Rezension zu "House. Tree. Person.: A Novel of Suspense" von Catriona McPherson
While you could categorize this book as a psychological thriller, it was also very different. For one, there was no investigating detective or police. The story was told from the POV of Ali McGovern, a mother who just started a new job at a private psychiatric facility. A body is found in the ruins right next to her door and her son might be involved somehow. Ali also makes some strange observations at her new work place which raise her suspicion and make her investigate things on her own. Supported by her co-workers, Ali is determined to get to the bottom of it and find out what's wrong with the facility, it's weird patients and her even weirder acting new boss. On her way, Ali also must face a tragic incident from her past and come to terms with her own inner demons.
I loved the unpredictability of the plot and the way the author fooled me more than once. My favorite character was Ali's co-worker Lars with his no-nonsense attitude and complete loyalty, as well as the provocative Julia with her regular outbreaks and silent Sylvie, who was the complete opposite.
I was also fascinated by the explanation of the book title, which is based on a psychological test where you are supposed to draw a house, a tree and a person. Despite her lack of professional psychological knowledge Ali uses this test with several persons with very interesting results.
This was the second novel by the author that I've read and it won't be my last.
(Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for a copy of the book, all opinions are my own)