DEADLY EFFECT!

THE PAST AND PRESENT COLLIDE WITH DEADLY EFFECT - 

Myles McWeeney Irish Independent

 

THRILLER - THE DOLL' S HOUSE

 

 

 

When Dublin businessman Adrian Hamilton died in what appeared to be a drowning accident 35 years ago, the event had a devastating effect on his family. His now adult daughter Clodagh Mc Kay, a recovering alcoholic, decides to visit a hypnotherapist in an effort to fill in the huge gaps in her childhood memories and come to terms with herself.

 

As Clodagh’s hypnotherapist helps her peel away the barriers her subconscious has erected to block out many of her childhood memories, it is clear that a dreadful tragedy had happened in the Hamilton household just before her father’s death… As her childhood memories begin to take shape, her old brother Dominic and husband Martin, close friends since childhood, become increasingly alarmed and try to suggest she is having a mental breakdown.

 

Clodagh’s regression sessions happen to coincide with a series of bizarre murders, including that of prominent television personality Keith Jenkins, that are being investigated by Garda Inspector O’Connor and criminal psychologist Dr Kate Pearson. As Pearson and O’Connor investigate the background of each of the victims, it becomes evident the victims were friends are youngsters and that someone is eliminating the group in an effort to cover up something that happened in the past.

 

As Kate delves deeper into the history of the Hamilton family, she realises that it is more than likely the methodical killer may be targeting Clodagh….

 

Dublin-born Louise Phillips scored a solid hit with her first psychological thriller Red Ribbons. Published last year, it was an instant bestseller and was shortlisted for Best Irish Crime Novel of 2012. In The Doll’s House Phillips has delivered a sequel that betters her debut – a gripping, suspenseful story peopled with well-drawn characters.

EXTRACT FROM MYLES MCWEENEY - IRISH INDEPENDENT