Incarnate was a fun thriller to get into.

Kim Patterson was an interesting protagonist, and while I didn’t find her particularly like able, I didn’t dislike her either. I was intrigued in the story once we find out what is going on with Scarlett, and was pleased they kept the supernatural elements of the story instead of changing it at the last second as something made up or crazy.

I found the final killer to be somewhat far fetched, since none of the evidence or clues lead up to that person. It felt like the author just wanted to shock the audience with a twist, but I’m not sure it worked. I only felt confusion with the ending.

Overall, an enjoyable quick thriller that I am glad I finally got around to reading.

I honestly could tell by the writing of the first 2 chapters that it wouldn't be a good fit for our box and had to put it down. I may read it again in the future!

As soon as October hits, I begin craving some creepy, dark, fall reads. I want scary. I want something that I can curl up with under a big cozy blanket. Basically, I want something to get my in the mood for Halloween. Enter, Incarnate by Josh Solberg, a book whose synopsis had me completely intrigued and whose horror genre classification on Netgalley had me throwing it to the top of my TBR pile.

A psychiatric resident, Dr. Kim Patterson, is known for her unconventional methods and her willingness to break the rules. So, when Scarlett comes into the psychiatric ward, Kim cannot resist getting involved. She believes Scarlett is suffering from the rare and controversial, Dissociative Identity Disorder. As Kim begins to work with Scarlett, she is shocked to find out that some of Scarlett’s alternative personalities are claiming to be people who have gone missing and they know far too much. With the help of the local police, Kim begins to dig deeper into these cases and the question of whether Scarlett is truly manifesting these lost souls or if she is playing a twisted game with her doctors and the police come to the forefront.

Incarnate ended up being something completely different from what I thought it would be. I was expecting more a graphic, horror novel and really didn't think this book contained any of those elements at all. I loved the concept but it absolutely threw me off when I realized it was more of a random supernatural story than anything else.

Josh Stolberg is known for writing film and television scripts; this was very clear within the text. It read sort of like a stretched out script. I didn’t mind this but I could understand how this could be distracting. It ended up being a lot of descriptions of the actions instead of the actual story follow through.

Overall, this one didn’t give me the fright that I was hoping for.

I was really looking forward to an intense psychological thriller in Incarnate by Josh Stolberg. I was not expecting the supernatural twist, and I can’t say that I completely appreciated this aspect of the story premise. However, the quality of the writing and the intense story tension kept me glued to this book.

There are multiple mysteries in Incarnate. There is the odd number of cold-case missing persons. There is the strange behavior of young Scarlett Hascall. There is the mystery in the main characters’ backstories. Both Dr. Kim Patterson and Detective Zack Trainor are complicated characters. Their flawed layers are peeled away like layers of an onion as the story progresses. Kim’s methods and her motives are questionable. Her wit, devotion to patients, and sense of humor won me over . Zack’s myopic adherence to the rules and the suggestions of his boss are not only frustrating for Kim but also dangerous. Although he stubbornly gives Kim no slack, he can cook a mean putanesca sauce. The characters are all richly developed, and if not always likable, they are quite empathetic.

Incarnate is definitely a page-turner. The story progresses at a quick pace. The story tension ramps up quickly, and remains intense. Some plot points are a bit gruesome and difficult to read. The story is set in Jarvis, Alaska–Kim’s desperate attempt at hiding from her problems in the middle of nowhere. I would have appreciated more scene descriptions of a stark, harsh area. Aside from telling me the characters were in a smallish town in Alaska, the story could have been set anywhere near a large body of water. A few of the villains and red herrings were easily spotted well before their reveal. However, the multiple story lines created by the supernatural aspect keep everything interesting until the end. While the conflict culmination required a little suspension of disbelief, the ending was satisfying and organic.

About: Incarnate is a supernatural thriller written by Josh Stolberg. It will be published on 7/25/17 by Atria/Emily Bestler Books/Alloy Entertainment, imprint of Simon & Schuster, 352 pages. The genres are fiction, thriller, and supernatural. Please see below for more information about the author.

My Experience: I started reading Incarnate on 6/5/17 and finished it on 6/9/17. This book can be summed up as an exciting read! It’s twisted and unexpected. The characters are interesting and the plot is action packed. So much happening in a small town that were no dull moments reading this book. I love the cover. I like the focus on mental illness and the doctors that tend to them. I like learning about psychiatrist in this book.

This book is told in third person point of view. Readers will follow two main characters Dr. Kimberly (Kim) Patterson, a psychiatrist at a hospital in a small town of Jarvis, Alaska and Zack Trainor, the town’s detective. They both have their own broken childhood memories that drives them to be the best they can be in their field, him “protect the peace” and she “protect the peace of mind.” Kim is quirky and intelligent. She’s highly devoted to her patients and often jeopardize her career in the process. Her patient is Scarlett Hascall, nineteen who have been accused of causing havocs to different people, including murder, but she says she doesn’t remember doing any of it. Mental illness plays a big role in this book as well as analyzing and solving mystery. Detective Trainor crosses paths with Dr. Patterson when he arrests Scarlet for the murder of Isabel Wilcox, a missing person because of her DNA link. The twists you won’t see coming!

Despite the many medical wordings, I still enjoy reading this book. I like the mystery, suspense, and investigation process. I really enjoy the banter between Kim and Zack. Kim explore the supernatural reason to explain Scarlett’s actions and Zack is livid to the idea, yet they can’t deny their attraction. I like following the strategies taken by Kim in figuring out her patient’s sickness. I love her humor. At times, her actions are farfetched for a doctor like climbing a tree without prior knowledge or putting her life in danger to coerce a confession. The ending is twistedly good! I could not have guessed it! I recommend everyone to read this book if you are looking for a good & twisted mystery!

Pro: mystery, suspense, diversity, psychiatrist, humor, twist, discuss strategies, prologue, fast paced, book cover

Con: the introduction of Brad is awkward, shouldn’t be in the middle of introducing Zack

I rate it 4.5 stars!

***Disclaimer: Many thanks to the author Josh Stolberg, publisher Atria/Emily Bestler Books/Alloy Entertainment, and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read and review. Please assure that my opinions are honest.

xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for a detailed review