Therapy

By: Sebastian Fitzek

Narrated by: Robert Glenister

Length: 7 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

No witnesses.

Twelve-year-old Josy has an inexplicable illness. She vanishes without a trace from her doctor's office during treatment. Four years later Josy's father, psychiatrist Viktor Larenz, has withdrawn himself to an isolated North Sea island in order to deal with the tragedy.

No body.

Then he's paid a surprise visit by a beautiful stranger. Anna Glass is a novelist who suffers from an unusual form of schizophrenia: All the characters she creates for her books become real to her. In her last novel she has written about a young girl with an unknown illness who has disappeared without a trace.

Where is his daughter?

Can Anna's delusions describe Josy's last days?

Reluctantly Viktor agrees to take on her therapy in a final attempt to uncover the truth behind his daughter's disappearance. But very soon these sessions take a dramatic turn as the past is dragged back into the light - with terrifying consequences.

©2011 Sebastian Fitzek (P)2015 Audible, Ltd

Critic reviews

"Spine-chilling...masterful...brilliant." ( The Times)
"The eponymous killer is even nastier than he sounds in this superior German thriller." ( Daily Telegraph)
"Dazzling." ( The Sunday Times on Splinter)

Fairly predictable but still keeps you guessing

I hadn't heard of Fitzek until Audible released the full cast production of The Child, which was an experience unto itself. Since then I have purchased several of his other books, this being the first I've listened to so far. It wasn't a dramatized production as The Child was, but it was definitely a great listening experience.

Although I had the ending mostly figured out, there were still so many twists and turns that it kept me guessing right up to the very last moment. The story was so smoothly written and performed that I couldn't stop listening. Out of the last 30 or so purchases I have made, this was the first I have listened to the entire way through. Even though Glenister is not what they call a "voice actor" and in some cases it was hard to make a distinction between characters who were speaking, his tone suited not only the story but fit the main character perfectly.

If you are looking for a subtle yet suspenseful mind-bender, this is a safe bet.

BONE CHILLINGLY AWESOME!!!!!

Any additional comments?

So, like I said in my previous review, I loved this author, and the narrator so much I went and bought another book right away. This psychological thriller thing is so freaking fantastic. The mind trip that Fitzek's books take you on are mind blowing.

Viktor is still mourning the loss of his daughter four years after her disappearance. There is no body, no clues, nothing. Viktor has withdrawn to an Island off the North Sea. Viktor thinks this will help him deal with his tragedy.

That is until he gets an unexpected visit from a novelist by the name of Anna. She has sought Viktor out in hopes he would be willing to take her on as a patient. Odd things have been happening to Anna. Her characters are coming alive and coming to her in real life.

Viktor is intrigued by what Anna has brought to him, but then realizes there are a lot of similarities to Anna and his daughter Josy. Viktor wants to hear more about Anna, and hopes that it will help him find out what happen to Josy.

What unfolds is far more sinister than that. I was so confused during this book, but was so drawn in at the same time. I was totally intrigued by what was wrong with Josy, or what wasn't. No one seemed to know what was was happening to her.

During Viktor's visits with Anna he comes face to face with exactly what happened to his daughter. Something that no one at any time in her life time was able to figure out. Now, Viktor is forced to face his reality. It's chilling. Just chilling.

I still cannot wrap my head around how this book came to an end. It still makes me shudder. This is so, so, creeptastic.....chillingly brilliant. FABULOUS!

If you like psychological thrillers this is another book you should pick up. You will not be disappointed. I want to listen to it again, just to make sure I didn't miss anything. I still might. It was so good.

Redeemed

Pretty good. I will try another of this author's books. The ending clarified things, thankfully! It was satisfying. Keeping up with the characters and locations was slightly confusing. The narrator is my favorite, and his voice inflection definitely minimized the confusion as much as possible. At times, though, I was frustrated at the storyline, particularly the main character's seeming inability to take obvious measures. But the ending redeemed my opinion, so I'm glad I stayed through the whole book!

wow

i dont believe i have ever reviewed an audible purchase but this story deserves it! fantastic

Excellent

I couldn’t stop listening! It kept me engaged to the very end. I’d recommend this to anyone who likes a good twisty plot.

Once the pace picks up its hard to stop listening

I really liked this book. This was the first I've listened to from this author and I look forward to checking out more of his work. It was paced well and not at all boring. It ended well also

better than expected!

This is the second Fitzek audible title I've purchased and it's better than the last one (Passenger 23) which was also very good. I love the radio play style format which really enhances the listen and I genuinely didn't see the twist at the end. Certain parts were genuinely riveting which is rare nowadays. A well paced story.

Great story... a bit predictable

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would recommend this book. It is well written, the narrator did a great job, and the story as a whole captivates your attention easily.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

For the most part. However, there were definitely some parts that seemed to drag on a bit. I feel like I also had a pretty good idea what the great reveal was going to be at the end for most of the book.

Which character – as performed by Robert Glenister – was your favorite?

Dr. Lorenz

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me nervous at times concerning what was going to happen next.

Any additional comments?

Good storyline. Wish the great reveal at the end was a little more complicated than it was. It was worth the listen.

Great book

Great book with lots of twists . I enjoyed the plot and definitely will read more from this author

It was okay....

Not the worst book, not the best book. The description of the book drew me in. I didn't find the story particularly terrifying or surprising. The story line seemed familiar and I had pretty much figured out the ending before I got to it. Although the story could have been shortened (a lot of repetition and too wordy) I continued listening to the end. I wish I would have fast forwarded here and there to save time.