The narrator saved this audiobook and deserves 5 stars. I’d happily listen to her read another book — even if, like this one, I felt the story was missing a lot.

I found this book to be repetitive and full of many tired cliches. The story had so much potential and the characters are enough to make me consider giving the series a second chance.

This is a choppy series debut and I found myself convinced that I had somehow missed that this was the second in a series. We join our dark heroine in the middle of a story arc — her husband has passed away and in the dark parts of grief, Special Agent Susan Parker has nearly ruined her career. The author fills in many gaps in the story but just telling us facts when I personally would have preferred the use of flashbacks or other ways of showing, not telling us what has happened.

I also loved to see Deaf representation in this book but felt that the translations from ASL to spoken English missed the mark. That might just be because translating ASL to English requires you to be a lot wordier than you are in ASL but it was something that felt uncomfortable throughout the story telling.

The use of mental illness and therapy throughout this book are… complicated. I think I’m still sitting on those feelings.

I didn’t love this book but I didn’t hate it. I hope to give the second Susan Parker book a chance because I’d love to see if my suspicions about the ending spoiler are correct.

Thank you to Dreamscape Select for early access to this title in exchange for my fair and honest review!

This was weird! I'm glad I listened to it, I think the narration added an element of depth to the story. Baron does a fantastic job crafting creepy and eerie scenarios and populating them with a unique cast of characters who are perfectly suited to deliver an edgy and off-balance tale. It's not for the faint of heart, but it is a wholly engaging read from start to finish. I will be looking for more from him, and particularly in this series...

This book was a challenge. The narration was quite slow, and the plot was lacking in depth.

I don't usually need to listen to books at 1.5x speed, or even at 1.25x speed, but this book needed to be at 1.5 for me to get through it. The main character being neurodivergent was an interesting part of the character development, but I think it lacked the depth it could have had to make the story truly GOOD. I liked the amount of diversity throughout this book too, that was definitely a plus for me.

What made this book really fall flat was I felt like there was no twist, and that the main character had things handed to her and she still missed what was happening. At the end, when it was truly spelled out by the killer, I was thinking, haven't we heard this earlier?

So, I think this had potential, and I did like where I thought the book was going, and elements of the plot, but at the end of the day I had to fight to push through to the end.

Really enjoyed this book. The ending makes you want to read more. The whole book had my intro. My husband was laughing at some of the book that he overheard. I highly recommend if you enjoy any criminal justice stories.

I feel like maybe I shouldn't even write this review because everything I can think to say about is sort of mean. Or is just mean full stop. My main reaction to this book is that it had a fantastic premise but the execution was entirely lacking. This book reads like what I imagine a crime book about serial killers would be like if it was filmed and aired on the Hallmark channel: terrible, naive and cheesy dialogue from characters who don't feel like real people, shoddy research, barely any attention to detail, scenes playing out in what I imagine is a bid for tension, but which just end up frustrating the reader because the characters are being incredibly stupid. The book also unfortunately feels like an older man writing about things he doesn't have experience with and trying to be relevant. But again, no attention to detail, and the perspective on it all feels weird. (The MC's deaf daughter, MC"s Indian family-in-law, racist microaggressions at work, anything to do with social media, etc.)

I don't recommend this one. It wasn't even bad in a fun way. It just felt like a waste of my time. I ended up putting the speed on my audiobook as high as I could stand it just so I could finish.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this audio ARC.

Lauryn Allman did a great job narrating. Her voice for the bad guy was totally cringeworthy and for that, I applaud!!!!

The story was very predictable and almost familiar… thanks to the thousands of hours of movie and tv. I stuck around for Natalie and the sister-in-law.
I’d give this a solid 3.75 stars.

The Therapy Room by Sam Baron
(Narrated by Lauryn Allman)

A slow-burnt thriller that I would have expected more from it. I was highly attracted by the book description. As a big thriller, who doesn't like locked room/basement/ killer topic? The blurb did alright, but just as a reader, I wish more from the story.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Dreamscape Select, Storm Publishing and the author for my copy!

Pub date: Feb 23, 2024

If Good reads had a better rating system this would be a 2.5 but instead I have to round down as I can’t in good conscience round up to a 3.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for me honest review.

The short blurb on the books reads as follows: It’s a typical farm kitchen. A large table fills the space, and in one of the chairs is the lifeless body of Doctor Magnusson. Under his feet and the dusty wooden floorboards lie the basement – and twelve therapy rooms. Behind each locked door, the victims are about to be rescued…

It’s an absolutely grabbing description and I could not wait to consume this book. When I got approved I set aside other audio books that I was in the middle of so I could read this. On the whole the premise and base plot is excellent! It had so much promise but unfortunately there were too many issues to make the book enjoyable.
That being said, the last 2 chapters were the most cogent and exciting of them all.

Despite this title being released nearly a year ago I chose not to read other reviews of it as I don’t want to be impacted by others before I read it. Yet had I done so I would not have been so stunned at the experience. Being a first book in a planned series by this author this title is a perfect candidate for a rewrite before sequels are published as the story itself is that good. It’s the writing that’s the problem. I am going to list the issues as it’s easiest.

1) The narration is done in first person by the protagonist Special Agent in Charge Susan Parker a disgraced and suspended FBI agent who gets reinstated to solve the case but gets personally embroiled. The viewpoint is fine when she is doing basic narration but when dialogue with others, especially other FBI agents, the story became completely unbelievable.

The language she used with her colleagues sounded like it was from a bad D crime movie. It is clear that the author has never spoken with an actual FBI agent in their research. He makes fun of younger generations yet the voice sounds like a young adult is writing.

2) the sub plots about Susan’s family, most have no belonging in the story. There are scenes that seem to come out of nowhere that are disjointed and never get wrapped up.

3) Randomly the narrator discloses that she is autistic and diagnosed with ADHD. A bunch of buzz words and concepts are peppered randomly throughout the story that seem to be there because the author is trying to sound current and inclusive except misses the mark because most of it has zero bearing on the story. It comes off that characters challenges, such as Susan’s deaf daughter are there not for engaging reading and inclusivity but just to reach a particular market. This was the biggest challenge for me personally to get through as it made me angry which made me disconnect even more from the characters.

4) when Susan finally gets confronted with the killer you get a 40 minute chapter (other chapters are under 10 minutes at times) that is so unrealistic for the antagonist to have that amount of time with an FBI agent in the situation they were in. I don’t want to give spoilers so I’ll leave it at that.

5) while the book should be crime suspense since the killer is still on the loose.. there is. Nothing suspenseful. Things just happen with no build up as random sub plots pop up.

6) I actually looked up the author (which there isn’t much about him) to see where they resided since he makes a big deal about “Boxing Day” when the book takes place in California. The author resides there as well so it seems even more random. Also while I personally wish the US would get with the rest of the world and use the metric system, we don’t. So talking about Celsius in California just adds to the bizarre word choices. But then again I should have known better when on the cover of the book it says “a totally unputdownable crime thriller.”

7) Lastly, I realized what irks me the most as I was recollecting my thoughts on it. Pandering. That’s what it sounds like. It comes off the the author has all these random facts that he wants to show he is educated on so he throws them into the story. And while the facts themselves are great, they are not thrown in in a way that moves the story along. For example, he speaks about Chai and how an incident Susan was having with a therapist was “culturally gaslighting” her. For starters the comment was inappropriate and a jerk move but it wasn’t gaslighting. Secondly, the scenario seems to only be included so the author could knowledge dump that “chai” literally means “tea.” There is no reason for that interaction to take place other than trying to sound “current” except not only does it miss the mark, it also shows the failure to understand what gaslighting is. This is just one of several situations like this.

All that being said while I won’t recommend this book to others I would love the author to take another stab at it as he has a fabulous premise that could be so engaging for a psychological thriller.

link to GoodReads review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6270064421

I feel like the potential is there and I would give this author another try but I just didn't love this one. In the middle I almost gave up because some things were made overly obvious through a lot of repetition and yet still the detective and FBI agent just could not understand. It was so repetitive that it just became frustrating and annoying. I also am not a fan of the stereotyping gen whatevers like it actually means anything. Some of the characters were decent and there were parts of the plot that held suspense and potential to be a good story but just didn't quite make it.

The premise of this book sounded right up my alley, so when I was selected by NetGalley to receive an audio ARC, I couldn't wait to start listening. That's where the excitement ended for me. While Lauryn Allman's narration was well done, the story itself was very slow. I had to begin this audio book no less than 5 times because I just couldn't get into the story and found my mind wandering to more exciting things. The main character Susan and her daughter's relationship was sweet and for me the best part of the whole book - and that had nothing to do with the overall story. Who is Splinter? Why don't these victims talk? Are they even victims? Did Susan's husband actually kill himself? While we learn the answers, getting there is a struggle. I'd classify this book as a mystery but not a thriller.

Thank yo to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Sam Baron for an audio ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The Therapy Room was an addictive thriller that kept me intrigued. Although the execution lacked and felt a little clumsy. It was still entertaining and kept me interested til the end. I did want more of the creepy aspect or the farmhouse and the 12 torture chambers, that's what I was here for.

The dialogues between the FBI agents felt off, it didn't feel true to how agents would speak to each other. It was highly unrealistic and I think that's what ruined the book a little for me. I also felt the characters were highly underdeveloped which unfortunately does not give me the push to continue this series.

The suspense and mystery was fun, but also fell flat for me. It didn't deliver what I wanted but it still entertained me. I think it had a high potential and I'm curious to see what the author comes up with next.

🎧 The narration by Lauryn Allman was good, it kept me invested in the story. It wasn't my favorite either, some emotions were missing but I was still able to push through.

✨️ Thank you to @netgalley & @dreamscape for my free ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed The Therapy Room. I feel like there were many loose ends at the conclusion so I'm assuming this will be a series. I would read the next book.

3.5 stars.

This extremely creepy, festering story was somewhat predictable but also very dissimilar to other murdery books I've read. A large population of BIPOC feature in this book, with well-done cultural integration and breaking of stereotypes, with the exception of one Hispanic character who felt exaggerated, and leaned way too heavily on his heritage in a professional setting, particularly the FBI. There were some harrowing scenes I'll not soon forget, and enough intrigue left unanswered to pull the reader into the series and future books. It was gripping and binge-worthy, though it had some flaws that bothered me throughout, but overall a really entertaining read. It felt like I was reading a screenplay, the imagery was so vivid, and the movie in my head was so palpable.

All around, this was incredibly entertaining! It was exactly what I needed when I listened to it.

Narration was on point! I liked the narrator and the way they brought voice to the story!

I enjoyed the bonds formed between the characters. FBI Agent, Susan Parker is smack dab in the center of an investigation into a notorious killer, putting her family in danger. Her team, though?!? Chef’s kiss! I loved them…

It’s been a year since her husband’s suicide and Susan is still healing. Taking a break from work when an altercation got her in big trouble, she is spending more time with her daughter. She is pulled back in to a case when her name and number are left at the scene of a grisly murder, so she kind of has no choice… Also, it is connected to a case she is VERY familiar with.

Falling down a rabbit hole of dead therapists, kidnapped and tortured patients refusing to speak and still reeling from her husband’s suicide, Susan desperately needs to solve this case.

The one major qualm I had with the book is the ending… I could not tell if it is setting up for another installment or if it was just the way it ended… I NEED to know.

The Therapy Room by Sam Baron is a really good concept of a story. I wanted to love it, but there were glaring inconsistencies that should have been fixed well before print. Example: the main protagonists child is deaf, but in two separate chapters mom wants to be quiet so she doesn't wake up her deaf daughter. That's just one example. Some of the narrator's character voices were strange and distracting. I feel bad for leaving such a tough review. With some tweaking this could be a really good story.

3.5 stars rounded up.

As an aspiring therapist and lover of thriller and mystery, I was so excited to receive this ARC copy and am thankful to both the publisher and NetGalley.

That said, I was hoping this would be amazing, mind bending, thrilling, etc. it was still really good though! Especially when it gets to the end. Before that it was more like a typically detective mystery novel.

I did love Susan Parker and her strength and wit. This book did hold my interest as well throughout, I just felt it had so much more potential of being epic.

This story pulled me in from the very beginning. Agent Susan Parker is obsessive and kind of an FBI vigilant! Her nemesis - “Splinter” a Serial Killer, who tortures psychiatrists and their families until their death!

This is the most inclusive book I’ve ever read! POC, disabled agents, a deaf kid, lesbian SIL - how many minorities can you cram into one book? And when does it become gimmicky?
The author is a white man and I really couldn’t find out much about him online 🤨 intriguing

Back to the story - this is a procedural where we get to know FBI Susan Parker’s team and family. I’d really like to get to know her team more and unless her family are relevant (I feel like they are) less or more of them (depending on relevance)

When Parker finds out what’s going on, omg I was blown away! Like this is better than Criminal Minds! It’s smart, it’s diabolical and I’m here for it

However, when we get to the showdown it was kind of a let down. As it’s a series, I was ok with the cliffhanger regarding Susan’s situ, BUT when we discover who Splinter is, it’s not shocking or even surprising and for me, there were so many unanswered questions. I know there will be another book, and I’m kinda desperate to get to it - will we get more answers? Will we get an even more diverse cast? Cannot wait!

Thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for access to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review

Author: Sam Baron
Narrator: Lauryn Allman
Goodreads: 3.59
Audiobook: @netgalley
Publication Date: 02/23/24

#thetherapyroom #netgalley #bookstagram #bookreview #audiobook #audiobookstagram #audiobookreview

REALLY enjoyed this crime thriller by Sam Baron! It kept me guessing and I always love getting to the big reveals as the story builds. I also always enjoy when the plot is somehow personally related to our MC - just gets me more invested into it all! I will say that I definitely called the big reveal at the end, but it didn't hinder my enjoyment.

I'll def read the next book in the series!

Debut crime thriller has potential.

A psychiatrist is found, viciously stabbed to death, in the kitchen of an isolated farmhouse in Santa Carina, California. In the basement, 12 individual cells hold 11 victims. All still alive but refusing to speak. FBI agent Susan Parker is called to the scene when a local cop finds a post it note with her name on it attached to the basement door. Convinced that the dead man is the serial killer, Splinter, she's been hunting, Susan is desperate to debrief the victims but is denied access to them having to instead go through a therapist that the prisoners had requested. Working with the local cop and her team, Susan attempts to figure out what was going on out at the farmhouse and why these people were kept in the basement. And the 12th person? Does he have the answers she seeks. Meanwhile, Susan is still grieving the death of her husband.

This was an audiobook and kept me interested. The narrator had a decent voice and performed the different character voices adequately although the varying accents were sometimes exaggerated. Certainly, the novel had a wide variety of nationalities with Susan and her family being Indian and there were other representations as well. I have to say that what got on my nerves the most was the constant focus on Natalie, Susan's deaf daughter. Way too much about the child which added nothing to the aspect of this book meant to be a suspense thriller. The character of Susan seemed rather dense for her being an SAC in the FBI. I had figured out most all of the story way early and was annoyed by how long it took her and the team to catch up.

This is the first in a new series featuring SAC Susan Parker of the FBI. It ends without tying up all the loose ends, which is always a drawback for me and leaves that feeling of something unfinished that I do not like. The second installment is due out soon, so perhaps answers will come.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this audiobook to read, review, and provisionally recommend. I will reserve full judgment once I have read the second in series.

Susan is coping with grief and trauma from the death of her husband and a serial killer case that drove her to the brink. I enjoyed her relationship with her daughter was powerfully written and their dynamic was adorable.
Interesting and unique premise, the story had some good twists. The diverse cast of characters and narrator brought the story to life. I would continue to the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for the ALC.