Thanks to Ellie Monago and Lake Union Publishing, I was able to read this early from NetGalley.

This book was intriguing, suspenseful and kept me on the edge of my seat. The three women who were being treated by Dr. Michael were secretive, seductive, and strong. These women were also very determined to get what they wanted and needed from the Doctor, even though throughout the whole book, there were a ton of lies between all of them..

This author truly knows how to write a suspense novel that keeps you on your toes, and keeps you up all night long reading her book(s).

3.5 stars*** Three women and a therapist. The therapist ends up dead.

Confidential by Ellie Monago centers around Dr. Michael Baylor and three of his female patients. These three women are the primary suspects when Michael is found dead in his office. Coincidentally, the three of them met for lunch the day he was killed. Who is the murderer and what are their secrets behind the confidential sessions with Michael?

Ellie Monago tells the story through the perspective of the three women/suspects/patients of Dr. Baylor, and the detective investigating Baylor's case. The story switches between the past and present, and the POVs, which is a good way to tell the story as I can see the story unfold and try to figure out who did what. The three women were nicely developed but I found myself getting frustrated with their stupidity and actions. But I mean, this is why they need a therapist, right? I did not care for the POV of the detective. I thought the author tried a bit too hard to make him a "character." He wasn't really a likable character.


Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was an entertaining and easy read, but it never got to the point where I was on edge trying to figure out who did it. It was kinda of predictable in a sense.

Thank you to Netgalley, Ellie Monago, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.

Dr. Michael Baylor was a therapist, mostly dealing with women, and he was found dead. The detective has 3 suspects. Lucinda, Flora and Greer. They each have their own demons to deal with. We learn about their pasts and the present. When and why they started seeing him and their relationship that formed with him. But which one wants him dead?
I didn't really like any of the characters but the author wrote this book in such a way that you needed to keep reading and not put it down until you finished the book.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC!

What a cast of love-to-hate characters. This was a well written, fast, awesome thriller that kept you digging and guessing. I loved each alternating voice and the power that they gained within themselves along the way. Everyone is damaged and it worked. This was an awesome read, definitely recommend!

Dr. Michael Baylor was a successful psychotherapist, especially when it came to his female patients. However, he is now dead and the detective in charge of the case has three potential suspects, Flora, Lucinda and Greer, Detective Gregory Flath certainly has his work cut out for him.

Each woman has a different story. Lucinda is trying to deal with childhood trauma. Greer is a career-driven woman who suddenly is desperate for a child, and is trying to work out the hows and whys. Then there is Flora, who started seeing Dr. Baylor for marriage counseling along with her husband Young.

As far as Flora is concerned, she began an affair with Dr. Baylor and they have been intimate for two years. As much as Flora might be in love with him, she is definitely just as obsessed. This is even to the point of resenting Dr. Baylor's time with his female patients.

Each woman, as things slowly reveal, is caught up in secrets and lies, and thus presenting a motive. Detective Flath is forced to question each of them at length, especially since doctor-patient privilege stands even after Dr. Baylor's death.

Confidential is delivered in knife-sharp precision in the past and present. Presently, the story is told from the detective's point of view. As far as the past is concerned, each woman's story is relayed. It becomes rather easy to see why these women need a therapist. To a large degree, each one of them is unraveled, falling apart at various times for various reasons.

There is not a single likeable character in this story! Yet, it is compelling from page one. Along with the detective, the job of the reader is to ascertain which of the woman is responsible for the murder of Dr. Baylor. Read well. Read carefully, as there are a lot of clues along the way.

What a book! I could not put it down, except for when my body demanded sleep. Otherwise, this would have been a one-sitting read. I enjoyed the writing style of Ellie Monago. I am certain that her real-life job as a therapist went a long way when it came to getting into the minds of Flora, Lucinda and Greer, all the while seeing how manipulative Dr. Baylor actually was.

I definitely found a new favorite author! So much so that I was forced to put aside what I had planned next to read in order to read her previous novel, Neighborly, which was equally engaging. I will be looking forward to anything else this immensely talented author pens.

Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

Title: Confidential

Author: Ellie Monago

Genre:Adult ( Women fiction)

Pages:430

Lake Union Publishing

Pub date: Mar 5,2019

Book synopsis

From the bestselling author of Neighborly comes a twisty novel of psychological suspense about the lies three women tell to survive, and the ones they'd kill to keep hidden.

Everyone loves therapist Michael Baylor. He's handsome. He's respected. And he's provided a safe place for his female patients. Now he's dead, and a detective is casting a tight net for the murderer--because the good doctor may have done some very bad things with the women who trusted him. That's if their stories check out.

There's Lucinda, who struggled to process her childhood trauma even as she was falling in love with Dr. Baylor. Greer, an accomplished career woman who was torn by her sudden desire to have children, so she went to Dr. Baylor for help but may have gotten more than she bargained for. And then there's Flora, a beautiful former patient who'd been on intimate terms with the man she called Dr. Michael for two years. Some might even say she was obsessed with him.

Three women caught in a tangled web of lies and secrets. And each with a motive for murder. With so much at stake, can any of them be trusted to tell the truth?


My thoughts

rating:5

Would I recommend it?yes a big fat yes

Would I read anything else by this author:yes

How did I find out about this book : Frishawn ( WTF Are You Reading?) and Robin ( Robin Loves Reading)

WOW what a read, its a non stop ride through the craziness that is and are the women that are the main characters in the book, couldn't stand them and instead of feeling sorry for them , I hated them for been easy and for felling for his lies and tricks , because Michael was a douchebag and a creep as well as a big fat liar who used women and then throw them away . And don't get me started on the women like i said there was nothing I liked about them and I couldn't feel sorry for them in any way . With that said I want to thank Netgalley for letting read and review it exchange for my honest opinion .

Thanks Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC, I voluntarily reviewed the book.

This is an enjoyable murder mystery. The pace is good with interesting characters and lots of twists and turns. I also liked the ending which wasn't what I expected.

I'm giving this book 5 stars! I really enjoyed it. Loved all the characters, how the storylines intertwined, & the shocking end that I didn't see coming at all. I thought I had figured it out...and then BAM!! I will definitely be telling others about this one.

The concept for this book is what drew me to this book. While the beginning was ok. I kept reading waiting to see where the story would take me. It took me right to sleep. There were no endearing qualities about any of the women or the doctor. If anything as I got to know the doctor I wondered what the women found in him. After struggling and what seemed like a very long, long time to reach the half way point, I gave up on this book. No follow up appointment for me with the doctor.

This is a copy provided by the author and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to them!

What an incredible book, with mixed emotions from multiple perspectives of characters. So, that way, the author introduces three different women Lucinda, Flora, and Greer that had in common theirs therapist, Dr. Michael Baylor. Suddenly Dr. Baylor appears dead, and the whole story unfolds there with an investigation by detective Gregory Plath through all the connections and relationships between that three women.

“Love is kind love is patience”

Obsession, sexual abuse, trauma, love affairs and lies built up a dense narrative where no one it’s innocent. Ellie Monago challenge us to see further and deeper through every character, then seek the truth about “who murdered Dr. Baylor and why?”. The narrative structure is quite impressive, wherefore I loved the fact that Ellie had special care to give the readers a dynamic reading through different voices and perspectives of this story.

In a few words, this was a book full of surprises! I loved every twisted plot, which was smartly created by the author, to provide an entangled story that caught my reading since the beginning. I recommend it for those fond of a good thriller!

Happy readings,

Next to a Book.

I enjoyed this psychological murder mystery that starts with the murder of well liked therapist Michael Baylor. The book varies it's chapters between earlier dates, when Michael was still alive and the present, as a detective is investigating his murder. There are three suspects, two former clients of Michael and a current client of his. We get to see events from the perspective of all three women and each of the women are in various stages of love/like with Michael.

Former client Flora, has been Michael's secret lover for the last two years, current client Lucinda is dealing with past underage sexual trauma, and former client Greer needs help handling her sudden desire for a child after decades of putting her studies and then work before all else. Michael seems to be dedicated and compassionate but has trouble dealing with the boundaries of a client/therapist relationship at times and this problem leads him into difficulties with these three women. None of the characters seem that likable with their self serving ways but I enjoyed trying to figure out who did what and why.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley for this copy. All views are my own.

Not 100% sure how I feel about this book – I feel that it could have easily been less 50-75 pages but I also enjoyed it. But at times it seemed very drawn out and the chapters were just reiterating what we already knew. The character development fell a little flat, which is hard to have character development when you are switching from four points of view.

The story was good, just a bit long winded. I liked the “twist” although I kind of caught on the last half. I would recommend this book to others and I would read this author again!

3.5 stars. Intriguing plot and interesting characters. Overall, I enjoyed this one!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this read as I did "Neighborly" - Ellie Monago is a top-notch writer in both books.

The premise is that one of three "clients" (or ex-clients) murdered Dr. Michael Baylor. The back and forth from Today and Before is clear as are the character changes. Generally, I do not care for the abrupt changes, yet somehow it works in this book

An insightful look into three troubled women in a detective's quest to solve a case.

A great read!!!

Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to read and enjoy!

This was a rather odd and twisted mystery about three women and the death of their therapist.

It is interestingly narrated by the women and the detective searching for the murderer or murderers?.

The characters were interesting, as was the rather odd Dr Michael who was the victim of one, or all of them. The 3 women were rather stereotypical and I found the denouement very unsatisfying.

Thank you to #NetGalley for this ARC of #Confidential

Ellie Monago has written a narrative that will leave the reader questioning everything they just read in the best way possible. This novel was dynamic, moving, and absolutely manipulative. The characters are a fantastic array of creativity and the underpinning of the story line. Monago purposely obstructs a clear definition of the antagonist and protagonist, allowing so much room for interpretation. Fantastic book for bookclubs. 5 stars! Great read.

Absolutely loved this book! Couldn't put it down until it was finished. Will definitely be recommending to customers at my work!

Everyone loves therapist Michael Baylor. He’s handsome. He’s respected. And he’s provided a safe place for his female patients. Now he’s dead, and a detective is casting a tight net for the murderer—because the good doctor may have done some very bad things with the women who trusted him. That’s if their stories check out.

Three women caught in a tangled web of lies and secrets. And each with a motive for murder. With so much at stake, can any of them be trusted to tell the truth?

The characters are great and the chemistry undeniable. There are also some surprising reveals along the way making for a very satisfying conclusion.

Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC of #Confidential
Pub Date: 05 Mar 2019

Thank you, NetGalley for an advance copy of the book Confidential by Ellie Monago.
Description
From the bestselling author of Neighborly comes a twisty novel of psychological suspense about the lies three women tell to survive, and the ones they’d kill to keep hidden.

Everyone loves therapist Michael Baylor. He’s handsome. He’s respected. And he’s provided a safe place for his female patients. Now he’s dead, and a detective is casting a tight net for the murderer—because the good doctor may have done some very bad things with the women who trusted him. That’s if their stories check out.

There’s Lucinda, who struggled to process her childhood trauma even as she was falling in love with Dr. Baylor. Greer, an accomplished career woman who was torn by her sudden desire to have children, so she went to Dr. Baylor for help but may have gotten more than she bargained for. And then there’s Flora, a beautiful former patient who’d been on intimate terms with the man she called Dr. Michael for two years. Some might even say she was obsessed with him.

Three women caught in a tangled web of lies and secrets. And each with a motive for murder. With so much at stake, can any of them be trusted to tell the truth?

I read Neighborly and loved it. So, I was very happy to review Confidential. It was a solid book. I was engaged with most of the main characters (except Michael Baylor the murdered Doc.) I did not zip thru the book, as I do with some books. Confidential was a solid 4 for me.

This book started strong. I really liked the first person narrative. The plot revolved around a psychotherapist who was murdered and three different women who were involved with him not only as patients, but intimately as well. The story jumped between the present and past and each chapter was from a different person's point of view. I found that I really did not relate to any of the characters. I did not feel a personal connection to the characters which made it hard to stay with the story as it unfolded. I have to admit that I spent the last half of the book hoping that it would end soon. An OK, but not great read for me.