Book Review: Please Tell Me

 

After a year in captivity, a kidnapped child escapes—only to reveal horrific truths that lead her psychologist on a race against time in this thriller from New York Times bestselling author Mike Omer.

When eight-year-old Kathy Stone turns up on the side of the road a year after her abduction, the world awaits her harrowing story. But Kathy doesn’t say a word. Traumatized by her ordeal, she doesn’t speak at all, not even to her own parents.

Child therapist Robin Hart is the only one who’s had success connecting with the girl. Robin has been using play therapy to help Kathy process her memories. But as their work continues, Kathy’s playtime takes a grim turn: a doll stabs another doll, a tiny figurine is chained to a plastic toy couch. All of these horrifying moments, enacted within a Victorian doll house. Every session, another toy dies.

But the most disturbing detail? Kathy seems to be playacting real unsolved murders.

Soon Robin wonders if Kathy not only holds the key to the murders of the past but if she knows something about the murders of the future. Can Robin unlock the secrets in Kathy’s brain and stop a serial killer before he strikes again? Or is Robin’s work with Kathy putting her in the killer’s sights?

My Review:

I don’t usually read books about serial killers, but this book was listed on the Amazon First Reads program, and since I didn’t see anything else I wanted I picked it. It turned out to be a good read too. What did I like about it?

Well in spite of the fact that this was about a serial killer, the author didn’t overwhelm the story with graphic details. Yes, the reader knows the way the victims died, but they don’t get a blow by blow description. If books are too gory I don’t read them. The tension slowly mounted as the book continued and Kathy revealed more information to Robin. 

I also liked the pacing of the novel. The author didn’t write as if he was getting paid by the number of words in the book. He moved the story right along, which I definitely appreciate in any book I read.

The characters are well drawn and believable as is Robin’s relationship with her family. That isn’t really the focus of the book, but it helps the reader understand Robin much better. 

There were some nice twists and turns in the book. A reader would need to read carefully not to miss one really important clue to solving the crime. I missed it. 

All in all I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone who reads that genre. 

What do you think? Would this book be just your cup of tea?