Plus: I finished it, Minus: Way too long, and too much going on.

Started out interestingly enough but lost my interest about halfway through, The multiple personalities didn't seem believable or realistic. and the overall plot felt contrived. Best I can do is two stars, but can't recommend

First, this is a wonderfully written mystery. Second, if you are as affected as I am by reading about graphic animal cruelty, you may either want to prepare yourself before starting this book or forego it altogether. That said, only one episode of this cruelty occurs in the story.

The plot is quite novel: the birth mother of a teenager Penny Francone is found dead. The teen is still at the scene of the crime, covered with blood. To add another twist, this girl has been diagnosed with what we used to call multiple personality disorder. Did she kill her birth mother? Despite all the evidence, her mother Grace believes she is innocent.

Penny and her "alters" are sent to a forensic hospital to await trial. A kind, motivated psychiatrist works with her. Her attorney is attentive. Penny's adoptive mother works tirelessly, at times ignoring her own safety, in an effort to find information that might help her daughter.

If you're like me, you won't see the final twist coming.

I recommend this book, with the reservation noted above. I realized even at the time that some adults who hurt others start out by hurting animals, but the episode is extremely difficult to read.

DJ Palmer obviously did a lot of research for this book. To write the way he did about DID, medications, treatments (or lack therefore) rings true even though this is a work of fiction. All of his characters are well thought out and come to life. He shows in several ways, the lengths a mother will go to help their child. He describes the ways a traumatized child might deal with horrifying abuse, to the point of maki g your heart hurt. Some characters are instantly likable, some grow on you and some surprise the hell out of you. This, in my opinion, is DJ Palmers best book thus far. Do yourself a favor, read it and then go read his other books!

I received this book as an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) through NetGalley. I received this copy free in exchange for my honest review.

Grace’s daughter Penny is in Edgewood, a facility for the criminally insane, awaiting her trial for murdering her Birth Mother Rachel. But Penny isn’t just Penny, she is Eve, Ruby and Chloe too. Who murdered Rachel, and is Penny really Disassociate Identity Disorder (DID) or as the head Edgewood doctor thinks Antisocial Personality Disorder, ie Penny is an expert liar.

This is the second DJ Palmer book I have read, and she is had become a favorite author. I love the twists and turns of her stories. The characters are all so engaging, and make you want to read about them. This was unputdownable for me. I found myself wanting to know the next twist throughout my day, and I couldn’t wait to read more, even if it was only 5 mins while my coffee brewed.

I really enjoyed this book. Character development was good. The plot was very interesting. Not a lot of typos.

Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley

A little girl, abandoned in the park, changes everything for Grace and Arthur Francone and their sons, Jack and Ryan. The family adopted the child, now named Penny, but as she grew and her various personalities emerged, Grace and Arthur found themselves seeking psychiatric help for their daughter.

And now, the sixteen-year-old girl, accused of murdering her birth mother, is locked in the state psychiatric hospital. Discovered by the police at the scene of the crime, covered in the murdered woman’s blood and holding the murder weapon in her hand . . . there’s little doubt that Penny committed the heinous crime.

Grace is determined to understand, to find the truth of what happened to her daughter that night. Little does she know that the truth will bring hidden secrets to light and put everyone in jeopardy.

This intriguing look at dissociative identity disorder, explored in connection with a murder trial, is both compelling and eye-opening. Each alter [alternate personality] has a distinct temperament and mannerisms that let the reader know which one is currently in control . . . and why. The well-developed characters bring realism to the telling of the tale; Grace is the ultimate mother-protector, determined to defend her daughter. Her heartfelt faith in her daughter and her relentless pursuit of the truth is truly inspiring. She’s determined to understand, determined to find the answers . . . even if everyone else thinks she’s on a fool’s errand.

The twisting plot delivers surprise after surprise and keeps the pages turning in a book that’s difficult to set aside. Unexpected revelations help build the suspense and the shocking revelation near the end of the story is one that readers simply will not see coming. Don’t miss this one.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley
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