In this juicy thriller, a celebrity lawsuit exposes a web of dysfunction where nobody comes out looking innocent. TV star Anna Finbow has barely spoken to her daughter Mary since Mary began seeing a new therapist named Jean Guest. Now embroiled in a very public trial, Anna’s convinced that Jean brainwashed Mary into hating her. The only one who knows the truth is the weirdly fascinating Augusta, Mary’s casual friend, occasional hookup, and part-time dog walker, who’s seen this messy situation from both sides—including the therapist’s office. Every path in Philippa Malicka’s dark tale leads to something toxic, inappropriate, or unhinged. After all, Jean (whose approach to her job resembles that of a cult leader) first heard about nepo baby Mary from Augusta herself—in therapy. But is Jean’s pressure on Augusta to introduce her friend any worse than Augusta’s own manipulative plans? Anna Popplewell’s steady, transfixing narration makes it easy to lose yourself in this brilliantly sordid mystery.

APPLE BOOKS REVIEW