Incarnate Review

Synopsis from Edelweiss:

An ambitious and sharp-witted clinical psychiatrist turns detective when one of her patients comes under investigation for a series of brutal murders—is she a psychopath or a victim herself?
Brilliant psychiatric resident Dr. Kim Patterson has one major flaw: she is too committed to her patients. Her willingness to break the rules and use unconventional methods to help her patients heal has already gotten her thrown out of several hospitals. And when Scarlett Hascall is brought into the psychiatric ward, Kim can’t resist getting involved, even if it means breaking protocol—because Kim can see what the other doctors cannot. Scarlett is suffering from a rare condition: Dissociative Identity Disorder, otherwise known as Multiple Personalities.

But even Kim is at a loss when she realizes that some of Scarlett’s alternate identities are claiming to be people who have gone missing from their town. And when Scarlett’s alter identity “Izzi” knows way too much about the whereabouts of the missing Isabel Wilcox, the police begin to suspect that Scarlett may have been involved with Isabel’s disappearance. Only Kim defends Scarlett, certain of the girl’s innocence. But her new theory is a radical one, one she can hardly believe herself: What if Kim is channeling the troubled souls of these victims?

With the help of local police officer Zack Trainor, Kim digs further into Isabel’s case, trying to find proof that Scarlett wasn’t involved. The more they discover, the more it becomes apparent that something strange and frightening is going on with Scarlett. Is it possible she is truly harboring lost souls? Or is Scarlett playing a twisted game with her doctors and the police?

About: Incarnate is a supernatural thriller written by Josh Stolberg. It will be published on 7/25/17 by Atria/Emily Bestler Books/Alloy Entertainment, imprint of Simon & Schuster, 352 pages. The genres are fiction, thriller, and supernatural. This book is the author’s debut. Please see below for more information about the author.

My Experience: I started reading Incarnate on 6/5/17 and finished it on 6/9/17. This book can be summed up as an exciting read! It’s twisted and unexpected. The characters are interesting and the plot is action packed. So much happening in a small town that there were no dull moments reading this book. I love the cover. I like the focus on Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personalities) and the doctors that tend to them. I like learning about psychiatrist in this book.

This book is told in third person point of view. Readers will follow two main characters Dr. Kimberly (Kim) Patterson, a psychiatrist at a hospital in a small town of Jarvis, Alaska and Zack Trainor, the town’s detective. They both have their own broken childhood memories that drives them to be the best they can be in their field, him “protect the peace” and she “protect the peace of mind.” Kim is quirky and intelligent. She’s highly devoted to her patients and often jeopardize her career in the process. Her patient is Scarlett Hascall, nineteen who have been accused of causing havocs to different people, including murder, but she says she doesn’t remember doing any of it. Multiple Personalities plays a big role in this book as well as analyzing and solving mystery. Detective Trainor crosses paths with Dr. Patterson when he arrests Scarlet for the murder of Isabel Wilcox, a missing person because of her DNA link. The twists you won’t see coming!

Despite the many medical wordings, I still enjoy reading this book. I like the mystery, suspense, and investigation process. I really enjoy the banter between Kim and Zack. Kim explore the supernatural reason to explain Scarlett’s actions and Zack is livid to the idea, yet they can’t deny their attraction. I like following the strategies taken by Kim in figuring out her patient’s sickness. I love her humor. At times, her actions are farfetched for a doctor like climbing a tree without prior knowledge or putting her life in danger to coerce a confession. The ending is twistedly good! I could not have guessed it! I recommend everyone to read this book if you are looking for a good & twisted mystery!

Pro: mystery, suspense, diversity, psychiatrist, humor, twist, discuss strategies, prologue, fast paced, book cover

Con: the introduction of Brad is awkward, shouldn’t be in the middle of introducing Zack

I rate it 4.5 stars!

Buy here for free shipping: Book Depository

About the Author:

Josh lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two children. In his spare time, he enjoys photography, much of which can be seen at his website, JoshStolberg.com. He can regularly be found on both Twitter and Instagram at @JoshStolberg. (Photo obtained from his website and info obtained from Edelweiss).

***Disclaimer: Many thanks to the author Josh Stolberg, publisher Atria/Emily Bestler Books/Alloy Entertainment, and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read and review. Please assure that my opinions are honest.

xoxo,
Jasmine