An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

Jessie was supposed to be a number in a university study. It was supposed to be an easy way to make extra money. After seven years in New York City, Jess was struggling, her dream of becoming a make-up artist on Broadway slipping from her hands. So when she sees an opportunity for extra cash, which she knows her family back home desperately needs, she blatantly lies to get into the study.

The study is about morality and choices. Jess is uncomfortable revealing decisions she regrets, but her answers bring her to the attention of Dr. Shields.

Dr. Shields draws Jessie into her confidence, asking her to take the study beyond questionnaires in an empty room and into real-life situations that push Jessie out of her comfort zone. And then Jessie learns about a previous study volunteer who died and discovers Dr. Shields isn't telling the truth.

The story is narrated in two voices, Jessie and Dr. Shields. There are twists and complications in the plot, filling Jessie with doubt about who she can trust.

Having the villain a psychologist is brilliant, a built-in reason for her to understand Jessie with greater insight and thereby easily manipulate Jessie. Jessie is needy but self-reliant and savvy enough to fight back.

An Anonymous Girl is a clever page-turner, a fun ride that keeps readers guessing. Be warned, don't read this before bedtime. It will interfere with your sleep schedule.

Authors Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen's previous book The Wife Between Us is a New York Times bestseller and Amazon.com best book of the year.

I received a free book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

An Anonymous Girl
by Greer Hendricks; Sarah Pekkanen
St. Martin's Press
Pub Date 08 Jan 2019
ISBN 9781250133731
PRICE $27.99 (USD)