In this character-driven thriller, a divorced psychologist, unnerved by a stalker’s threatening actions, finds herself in increasing danger.
Set in the Los Angeles area in what appears to be the present day, the novel begins on an ominous note as Elizabeth Wing goes out on a morning run: “The man in the Mustang watched the tall slender redhead jogging away from him. You are so predictable, he thought.” Readers also soon learn that while Elizabeth seems to have it all —good looks, financial security, intelligence, a university teaching position— she lacks peace of mind. Frightening nightmares that once haunted her teenage years have returned, with moments that seem more like memory than dream.
When photographs of Elizabeth are left at the office space she shares with her longtime friend and colleague Tim Henderson, he urges her to call the police, and Detective Frank Gualdoni begins probing Elizabeth’s life to unearth suspects. Among them are Peter Brewer, her resentful university department chair; Roger Cunningham, a patient’s abusive husband; and even Tim himself. Frank notices Tim’s unrequited love for Elizabeth (Frank, too, is attracted to her).
The story heightens the tension with parallel chapters focusing on the stalker, a drug addict whose viciousness toward Elizabeth hints at a lengthy relationship between the two.
The author deftly builds situations that suggest motives for the various men. However, the story is convoluted and hampered by grammatical problems, including tense errors and misspellings (“faired” vs. fared”). Additionally, the narrative refers to out-of-date technology; although cell phones are frequently mentioned, the stalker leaves physical photos of Elizabeth, and when Elizabeth takes pictures, she leaves the film at a one-hour processor.
Finally, a critical decision by a character at story’s end runs against everything readers have been led to believe about the individual.
While this thriller starts out strong with high stakes, the story is marred by implausible twists at the end, making this an ultimately disappointing read.
Also available as an ebook.