I had the great experience of reading and reviewing this upcoming psychological thriller. Alexandra Burt is an author I was introduced to a few years ago with her book, The Good Daughter. I couldn’t wait to check out this new release so without further ado, read on for my review.
Shadow Garden by Alexandra Burt
Publisher: Berkley (July 21, 2020)
ISBN-13: 978-0440000327
Synopsis:
Donna Pryor lives in the lap of luxury. She spends her days in a beautifully appointed condo. Her every whim is catered to by a dedicated staff, and she does not want for anything.
Except for news of her adult daughter.
Or an ex-husband who takes her calls.
Donna knows something is wrong, but she can’t quite put her finger on it. As her life of privilege starts to feel more and more like a prison, the facade she has depended on begins to crumble. Somewhere in the ruins is the truth, and the closer Donna Pryor gets to it, the more likely it is to destroy her.
Shadow Garden by Alexandra Burt Review
The great thing about a psychological story is that it takes you quite a while to actually realize that your mind is being manipulated along with the story.
You never really know who is telling the truth as you go along. In this particular story we have three main characters and two sub characters and we hear from all of them at one time or another.
Everyone in the story has an issue and it’s up to us to try to figure out what’s the truth, who’s telling the factual story, or is it all just bits and pieces pasted together.
Burt does a fabulous job with her pacing and character development. The main characters are ones that you almost love to hate. You’re transported right to their house and get involved with all of the minutia and oddities.
The story itself seems innocuous and as it ramps up then you realize just how much each piece builds upon another throughout the entire story.
Subtle manipulation of the reader and the characters help to wind the story to surprise twists and an imaginative ending. Definitely a read for those who love the psychological mind manipulation of a great storyteller!
5 Stars!
Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.
Hi! I’m Chris! Just a Midlife Wife sharing about life’s journey; screaming and kicking through it while supposedly aging gracefully…
Focusing on healthy living, low carb & keto, things I am loving right now, and life in general.