cover image The Blind

The Blind

A.F. Brady. Park Row, $26.99 (400p) ISBN 978-0-7783-3087-5

Psychologist Samantha “Sam” James, the heroine of Brady’s complex, intricately plotted debut, is the golden girl at Manhattan’s Typhlos Psychiatric Center, respected and admired by her boss and peers. In her personal life, however, she’s miserable, and drinking heavily. When a new patient, Richard McHugh, shows up at the center, he first sits in silence with one of the other therapists, then asks to see Sam. All Sam knows is that Richard once murdered someone and spent more than half his life in prison. In subsequent sessions with Richard, Sam struggles to figure out this enigmatic man—whose reason for coming to the facility remains unclear. One side benefit of trying to treat Richard is that Sam begins to see her own life more clearly. On the other hand, she starts behaving inappropriately with other patients and making mistakes at work, some leading to disastrous results. This psychological thriller grabs the reader and doesn’t let go until the truth about Richard’s past is finally revealed. Agent: Marian Young, Marian Young Agency. (Sept.)