Reader Friday – Her Good Girl

Patricia Bradley Reader Friday 22 Comments

I cannot believe I forgot to post my Reader Friday Blog! Wow. This deadline is getting to me. lol I am at 63,280 words going to 90,000. And a March 1 deadline. I could possibly need a few prayers to make this deadline!

Now onto Her Good Girl by Elaine Stock. This is a psychological suspense story that deals with Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, an illness that a lot of people don’t know about or understand. But it is very real. Here’s the back cover copy:

Sometimes digging deep frees you to bloom.

Sadie Tremont’s will to survive is killing her. Almost 18, she’s battled one mysterious illness after another. Tara-Lynn, her mom, insists she’s the only one with the ultimate cure. Sadie can’t depend on her dad to help when his only interest is underground caving. Her grandmother too easily counts on God to help, but Sadie has stopped waiting for miracles. Callie, a café owner and new friend, might help but can she be trusted?

Then there’s Sky, Sadie’s new boyfriend who offers a sliver of joy, peace, and self-respect. When his scheme that the only way for Sadie to be happy is to escape with him from her native West Virginia hills by killing Tara-Lynn, she’s trapped.

She can’t partner with Sky to hurt the mom who has hurt her for years . . . or can she?

When tragedy strikes and threatens Sadie’s dad’s life and the shaky ground the Tremont family stands on, will they pull together or give in to the weakened earth beneath their feet?

***

Her Good Girl, by Elaine Stock drew me in from the first page as Sadie struggled with the realization her mother was making her sick and no one would stop it. Not her father, who distanced himself from the issue, nor her grandmother who didn’t know what to do, nor her doctor, who didn’t see what was going on. And then there was Sky, who used Sadie for his own gain.

Stock masterfully weaves a story of a mother with Munchausen by Proxy, a daughter who sees no way to escape her mother’s illness other than killing her, and a family in deep dysfunction. Her Good Girl is a story that will stay with you long after you read it.

Many families deal with mental illness. Have you ever read a novel that helped you understand a mental illness better? Leave a comment and be entered in a drawing for one of the books in my library!

[tweet_box design=”default” float=”none”]Many families deal with mental illness. Have you ever read a novel that helped you understand a mental illness better? Her Good Girl by @ElaineStock is one that will.[/tweet_box]

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Comments 22

  1. Delores E. Topliff

    I know Elaine’s good, thoughtful writing and this sounds like a “must read”–looking forward to it. Frankly, being privileged to proofread your next book that will be published soon helped me identify and understand psychosis better than I ever did before. Well-done!

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    1. Elaine Stock

      First, Delores, thanks so much for your kind words. I hope you do have a chance to read Sadie’s story and that it may bless you with hope. Second… did you say psychosis? And connected to Pat’s suspenses? Oooh… I can’t wait to read the next Patricia Bradley novel!!

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  2. Paula S.

    I don’t remember reading a novel that helped me understand a mental problem— but I might have. This one looks suspenseful and intriguing. Thanks Pat!

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  3. Edward Arrington

    I read Karen Kingsbury’s “Unlocked”. One of the main characters is a teenage boy with autism. It gave me a new perspective on autism.

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      Patricia Bradley

      I haven’t read “Unlocked” yet, but it sounds interesting, Edward. In the book releasing in June, one of my characters is mentally challenged. And I have a sociopath. Thanks for stopping by.

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  4. Jackie Smith

    Elaine’s book looks like my kind of book to read! I remember reading a book years ago about bi-polar which really enlightened me. I passed it on to a friend who had family members who were bi-polar. I think the author was Hannah Alexander.

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  5. Anne L. Rightler

    I’m sure in all the books I have read over the years I have run across a few that have given insight into mental illness but none pops out right now. I’m about half way thru Her Good Girl and am enjoying it. Rather heartbreaking that families can be so messed up! Hoping for a good ending??? Thanks for sharing about it.

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      1. Anne L. Rightler

        Well, by now you’ve read my review and know I really liked the book! Thanks again for sharing about it.

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  6. Phyllis Scott

    I have not, Elaine Stock’s book sounds fascinating. We have manic depression in our family. My father suffered for years until he took his own life. Even though we are followers of Christ, we still suffer just as the world does. I have read most of Hannah Alexander’s books. Looking forward to your next one, Patricia.

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    2. Elaine Stock

      Thanks for visiting Patricia’s blog, Phyllis. I too am sorry about your father. It’s not easy watching a parent suffer through rough times; I believe children instinctively know something is amiss yet can’t help but want that parent to be the one to take care of them at the same time. If you get a chance to read Her Good Girl I hope Sadie’s story encourages you with hope about a brightness that can happen despite darkness.

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  7. Caryl Kane

    I haven’t specifically read a book on mental illness. I currently reading Ted Dekker’s The Bride Collector and some of the characters have a mental illness.

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