Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Book Review: The Ninth Session

I'm assuming this week is crazy busy for you too, because mine is bananas. It's not even that we're traveling anywhere for Thanksgiving, I just feel like I have so much stuff to do and get done. We're going to Matt's parents' home for the actual holiday, but I always make a turkey for us on Friday. Normally that's when we put up our tree, watch Christmas movies, and relax but we did all of that shortly after Halloween and I don't regret it. So this year I'm making a turkey and now Jackson wants me to make a pumpkin pie for him and Olivia wants some chocolate cream pie, and I'm sure someone else will have a request for me ten minutes before the grocery store closes on Wednesday. Just you watch.

In the meantime, let us discuss books. Who doesn't need a good thriller that messes with your head as you spend time with you loved ones?

The Ninth Session - Deborah Serani

An edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller that brings a unique mix of Psychotherapy, American Sign Language and Coda Culture. Just when you think you have it figured out, think again!

Dr. Alicia Reese takes on a new patient. Lucas Ferro suffers with crippling anxiety, and as sessions progress, he begins to share the reasons why he's struggling. As Ferro's narrative becomes more menacing, Reese finds herself wedged between the cold hard frame of professional ethics and the integrity of personal truth. And, finally, when Ferro reveals his secrets, Reese learns how far she's willing to go, willing to risk and willing to lose to do the right thing.

I really liked this book and I'm giving it a solid 4 stars. I don't know if its because I'm in therapy myself so I can picture how all of this plays out and the back and forth between the professional and the patient, but I really connected with this book. I mean, let us be clear: I don't kill or hurt people, I'm not psychologically corrupt, I'm not a danger to others, etc. I'm going because I'm depressed and anxious- please don't side eye me and wondering what's in my basement or anything. But that dynamic which solely relies on honesty on both sides is challenged here. I think it helps that the author herself is a psychologist and professor AND has been an advisor for Law & Order: SVU, which is one of my favorite shows ever. Anyways. I'm just saying because of that, there is a realistic feel to the book and it feels like an actual doctor asking the questions and posing scenarios that likely would happen in a real session, and that makes this book feel authentic.

I don't read enough thrillers but if they were all like this one, it likely would be all that I read because this grabbed me from the first page and I could NOT put this down. Not at all. I ended up staying up well past my bed time to finish it up. In this story we have a doctor who, after getting to know her patient Luke, realizes there is a lot more to him than anxiety. Rather quickly. The majority of the book is her trying to help him but also wrestle with what she should do with the information he gives her. One on hand, what a patient tells you is in confidence but on the other.... if there are crimes committed? Do you turn them in and violate the confidence or do you keep the confidence intact but violate the victims by being silent? It quickly becomes apparent that there is a reason for everything and the things that hold Luke hostage know are a result of something bigger.

Let me just say, when you think you know.... you don't. You don't know at all.

I absolutely loved this book. It was messed up in all the best ways. This is like those crime dramas on TV where you feel sorry for the bad guy but then wonder what the heck is wrong with you for feeling that way. That's the feeling you're going to have in this book.

   
Thank you to Deborah Serani and Pump Up Your Book for having me on this tour and sending me a copy for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. 

2 comments:

Shooting Stars Mag said...

Oh, this sounds fantastic!! I love a good mystery - and this sounds right up my alley.

lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net

Dr. Deb said...

Thanks so much for being part of my book tour. I so appreciate your time and support. If you haven't done so, might you leave your review at Amazon and/or Goodreads? Have a wonderful holiday season. ~Deb