When She Returned by Lucinda Berry

Kate Bennett, married to Scott for 17 years and has a 5 year old daughter, seemingly vanishes one day. All of her belongings were left in the car in a Target parking lot. "She disappeared like a ghost, with her keys in the ignition and her purse on the passenger seat -- no sign of a struggle." An exhaustive search by the FBI and a massive press push turned up nothing and Scott was even a suspect for quite a time. After about four years, Scott and his daughter Abbi face the fact that Kate must be dead and they move on. Years pass and eventually Scott meets, courts and marries a widow, Meredith, he met in a support group and they, along with Meredith's two older sons, form a family. In fact, they are newlyweds of about 10 months when the call comes: "She's alive." Kate and her 7-week-old baby girl, Shiloh, were found at a gas station in Montana.

Throughout Kate's absence, her memory had been kept lovingly alive by Scott for his daughter, Abbi, who's now 16. Because they were childhood sweethearts, soul mates, and he absolutely adored Kate, Scott is a mess when he sees her in the hospital. She's been tortured and is experiencing PTSD. There's not much to do for Kate after she's physically restored except for her to go back to Arcata, California, with Scott, Meredith and Abbi. To her old home. Protected by local police and with FBI consultants staying in the house, it is discovered that Kate had been living in a cult for all these years. As Kate settles in with the baby, the household is in a bit of an uproar and slowly Kate opens up about her time with the group that calls themselves Love International. NO SPOILERS.

This was quite the interesting story and I couldn't put it down so read in one sitting. The narrative shifts back and forth in time and between the points of view of Kate, Meredith and Abbi. The characters were all quite complex and no doubt you will have your favorites while others will try your sympathy. Since the revelations come slowly, you'll need some patience to get through some of the sections to get at the truth. I found the information about the cult quite fascinating and it is scary how the brainwashing is done and more so how effective it is. I liked the writing style and appreciate the fact that this book was written by a trauma psychologist and researcher in childhood trauma. Her expertise lends much credibility to this thrilling novel.

I always read other reviews when I've finished writing mine and am surprised at the disparity between the ratings but what I'm looking for in a suspense tale is originality and edification and this met both. I hope you enjoy it is much as I did.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the e-book ARC to read and review.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.
Genre - psychological suspense fiction - cults