The Clinic by Cate Quinn was an edge of your seat mystery/thriller about two sisters, one presumed dead, the other a high stakes gambler taking down bad guys. When Meghan learns her sisters been found dead at a luxury rehab facility in the foggy northwest she plots to infiltrate the rehab and uncover the truth.

This book really hit hard on the struggles with addictions and the sometimes complicated dynamics between both sisters, and friends. There was some talk of mental health and what an actual Sociopath v. Psychopath look like.

Things I loved about this book

✨ The pacing. The chapters were SO short and full of important information. I never felt like time was dragging or like we were wasting time with useless words.
✨The FMC was really intriguing to read about. She’s kind of this badass, unbothered gambler whose job is outing loan sharks. She’s been put in very dangerous situations at times and heavily uses opioids to “cope”.
✨ Despite what I’ve seen some reviewers say, I really enjoyed the ending. It was explosive and chaotic, but that’s what we’re here for, isn’t it? I am fully onboard with a little outlandishness.

Some things I didn’t like

✨ The sisters past was never explained fully. We’re kind of lead to believe they had a very traumatic upbringing and we understand their mother was awful to them but we never get a glimpse as to what that actually entailed, and while I’m not saying I necessarily need or want on page violence/trauma, I did need more to fully feel what they were saying.
✨ There’s multiple mentions of a man with playing cards for eyes and the way that unfolded was pretty unsatisfying. I won’t say more because then I feel it will get spoilery!

Anyways, this was my first Cate Quinn novel and suffice to say, I will definitely be picking up more from this author and would highly recommend checking out “The Clinic”! Thank you to net galley and sourcebooks Landmark for supplying me with this E ARC.

Our main protagonist was *unbearably unlikable* but, I’m so glad I stuck with it- the ending made sense for the character and her development. This had a ton of twists, some predictable and familiar and some not so much- I think this would be a great movie or series on tv, and I’d definitely read something else by Cate in the future! This was a great read in a spooky month, and I thank NetGalley and cates publisher for allowing me an arc in exchange for a review!

"The Clinic" by Cate Quinn is a gripping thriller set in a remote rehab facility on the Pacific Northwest coast, where the death of a famous actress prompts her sister to enter the clinic as a patient in search of the truth.

The story revolves around Meg, who works in a casino in Los Angeles, leading a life far different from her sister, Haley, a renowned actress. When reports surface of Haley's death at a rehab facility, with whispers of suicide, Meg is unable to accept this explanation. She decides to infiltrate the clinic as a patient, hoping to uncover the real circumstances surrounding her sister's demise.

What sets this thriller apart is its unique setting—a remote rehab facility nestled in the wilderness. Cate Quinn vividly captures the isolation and tension of this setting, creating an atmosphere that is both claustrophobic and mysterious. As Meg delves deeper into the clinic's secrets, the sense of unease and paranoia intensifies, making it a page-turner from start to finish.

Meg is a complex and relatable character. Her struggles with addiction and determination to find the truth about her sister make her a compelling protagonist. The story also delves into the challenges of addiction and the complexities of family relationships, adding depth to the narrative.

Cate Quinn's writing is sharp and atmospheric, and she skillfully unravels the layers of mystery, keeping readers guessing about the true nature of Haley's death. The plot is filled with twists and turns, and the pacing is well-crafted, maintaining a sense of urgency throughout the story.

As Meg battles her own demons and investigates the clinic's secrets, she uncovers shocking revelations and faces unexpected dangers. "The Clinic" is a suspenseful and emotionally charged thriller that explores themes of addiction, family, and the quest for truth.

In summary, "The Clinic" is a captivating and atmospheric thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Cate Quinn's storytelling prowess shines as she weaves a complex web of mystery and suspense. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with a unique and gripping premise, this novel is well worth your attention.

I liked this, as other reviews have said it is a bit of a slow start, I enjoyed the build up. I also found the settings and characters very intriguing. Each character was drawn uniquely and had good build up.

The Clinic is a thriller about a girl who dies in exclusive drug rehab. Her death is ruled a suicide, but her younger sister, Meg, believes it was something else. To solve what really happened, Meg enters treatment at The Clinic, but her investigation leads her into imminent danger.

The premise is juicy (there is more to it than what’s above), but the slow pace, some flat characters, and overly long made this just okay for me.

The Clinic has a slow build-up. The first 20% is getting to know Meg's past, and the bad blood between her and her sister. Once she arrives at the Clinic, though, things take off more. I didn't know who to suspect and who to trust. Meg has a great voice; she simultaneously solves a mystery and goes through withdrawals, giving her character depth. The author's own experiences with rehab inspired some of the story, and while it was interesting to learn of some newer addiction treatments there seemed to be a lot of medical inaccuracies and unrealistic situations.
Somewhat interesting and an ending you likely won’t see coming (I know I didn’t). I would recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley, Sourcebooks, and Cate Quinn for the advanced copy

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I thought it was very well written but I didn't care for the main character and thought the rehab would have been more intriguing. Unfortunately it just fell flat to me, but I'm going to check out more books from the author!

This story follows our two main characters Meg and Cara. Meg works at a casino basically catching bad guys. She has an older sister named Haley who is a famous country singer. In the beginning she learns that her sister was found dead at a rehab facility that she was attending. Meg decides to go undercover in the facility to find out what really happened to her sister. Cara is a manager who works at the facility. The story follows these two women in alternating points of view to uncover the truth.

I was really interested in this story and uncovering the truth. I liked Meg's character although I did find her to be a bit annoying by talking about how badass she was a lot of the time. Cara was also an interesting perspective to read from. I felt that the story did drag a bit in the middle and I did find myself zoning out a bit. There were some twists and reveals I wasn't able to guess or predict so that's always great! However I didn't love this story and I know that it won't be one that will stick with me or one that I will think about again. Over all 3 stars.

Thank you to Net Galley for providing me with a copy for a fair review.

3.75 stars rounded up to 4

Meg, who works in a casino as undercover security, finds out that her sister Haley has passed away at The Clinic where she went to receive mental health support. The Clinic helps recovering addicts detox and find their footing again. However, Meg discovers that The Clinic is hiding some big secrets, and that her sister's death is not as straightforward as it seems. Meg decides to check into The Clinic as a patient to find out what happened to her sister. A Hollywood actress with Haley's strong will choosing to commit suicide so randomly just doesn't make sense. As notes warning Meg to get away from The Clinic start appearing in her pockets ,and she is forced to submit to treatments that are... unique... to say the least, Meg realizes that she must hurry to uncover what happened to her sister and what secrets The Clinic is hiding deep inside the premises.

Things I loved about the book:
- Exploration of trauma that is relevant to the author's experience. Those stories need to be told. So many people will find comfort in flawed and recovering characters.
- Quirky characters that I couldn't quite pin down personality-wise (they kept me guessing)
- Murder mystery
- Main character's (Meg's) development and growth throughout the story
- The setting at The Clinic and all the atmospheric "villain-scientist" vibes
- Validation that neurodivergence (ASPD) does not always equate to violence or intrinsic personal corruption

Things I didn't like:
- The story really dragged on in the middle and could have been a teeny bit shorter
- I have mixed feelings about all the chaos near the end... I love twists, but it was a bit much at times... loved the ending overall though. The common thread of unresolved trauma will most likely speak to many readers.

The Clinic is a worthy thriller if you love institutional deception mysteries! It is so clear that Cate Quinn took her time to really care about her characters and give them each a distinct, yet fluid, personality that evolves and reveals itself throughout the story. This is very character-driven, and I loved it. Thank you to the publishers at NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for sending me an e-ARC for review!

The Clinic, by Cate Quinn, is a fast-paced, entertaining read. The most notable element of the story is the main character’s compelling descriptions of the physical and emotional/psychological experience of being in rehab. The other intriguing element was the research being conducted at the facility—though that was wrapped up too tidily for my taste. Other characters are interesting, but not sufficiently developed to create a connection for the reader—they serve mostly as tools to propel the plot. If you’re looking for complex characters experiencing meaningful growth, this isn’t your book; if you’re looking for a fun weekend read, dive in!

I devoured this book in two days! Set in a prestigious rehab clinic in a remote part or the Pacific Northwest, THE CLINIC is a locked room thriller that I couldn't stop reading! Haley Banks is a famous singer who has died in rehab under suspicious circumstances. Her sister goes undercover and checks into the clinic to discover what happened to her sister - and who is behind it. What she uncovers is so much more than what she could have ever imagined.

Great pacing and character development - highly recommend!

The Clinic is definitely a wild thriller/suspense/sci-fi mystery, but it contains enough plot holes and subpar writing to distract the reader from the wild ride.

The elements of psychology are very interesting, but it would have been better explored earlier in the book. The addiction aspect was definitely fascinating, and I liked a mystery set in an upscale rehab center. I also liked the POVs, Meg and Cara. Meg is trying to figure out if her sister truly committed suicide at the clinic, and Cara is the clinic's manager. I thought it was smart to have someone on the "inside," aka Cara, to be able to see the inner workings of the center.

However, a lot was underdeveloped. Cara's backstory is supposed to be a thing, but it's never really fleshed out. Meg's love story is.. disappointing and just a silly addition.

3.5/5 ⭐

The Clinic follows the story of Meg as she tries to uncover the truth about her twin sister Haley's unexpected death in a rehab facility.

Overall I was fairly intrigued by the book. It's told from only two POVs and short chapters kept my attention throughout the story. Although the first half did prove to be a little slow it was important for character development and scenario building for the second half of the book. Quinn touches on substance abuse, addiction, sobriety, and mental health challenges throughout the book in such a way that you're able to empathize with the characters on a more personal level. Not a super complex book. I was able to finish it in about 2 sittings. I did however feel that the ending was little rushed and ended on a few points that I didn't quite understand or appreciate.

***I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you to the author/publishing company and netgalley for this opportunity!

A thriller set inside a remote rehab clinic?? Absolutely as wild as you would expect it to be!

Meg's sister dies while inside The Clinic and even though Meg and Haley haven't spoken in years Meg is convinced her sister's death is not as it seems. So Meg decides to enter the rehab as a patient and figure out what really happened to her sister.

I'd like to applaud and commend the author on her sobriety journey. I hope she keeps fighting for her sobriety ever day and I wish her all the best!

I think the authors experience in rehab gave this novel a very realistic view into how patients act and feel.
I enjoyed following each characters journey and trying to guess which one of them was the bad guy.
There's a few red herrings and I found the big twist surprising and enjoyable(although a bit far fetched but it's fiction so why not!?)
The chapters were short which led to me flying through this book.
It has it's creepy moments but I do wish there was a bit more suspense and fright involved.

I would read more from this author in the future. If you like locked room thrillers this would be one you'd enjoy!

This would get 3.5 stars if that were possible, because I think the bones of a really good story are there, but it didn’t quite keep me as hooked as I would have liked a thriller to do. Knowing that the author has been through rehab herself and did a lot of personal study of the treatment methods used in the book gave me valuable insight, because it was impressive how much detail and accuracy she used in that regard.

I think what was lacking for me was the character development; I never felt a connection with any of the narrators. I can imagine this must have been a difficult headspace for the author to put herself back into, but I really would have loved to see some more of the narrators portraying their feelings more intensely. We had a few glimpses towards the end that really kept me engaged.

I do want to give props to the author because I didn’t guess the ending entirely correctly, which is very rare!

There were several punctuation and grammatical errors I noticed so it definitely needs another round of careful editing. Not sure if I’ll be itching to recommend this one to friends but it would make a great film!

It has potential but ends in crazy town.

The Clinic is a thriller about a starlet who dies in exclusive drug rehab. Her death is ruled a suicide, but her younger sister, Meg, believes it was something else. To solve what really happened, Meg enters treatment at The Clinic, but her investigation leads her into imminent danger.

The premise is juicy (there is more to it than what’s above), but the slow pace, some flat characters, and a major twist knocked down my rating.

The novel is narrated by Meg and Cara, The Clinic manager. Meg is a compelling narrator. She has an interesting job, which gives her a leg up on reading people. Her addiction and watching her struggle to get clean was captivating. Then there is Cara--I forgot about her in the last 20% (even though she narrates some chapters) because I found her boring. She starts out strong, and I was lured in by some ambiguous details about her past. But nothing about her is fully explained, and in the end, her character falls flat.

There are also several side characters--the psychiatrist, the nutty doctor, and other rehab guests. They span the spectrum from annoying to crazy to crazier. Most felt cartoonish and over the top.

My other gripe is that this book is too long, and the events felt drawn out. There is some repetition. With well over 100 chapters, the length could have been cut down. The chapters are thankfully short and most often follow the pattern of two chapters told through Cara’s POV switch to two chapters to Meg.

What kept me reading this was the open and honest commentary on addiction and treatment, including treatment scams that run prevalent across the country. The author’s note provides another layer to this aspect of the novel. But sadly, it all falls by the wayside with an over-the-top plot twist that brings the plot into the realm of the ridiculous.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark in exchange for an honest review.

I DNFed at about 20%. I was kind of curious to see how things ended up, but not enough to continue reading such a slowwww book. The pacing was ridiculously slow. I felt like everything was overexplained. There also wasn’t enough backstory for me to feel like I cared deeply about any of the characters involved. Thanks anyway for the ARC.

This was my first book by Cate Quinn but it definitely won’t be my last! It kept me enthralled from beginning to end.

This book was SO GOOD!!!! I absolutely love books that take place in clinics/psych wards/hospitals and this one did not disappoint. I will definitely be purchasing a hard copy of it when it’s released to add to my shelf. Well done!

This book was a wild ride, to say the least! You meet an entire cast of messed-up characters and end up falling in love with most of them by the end.

You can tell that Cate Quinn wrote this book from her heart and experience. With every page, I felt like I was truly walking in the shoes of the dual POV characters. She really sets the atmosphere and brings you into the clinic and I don't think that it's somewhere I want to be! At least not with Dr. Lutz in charge.

Beautifully written, twists and turns for the ages, short and easy-to-read chapters, and characters that make you want to scream and cry simultaneously is the perfect blend for a thriller and that's exactly what Quinn delivered in this book. Also, I want to highlight the extraordinary cover of this book! It's beautiful!

You won't regret picking this book up off the shelf when it is released!

Thanks to Netgalley, Sourcebooks, and Cate Quinn for the advanced copy of this stunning thriller!

*3.5 stars*

Before starting the review, I want to commend the author for writing her first book while sober. Addiction is no joke, and I am glad she was able to get the help she needed.

Meg is a professional poker player with a drug and alcohol addiction. Self-medicating is the only way she can get through the trauma of a bad call she made at her job. When her famous sister's death at a rehab facility is ruled a suicide, Meg doesn't believe it. Undercover, she checks herself into the Clinic and works to find her sister's killer before it's too late.

The Clinic has a slow build-up, but it pays off. The first 20% is getting to know Meg's past, and the bad blood between her and her sister. Once she arrives at the Clinic, though, things take off. It is fast-paced with a great cast of characters. I didn't know who to suspect and who to trust. Meg has a great voice; she simultaneously solves a mystery and goes through withdrawals, giving her character arc depth. While not likable, Meg has a tough, no-nonsense attitude that appealed to me.

The Clinic deals with the stereotypes around mental health, addiction, and trauma. It's really compelling as everyone has different reasons for wanting to get better. Addiction is a tough process/cycle to beat, and this book doesn't shy away from that. It also addresses the "Florida shuffle," a vicious cycle of manipulating those in rehab to fall into old patterns. I was impressed with how effortlessly these topics are woven into the overall plot.

My biggest issue with this book was the handling of specific medical procedures. Yes, lots of facilities get away with seedy things, but this one asked my imagination to stretch too far. Strip-searches, or something of the sort, are required for rehab facilities. If those weren't mandated, people would be able to smuggle all sorts of things in. Also, there would be more security around medication rooms. Working just in normal medical facilities, the steps to access medication were lengthy and near impossible if you weren't authorized. These discrepancies are necessary for the book's plot to work, but they still need to be pointed out.

I wish the book was only told through Meg's POV. We also got the manager of the Clinic's perspective, but it didn't add anything to the story. The ending was a tad far-fetched for my taste, but not so much that it didn't work.

The Clinic is a twisty thriller that tackles intense subjects along the way. As long as you like a slow-burn and complex characters, I'd recommend this book!

Thank you, NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.