Fell short in the end

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I initially read a Bookish First Impressions excerpt of this book and was hooked. While waiting for raffle to end I found it on NetGalley where I was granted an ARC!

When narcissism rules over logic you can expect a thriller ride!

On March 13, 2008, Dr Parker writes a journal post filled with vagueness and pseudonyms as he cautiously shares “secrets” he has discovered as a psychiatrist. He goes back to his early days of training at prestigious schools yet choosing to work at an underfunded “Connecticut State Asylum”. Trouble lies ahead when this novice, well educated physician decides he can help the most notorious violent patient in the history of the institution.

Dr Parker’s mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia when he a child which prompted him to become a psychiatrist. His ego and desire to be a trail blazer sets him on the path of danger. He learns of a “resident “ who has been at the facility since he was admitted at age 6 in 1973 initially with night terrors. Dr Parker learns from Nessie the nurse director that the patient has been isolated due to his tendency towards violence. He is further warned by almost every staff member to stay clear of “Joe” as working with him has caused many staff to either commit suicide or end up in a facility themselves.

Undeterred by such stories, Dr Parker believes that there must be a logic solution. He begins to secretly, or so he thought, investigate the story of Joe. He spends much of his time researching the scant history in Joe’s medical records. He goes so far as to obtain audio recordings of therapy sessions. The history describes an extremely volatile person with whom traumatic events occur in his presence. His violent, aggressive abuse towards his roommates lead to his isolation for the safety of others. Joe seems to know which “buttons” to push in order to further traumatize others around him.

Eventually, he is approached my the medical director who grants him permission to see the patient. Dr Parker’s initial sessions with Joe seem to be going well so he is allowed to continue to treat him. So, of course, Dr Parker’s sense of self importance doesn’t allow him to recognize that Joe’s cooperation with him is just a manipulative ploy. This leads to disaster and danger for everyone.

Admittedly, I don’t think I was aware that in some book listing the “genre” includes supernatural. It was advertised mostly as a horror psychological thriller. While the story was unnerving in the typical thriller fashion, I was lost at the end. It didn’t seem like the story was brought to a tidy conclusion incorporating all aspects I was expecting. There were a lot of unanswered questions and not in the thoughtful, reflective manner. They more more like the missing pieces of this puzzle. Joe has a fiancé Jocelyn who is mentioned occasionally with not much character development. Also, we are also left to wonder about Joe’s sister who was briefly mentioned as well as a father who died. For me the ending felt unsatisfying and empty after a great start which pulled me in immediately.