Too Close

A Novel

By: Natalie Daniels

Narrated by: Clara Salaman, Sara Stewart

Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

A haunting, edge-of-your-seat debut psychological thriller about a woman who has been institutionalized for a heinous crime, and the psychiatrist assigned to her case who must uncover the truth beneath the madness.

How close do you get before it’s too late...?

Working as a dedicated forensic psychiatrist for many years, Emma is not shocked so easily. Then she is assigned to work with Connie, a wife and mother accused of a despicable crime. Connie is suffering from dissociative amnesia - or at least seems to be.

Now it is up to Emma to decide whether Connie can stand trial for her sins. But there is something about Connie that inexorably pulls Emma into her orbit. Perhaps it is the way she seems to see right through Emma, speaking to Emma’s deepest insecurities about her life, marriage, and her own tragic past. And soon Emma begins to understand how Connie’s complicated marriage and toxic relationship with her beautiful best friend Ness could have driven Connie to snap - or maybe, she is simply getting too close to a woman who is unforgivable…

Alternating between the two women’s points of view, before and after Connie’s breakdown, Too Close is a masterfully written riveting listen about the powerful - yet dangerous - closeness between women.

©2019 Natalie Daniels (P)2019 HarperAudio

Refreshing!

Loved this book! Very fast paced, deep, beautiful and honest look at mental illness. I loved the characters and really felt like my life was crumbling as Connie's did as I read through. Also completely enjoyed Connie's cynicism and dark humor, this all made for an engrossing, absorbing read.

A welcome change

The narrators were perfectly suited to the story which was very well written and put together. Such a difference from many ‘soap operas’ with empty-headed characters. The author managed to keep her characters independent of each other and woven in and out of the tale without them losing their personalities. My first impression was relief ‘that this author has a brain”

The subject matter was difficult and after 20 years working with the mentally ill I was relieved to note that the medical terms were mostly accurate. I would perhaps suggest that the terms sociopath and psychopath not be used interchangeably. Most of us believe that they both mean the same diagnosis. There is a significant number

parts excellent

Structurally, it needs more mystery and thriller suspense but excellent writing, character development and performance.

Wrong genre

As several other people have said...this book is in the wrong genre. It’s more of a drama.

Life is hard

This tale was a mix of emotions. The narration was better than excellent. Enjoyed the story.

Good listen overall.

Ending felt just a bit rush but good listen overall. Narrator did an amazing job.

Loved it!

Beautifully written and exquisitely narrated. Hang in early on and things get better. The narrator is one of the best I've heard.

Great

I was holding for a different ending. The book was very descriptive and I enjoyed the reader. I felt as if I were there. Definitely a must read !

Not a reviewer but feel an obligation..

This is one of the few books I’ve gone back and listened to sections again (other than self help selections). It is a beautiful testament to women, motherhood and how fragile her thread can become in the face of multiple heartbreaks. The characters are so well written that I had to keep listening to see what each would do next. I laughed out loud several times when Connie or her little mini me, Annie displayed their acerbic, hilarious wit. The narrator does an incredible job of adding just the right tone of sarcasm for Connie or funny noise for Annie. I am in love with this story and the way the mental illness is so relatable; the unfairness of how it is perceived in some sects of our society. If you have experienced tragedy, immense sadness, depression, challenging relationships, motherhood or if you think you enjoy meeting a hybrid Sylvia Plath and Dorothy Parker, then Connie and this book is for you. Thank you, Natalie Daniels, Clara Salaman and Sara Stewart for your incredible work. Now, get on to the next one!!!

Best best book

Oh my. Do not skip over this one. I finished this in two days. The insightful soul wrenching self deprecating funny tragic triumphant story is so well written and so well performed that I don’t know if any other book in recent memory can compare. It is as if one is transported right into this world. I am forever changed. Bravo