This book was pretty good and I enjoyed the storyline, but the ending was a little far fetched. I still enjoyed the mystery and plot very much though.

Thanks for the opportunity to read and review this book ahead of its release. My review will post to my blog on 1/16/24 and I'll also post my review to Goodreads, retail sites and Instagram that same week.

Review:
The premise of this book immediately intrigued me. The idea of a woman willingly checking herself into a rehab facility to uncover the truth about her sister's death seemed like a thrilling and unique concept. Unfortunately, while the book had its moments, in the end, it didn't offer any real surprises for me.

The story follows Meg, a casino employee in LA who is struggling with her own addictions thanks to an unhappy childhood and plenty of trauma. When news of her sister Haley's untimely death at a remote rehab facility in Oregon emerges, Meg is confident that Haley's death wasn't a suicide like was announced and is determined to uncover the truth behind the tragedy. She makes the bold decision to go undercover at the very clinic where her sister died, hoping to find answers that no one else seems willing to provide.

The concept of the story is undeniably intriguing, and I was eager to delve into the world of the rehab facility alongside Meg. The author does a commendable job of depicting the challenges faced by people with an addiction and the complex dynamics within such facilities. There is a sense of authenticity in how the author addresses addiction, treatment, and the various methods used to rehabilitate individuals. This makes sense because the author's note mentions that she was inspired to write this novel after spending time in rehab.

However, my excitement waned as the plot progressed. The twists that were promised in the synopsis felt a bit contrived. Instead of organically unfolding, they seemed conveniently placed to create suspense and intrigue. This left me feeling disconnected from the story and ultimately disappointed. The truth about what really happened to Haley was creative but a bit of a stretch for me to embrace fully.

Furthermore, a lot of the characters lacked depth and failed to resonate with me on an emotional level. Meg, the main character, was the only one that I really liked. She was definitely a complex and engaging protagonist. The story is told from the perspectives of Meg and Cara (a hospital administrator at the clinic), and while I liked Meg, Cara was an interesting choice for a second narrator. I almost felt as though the book may have worked better without Cara's point of view. I struggled to fully connect with her, which made it difficult to become fully invested in her journey.

Additionally, the pacing of the novel felt uneven. While the initial setup and introduction of the rehab facility were engaging, the middle portion of the book dragged on without much significant development. The narrative seemed to lose momentum, which made it difficult to maintain my interest. The resolution, when it finally arrived, felt rushed and unsatisfying.

Despite these drawbacks, there were aspects of The Clinic that I appreciated. The author's writing style was engaging, with descriptive prose that brought the setting to life. The exploration of addiction and the challenges faced by those seeking recovery were portrayed with sensitivity and nuance. The novel also touched upon thought-provoking themes such as the pressures of fame and the lengths people would go to protect their secrets.

While this one had an intriguing premise and explored important themes, it ultimately fell short of my expectations. I never felt fully connected to the story, and as I mentioned earlier, the reveal at the end felt forced and unbelievable. However, the author's writing style and the authentic portrayal of addiction were commendable. While this one may not have been the page-turning, twisty thriller I hoped for, it may still appeal to readers interested in a decent mystery.

Murder mystery thriller that keeps you guessing? Yes please and this was it.

Usually I can guess the needing before the story resolves but this particular story I couldn’t. I was very wrong.

All the characters are well developed. The story focuses on Meg and Cara, the sister of the deceased and the clinic manager. I enjoyed the Meg perspective more than Cara but personal preference on that.

4.5 stars —- Meg, a poker playing “bad guy” catcher, checks herself into a bougie rehab clinic in the Pacific Northwest in hopes of finding out who killed her country music star sister. Told from the alternating perspectives of Meg and the clinic’s manager, Cara, this thriller dives into the inner workings of addicts, their therapists, and the hoops they’ll jump through for the sake of science. While there were moments where The Clinic felt a little sci-fi, it was an engaging and twisty read, which bumped my rating up to a 5 star in the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. (I will say, the advanced reader copy was peppered with typos/grammatical errors, but hopefully they’ll be corrected by pub day ;).)

DNF @ 10%

Too long with characters I struggled to connect with early on. Is anyone likable in this one?
Don't think this one was for me.

Thank you to #NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and Cate Quinn for the opportunity to read an advance copy of The Clinic, to be published 23 January 2024. Written from two perspectives, this psychological thriller was difficult to read — just because of the disturbing content. There were triggers throughout the storyline that would be likely to affect the most stable personality. It was easy to tell the author was writing from personal experience in describing the drug-related withdrawal symptoms. Having worked in the field of forensic psychology, I’m not particularly comfortable with the descriptions of psychopathy, sociopathy and antisocial personality disorder. They seemed rather simplistic. There were parts of the narrative that were not believeable, but for the most part it came across well written. 4/5 Stars. #NetGalley #SourcebooksLandmark #KateQuinn #TheClinic

This psychological thriller had me guessing the whole time! Very short chapters helped to build the suspense and made this a quick, entertaining read. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy!

What a great story with twists and surprises throughout! Ms. Quinn pulls you in and doesn’t let you go until the end. Much like the addiction that lead her to write this book! The story is about two sisters who experienced different trauma resulting from the same situation as a child that lead to addiction and mental disorders later in life. After getting some strange voicemails, Meg learns of her sister, Haley’s death while in an addiction rehab hospital and decides to seek treatment herself (or pretend to seek treatment) to learn what really happened to her. Through the journey she learns some surprising things about the clinic, the staff, herself, her sister, and her fellow patients. Overall, it was a very entertaining book that held my attention until the very end! There were a few minor details about nurses delivering food to staff (never happens), psychologists calling nurses about a prescription (they don’t have a DEA license), and administrative personnel who consult on hospital menus and work in a clinical capacity (highly unlikely) that could be chalked up to the unconventional nature of the Clinic, but was somewhat distracting. I would still give the book 5 stars because I enjoyed the storyline and characters! Thanks to @NetGalley and @SourcebooksLandmark for the ARC in exchange for an honest review of @TheClinic.

I stayed up waaaay too late finishing this book.

Once it had me in its clutches I could not put it down.

Did it have flaws? Yeah, a couple little holes and the believability was not always there but damn if it didn't get my heart pumping and my brain trying to solve it.

It is about this professional poker player, Meg, who recently had an injury and has been adding quite a lot of oxy to her high alcohol consumption when her sister who is currently in rehab dies. It is ruled a suicide but Meg does not believe it and wants to investigate for herself. 👀

Even tho it’s not perfect I’d recommend it if you are interested in a thriller that makes you push bedtime back to finish it.

Thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for an eARC!

Meg is forced to go undercover at a rehab clinic when her famous sister is found to have committed suicide. Meg is doing this not only to find out what happened to Haley, but potentially do some work for herself as well. An addict herself, she is forced to faced her inner demons as she is also feeling tracked by Haley's murderer as well. I enjoyed how you got Meg's perspective, as well as Cara, the manager of the facility. It provides more insight into the facility as they both are looking into what really is happening in the Clinic. Would definitely recommend if you love a thrilling whodunnit set in seclusion.

This was an entertaining thriller, but there were definitely some moments that the reader has to suspend their sense of belief. I find that this is true for most thrillers, however.

The author did a good job of fleshing out the characters, especially the main character Meg who is flawed but I was rooting for.

I also enjoyed the descriptions of the rehab clinic and treatments.

Overall this is an enjoyable, if somewhat far fetched read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with an eARC of this book to read and review.

Really strong start. The characters are complex and the stage is set well. It kept me pulled in steadily through the first 80% but the twist was hard to swallow in my opinion. I had to really suspend disbelief and it wasn't anything I'd imagine. Was slightly disappointed by that but the story wrapped up well and the characters kept you guessing throughout. If prolly give it a 3.75 . I liked the background info on insurance scams and mental health. At moments it was preachy but not too overwhelmingly so.

Meg has trouble believing her sister committed suicide/overdosed in rehab. Without disclosing their relationship, she gets admitted to the same facility. It is full of celebrities with shady pasts. Meg becomes convinced that her sister Haley was killed by one of the patients. But then she starts receiving messages from her "dead" sister... Is she really dead or is someone pretending to be her. Not everyone is who they say they are. Many twists, very entertaining.

"The Clinic" by Cate Quinn is a riveting exploration of the complex bond between sisters, the haunting allure of addiction, and the relentless pursuit of truth. Set against the glamorous yet seedy backdrop of Los Angeles, this novel masterfully intertwines suspense and emotional depth.

Meg, a gritty and compelling protagonist, works in the shadowy corners of a casino, a world away from the glitz of her sister Haley's Hollywood life. Quinn skillfully portrays Meg’s struggle with painkillers, a coping mechanism for a life filled with disappointments and shadows. Her character is raw and authentic, making her journey a quest for truth and a battle for personal redemption.

Haley's sudden, mysterious death at a remote rehab facility is the catalyst for the story's gripping narrative. The author cleverly uses this event to delve into the dark side of fame and the hidden struggles of those living in the public eye. Quinn's writing shines as she explores the theme of addiction, not as a moral failing but as a complex, multi-dimensional challenge.

The novel's greatest strength lies in its heart-pounding investigation led by Meg. As she checks herself into the same rehab facility, the story weaves a complex web of deceit, secrets, and lies. Quinn's vivid descriptions of the facility and its inhabitants add a palpable sense of claustrophobia and suspense.

"The Clinic" is more than a mystery; it's a profound study of sisterhood, love, and the lengths one will go to uncover the truth. The narrative is beautifully paced, balancing tense action with deep introspection. Quinn's prose is elegant and accessible, ensuring that the readers are hooked from the first page to the last.

The climax is both surprising and satisfying, providing a resolution that is as thought-provoking as it is emotional. This book is a testament to Quinn's ability to craft an entertaining and meaningful story.

In conclusion, "The Clinic" is a must-read for fans of suspense and character-driven narratives and anyone who appreciates a well-told story. Quinn has delivered a novel that is a thrilling ride and a poignant reminder of the power of human resilience and the enduring bond of family.

⭐ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐🌟(4.5)

Quick Synopsis: Meg has come to the Clinic undercover in search of answers in the mysterious death of her sister, Haley, a patient receiving treatment for drug addiction. Matters are complicated by Meg's own addiction issues and resulting withdrawal symptoms while searching for answers at the facility.

𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌:
"The Clinic" set a gothic tone from the beginning with the introduction to The Clinic, an exclusive rehabilitation facility located in a Victorian mansion on the Oregon coast. The setting and atmosphere had a cinematic quality that had the story unfolding like I'd stepped into an old Hitchcock film, and I absolutely loved this old-school suspense vibe.

There were so many interesting themes in this book including a murder mystery, trauma recovery, and family dynamics as we learn about the relationship/history between Meg and her sister Haley. The ending does take a bit of pause to accept... part of it is so unbelievable (why I knocked it half a star) but the book is written so smartly and includes so much actual psychology/addiction recovery philosophy.

What I liked:
📚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 main character, Meg, was really intriguing. She’s kind of a badass, an unbothered gambler whose job is outing loan sharks and criminals. She’s been put in very dangerous situations at times and heavily uses oxycodone and alcohol to “cope”.

What I didn't like:
📚 The sister's 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 disappointing.

Overall, if you want a great gothic thriller (that kind of reminds me of "Rebecca" or "Psycho"), I highly recommend this book once it is published in January 2024.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an eARC of this book (one of the most requested books of the year!). All opinions expressed are my own.

Thankyou Netgalley for the ARC. This story takes place in a rehab facility and is told from 2 different perspectives. Which I love! It's told by Meg, a patient who is trying to figure out how her sister died, and Cara, the manager of the rehab.

After the tragic death ruled suicide of her sister Haley, alcohol and oxy addict Megan decides to check into the luxury rehab where her sister spent her last days, convinced the suicide-overdose was actually murder.

I binged this one in one sitting till 2am so I guess that speaks for itself. It was on the long side but the breadcrumbs throughout kept me intrigued. Megan was the kind of unlikeable character that you can still be invested in and the general eerie vibe of the location really set the tone.

I enjoyed the two main perspectives as well as all the side characters who added to the depth of the story. As someone who has worked in an inpatient rehab facility, I thought the author did a great job with the authenticity of that aspect as well as all the various shades of being an addict - no surprise when I read at the end that she’s experienced it herself. The ending pushed the bounds of credulity just a smidge too much but otherwise I really enjoyed this one.

The Clinic by Cate Quinn ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This one had it all: unreliable narrators, morally gray characters, locked-in, remote setting, mental health awareness, science-infused ideas. And all the ideas played well with one another.

While it started slow, the short chapters allowed it to pick up speed quickly, and the second half of the book really was a page-turner. The plot was multi-layered: on one hand it was a look at addiction and the journey to sobriety & on the other hand, it was a twisty, whodunnit. This book had an authentic feel that will resonate with readers.

I took off a star because I had to employ my suspension of disbelief too much. There were several holes that seemed glaringly obvious to me - looking at you phone calls & security systems - to list one. While I didn’t dislike the ending, it did reach way past the realm of realistic possibilities.

All in all, fans of psychological thrillers, locked-in mysteries, and books with a focus on mental health will enjoy this one. I do recommend checking trigger warnings and take care of yourself before, during, and after reading.

This was a good psychological thriller that deals with mental health. The story takes place in a rehab clinic. A pop star Haley dies and her sister questions her death by checking in to the facility. I did feel the ending was a little rushed but enjoyable read.

I loved this book! I will definitely recommend it. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.