Description
Seeking women ages 18–32 to
participate in a study on ethics and morality. Generous compensation. Anonymity
guaranteed. When Jessica Farris signs up for a psychology study conducted by
the mysterious Dr. Shields, she thinks all she'll have to do is answer a few
questions, collect her money, and leave. But as the questions grow more and
more intense and invasive and the sessions become outings where Jess is told
what to wear and how to act, she begins to feel as though Dr. Shields may know
what she's thinking…and what she's hiding. As Jess's paranoia grows, it becomes
clear that she can no longer trust what in her life is real, and what is one of
Dr. Shields' manipulative experiments. Caught in a web of deceit and jealousy,
Jess quickly learns that some obsessions can be deadly.
Review : 4.5 Stars
I enjoyed the previous book The Wife
Between Us by these authors tremendously and was excited to read this one. The
story draws you in instantly. It starts very simply but builds the suspense
page my page. You can feel what Jessica feels because she has been shown to be
as clueless as the reader, neither have any idea what is going to happen next.
The writing is inviting and the 2 points of view are depicted very differently.
Jess's story is told in a more personal manner while Dr Shields story is told
more in a passive voice as if Dr Shields is talking about another person; a
detached person talking about a 3rd party.
Dr. Shields is playing a game, a
twisted one where the 'study' is not really a study but more of a game that
fuels Dr Shield's agenda. There is a palpable tension that you can feel
all through the book. Jess is vulnerable and impressionable and Dr. Shields is
a master of the game. Dr.
Shields weaves a web that's
impossible to get out of. The lure of money and the desire to know more
drags Jess into this sticky tangled web. Slowly you see obsession rearing it's
ugly head and it is evident in both Dr. Shields and Jess. As the 'tests'
progress you can see that Jess is weighing her options more carefully and is
almost paranoid about how her actions will be judged. Rather than being herself
she rethinks hers actions and does what she assumes would make Dr. Shields
think highly of her. You begin to wonder if it is simply a crafty revenge story
or is there more? Your patience is suitable rewarded as you continue to read.
By the time part 3 begins you can no longer decide who is the prey and who is
the predator. It is simply a matter of who can outsmart the others better. All
the characters are flawed human beings but they are still relatable. The
exchanges between them feel like a long volley in a tennis match.
The book is gripping and you will
read it compulsively to find out the truth. The rest of your life will probably
go on hold once you start this book because putting it down is extremely hard.
There are many twists in this plot and while you maybe able to guess some of
them the ending will leave you shocked. Overall this is a winner of a
book for sure, worth every minute you spend on it.
My favorite quote from this book:
"How do you know if you can
really trust someone?" I finally ask...."If you need to ask that
question, then you probably already know the answer," he says.
Thank you NetGalley and St.
Martin's Press for giving me this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
#AnAnonymousGirl #NetGalley
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