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Unethical
San Diego attorney Josephine Rinaldi is struggling to balance her fledgling legal career with caring for her father who has Alzheimer’s Disease. She thinks she’s found the perfect solution in the Kessler Institute. He’ll be in expert hands and she can get back to work. But her relief is short lived when questions about his care go unanswered and looking deeper puts both their lives at risk.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 28, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
March 18, 2022
A medical/legal thriller - 4+ stars.
Who knew that a story about researching a cure for Alzheimer’s disease (A D) could be so exciting? Josephine (Jo) Rinaldi is a young lawyer at a prestigious firm struggling to combine work with caring for her ailing father who has AD. Her boss, Mr Dawson kindly arranges a place for Thomas Rinaldi at a research institute which provides care for AD sufferers while conducting research into potential treatments or cures. It is a state of the art facility and Jo is thrilled to get the place so her dad can be properly cared for. Thomas is not so thrilled but eventually agrees.
As Jo visits him regularly she notices his deterioration and he seems to be very frightened. This doesn’t feel right. She asks one of the law firm’s private investigators, Scott Benson, to look into the institute. What he finds is rather concerning - a number of patients who seemed to improve with treatment died suddenly. When the families arced up and made inquiries they were paid off and forced to sign NDAs - non disclosure agreements. It seems that all is not above board at the institute. It’s actually a lot worse than that but I don’t want to get into spoiler territory! Let’s just say the inmates, sorry patients, are being treated like lab rats.
Jo decides to take her father home again but is blocked by the fire breathing dragon/administrator Suzanne Sutton who produces a document that Jo apparently signed where she relinquished her power of attorney over her dad to the institute. She doesn’t actually remember seeing this document at all. Arguing with them leads to her being thrown out by security and she is banned from visiting her dad. Then she is fired from her job! This just seems wrong on so many levels. Why are they so determined to hang onto her dad?
Scott comes to the rescue and they stage a daring middle of the night kidnapping of Thomas. Back home he languishes for a short while before miraculously coming good and seeming to be normal, without AD. Everyone is perplexed. But his apparent recovery makes the institute even more determined to get their hands back on Mr Rinaldi and Jo and Scott and their band of co-conspirators take extreme measures to keep him safe. The story ends with a bang and a shoot out, the stakes are very high.
This was a lovely heartwarming story with wonderful and relatable characters and some really horrible characters as well. But they were all wonderfully fleshed out. The pace was cracking and I was on the edge of my seat rooting for the Rinaldis against the heavily backed institute with its political and wealthy connections and unethical practices. I enjoyed the rather unique plot too. It was refreshing to read something totally different from the run of the mill thrillers and domestic suspense. Many thanks to BookSirens for providing a free copy of the book which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
Who knew that a story about researching a cure for Alzheimer’s disease (A D) could be so exciting? Josephine (Jo) Rinaldi is a young lawyer at a prestigious firm struggling to combine work with caring for her ailing father who has AD. Her boss, Mr Dawson kindly arranges a place for Thomas Rinaldi at a research institute which provides care for AD sufferers while conducting research into potential treatments or cures. It is a state of the art facility and Jo is thrilled to get the place so her dad can be properly cared for. Thomas is not so thrilled but eventually agrees.
As Jo visits him regularly she notices his deterioration and he seems to be very frightened. This doesn’t feel right. She asks one of the law firm’s private investigators, Scott Benson, to look into the institute. What he finds is rather concerning - a number of patients who seemed to improve with treatment died suddenly. When the families arced up and made inquiries they were paid off and forced to sign NDAs - non disclosure agreements. It seems that all is not above board at the institute. It’s actually a lot worse than that but I don’t want to get into spoiler territory! Let’s just say the inmates, sorry patients, are being treated like lab rats.
Jo decides to take her father home again but is blocked by the fire breathing dragon/administrator Suzanne Sutton who produces a document that Jo apparently signed where she relinquished her power of attorney over her dad to the institute. She doesn’t actually remember seeing this document at all. Arguing with them leads to her being thrown out by security and she is banned from visiting her dad. Then she is fired from her job! This just seems wrong on so many levels. Why are they so determined to hang onto her dad?
Scott comes to the rescue and they stage a daring middle of the night kidnapping of Thomas. Back home he languishes for a short while before miraculously coming good and seeming to be normal, without AD. Everyone is perplexed. But his apparent recovery makes the institute even more determined to get their hands back on Mr Rinaldi and Jo and Scott and their band of co-conspirators take extreme measures to keep him safe. The story ends with a bang and a shoot out, the stakes are very high.
This was a lovely heartwarming story with wonderful and relatable characters and some really horrible characters as well. But they were all wonderfully fleshed out. The pace was cracking and I was on the edge of my seat rooting for the Rinaldis against the heavily backed institute with its political and wealthy connections and unethical practices. I enjoyed the rather unique plot too. It was refreshing to read something totally different from the run of the mill thrillers and domestic suspense. Many thanks to BookSirens for providing a free copy of the book which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
January 28, 2021
Josephine, a young lawyer is trying to build a career and to take care of her father who was diagnosed with Alzheimer disease. When she hears about a private clinic that is researching Alzheimer she is happy to try it for her father. But, in the end, nothing is what it looks like.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.
December 5, 2022
The theme was an interesting one, however predictable throughout.
I finished reading it, despite becoming uninterested around the last 10 chapters.
There were no twists that made me say
“Oh, wow!! Didn’t see that coming.”
I finished reading it, despite becoming uninterested around the last 10 chapters.
There were no twists that made me say
“Oh, wow!! Didn’t see that coming.”
January 27, 2021
Read Full & Detailed review: https://cynthology.blogspot.com/2021/...
I have always been intrigued by stories about aging and Alzheimer's Disease. That is why, I looked forward to reading what this story had to offer.
In the Prologue, we meet Dr Adrian Kessler, who runs the Kessler Institute for patients suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. Erring against ethics, Dr Kessler harvests the brain cells of a patient suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease, who had shown a brief period of recovery while under his care. The procedure is illegal, but Dr Kessler is driven in his obsession to find a cure. So far only a few mice in his laboratory have survived for more than a few months.
Josephine Rinaldi is a young lawyer, whose father suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease. Unable to cope with the demands that the disease makes on them, Josephine struggles to care for him while fulfilling the demands of her job. It doesn’t help that during his brief lucid spells, he is extremely critical and abrasive towards the very daughter who cares for him. As the sole surviving family member (her mother has died of cancer and her older brother died as a result of drowning), Jo has no one to appeal to for help.
Her boss, Matthew Dawson, who legally represents Dr Kessler, offers her father’s admission into Dr Kessler’s Institute. But then her dad complains to her that he is not happy there and that people keep disappearing all the time.
PI Scott Benson finds out that there is foul play afoot at the institute. At least three patients have died, after showing marked improvement. Jo’s own attempts to find out more cause her to lose her job, and increasingly put both her and her father at risk.
At first Dr Kessler’s desire to find a cure seems well intentioned, even if his methods are all wrong. He genuinely wants to help people have a better quality of life. But the road to hell, they say, is paved with good intentions, and Dr Kessler ignores all ethics in his drive to get what he wants.
The author intersperses the fictional narrative with information about this deadly disease. Her research on both the medical and the legal aspects feels convincing and intuitive to the story. The scientific bits were toned down to appeal to a lay reader.
The book is fast paced; there were parts I read with seemingly my heart in my mouth.
Scott is a swashbuckling character, with his own interesting back story that becomes involved in the main one. He was a secretive person, and there was trouble in his past that came out in believable bits. But there were some errors regarding his name. From being Scott Benson in the earlier chapters, he suddenly changes to Scott Bennett later on in the book.
Another error was in Chapter 32, where Dr Kessler tells Jo, The more time that passes, the higher the likelihood that he will digress. Shouldn’t that be regress?
I had an issue with the main character. There were many times when Jo appeared naïve at best, and stupid at worst. Also, the name, Maggie, changed to Margaret within the same dialogue scene. I hope the author rectifies these errors.
The story gives us an idea of the challenges faced by the caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients. We feel a sense of sympathy for caregivers who receive no appreciation from those they care for.
The book also creates a frightening scenario in which medical experts put all morals and ethics aside in the hope of playing God, pitting it against the all-too familiar scenario of a small minnow taking on an adversary many sizes too big.
The book ended in a completely unexpected way, and there was at least one element that I found confusing and can't ask about without creating a spoiler.
I have always been intrigued by stories about aging and Alzheimer's Disease. That is why, I looked forward to reading what this story had to offer.
In the Prologue, we meet Dr Adrian Kessler, who runs the Kessler Institute for patients suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. Erring against ethics, Dr Kessler harvests the brain cells of a patient suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease, who had shown a brief period of recovery while under his care. The procedure is illegal, but Dr Kessler is driven in his obsession to find a cure. So far only a few mice in his laboratory have survived for more than a few months.
Josephine Rinaldi is a young lawyer, whose father suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease. Unable to cope with the demands that the disease makes on them, Josephine struggles to care for him while fulfilling the demands of her job. It doesn’t help that during his brief lucid spells, he is extremely critical and abrasive towards the very daughter who cares for him. As the sole surviving family member (her mother has died of cancer and her older brother died as a result of drowning), Jo has no one to appeal to for help.
Her boss, Matthew Dawson, who legally represents Dr Kessler, offers her father’s admission into Dr Kessler’s Institute. But then her dad complains to her that he is not happy there and that people keep disappearing all the time.
PI Scott Benson finds out that there is foul play afoot at the institute. At least three patients have died, after showing marked improvement. Jo’s own attempts to find out more cause her to lose her job, and increasingly put both her and her father at risk.
At first Dr Kessler’s desire to find a cure seems well intentioned, even if his methods are all wrong. He genuinely wants to help people have a better quality of life. But the road to hell, they say, is paved with good intentions, and Dr Kessler ignores all ethics in his drive to get what he wants.
The author intersperses the fictional narrative with information about this deadly disease. Her research on both the medical and the legal aspects feels convincing and intuitive to the story. The scientific bits were toned down to appeal to a lay reader.
The book is fast paced; there were parts I read with seemingly my heart in my mouth.
Scott is a swashbuckling character, with his own interesting back story that becomes involved in the main one. He was a secretive person, and there was trouble in his past that came out in believable bits. But there were some errors regarding his name. From being Scott Benson in the earlier chapters, he suddenly changes to Scott Bennett later on in the book.
Another error was in Chapter 32, where Dr Kessler tells Jo, The more time that passes, the higher the likelihood that he will digress. Shouldn’t that be regress?
I had an issue with the main character. There were many times when Jo appeared naïve at best, and stupid at worst. Also, the name, Maggie, changed to Margaret within the same dialogue scene. I hope the author rectifies these errors.
The story gives us an idea of the challenges faced by the caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients. We feel a sense of sympathy for caregivers who receive no appreciation from those they care for.
The book also creates a frightening scenario in which medical experts put all morals and ethics aside in the hope of playing God, pitting it against the all-too familiar scenario of a small minnow taking on an adversary many sizes too big.
The book ended in a completely unexpected way, and there was at least one element that I found confusing and can't ask about without creating a spoiler.
January 25, 2021
I received a free ARC of this from NetGalley and BooksGoSocial. This has not impacted my review in any way and all thoughts and opinions are my own after reading this book.
My first words when I completed this book were "wow" repeatedly. Unethical was absolutely brilliant.
There are few books, that I've read at least, that focus on a member of the ageing population, who is also incredibly ill and this book felt like representation of those suffering from Alzheimer’s.
The story itself thrilled me, it was so fast-paced and had to many twists and turns I nearly got whiplash trying to keep up! There were no lulls in the story, every time you turned the page the story got better.
At points I was quite frightened by this story, it made me really question if something like this could be happening already... Without giving too much away it wouldn't surprise me if there were similar programmes for other diseases.
The stand outs of this book for me though were the characters, each one was blended perfectly into the story, bringing something different and standing out in their own way.
Jo was wonderful, the grit and determination she showed towards her Father was excellent, the author didn't shy away from making it clear how much she struggled with him and how easy things would have been if she just left him, but also showed us how much love and compassion Jo had.
Scott was by far my favourite character, he had so much depth! And his backstory was a really clever little addition. The way he kept supporting Jo, even from the start was admirable.
Kessler again was absolutely brilliant. The author wrote his decline through the book so well, I don't want to give too much away as this is part of the story but it was so cleverly done.
Suzanne I had mixed feelings about, I think she was the best written character through the book. The author really put the work in to make us feel every possible emotion whilst we read Suzanne's parts.
The ending of this book made my heart break and swell at the same time, I don't want to be cryptic but I don't want to give anything away!
On the whole, this book was excellent. Every word written built suspense, fear and excitement and I couldn't wait to keep turning the pages to see what was going to happen.
Unethical by Marla L Anderson was amazing, I'm so grateful that I got to read this book as I thoroughly enjoyed it.
My first words when I completed this book were "wow" repeatedly. Unethical was absolutely brilliant.
There are few books, that I've read at least, that focus on a member of the ageing population, who is also incredibly ill and this book felt like representation of those suffering from Alzheimer’s.
The story itself thrilled me, it was so fast-paced and had to many twists and turns I nearly got whiplash trying to keep up! There were no lulls in the story, every time you turned the page the story got better.
At points I was quite frightened by this story, it made me really question if something like this could be happening already... Without giving too much away it wouldn't surprise me if there were similar programmes for other diseases.
The stand outs of this book for me though were the characters, each one was blended perfectly into the story, bringing something different and standing out in their own way.
Jo was wonderful, the grit and determination she showed towards her Father was excellent, the author didn't shy away from making it clear how much she struggled with him and how easy things would have been if she just left him, but also showed us how much love and compassion Jo had.
Scott was by far my favourite character, he had so much depth! And his backstory was a really clever little addition. The way he kept supporting Jo, even from the start was admirable.
Kessler again was absolutely brilliant. The author wrote his decline through the book so well, I don't want to give too much away as this is part of the story but it was so cleverly done.
Suzanne I had mixed feelings about, I think she was the best written character through the book. The author really put the work in to make us feel every possible emotion whilst we read Suzanne's parts.
The ending of this book made my heart break and swell at the same time, I don't want to be cryptic but I don't want to give anything away!
On the whole, this book was excellent. Every word written built suspense, fear and excitement and I couldn't wait to keep turning the pages to see what was going to happen.
Unethical by Marla L Anderson was amazing, I'm so grateful that I got to read this book as I thoroughly enjoyed it.
January 28, 2021
Wow! And brava!
This book has my highest recommendation. It is a readable, timely, credible and compelling examination of contemporary black medicine focusing on an illicit quest for a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease. It is also the story of an afflicted father and his caregiver daughter locked in a complex relationship, with equal weight accorded to both characters. Finally, it features several romances, each contributing to the thrust of the plot. A prolog provides a lofty overview from the point of view of a demented genius; an epilog provides a bittersweet but fitting outcome. Very little suspension of disbelief is required for the reader’s total absorption.
A nail-biting page turner, this book’s chapters make piecemeal reading enjoyable while offering veteran readers like me the pleasure of a one-sitting binge. The author has woven her chapters economically around a taut story line in accessible language making both medical and legal technical language understandable to lay readers. Anderson’s constructions of interpersonal situations are engaging, and her dialogs are believable and brief. For those familiar with the San Diego setting from the shore to the mountains, this novel will evoke memories.
Unlike many medical techno thrillers, Unethical lays out the strands of criminality and its associations like a puzzle before assembling the essential pieces masterfully to draw the guilty into the legal framework or deriving retribution against the most powerful figures by extra-legal means. The heinous matter of using prisoners for medical experimentation might make grist for a follow-on novel about the heroine and her associates.
Left open is the question whether a miracle cure for Alzheimer’s was or could have been achieved by the genius of the neuro-physician at the Institute. Seemingly ripped from contemporary headlines in this time of plague, the main lines of the novel suggest fatal flaws in the structure for funding and supporting private medical research, not only for Alzheimer’s but also for emerging diseases in general.
This book has my highest recommendation. It is a readable, timely, credible and compelling examination of contemporary black medicine focusing on an illicit quest for a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease. It is also the story of an afflicted father and his caregiver daughter locked in a complex relationship, with equal weight accorded to both characters. Finally, it features several romances, each contributing to the thrust of the plot. A prolog provides a lofty overview from the point of view of a demented genius; an epilog provides a bittersweet but fitting outcome. Very little suspension of disbelief is required for the reader’s total absorption.
A nail-biting page turner, this book’s chapters make piecemeal reading enjoyable while offering veteran readers like me the pleasure of a one-sitting binge. The author has woven her chapters economically around a taut story line in accessible language making both medical and legal technical language understandable to lay readers. Anderson’s constructions of interpersonal situations are engaging, and her dialogs are believable and brief. For those familiar with the San Diego setting from the shore to the mountains, this novel will evoke memories.
Unlike many medical techno thrillers, Unethical lays out the strands of criminality and its associations like a puzzle before assembling the essential pieces masterfully to draw the guilty into the legal framework or deriving retribution against the most powerful figures by extra-legal means. The heinous matter of using prisoners for medical experimentation might make grist for a follow-on novel about the heroine and her associates.
Left open is the question whether a miracle cure for Alzheimer’s was or could have been achieved by the genius of the neuro-physician at the Institute. Seemingly ripped from contemporary headlines in this time of plague, the main lines of the novel suggest fatal flaws in the structure for funding and supporting private medical research, not only for Alzheimer’s but also for emerging diseases in general.
January 29, 2021
4.5 stars
Wow, this was a great ride. I don't often come across stories about aging characters, so that and the plot had me very interested. Jo has a somewhat turbulent relationship with her father and his increasing dementia only adds to the strain. When Jo finally decides to move him to a very promising research facility, where he'll be cared for by the best in the field, she's relieved to be able to live her own life, again. Unfortunately, her father's new home is being run by people who are under immense pressure to produce results that require more time than they have.
The characters in this story actually behaved realistically, and every time I thought the story was about to have me rolling my eyes, it ended up giving me exactly what I needed it to. Nearly everyone in the story was reasonably well-rounded and someone I could easily sympathize with, and I was eager to know what happened next, throughout the whole book. I thought the story was incredibly well-crafted. I was hoping for a different ending, but it definitely made for a memorable one. I hope Anderson continues to write new stories, because I'm looking forward to the next one.
Wow, this was a great ride. I don't often come across stories about aging characters, so that and the plot had me very interested. Jo has a somewhat turbulent relationship with her father and his increasing dementia only adds to the strain. When Jo finally decides to move him to a very promising research facility, where he'll be cared for by the best in the field, she's relieved to be able to live her own life, again. Unfortunately, her father's new home is being run by people who are under immense pressure to produce results that require more time than they have.
The characters in this story actually behaved realistically, and every time I thought the story was about to have me rolling my eyes, it ended up giving me exactly what I needed it to. Nearly everyone in the story was reasonably well-rounded and someone I could easily sympathize with, and I was eager to know what happened next, throughout the whole book. I thought the story was incredibly well-crafted. I was hoping for a different ending, but it definitely made for a memorable one. I hope Anderson continues to write new stories, because I'm looking forward to the next one.
March 22, 2021
Marla Anderson drops us into a realistic and tense psychological thriller in Unethical! Josephine enrolls her father in Dr. Kessler’s care program after he develops Alzheimer’s. But when she begins to suspect that not everything about Kessler is on the level, she hires a private investigator only to find that more than one person is keeping secrets, and her father isn’t the only one in danger. I love the way Anderson sets up a very realistic situation filled with multidimensional and believable characters! It really drew me in the way there was nothing outlandish here, that the fact this could really happen was scarier than any horror movie monster. Anderson’s expert writing constantly ratchets up the tension to a satisfying ending! If you love realistic suspense sort of in the same vein as The Firm, definitely come enroll as a patient in Unethical!
February 8, 2021
Loved it!
As a thriller, this has a great pace and the storyline kept me engaged throughout. I ended up reading it in just two sittings, one of which meant staying awake until the early hours.
Whilst some of the plot was easy to predict, that didn't take away from the enjoyment as there were lots of little elements that came together in mildly unexpected ways and there's definitely an interesting point toward the end that I'm a little reluctant to call a 'twist'.
The characters are well fleshed-out and there are some really interesting personalities. The interactions between family members and between lovers (whether fulfilled or not) are very realistic and insightful. I did really care about what happened to many of them, which is usually the sign of good writing. That doesn't mean I actually liked them all! There are certainly some who I wouldn't want to meet.
This is a really good blend of medical and legal with some great real-life implications and challenges. The ethical questions are fascinating and have still got me pondering how far it's reasonable to go when trying to 'change the world' and help people.
Overall, a complex and emotive issue that's covered in a sympathetic way whilst also building into a story that has real pace and excitement. I definitely don't regret the time I spent reading this and will be looking out for more from Ms Anderson.
I did receive an ARC of this book and I'm hoping that, by choosing to write a review after reading it, I can help other people decide if it's the right book for them. In this case, I say 'go for it' if psychological thrillers are a genre you enjoy. I don't think you'll go far wrong here.
As a thriller, this has a great pace and the storyline kept me engaged throughout. I ended up reading it in just two sittings, one of which meant staying awake until the early hours.
Whilst some of the plot was easy to predict, that didn't take away from the enjoyment as there were lots of little elements that came together in mildly unexpected ways and there's definitely an interesting point toward the end that I'm a little reluctant to call a 'twist'.
The characters are well fleshed-out and there are some really interesting personalities. The interactions between family members and between lovers (whether fulfilled or not) are very realistic and insightful. I did really care about what happened to many of them, which is usually the sign of good writing. That doesn't mean I actually liked them all! There are certainly some who I wouldn't want to meet.
This is a really good blend of medical and legal with some great real-life implications and challenges. The ethical questions are fascinating and have still got me pondering how far it's reasonable to go when trying to 'change the world' and help people.
Overall, a complex and emotive issue that's covered in a sympathetic way whilst also building into a story that has real pace and excitement. I definitely don't regret the time I spent reading this and will be looking out for more from Ms Anderson.
I did receive an ARC of this book and I'm hoping that, by choosing to write a review after reading it, I can help other people decide if it's the right book for them. In this case, I say 'go for it' if psychological thrillers are a genre you enjoy. I don't think you'll go far wrong here.
September 6, 2021
This was an interesting twist on a medical & legal thriller. I’m not sure how much psychological thriller it was, but that may be just me.
Josephine Rinaldi is a lawyer whose father has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. When a space in dr kesslers medical research facility opens up, it seems like a relief. Jo can get back to work and not have to worry about her dad getting proper treatment.
Dr Kessler is trying to find the cure to Alzheimer’s. A lofty and interesting goal. The problem is, of course, his methods to get that cure.
I really enjoyed this fast paced novel. The characters were well thought out and the situations were realistic. I had a problem with Jo rolling over at the first sign of disapproval from anyone with some power over her. Her lack of spine was a hard thing for me to get over. Luckily, this seemed to get slightly better with time.
I also both enjoyed and had issues with the sheer amount of secrets and backstabbing that seemed to be around almost every corner. While in the surface, most characters were pretty straightforward, all the blindsides were a bit much towards the end.
I received this novel for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
See this review and more on my blog:
https://bookshelfadventures.home.blog/
Josephine Rinaldi is a lawyer whose father has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. When a space in dr kesslers medical research facility opens up, it seems like a relief. Jo can get back to work and not have to worry about her dad getting proper treatment.
Dr Kessler is trying to find the cure to Alzheimer’s. A lofty and interesting goal. The problem is, of course, his methods to get that cure.
I really enjoyed this fast paced novel. The characters were well thought out and the situations were realistic. I had a problem with Jo rolling over at the first sign of disapproval from anyone with some power over her. Her lack of spine was a hard thing for me to get over. Luckily, this seemed to get slightly better with time.
I also both enjoyed and had issues with the sheer amount of secrets and backstabbing that seemed to be around almost every corner. While in the surface, most characters were pretty straightforward, all the blindsides were a bit much towards the end.
I received this novel for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
See this review and more on my blog:
https://bookshelfadventures.home.blog/
March 11, 2021
UNETHICAL, a Psychological Thriller, is the first book that I have read by Marla Anderson, and I can’t wait to read more!
About:
‘Josephine aka ‘Jo’ struggles to balance the demands of her budding legal career with caring for her recently widowed and very cantankerous father who’s been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. […] When Jo’s boss suggests she enroll her father in a client’s residential research program at the Kessler Institute, it seems like the perfect solution.’
‘But her relief is short-lived when questions about Dr. Kessler go unanswered, and she is forced to hire Scott Benson, a private investigator, to find out what is going on behind closed doors.’
My Thoughts:
This novel simultaneously warmed and broke my heart, surprised me, and sent me on a roller coaster of emotion as certain parts of the narrative hit home for me as I reflect on my loved ones who were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
The conclusion brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes—Highly Recommend!
Thank you, BookSirens and Wolfheart Press, for providing me with an eBook of UNETHICAL in the request for an honest review.
Published – January 28, 2021
About:
‘Josephine aka ‘Jo’ struggles to balance the demands of her budding legal career with caring for her recently widowed and very cantankerous father who’s been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. […] When Jo’s boss suggests she enroll her father in a client’s residential research program at the Kessler Institute, it seems like the perfect solution.’
‘But her relief is short-lived when questions about Dr. Kessler go unanswered, and she is forced to hire Scott Benson, a private investigator, to find out what is going on behind closed doors.’
My Thoughts:
This novel simultaneously warmed and broke my heart, surprised me, and sent me on a roller coaster of emotion as certain parts of the narrative hit home for me as I reflect on my loved ones who were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
The conclusion brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes—Highly Recommend!
Thank you, BookSirens and Wolfheart Press, for providing me with an eBook of UNETHICAL in the request for an honest review.
Published – January 28, 2021
March 8, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. There were lots of twists and turns that sometimes had me thinking I knew what was going to happen - and yet, most of the time I was wrong. The author pits the finding of a cure for Alzheimer's disease and the research needed to do so in an ethical battle among the characters. The author's portrait of medical research (at any cost), the hope for a financial payoff by key players, and the difficulties of family members struggling with the everyday nuances of the disease depicts the multifaceted struggles that are sure to take place in such dire situations. The ending of the book got me. I read it and started thinking about the review I would write. And then, it hit me, and I had to go back and read the last part again. Pretty incredible. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 11, 2021
A MUST for your TBR list! Fast-paced! Riveting! Exciting! Addictive! Not only is this a very well-written book with wonderfully-interesting characters, but the suspense builds at just the right pace as the story unfolds. It was an artful melding of twisted psychological thrills and nail-biting suspense that kept me on edge the whole way!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
February 3, 2021
I received an ARC of this book from BookSirens in return for an honest review.
The premise for the story is unusual in that it deals with a growing group of the population, namely the elderly and in particular those that suffer cruelly with Alzheimer’s Dementia.
This is a fast paced story. It flows beautifully with believable characters and plot. I couldn’t put it down and read it cover to cover in two days. I particularly like the fact that there is a proper beginning, middle and end so you’re not left guessing!
Highly recommend this book and it would make a fabulous holiday read.
The premise for the story is unusual in that it deals with a growing group of the population, namely the elderly and in particular those that suffer cruelly with Alzheimer’s Dementia.
This is a fast paced story. It flows beautifully with believable characters and plot. I couldn’t put it down and read it cover to cover in two days. I particularly like the fact that there is a proper beginning, middle and end so you’re not left guessing!
Highly recommend this book and it would make a fabulous holiday read.
March 2, 2021
Unethical is a story about a father who is struggling with Alzheimer's and a daughter who is working for a law firm as a junior partner and trying to juggle her demanding job with taking care of her demanding father. Josephine has to hire a caretaker who isn't a medical professional and has been negligent through no fault of her own. The story takes us to a research medical in house facility. The Doctor in charge Dr.Kessler used elderly patients with Alzheimer's who were at end stages and injected them with things that killed most of them. They were human guinea pigs. Many of them died. Kessler also took samples of their brain tissue! Many were involved in this experimental procedure and it wasnt approved by the FDA. Josephine met a PI who helped unravel all of this. Her father was admitted and almost died until he was rescued. It was very interesting and I highly recommend this book. It is a page turner. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I received this advanced copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 27, 2021Josephine is struggling to care for her father whilst working at a prestigious law firm. His Alzheimer’s seems to be getting worse every day. Her boss manages to get him a place at the Kessler institute on a clinical trial. It seems the answer to her prayers until she seems his deterioration appears to have increased rather than improved. When she tries to challenge the doctor things get worse. When she uncovers some illegal experimentation, her career is threatened an getting her Dad out of harms way is easier said than done.
I did enjoy this book. It opens the door on some ethical questions without forcing the authors opinion on the reader. The writing style is good and the characters are well established in the plot. I will be looking for more work by this author. Thank you to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for allowing me to preview the book.
I did enjoy this book. It opens the door on some ethical questions without forcing the authors opinion on the reader. The writing style is good and the characters are well established in the plot. I will be looking for more work by this author. Thank you to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for allowing me to preview the book.
March 3, 2021
If you enjoy a slow-starting thriller with complex characters that allows you take the time to savor the building story, you will love this book.
Josephine, the daughter, was in a difficult situation. Her confused father was not safe without supervision, but she needed to work to afford care for him. I loved the realism of the father-daughter relationship. This story highlights the challenges of family members caring for an Alzheimer’s patient.
Josephine, the daughter, was in a difficult situation. Her confused father was not safe without supervision, but she needed to work to afford care for him. I loved the realism of the father-daughter relationship. This story highlights the challenges of family members caring for an Alzheimer’s patient.
January 12, 2021
This psychological thriller is certainly worth the read. I was intrigued by the topic and could not wait to dive in. It is fast paced and keeps you interested from start to finish. It does invoke some emotions and you will commiserate and root for these characters. It’s quite the story and one not to miss out on.
February 2, 2021
Published: January 28, 2021
Wolfheart Press
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Marla L. Anderson is the author of numerous short stories and novel-length fiction. Her specialties are science fiction, fantasy, horror, and suspense. Her love of speculative fiction began at an early age, and she started writing her own soon after. When she's not writing, she uses her metalsmithing and enameling skills to create art and jewelry. She worked as a law office administrator until deciding to devote herself full-time to writing and art.
“Poppycock, balderdash, and horseshit!”
Jo has a lot going on- she is struggling to find some balance without completely losing her mind. Her father’s recent diagnosis weighs heavily and consumes much of her time. Jo hasn’t had a solid night's sleep in weeks, and she is starting to feel worn out. And then a miracle reveals itself, and Jo decides to decide with her interest front and center. Little did Jo know, that decision would be a nightmare.
I enjoyed this story. I found the characters interesting, and I enjoyed the dynamic and chemistry between the main cast. This book has a nice balance of emotions, and sad is balanced with happiness, which is knocked over by anger, which is kicked across the room by grief, tossed away by frustration, all while humor is sprinkled throughout. The emotional range is well written, and the flow was very natural.
I expected more medical terminology and “doctor talk,” but I’m glad for the balance with that, too. I’m not a neurologist, so the language used was just enough to sound credible and well researched.
The overall concept for the book is pretty fantastic. But a cure at such a cost is just terrifying. It’s scary because something like this could very well happen, and the public wouldn’t know. No one would know, and those who did wouldn’t say anything. Secrets are scary.
I appreciated the full spectrum Jo took throughout this book. She blossomed as a character, and her depth and influence were very well done. She is smart, capable, and sassy. It’s almost impossible to dislike her.
The epilogue was bittersweet. I didn’t realize that twist that would come at the last minute, which honestly surprised me. Not only did I not see it coming, but I didn’t expect that to be the turn of events. It was a well-played and clever plot twist.
This was a fast-paced and entertaining read. The last half moved a lot faster, but the buildup is intense, and the plot is solid. If you like medical thrillers, this may be the book for you!
Wolfheart Press
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Marla L. Anderson is the author of numerous short stories and novel-length fiction. Her specialties are science fiction, fantasy, horror, and suspense. Her love of speculative fiction began at an early age, and she started writing her own soon after. When she's not writing, she uses her metalsmithing and enameling skills to create art and jewelry. She worked as a law office administrator until deciding to devote herself full-time to writing and art.
“Poppycock, balderdash, and horseshit!”
Jo has a lot going on- she is struggling to find some balance without completely losing her mind. Her father’s recent diagnosis weighs heavily and consumes much of her time. Jo hasn’t had a solid night's sleep in weeks, and she is starting to feel worn out. And then a miracle reveals itself, and Jo decides to decide with her interest front and center. Little did Jo know, that decision would be a nightmare.
I enjoyed this story. I found the characters interesting, and I enjoyed the dynamic and chemistry between the main cast. This book has a nice balance of emotions, and sad is balanced with happiness, which is knocked over by anger, which is kicked across the room by grief, tossed away by frustration, all while humor is sprinkled throughout. The emotional range is well written, and the flow was very natural.
I expected more medical terminology and “doctor talk,” but I’m glad for the balance with that, too. I’m not a neurologist, so the language used was just enough to sound credible and well researched.
The overall concept for the book is pretty fantastic. But a cure at such a cost is just terrifying. It’s scary because something like this could very well happen, and the public wouldn’t know. No one would know, and those who did wouldn’t say anything. Secrets are scary.
I appreciated the full spectrum Jo took throughout this book. She blossomed as a character, and her depth and influence were very well done. She is smart, capable, and sassy. It’s almost impossible to dislike her.
The epilogue was bittersweet. I didn’t realize that twist that would come at the last minute, which honestly surprised me. Not only did I not see it coming, but I didn’t expect that to be the turn of events. It was a well-played and clever plot twist.
This was a fast-paced and entertaining read. The last half moved a lot faster, but the buildup is intense, and the plot is solid. If you like medical thrillers, this may be the book for you!
January 28, 2021
Unethical
(I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
Marla Anderson’s recent novel, Unethical, is an insightful exploration of the trials and ethical issues facing the caregiver of a parent dying of Alzheimer’s. This is a situation that many of us must face. The book’s striking cover describes the novel as a psychological thriller. That is the ultimate understatement of what it means to be in the ethical and psychological position of having to commit our loved ones to the care of others, not knowing what horrors they may encounter.
The author has thoroughly researched the science of the brain affected by this disease, and she dramatically presents the conflict between the protagonist and her father. The herculean patience required of the child, whose parent no longer consistently even knows his daughter’s identity, let alone his own; the author portrays this conflict so vividly, as if she knows the experience herself. The nightmare scenario even in the most common context soon descends into a science fiction horror story. The brilliant cover design shows it all: a personality-less figure of a man sinking into an ocean of oblivion, bloody brain dissected into microscopic laboratory specimens.
The featureless individual whose brain is sliced up is the living victim of a laboratory experiment in a desperate, money-driven pharmaceutical campaign for a cure that requires fresh kill to validate a genetic dig into the brains of elderly parents whose children have not the wherewithal to keep them. Rather than being offered euthanasia, it offers them up for research as brain donors rather than organ donors to the unsuspecting donor families.
This provocative story offers a tight-rope walk for the protagonist in her effort to balance her new legal career and her love life as a recent divorcee, to keep the family home for which she is now solely responsible and to fulfill her hopeless task of being the good daughter she wishes to be. Her position is unsustainable and this well-meaning, but over-taxed young woman struggles with questions of goodness and righteousness.
Her only recourse is to rise above the impossible to become a heroine. A heroine needs a dragon to slay. Alzheimer’s is to date still too big an adversary. The madly ambitious antagonist, Dr. Kessler, provides the dragon that solves his own ethical dilemma by ignoring the Hippocratic Oath in his bloody quest for the cure. It also helps to balance the scales with the assistance of a love interest in the character of a handsome detective at her side as our heroine advances into battle with the wicked doctor who unlike the disease is an adversary she can handle.
Reviewed by
Catherine Hand, author of The Green Beach: A Novel about Israel
(I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
Marla Anderson’s recent novel, Unethical, is an insightful exploration of the trials and ethical issues facing the caregiver of a parent dying of Alzheimer’s. This is a situation that many of us must face. The book’s striking cover describes the novel as a psychological thriller. That is the ultimate understatement of what it means to be in the ethical and psychological position of having to commit our loved ones to the care of others, not knowing what horrors they may encounter.
The author has thoroughly researched the science of the brain affected by this disease, and she dramatically presents the conflict between the protagonist and her father. The herculean patience required of the child, whose parent no longer consistently even knows his daughter’s identity, let alone his own; the author portrays this conflict so vividly, as if she knows the experience herself. The nightmare scenario even in the most common context soon descends into a science fiction horror story. The brilliant cover design shows it all: a personality-less figure of a man sinking into an ocean of oblivion, bloody brain dissected into microscopic laboratory specimens.
The featureless individual whose brain is sliced up is the living victim of a laboratory experiment in a desperate, money-driven pharmaceutical campaign for a cure that requires fresh kill to validate a genetic dig into the brains of elderly parents whose children have not the wherewithal to keep them. Rather than being offered euthanasia, it offers them up for research as brain donors rather than organ donors to the unsuspecting donor families.
This provocative story offers a tight-rope walk for the protagonist in her effort to balance her new legal career and her love life as a recent divorcee, to keep the family home for which she is now solely responsible and to fulfill her hopeless task of being the good daughter she wishes to be. Her position is unsustainable and this well-meaning, but over-taxed young woman struggles with questions of goodness and righteousness.
Her only recourse is to rise above the impossible to become a heroine. A heroine needs a dragon to slay. Alzheimer’s is to date still too big an adversary. The madly ambitious antagonist, Dr. Kessler, provides the dragon that solves his own ethical dilemma by ignoring the Hippocratic Oath in his bloody quest for the cure. It also helps to balance the scales with the assistance of a love interest in the character of a handsome detective at her side as our heroine advances into battle with the wicked doctor who unlike the disease is an adversary she can handle.
Reviewed by
Catherine Hand, author of The Green Beach: A Novel about Israel
February 17, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial on the arc of UNETHICAL by Marla L. Anderson.
4 Star read- This follows a woman named Josephine whom is a young lawyer and trying to take care of her dad whom has been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. She is then very happy when a clinic a private one is researching alzheimers disease, shes very happy to try it for her dad but it is nothing as what it seems to be...
such a different type thriller for me a great read and well written
4 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐
4 Star read- This follows a woman named Josephine whom is a young lawyer and trying to take care of her dad whom has been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. She is then very happy when a clinic a private one is researching alzheimers disease, shes very happy to try it for her dad but it is nothing as what it seems to be...
such a different type thriller for me a great read and well written
4 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐
February 16, 2021
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntaronly.
This story revolves around the quest for a cure for alzheimers/dementia and the lengths that one scientist will go to discover a cure. The story is reminiscent of tales told by Robin Cook.
I really enjoyed the story and would rate it a solid four stars out of five.
As far as reviews go, this is only my five cents worth.
This story revolves around the quest for a cure for alzheimers/dementia and the lengths that one scientist will go to discover a cure. The story is reminiscent of tales told by Robin Cook.
I really enjoyed the story and would rate it a solid four stars out of five.
As far as reviews go, this is only my five cents worth.
February 7, 2021
The ideas in this book are interesting - people driven to do medical research, others motivated by greed or power, and family dynamics. These themes engage the reader and are all woven together pretty well. I found a few things that were either somewhat inconsistent, or lacking some credibility, but overall if you don't worry too much about that kind of "fact checking" and remember it's just a novel, it's entertaining. I found about 10 typos - not horrible these days and not enough to be totally distracting, but I'm a bit old school and remember when it was the exception to find a typo. All in all, I enjoyed reading it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 28, 2021
A medical thriller that pulls at my heartstrings!
Having recently loved and struggled with both a parent and a mother-in-law suffering from Alzheimer's, the subject matter of this book immediately pulled at my heartstrings and drew me in. The story is compelling and the pacing is just right. I easily saw myself as the protagonist fully caught up in the unfolding drama. Marla does a great job of creating just the right amount of suspense. She skillfully manages to create a bit of sympathy for the motivation of the antagonist--even as we begin to shudder in horror. We get to experience our own mixed feelings watching as we root for one outcome then abruptly change our mind as we realize the deeper impact of what it means to be unethical. Meanwhile, a brewing love story helps offset the horror.
Having recently loved and struggled with both a parent and a mother-in-law suffering from Alzheimer's, the subject matter of this book immediately pulled at my heartstrings and drew me in. The story is compelling and the pacing is just right. I easily saw myself as the protagonist fully caught up in the unfolding drama. Marla does a great job of creating just the right amount of suspense. She skillfully manages to create a bit of sympathy for the motivation of the antagonist--even as we begin to shudder in horror. We get to experience our own mixed feelings watching as we root for one outcome then abruptly change our mind as we realize the deeper impact of what it means to be unethical. Meanwhile, a brewing love story helps offset the horror.
January 29, 2021
A tightly plotted medical thriller with legal elements, 'Unethical' follows Jo, a lawyer whose father suffers from Alzheimer's. Cue an experimental facility and a daughter's last-ditch effort to help her father, but when a series of deaths comes to light, Jo has to extricate her father from the facility...a process more difficult than it seems.
Marla Anderson highlights the daily struggles of Alzheimer's well. A miracle cure, if not too good to be true, comes with thick strings attached. There were different directions Ms. Anderson could have taken this story, but throughout it all, Jo's love for her father, her fears of his deterioriating condition and her professional struggles give the story a relatable touch a plot like this might otherwise lack. Recommended!
Marla Anderson highlights the daily struggles of Alzheimer's well. A miracle cure, if not too good to be true, comes with thick strings attached. There were different directions Ms. Anderson could have taken this story, but throughout it all, Jo's love for her father, her fears of his deterioriating condition and her professional struggles give the story a relatable touch a plot like this might otherwise lack. Recommended!
January 29, 2021
Ms. Anderson did it again with this five-star winning novel. It gripped me from the first page, sending me off on a journey in a tangled web of scientific research towards curing Alzheimer's Disease. The highlights of this work challenge your priorities when it comes to lab studies and the ethics therein. Sure, donating one's body to science sounds like a well-meaning idea, but when left to the hands of profiteers, think again! After all, the dehumanizing effect plays out here in the rush for a greater good. This fantastic novel reminds us that these are our loved ones we're poking at in the rush for a cure.
Marla is a fantastic mind and talented writer! Highly recommended!! Nice job!
Can't wait for the next in this “series”?
Marla is a fantastic mind and talented writer! Highly recommended!! Nice job!
Can't wait for the next in this “series”?
January 29, 2021
The book has your attention from the get go, haven’t finished yet but will be happy to do so. The detail is good, can picture in my head what l am reading.
March 20, 2021
What a fast paced book! I’ve quite enjoyed it, with some mixed feelings though.
I won’t waste your time by making you read another summary of the plot, so I’m only sharing my feelings and impressions.
Starting from what I really liked... the subject is really interesting, at least to me. Find a cure to a deadly and terrible disease like Alzheimer would be a really breakthrough in science, but would we sacrifice lives in order to reach that goal? Would killing some to save others be acceptable? This is definitely a subject worth thinking (and then talking) about, as I’m sure there would be different opinions on the matter. Also I found “interesting” the fact that prisoners were used to be experimented on. I’ve never heard of that, so I was completely unaware that such a thing could even happen! I will definitely look it up.
The relationship between father and daughter and the responsibilities that children have to look after their parents once they get old is another important subject that definitely caught my attention. I totally understood Jo’s (daughter) feelings of wanting to help and look after her dad but also to keep living a “normal” life. It’s quite a difficult choice and a difficult thing to go through.
What I liked less were the characters and some parts of the story. I’ve found Jo a bit naive at times and Scott too much of a stereotype. Some facts were too unreal, too pushed and stretched. I can’t say anymore or else I would add spoilers, but a few things were a bit over the top, in my opinion. It would have been a perfectly good and captivating story without some of the unrealistic events it described.
So overall it was a good read, I’m glad I read it and I thank Booksirens for giving me the opportunity to read it for free as an ARC.
I won’t waste your time by making you read another summary of the plot, so I’m only sharing my feelings and impressions.
Starting from what I really liked... the subject is really interesting, at least to me. Find a cure to a deadly and terrible disease like Alzheimer would be a really breakthrough in science, but would we sacrifice lives in order to reach that goal? Would killing some to save others be acceptable? This is definitely a subject worth thinking (and then talking) about, as I’m sure there would be different opinions on the matter. Also I found “interesting” the fact that prisoners were used to be experimented on. I’ve never heard of that, so I was completely unaware that such a thing could even happen! I will definitely look it up.
The relationship between father and daughter and the responsibilities that children have to look after their parents once they get old is another important subject that definitely caught my attention. I totally understood Jo’s (daughter) feelings of wanting to help and look after her dad but also to keep living a “normal” life. It’s quite a difficult choice and a difficult thing to go through.
What I liked less were the characters and some parts of the story. I’ve found Jo a bit naive at times and Scott too much of a stereotype. Some facts were too unreal, too pushed and stretched. I can’t say anymore or else I would add spoilers, but a few things were a bit over the top, in my opinion. It would have been a perfectly good and captivating story without some of the unrealistic events it described.
So overall it was a good read, I’m glad I read it and I thank Booksirens for giving me the opportunity to read it for free as an ARC.
September 27, 2021
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Unethical
Author: Marla L. Anderson
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 17
Stats
Editing: 6/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 8/10
Of the 17 readers:
15 would read another book by this author.
15 thought the cover was good or excellent.
17 felt it was easy to follow.
16 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
15 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
15 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“A cool thriller, tense in parts. John Grisham fans will love it!” Male reader, aged 55
“Although it’s a bit slow to get going, you do get to know the characters well. The Alzheimer's was interesting and well handled by the author. Plenty of plot twits to keep the reader guessing.” Female reader, aged 47
“I thought Jo developed strongly throughout the story from a relatively weak character to a woman of strength and resolve.” Male reader, aged 38
“Apart from a few typos, this seems well-edited. The plot is cleverly constructed and the pacing is, for the most part, spot on. I think most readers who enjoy a good thriller will find this of interest.” Female reader, age 48
To Sum It Up:
‘A cleverly crafted thriller with strong character development. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Unethical
Author: Marla L. Anderson
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 17
Stats
Editing: 6/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 8/10
Of the 17 readers:
15 would read another book by this author.
15 thought the cover was good or excellent.
17 felt it was easy to follow.
16 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
15 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
15 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“A cool thriller, tense in parts. John Grisham fans will love it!” Male reader, aged 55
“Although it’s a bit slow to get going, you do get to know the characters well. The Alzheimer's was interesting and well handled by the author. Plenty of plot twits to keep the reader guessing.” Female reader, aged 47
“I thought Jo developed strongly throughout the story from a relatively weak character to a woman of strength and resolve.” Male reader, aged 38
“Apart from a few typos, this seems well-edited. The plot is cleverly constructed and the pacing is, for the most part, spot on. I think most readers who enjoy a good thriller will find this of interest.” Female reader, age 48
To Sum It Up:
‘A cleverly crafted thriller with strong character development. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
March 16, 2021
I was drawn to this book after reading the synopsis. My father is in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's and I found the premise of the story relatable. Alzheimer's is a cruel and unrelenting. In a matter of a few years, it can take someone from a healthy contributing member of society, to someone who is completely dependent on others. It is heart-breaking and confusing not only for the person living with the disease, but also for their family members.
The book is a slow-burn, in which the first half is setting the storyline, developing the characters, and building the suspense. I really wanted to like this story, however, I found it a bit of a struggle to remain engaged. What kept me going was the author's writing style and attention to detail as she was spot-on with her explanation of the frustrations behind the Alzheimer's disease. I appreciated Ms. Anderson's research into the medical and legal aspects of the story. They were detailed, but not confusing for someone who is not in the legal or medical world.
I also struggled with the characters. Josephine appeared like strong, independent woman, yet at times she reacted naively to certain events. Scott had an interested backstory, but again I found his actions didn't seem "real". The ending felt a little rushed and confusing.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and would recommend it for others to read. Although it wasn't a great fit for me, I can see its appeal for many others. 3.5/5 stars
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The book is a slow-burn, in which the first half is setting the storyline, developing the characters, and building the suspense. I really wanted to like this story, however, I found it a bit of a struggle to remain engaged. What kept me going was the author's writing style and attention to detail as she was spot-on with her explanation of the frustrations behind the Alzheimer's disease. I appreciated Ms. Anderson's research into the medical and legal aspects of the story. They were detailed, but not confusing for someone who is not in the legal or medical world.
I also struggled with the characters. Josephine appeared like strong, independent woman, yet at times she reacted naively to certain events. Scott had an interested backstory, but again I found his actions didn't seem "real". The ending felt a little rushed and confusing.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and would recommend it for others to read. Although it wasn't a great fit for me, I can see its appeal for many others. 3.5/5 stars
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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