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A child wanders the courthouse hallways alone.

She doesn’t speak. No one knows who she is.

Anna, the always giving, always caring court social worker agrees to foster the young girl.

But danger lurks in Anna’s past. Just when she thinks that all her striving has finally brought her the life she sought, the past launches itself at her and those she’s come to love. Yet other forces are after the child.

With lives and freedom on the line, can Anna shake the bonds on the past and stand up for those who mean the world to her?

Read SELFISH: A Psychological Thriller, Book 3 in the series When Bad Things Happen.

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 12, 2021

185 people are currently reading
146 people want to read

About the author

Sharon A. Mitchell

39 books59 followers
Dr. Sharon A. Mitchell lives on a farm, with her nearest neighbor several miles away. Doesn't that seem like the ideal setting to spark the imagination? She takes long walks with her hundred-pound German Shepherd dogs, Pickles and Dill. (She didn't name them - don't blame her).

Her newest work are clean, contemporary, western romances in The Farmers of Goodrich County series.

She's working on her eighth psychological thriller novel for the When Bad Things Happen series.

Besidestfive short stories tied to that series, she's written six novels, each featuring an autistic child or young adult. Two nonfiction books accompany that autism series.

Sharon's been a teacher, counselor, psychologist and consultant for decades and continues to teach university classes to soon--to-be teachers and administrators.

Dr. Sharon A. Mitchell is author of the psychological thriller series When Bad Things Happen:
·GONE
·TRUST
·SELFISH
- INSTINCT
-REASONS WHY
-MINE
-SANCTUM
·YOUNG ANNA (a short story)
·Anything for Her Son (prequel short story)

Western Romances:
- The Farmer Takes a Wife
-The Farmer Says I Do
- The Farmer's Christmas Duty
- In Case of Rain

She's also written a series of six novels, each featuring a child or young adult on the autism spectrum:
·Autism Goes to School
·Autism Runs Away
·Autism Belongs
·Autism Talks and Talks
·Autism Grows Up
·Autism Goes to College
·Autism Box Set- Books 1-3

In addition, there are two nonfiction books:
·Autism Questions Parents Ask & the Answers They Seek
·Autism Questions Teachers Ask & the Answers They Seek

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5 stars
88 (48%)
4 stars
61 (33%)
3 stars
27 (15%)
2 stars
2 (1%)
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2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Teresa Tignola.
301 reviews5 followers
September 28, 2024
Contrariamente a quello che avevo predetto dopo il 1 ed il 2, questo 3 libro non è esattamente un continuo della storia di Elizabeth. La ritroviamo comunque insieme a Timothy, Cynthia, Amy e tutto il resto della banda che ormai conosciamo, solo in un contesto diverso.

La protagonista qui è Anna, che ritroviamo più presente dopo che ci è stata presentata nel primo libro.

Ci racconta la sua storia, una storia mi è piaciuta molto (nonostante non sia proprio tutta rose e fiori). Mi ha preso la mano fin da subito e ci ho messo solo qualche ora a leggerlo. Unica cosa: quando Anna racconta non ci sono virgolette a separare i discorsi quindi ho fatto un po' fatica a capire quando parlava lei e quando no, però non mi lamento molto perché ripeto, la storia diventa davvero interessante dopo qualche capitolo.
Lei è messicana. Ci troviamo ovviamente in Messico. Costretta a sposarsi, parte di un giro di traffico di bambini. Insomma, nulla a che vedere con i problemi del 1 e del 2 del piccolo Timothy.

Troviamo anche dei nuovi personaggi qui. Alejandro, l'ex marito di Anna. Sally, madre di tre figli ma così odiosa che non si può non amare. Alcuni fanno solo da contorno, e di certo non mi dispiace. A parte tutto, questo è di certo un altro bel lavoro fatto dall'autrice, aiutata molto dal fatto di essere lei stessa psicologa.
Profile Image for Jean .
668 reviews22 followers
April 7, 2021
Selfish is the third book in the When Bad Things Happen series by Dr. Sharon A. Mitchell. I have enjoyed reading all three novels immensely. The characters and the storyline make them great psychological thrillers. In addition, I have learned new things in each of the books. The characters feel real to me, so much so that while I don’t want bad things to happen to them, I would be glad to read new stories about them for years to come. I recommend the series!

I read this book as an advanced reader copy. My review is a voluntary one.
738 reviews11 followers
April 13, 2021
I loved seeing Anna get her story, and seeing Murphy’s character fleshed out in this book. It was also great to see the progression of the relationships with some old friends.
Everyone has a past, but when Anna’s past comes back to haunt her everything she holds dear could be in danger—her foster daughter, her relationship with Murphy, and possibly her friends.
What would you be willing to do to protect the ones you loved? Is any sacrifice too great?
I was given a copy of this book courtesy of the author and this is my honest review
Profile Image for Billie.
5,784 reviews71 followers
April 6, 2021
This is a wonderful addition to this thrilling series!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Profile Image for Sharon Young.
21 reviews1 follower
April 12, 2021
Anna has a past she doesn't want to reveal - but circumstances force things when her past shows up on her doorstep. A mysterious silent girl ends up in the care of the state after being left alone at the courthouse. Without love and friends, there is no way through, but Anna has both. Will she trust her friends and have faith in her love? Find out in this masterful third entry in the When Bad Things Happen series.
12.7k reviews189 followers
April 12, 2021
A definite story that will have you gripped to the end. Why is there a child alone at the courthouse. Anna offers to care for her, but she has no idea what that could mean for her. Suspenseful.
65 reviews
July 5, 2021
The “When Bad Things Happen”series is definitely one to read!

GONE - Book One
TRUST - Book Two
SELFISH - Book Three
Young Anna
Great series that would be of special interest to anyone with a child, or grandchild with a developmental delay, seizure disorder, Autism, or other disability. Teachers and counselors will also enjoy this series. Each of these books is about a strong mother trying to provide her disabled child with the best life possible. Selfish and Young Anna also go into human trafficking, and sexual abuse. Each story is a romance with happily ever after endings.
127 reviews10 followers
Read
May 26, 2021
This is a book of heartache and hope one I highly recommend. I look forward to reading more of this authors books
451 reviews3 followers
July 26, 2021
Good read

Good read. I am reading the series and each book just keeps getting better. I have enjoyed and I recommend.
Profile Image for Aparna J.
430 reviews5 followers
January 1, 2022
Brilliant

That was a fabulous and outstanding thriller. The book had me hooked right from the beginning until the end. I was so engrossed in reading this book that I almost skipped my lunch. Anna, the protagonist, is involved in a fast paced action thriller. Ably supported by her friends, Elizabeth and her boyfriend Brendan, Cynthia, Keira, her boyfriend Jake, and her beau, Dr. Murph. A must read psychological thriller.
228 reviews
November 26, 2025
Bad things keep happening

Anna’s story comes to light after a man named Alejandro shows up claiming to be her husband. He forced her into a marriage to erase a debt her family owed him. He ran a human trafficking operation in which he got Anna pregnant and took her baby from her and sold it to a wealthy couple for a hefty price. There is so much drama going on in this book. A good read.
165 reviews4 followers
April 13, 2022
This is the first book that I have read by this author. I don't regret it. It was well written and I was able to totally get into the story. It has a plot that twists and turns so
that what you think is what is going to happen net doesn't. i am looking forward to reading more of her books. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a book with twists and turns.
Profile Image for Sandy.
1,005 reviews16 followers
January 9, 2022
Selfish

Very interesting and informative story about human trafficking and the mental health that trouble survivors. Also gives a mini education about autism. So much info in a suspense filled story.
Profile Image for Kim.
193 reviews1 follower
March 8, 2023
I've developed a love/hate relationship with this series. I love the stories. I'm invested now. I hate the inconsistencies and the idiotic behavior of the characters that leaves them on the edge of not feeling real. This could have been 5 stars if not for that, instead it's more like 3.5.
Profile Image for Michelle.
525 reviews195 followers
October 5, 2023
Oh boy this book was a ride and not always in a good way. Please check trigger warnings.
Profile Image for Aighmi*.
575 reviews
December 30, 2021
This book is incredibly suspenseful! The story is compelling to the point of me not being able to do anything but read until I found out how it ended. Typical of me, I had a little trouble keeping the characters straight at first, though the author did a good job of giving enough background to fill in a person who had never read anything from this series before (me!) but not so much that it bogged the story down. The writing is very good, the characters believable and the plot very engaging. The ending is also very satisfying, but with enough possibilities dangling that will make the reader want to read the next book. Put on your crash helmet and pick up this book!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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