... is another book by Sandra Block, an author I just recently discovered, and wanted to read more of her work. Having recently read one of her books with the resident Dr. Zoe Goldman as the main character, I assumed Zoe would be in the "Lies" volume with all her personality quirks, doubts about her ability to be a provider in a mental health setting. Dr. Goldman is a well thought out piece of fiction, and could easily have some personal issues that the author is well acquainted with in her home life.
Dr. Goldman is working in a mental hospital in Buffalo, NY., under supervision. She encounters a number of patients, admitted for a variety of ills. One particular patient seems to have a special connection, and attaches her health and well being to Zoe. In addition to working the long hours required by her profession, often on call overnight, Zoe's personal life is a shambles, with a significant other that is on-again, off-again. Plus her mother is in nursing care, descending into the lost world of dementia.
While Zoe meets the demands of her profession, she is also attempting to sort out her personal history. Her mother told her as a child she was her foster parent, then adopted her through the court system, relocating to give the family a fresh start. Zoe is obsessed with digging into her childhood, searching for clues of her birth family. The bit of information she received from her adoptive mom do not seem to add up, as there is no documented history in published news of the fire her mom claims she survived as a child. The plot thickens considerably, with the patient from the hospital playing an unexpected part in Zoe's search for her early history.
Zoe is an easy person to like, who has lots of frailties, she readily admits. She is struggling with doubt,, on meds. for anxiety and ADHD, seeing a therapist, has a hard time with relationships. Occasionally seeming to be a candidate for admission to a mental hospital, while being on the staff there. I enjoyed reading this book, especially after being introduced to Dr. Goldman in the one that was written after "Lies." Good entertainment, with a well-wrought plot and realistic characters.
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