, a stay at home mom, who thinks her husband is having an affair. He never pays attention to her, and he's always away! Her two kids are away at boarding school and she's having empty nest syndrome. She's unhappy and bored with her life.
She is at the park one day and meets a man, Lawrence, that she feels a spark with. He's a novelist like her, and they share common interests. She returns to the park in hopes of meeting him again, and she does. They start an affair!.
.
Then the police show up at her house along all kinds of questions about a woman who went missing at the same park she was at. Does she know this woman?..
My review: this was a fun, quick read. At 180 pages this was a perfect book to read in a sitting or 2. I enjoyed this one. I had the twist figured out, but that totally didn't even matter, I still wanted to keep reading!! If you enjoy thrillers then I do think you will enjoy this one. Very twisty and fun! I give this 4⭐/5!!
May 21, 2019
Where are my psychological thriller readers? This is a book that you can't put done. It's a fast read. You an read it in one sitting. You will never know that it is a debut book. You will never know that two people wrote it. It's one voice and a little bit of everything in one book.
I gave this book 4 stars and recommend it. Thank you suzyapprovedbooktours.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
I gave this book 4 stars and recommend it. Thank you suzyapprovedbooktours.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
September 28, 2020
Perhaps I have been reading too many domestic psychological thrillers. It takes a rare one to satisfy me with its originality and surprises and I need at least one likeable character with whom I can connect. Sadly, this was not a book that impressed me nor one I enjoyed. I muddled through to its conclusion, but regret to say I was bored. I was glad it was a short book. Prospective readers should not be deterred by my personal opinion but should also read the positive reviews of those who enjoyed it.
The story was based on the most unreliable of characters, Sarah Rock. She had a history of mental illness with delusions and hallucinations. She also suffered from repressed memories, paranoia, depression, and blackouts. She is wealthy, lives in Manhattan, and spends her time sitting in a park reading, visits her psychiatrist and takes an occasional yoga lesson. She resents that her husband is often away at work and obsessed with the idea that he is having an affair with a co-worker. He is presented as being tolerant and patient with Sarah and in hope that her psychiatrist can cure her. The only other option is to have Sarah hospitalized. She watches a woman in the park playing with her children. Her own children are away at boarding school and seem uncomfortable with the situation at home.
One day she is approached by a mysterious, handsome man in the park. They bond over a discussion of literature and Sarah feels new emotions of happiness and excitement. Further meetings in the park lead up to a torrid affair and then he suddenly disappears from her life. Next, the police arrive and question Sarah about a woman missing from the park. They show Sarah a photo of the woman she watched playing with some children. She holds back very little regarding what was happening in her life and her feelings during her psychiatric sessions.
I kept having doubts about what was real and what were delusions in Sarah's mind. Even on her best days, her behaviour seemed irrational. I slowly muddled through it, and the story seemed derivative. I could not relate to Sarah and many events confused me as much as they did Sarah. I rarely can guess twists in thrillers, but two of them seemed obvious but not how they meshed together. I did not find the conclusion to be credible. It took two people to write this book and am sorry to say I was disappointed with their effort.
The story was based on the most unreliable of characters, Sarah Rock. She had a history of mental illness with delusions and hallucinations. She also suffered from repressed memories, paranoia, depression, and blackouts. She is wealthy, lives in Manhattan, and spends her time sitting in a park reading, visits her psychiatrist and takes an occasional yoga lesson. She resents that her husband is often away at work and obsessed with the idea that he is having an affair with a co-worker. He is presented as being tolerant and patient with Sarah and in hope that her psychiatrist can cure her. The only other option is to have Sarah hospitalized. She watches a woman in the park playing with her children. Her own children are away at boarding school and seem uncomfortable with the situation at home.
One day she is approached by a mysterious, handsome man in the park. They bond over a discussion of literature and Sarah feels new emotions of happiness and excitement. Further meetings in the park lead up to a torrid affair and then he suddenly disappears from her life. Next, the police arrive and question Sarah about a woman missing from the park. They show Sarah a photo of the woman she watched playing with some children. She holds back very little regarding what was happening in her life and her feelings during her psychiatric sessions.
I kept having doubts about what was real and what were delusions in Sarah's mind. Even on her best days, her behaviour seemed irrational. I slowly muddled through it, and the story seemed derivative. I could not relate to Sarah and many events confused me as much as they did Sarah. I rarely can guess twists in thrillers, but two of them seemed obvious but not how they meshed together. I did not find the conclusion to be credible. It took two people to write this book and am sorry to say I was disappointed with their effort.
September 17, 2019
A married woman meets a handsome stranger - In The Park. When the handsome stranger's wife turns up dead, the only suspect is the married woman....
The Woman in the Park is the exciting debut from the writing pair Teresa Sorkin and Tullan Holmqvist. A woman, Sarah Rock, is determined that her husband is having an affair with his young associate. Sarah, who has been under care for depression in the past, has weekly or twice weekly sessions with her psychologist through which we, the reader, learn more about Sarah, her family, her loneliness after her children leave for boarding school and, quite frankly, this appeared to be more of sad tale about mid-life rather than a suspenseful mystery. When Sarah meets Laurence in the park, however, things begin to change. Her life, formerly heartbreaking, appears to be filled with new life and energy - until the police show up at her door. There has been a murder in the park, a woman, and Sarah is their primary suspect. As Sarah's world unravels, we go on a desperate journey with her to discover the truth, if the truth is capable of being found.
The Woman in the Park is a very short, extremely taut, marvelously written story that had me enthralled from beginning to the end. I literally read it in one afternoon never stopping once! While we know that Sarah is an unreliable narrator, the last section of the book is so surprising, so amazing that I never suspected until the very end. I was speechless!! Yes, The Woman in the Park really is that good!
Have you watched or do you remember The Sixth Sense with Bruce Willis when, at the very end, you sit there with your mouth hanging open and your head shaking in disbelief? That is exactly what I felt like at the end of The Woman in the Park. If you haven't see that movie - you need to. If you haven't read The Woman in the Park, you absolutely must! If this is their debut, I cannot wait to see all of the great books that will come from this writing pair!
The Woman in the Park is the exciting debut from the writing pair Teresa Sorkin and Tullan Holmqvist. A woman, Sarah Rock, is determined that her husband is having an affair with his young associate. Sarah, who has been under care for depression in the past, has weekly or twice weekly sessions with her psychologist through which we, the reader, learn more about Sarah, her family, her loneliness after her children leave for boarding school and, quite frankly, this appeared to be more of sad tale about mid-life rather than a suspenseful mystery. When Sarah meets Laurence in the park, however, things begin to change. Her life, formerly heartbreaking, appears to be filled with new life and energy - until the police show up at her door. There has been a murder in the park, a woman, and Sarah is their primary suspect. As Sarah's world unravels, we go on a desperate journey with her to discover the truth, if the truth is capable of being found.
The Woman in the Park is a very short, extremely taut, marvelously written story that had me enthralled from beginning to the end. I literally read it in one afternoon never stopping once! While we know that Sarah is an unreliable narrator, the last section of the book is so surprising, so amazing that I never suspected until the very end. I was speechless!! Yes, The Woman in the Park really is that good!
Have you watched or do you remember The Sixth Sense with Bruce Willis when, at the very end, you sit there with your mouth hanging open and your head shaking in disbelief? That is exactly what I felt like at the end of The Woman in the Park. If you haven't see that movie - you need to. If you haven't read The Woman in the Park, you absolutely must! If this is their debut, I cannot wait to see all of the great books that will come from this writing pair!
June 22, 2019
4 1/2☕☕☕☕
When a woman Sarah met in the park goes missing nothing is what it seem. And Sarah Rock is the prime suspect. Her lover can't be found, her husband is suspicious and her therapist is talking to the police. Sarah just wanted to escape her life. Meeting a handsome stranger was suppose to help.
A dark and twisted what is real and what isn't page turner that kept me guessing what was going on. For a short book it packs a whopping punch. A fast read that leaves you spinning. An excellent debut! I'm seriously looking forward to more from these authors. Don't miss it. A summer must read.
Dawnny-BookGypsy
Novels N Latte Review
Novels N Latte Book Club
Hudson Valley NY
When a woman Sarah met in the park goes missing nothing is what it seem. And Sarah Rock is the prime suspect. Her lover can't be found, her husband is suspicious and her therapist is talking to the police. Sarah just wanted to escape her life. Meeting a handsome stranger was suppose to help.
A dark and twisted what is real and what isn't page turner that kept me guessing what was going on. For a short book it packs a whopping punch. A fast read that leaves you spinning. An excellent debut! I'm seriously looking forward to more from these authors. Don't miss it. A summer must read.
Dawnny-BookGypsy
Novels N Latte Review
Novels N Latte Book Club
Hudson Valley NY
June 25, 2019
The debut thriller from Teresa Sorkin and Tullan Holmqvist can only be described as a crazy whirlwind! The Woman in the Park has tons of unexpected twists and turns. You may think you are going to know what comes next but it is unlikely you will guess!
Our protagonist, Sarah, is in therapy dealing with a cheating husband and trying to cope with the separation of her kids who are off at boarding school. We know Sarah has many struggles and hypnosis is one method that her therapist employs with her. But then Sarah heads to the park and meets Lawrence who takes a keen interest in her and she thinks she's found the answer to her problems.
There are many takes on the domestic thriller/cheating spouse novel as of late, however, The Woman in the Park does a great job of setting itself apart from the pack. I'm eager to see what these new voices in fiction come up with next.
I received an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Our protagonist, Sarah, is in therapy dealing with a cheating husband and trying to cope with the separation of her kids who are off at boarding school. We know Sarah has many struggles and hypnosis is one method that her therapist employs with her. But then Sarah heads to the park and meets Lawrence who takes a keen interest in her and she thinks she's found the answer to her problems.
There are many takes on the domestic thriller/cheating spouse novel as of late, however, The Woman in the Park does a great job of setting itself apart from the pack. I'm eager to see what these new voices in fiction come up with next.
I received an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
August 21, 2019
I loved that this little book packed a big punch!
My favorite thing about psychological thrillers is the way that they play mind tricks on you. Things may seem one way, yet as the story unfolds, you’re left trying to solve what is exactly going on. I loved trying to figure out what happened to the woman in the park, and I just needed to know!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars!
*Thank you to @suzyapprovedbooktours for this free book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own
My favorite thing about psychological thrillers is the way that they play mind tricks on you. Things may seem one way, yet as the story unfolds, you’re left trying to solve what is exactly going on. I loved trying to figure out what happened to the woman in the park, and I just needed to know!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars!
*Thank you to @suzyapprovedbooktours for this free book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own
July 3, 2019
Did you ever get that feeling that you might be losing your mind? I mean - we've all been there - right? But then you're like ehhhh... noooo - I'm just fine. Cool, calm and collected - every duck in a row - it's everyone ELSE who has lost their marbles! I'm just fine. The rest of the world is bonkers.
I kinda of felt a little bit like that reading this book. My mind went up and down and all around and I haven't felt that bat sh*t crazy in a long time! I felt crazy just trying to figure out if the main character was mad as a hatter.
Sarah's trying to get out of her head. Her kids are teenagers (enough said), her husband is cheating on her with a coworker, her therapist shows her no compassion or sympathy, and she's just downright bored with her daily routine. She needs something more. And one day in the park, when a strange yet handsome man approaches her ... she thinks she has found that something.
And then it gets bananas...
A woman from the exact same park goes missing and Sarah finds herself as the prime suspect in her disappearance. As everything slowly begins to unravel, both her husband and her therapist turn against her believing she is so sick - she may just be capable of the crime. And her one alibi, the man from the park - gone. But did he even exist in the first place, or did Sarah's mind make him up?
This one is a SUPER twisty thriller, chock full of secrets and lies and has you pointing fingers at everyone. It's a super fast read that I tore through, hoping the whole time that Sarah proves herself innocent... but is she really as innocent as her mind has led her to believe?
If you love fast-paced twisty-turny thrillers - this is definitely your book!
I kinda of felt a little bit like that reading this book. My mind went up and down and all around and I haven't felt that bat sh*t crazy in a long time! I felt crazy just trying to figure out if the main character was mad as a hatter.
Sarah's trying to get out of her head. Her kids are teenagers (enough said), her husband is cheating on her with a coworker, her therapist shows her no compassion or sympathy, and she's just downright bored with her daily routine. She needs something more. And one day in the park, when a strange yet handsome man approaches her ... she thinks she has found that something.
And then it gets bananas...
A woman from the exact same park goes missing and Sarah finds herself as the prime suspect in her disappearance. As everything slowly begins to unravel, both her husband and her therapist turn against her believing she is so sick - she may just be capable of the crime. And her one alibi, the man from the park - gone. But did he even exist in the first place, or did Sarah's mind make him up?
This one is a SUPER twisty thriller, chock full of secrets and lies and has you pointing fingers at everyone. It's a super fast read that I tore through, hoping the whole time that Sarah proves herself innocent... but is she really as innocent as her mind has led her to believe?
If you love fast-paced twisty-turny thrillers - this is definitely your book!
November 7, 2019
What a wild ride! Incredible that this is a debut effort. This is exactly what you want in a psychological thriller. Good story with lots of twists and unexpected turns. What is real? What is a delusion? And what a nice break to read a book that isn’t super long – no wasted space here. Just a delicious story. Glad to read that a movie of this excellent book is in development. Many thanks to Edelweiss, Beaufort Books, authors Teresa Sorkin and Tullan Holmqvist for the advance copy.
September 5, 2019
-Description-
We come across a woman who believes her husband to be having an affair, who's children have been shipped off to boarding school, who meets with her therapist regularly. We know she has mental illness, isn't taking her medication properly, and is very paranoid. One day she meets a man in the Park and the story begins...
-Thoughts-
1. This is a book where you think you've figured it out, and most likely you have, but you haven't figured it all out!! The authors have surprises around every corner.
2. It was very well written. Two viewpoints...which I loved. Our main character, Sarah, and the therapist's notes. I wanted more and more of those notes!!
3. This is an easy to read, page turner!
-Rating-
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I recommend this book!
-Similar Recommended Reads-
The Silent Patient
The Perfect Couple
Verity
We come across a woman who believes her husband to be having an affair, who's children have been shipped off to boarding school, who meets with her therapist regularly. We know she has mental illness, isn't taking her medication properly, and is very paranoid. One day she meets a man in the Park and the story begins...
-Thoughts-
1. This is a book where you think you've figured it out, and most likely you have, but you haven't figured it all out!! The authors have surprises around every corner.
2. It was very well written. Two viewpoints...which I loved. Our main character, Sarah, and the therapist's notes. I wanted more and more of those notes!!
3. This is an easy to read, page turner!
-Rating-
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I recommend this book!
-Similar Recommended Reads-
The Silent Patient
The Perfect Couple
Verity
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