This book follows Helen, an art therapist whose life takes an unexpected turn after meeting William Tapping, a man found living in isolation with his elderly aunt. At the same time, Helen is embroiled in a complicated affair with the treating psychiatrist, and as events unfold, she finds herself in a moral and emotional conflict.

As a psychiatrist myself, imagine my delight when this book landed in my hands. Throughout the reading, I couldn’t help but mentally diagnose William and the other characters, placing them into the boxes I was taught during my training. 🫣 At times, it felt like reading my own case notes, and I can assure you that the author’s research is thorough, with the characters being portrayed in a very nuanced and realistic manner.

As the plot deepened, I found myself wondering where the story was headed. The pacing felt slower than I had hoped, and I even considered putting the book down at one point. However, because the story is closely related to my field of work, I persisted—and I’m glad I did. Around 70% into the novel, the pace picked up, leading to a truly satisfying and delightful conclusion.

Regarding the characters, I found that, aside from William, most of them were difficult to like. Particularly, the narcissistic psychiatrist who manipulates his power for personal gain—he was utterly detestable. 

I should also note that the novel includes themes of assault and animal abuse, so I would advise caution before diving into it if these topics are sensitive for you.

One of the aspects I truly appreciated was the realistic portrayal of psychiatric treatment in the 1960s UK. The author provides a list of resources she consulted, some of which I had also encountered during my psychiatry residency. This added an extra layer of authenticity to the narrative. Additionally, the story is loosely based on a true incident that occurred during that time, which added an intriguing historical element.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to readers who are interested in a glimpse of psychiatric treatment in the past, especially in the UK. Beyond that, it will appeal to anyone who enjoys stories about friendship, community, and personal transformation.

Thank you Times Reads for the review copy.