Mike Omer

The saddest first chapter…

An 8 year old girl returns a year after being abducted. But she can't/doesn't speak. A child therapist hopes to let her use play therapy to communicate. And when she does, it turns out that a lot more is going on than just her kidnapping...

A good book when it is focused on the therapy and the case(s). The image of the creepy, evil clown in the dollhouse is not one that will go away any time soon! Not so good when it focuses on the therapist's personal life. As a reader, I really only need to be told one time that a person has a bad mom - beating me over the head with it is a bit off putting. Still, it held my interest overall and read pretty quickly and smoothly. And again, the therapy sessions were super interesting!… (altro)

Please Tell Me by Mike Omer

Not my favorite by this author but a solid story. The synopsis sounded intriguing with the therapist there to help a child that escaped her kidnapper and a serial killer on the loose. The first chapter drew me in and set the stage but as the characters appeared I started to wonder if I would finish the book as it went from one dysfunctional couple/family to the next.

What I liked:
* The idea of having a child therapist using play therapy as a main character and her part in the story – I was expecting someone with more experience, maturity, and less personal issues though
* Kathy’s resilience, ability to escape, and her coping skills after the trauma she experienced
* The setting of a small town with the tensions, gossip, and everyone knowing one another
* The relationship between Robin, the therapist, and her sister Melody
* Melody’s healthy relationship with her husband and children – they seemed normal
* Jimmie who owned the diner and seemed a central place in town – seemed like a solid person
* The way the play therapy gave clues to finding a serial killer – though it took a bit to believe it would unfold as it did
* That the evil doers were eventually found and dealt with

What I had trouble with:
* Robin’s dysfunctional family – her mother was a piece of work that Melody seemed to “see” and handle much better than Robin did
* The romance that suddenly happened – felt like there should have been more to draw the couple together and time for them to be drawn to one another
* That there wasn’t enough backstory to validate why the evil was done by the characters doing it
* Understanding how Robin’s ex, Clair’s husband, and Robin’s father could be so clueless and lacking in empathy
* The believability factor that was missing for me

Did I enjoy this book? Not as much as I had hoped I would
Would I read more by this author? Yes, if the synopsis appealed, I would give it a try

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars… (altro)