From a New York Times notable author “another shape-shifting psychological mystery by . . . a writer who constantly surprises me” (Marilyn Stasio, New York Times Book Review).

Therapist Dr. Mark Fabian is dead, bludgeoned in his office.

But that doesn’t stop former patient Nadine Raines from talking to him—in her head. Why did she come back to her hometown after so many years away? Everyone here thinks she’s crazy. She has to admit—they might have good reason to think so. She committed a violent act when she was sixteen and has never been able to explain that dark impulse, even to Fabian. Now he’s dead, so why is she still trying?

Detective Henry Peacher investigates Fabian’s death and discovers that shortly before he died, Fabian pulled the files of two former patients. One was for Nadine Raines, a former high school classmate of Henry’s. The other file was for Johnny Streeter, who is now serving a life sentence for a mass shooting he carried out five years ago. Maybe there is a connection between Nadine and Streeter. And maybe that connection somehow explains why Nadine was in Fabian’s office nearly twenty years after being his patient. Or how Fabian ended up dead two days after her return. Or why Nadine has fled town once again. . . .

“Thought-provoking.” —Booklist

“An original, unpredictable tale.” —Megan Miranda, New York Times bestselling author of The Perfect Stranger

“A twist-filled page-turner.” —Wendy Corsi Staub, New York Times bestselling author

“A rich, finely-observed, character-driven psychological thriller.” —Hallie Ephron, New York Times bestselling author of You’ll Never Know, Dear

“A complex, absorbing, and satisfying read.” —William Landay, New York Times bestselling author of Defending Jacob

© 2023 William Morrow Paperbacks (Ebook): 9780062567376

Release date

Ebook: 18 August 2023