Overall, the book was fantastic! I really liked how this book had a lot of information on mental health, DID, and a lot of the politics in the justice system. Because of that, though, the story kind of stalled throughout the middle with not much happening plot-wise. Once things picked up in the last 1/4, I was brought back in and enjoyed the ending.

Thank you for allowing me to review this title. Initially I found the beginning very slow and I couldn't get into the story. However, I persevered and soon found that it was difficult to put the book down. Sharon Stone the Forensic Psychologist was not easily put off by the obstacles placed in her way. She also had her own hidden secret which was affecting her ability to analyse her client. This story has to be read to the end, as the twist at the end caught me out.
Although this story was quite deep and at times complex, it was definitely compulsive reading.

An epic read delving into the dark depths of the psyche. This was made an even tougher read as the forensic psychiatrist Sharon Stevenson not only has to decide whether an accused killer is fit to stand trial, but also stay impartial after the disappearance of her teenage daughter. Will Sharon get answers to what happened to her daughter as well as get justice for the other victims of the accused? Well written, gripping and interesting; a great read.

What a great book! This was different from the normal thrillers. It was an intriguing book that follows forensic psychiatrist Sharon and her death row patient Kevin. Sharon works with him to see if he can be deemed competent to stand trial. Kevin appears to have multiple personalities as well as memory loss, and Sharon is dealing with her own issues.

This was such a well thought out plot. It was twisty, and the ending was unexpected. The characters were written in a way that had me completely invested in what would happen with them and their storylines. I found myself thoroughly engrossed the entire ride! This was fast-paced and full of suspense, and I truly enjoyed it.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

An addictive thriller which I throughly enjoyed. It was an on-the-edge-of-your-seat read. I raced through this one. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

S.A. Falk does it again! Another gripping psychological thriller, with twists & turns. This book kept me guessing, at times made my mind spin! Who is the Blue River Strangler? Is Kevin messing with Dr. Sharon Stevenson’s head? Will anyone believe Dr. Stevenson’s diagnosis? So many questions, with many unexpected answers. Looking forward to the next book will pull me in!

A psychological thriller set mostly in Wyoming . Sharon is a forensic psychiatrist assessing Kevin who has confessed to killing 28 women. She is not convinced that he is mentally fit to stand trial and to undergo the death penalty, but has trouble convincing others involved in the case that he has serious mental problems. Apart from the first part of the book, the plot is told from Sharon's point of view and she becomes obsessed by her need to stop Kevin undergoing the death penalty. It is slow reading for much of the book, the action picks up after about 150 pages. Though interesting from a psychological point of view, the investigation is not really detailed and the killer is convicted on his own confession. This book does highlight an underclass society in the US where young people disappear into a life of drug abuse and services do not always provide the necessary care.
Not a bad book, though I would have preferred a couple of different angles on the investigation. Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

This was a gripping read and I was intrigued by the characters. I will look out for more by this author.

I really enjoyed this psychological fiction based in the 1990’s in small town Wyoming. It was interesting to follow Kevin’s story about DID and how Dr. Stevenson treats him.

Thanks netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book about Sharon Stevenson who is a forensic psychiatrist whose job it is to decide whether her patient is guilty or innocent of the crime they are accused of doing.
This was a very difficult case as her patient Kevin had mixed personalities and Sharon is finding it difficult to judge whether he is insane or very clever.
Kevin has been accused of murdering many women and would have the death sentence if found guilty.
I enjoyed this book and the ending was something I did not guess.

The Patient’s Secret is a well written psychological thriller. This book has an edge of your seat plot with many twists and turns. You do not want to miss this book. I received an advance copy book from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.

Okay. This was a mix for me. The good? I liked the level of mystery and the stakes.

The bad? The beginning dragged and I figured out some (NOT all) of the mystery early, but the part I didn't know ahead? Chef's kiss.

It doesn't wow me the way some other books have, but it is a solid, solid 3.5, rounded.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I really enjoyed it. At times, it seemed to be a little slow, but that last half of the book really had me turning the pages for more.

An intriguing story about a forensic psychiatrist who is called in to evaluate a prisoner accused of multiple murders over many years. Sharon Stevenson needs to decide if he is mentally fit to stand trial. At first it seems straightforward but changes of character convince Sharon she is dealing with a rare disorder.
This story really grabbed me and I devoured it voraciously until the ending which I did not find plausible and spoiled an otherwise delicious read.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of this book.

From the very beginning Dr. Sharon Stevenson, forensic psychiatrist, finds the man she is working with, for the courts, extremely interesting and very challenging. The patient, Kevin, is accused of the serial murders of 28 young women. Sharon starts out evaluating Kevin for the prosecutor. Eventually, Sharon becomes aware of the young man’s major mental illness. She feels strongly that a mentally ill person should not be put to death for crimes they were not aware of committing. She changes over to working for the defense in the case, as a result of her investigation. She puts her professional reputation on the line in order to get to the truth in this case.

The ending of the book is one that you may not see coming or be able to predict. If you like murder mysteries with a psychological twist, this may be the book for you.

I couldn't tear myself away from this book! The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end, and the ending was unexpected. A great thriller if you love this kind of book

I found this book okay,felt it was rushed and some parts were not explored enough and others too much. I was really excited when I got the chance to read this thanks to NetGalley but it left me very underwhelmed

Wow! The Patient’s Secret is a twisted, page turning psychological thriller that will keep you guessing from start to finish. The characters are interesting and the subject matter is controversial dealing with the justice system, mental illness and the death penalty.
Thank you NetGalley for my ARC.

3.5 stars

The Patient’s Secret by S.A. Falk  is a psychological thriller about a doctor who thinks her new patient may have killed her daughter.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Storm Publishing and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

 
My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Dr. Sharon Stevenson is a forensic psychiatrist, hired to determine whether Kevin Blackford is sane enough to stand trial for murdering twenty-eight people.

Something is wrong with Kevin, she knows that.  But even though she is sure that he is guilty, she is not convinced the death penalty is the answer.  A life-long move to a mental facility would be better.

In the back of her mind, the good doctor wonders if Kevin also killed her own daughter, who ran away from at 17, and hasn't been seen since.

It soon becomes evident that her career of over 30 years will be questioned, as she fights for the fate of both Blackford, and herself.  Is she willing to risk everything over her obsession with this case?  Is she being duped by Kevin Blackford....and is she allowing herself to be duped?
 

My Opinions:
First, I've never been one of those people who have to check the last chapter to see who did it....and I really don't want to start now.  That's why I was somewhat disappointed when the first chapter told us how the story would end.  I think that took away from the suspense.  However, this was not at all what it looked like.  The twist was really good (although it became obvious a few chapters before it happened).

Among other things, the book looks at the criminal justice system, and how it deals with mental illness.  It is also about murder, obsession, and a woman's determination to find the truth.

As a debut novel, I was very impressed.  The writing was good, and the characters intriguing.  I didn't particularly like many of them (including Sharon at times)...but I liked Kevin (go figure).  I felt the ending was a little rushed, but overall the book was quite good.  I will watch for more from this author!

This book mainly follows Dr Sharon Stevenson, who is a forensic psychiatrist and has been asked to assess the mental competence of Kevin Blackford accused of being the Blue River Strangler. If found guilty he will be facing the death penalty for murdering over twenty women.
This book is full of twists and leaves the reader and Dr Stevenson confused as to whether Kevin has a mental illness or is it all an elaborate act. She becomes emotionally involved in the case and makes decisions that are perhaps against her professional guidelines in her search for justice.

A thought provoking storyline with well drawn characters that's a great psychological thriller.