Book Club,  Book Review,  Psychological Thriller

Book Review: An Anonymous Girl | Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

January 7, 2019 /
Dark, captivating, and twisted–nobody pulls off a psychological thriller quite like the amazing duo, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen!

I just finished their newest thriller An Anonymous Girl and I’m shocked and delighted by this twisty novel! This book is SERIOUSLY twisted, in the best possible way. Without question this is one of my favorite psychological thrillers I’ve read–and I don’t just mean this year!

About the Book

The next novel of psychological suspense and obsession from the authors of the blockbuster bestseller The Wife Between Us

Seeking women ages 18–32 to participate in a study on ethics and morality. Generous compensation. Anonymity guaranteed.

When Jessica Farris signs up for a psychology study conducted by the mysterious Dr. Shields, she thinks all she’ll have to do is answer a few questions, collect her money, and leave.

Question #1: Could you tell a lie without feeling guilt?

But as the questions grow more and more intense and invasive and the sessions become outings where Jess is told what to wear and how to act, she begins to feel as though Dr. Shields may know what she’s thinking…and what she’s hiding.

Question #2: Have you ever deeply hurt someone you care about?

As Jess’s paranoia grows, it becomes clear that she can no longer trust what in her life is real, and what is one of Dr. Shields’ manipulative experiments. Caught in a web of deceit and jealousy, Jess quickly learns that some obsessions can be deadly.

Question #3: Should a punishment always fit the crime?

From the authors of the blockbuster bestseller The Wife Between Us comes an electrifying new novel about doubt, passion, and just how much you can trust someone.

Reflection

This is one fun ride, and if I may say, a ride that I had no idea where I’d end up. With a tantalizing writing style, this book pulled me in until the final delicious ending scene. I am blown away!!!

Jessica is a fantastic leading character, because from the beginning I wasn’t sure if I could fully trust her accounting of events that transpired. Jessica has plenty of secrets and finding out what they are and watching her learn her own opinions on ethics, morality, and honesty were completely captivating for me!

And then Dr. Shields… OH DR. SHIELDS!! I can’t say much because you’ll have to learn more about the enigmatic Dr. Shields as you read, but suffice it to say I considered from the very beginning whether I should call the IRB on Dr. Shields! Is this research IRB approved??? I need to see the signed approval letter, Dr. Shields!

But jokes about research ethics aside, the premise of this study is so interesting. I’m not going to talk even a moment about where the study heads, but in the opening when we see Jessica answering the survey on the computer—I couldn’t look away! The questions are fascinating, as is the research protocol. But the real thrill I had was in reading Jessica’s thought process as she answered the questions. What was Jessica willing to divulge? And how did she reason through her journey of self-discovery? You’ll have to read the book to find out!

And then—and I promise I’m keeping this entire review spoiler free—there are some truly amazing characters in this book aside from Dr. Shields and Jessica. From the two girls whose make up Jessica is crafting in chapter 1, straight to the end of the book. I won’t even name these characters because I truly believe that every reader should experience this book themselves without any pre-conceived idea of who is and isn’t relevant to the story. But if you’ve read it or once you do, I hope you reflect back on the outstanding cast of characters that Hendricks and Pekkanen created in this book.

I’m positively itching to read An Anonymous Girl again, and savor each of those small moments and characters that comprise this wonderful story. I’ll say that despite this being a longer book, there is not a single scene, plot line, or character that is a throwaway.

Every single moment is expertly plotted and woven together, into what I’ll be the first to say is one of the best thrillers I’ve read. I hope you are able to cancel all plans when you pick this one up!!!

Thank you so much to the team at St. Martin’s Press for my copy. Opinions are my own.

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