"The Crazy Psychologist", by Miller H. Caldwell, is one of the books I first got on NetGalley, back in 2015, when I first signed up. The title sounded intriguing, and I am pretty sure it was marketed as a thriller, though it's been over 5 years, so I cannot guarantee that. Alas, I never got around to reading it, the NetGalley copy expired, and many years later I found myself desperately looking for a copy of this out of print book because I am obsessed with my NetGalley feedback ratio. Thankfully I found a decently priced copy on Ebay and finally got around to reading it!

Anyway, the book itself was, unfortunately, not for me. It is set in Scotland, in the Orkney Islands. It follows Angie, a psychologist who is opening an unconvetional treatment center for young people diagnosed with anorexia. More so, the book is focused on Angie overcoming her own problems, steming from a traumatizing childhood. I personally thought the book tried to cover too many things, and the amount of problems and the pace at which they neatly resolved, was simply unbelievable. It also wasn't a thriller, as any time some suspense would build, it turned out to be barely anything and would resolve quickly.

All in all, I am happy that I tracked this book down and will now manage to boost my NetGalley Feedback Ratio. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the book much, but it its defence, it read fast and had a beautiful setting.

It was the last time anthony Arnold would hear the heavy metal door squeak and clang shut. He had been in prison the last two decades plus. But now he was about to be released. Anthony/tony knew no one would be on the outside to greet him. No relatives had visited in the twenty six years. Few would remember the young father who murdered his wife. Than Tony’s aftercare social worker brian levack pulled up. Brian told tony he had a flat fixed for him. Brian’s role was to enable Tony to cope in his new surroundings. Tony did say he had a daughter- Angie and possible a son but he had no idea where they would be especially if his daughter had married but he let Brian know. If there was ever a meeting between Tony and his child/children Brian would help him.Angie had been sexually molested for years in the children’s home she was sent to after her father went to prison. More flowers came for Dr. Angie Fox and her husband sam took care of them. Clients and their parents showed their appreciation with baking, fruit sometimes but most regular of all was flowers. Sam was an artist and he seldom received perks form his from his trade. His wife Angie was a clinical psychologist . the couple had came six months earlier for Angie to run the twelve bed Hazelnut Assessment Center. Children were referred from all Scottish Authorities. The clients were between eleven and sixteen. When anorexia, bulimia, and social anxiety cases required further assessment and treatment they were sent to Angie. Angie had some unusual ways to work with her clients. Sam’s quiet new life on the island of two hundred people gave him considerable peace of mind and creativity. Angie mentioned today she got a new client Simon he was an elective mute who hasn’t spoken in over two years. The next day Sam felt Angie had even went to far for her.when she and her clients were naked frolicking in the sea. It turns out it was anorexic girls and to see other girls with the same disease and know they were sick and relate it to themselves. But that was still too much as far as Sam was concerned. Angie believed that it was good to give her clients new experiences. Give than some control over their lives. Make them make their own decisions. Angie wanted results, the families wanted results. It’s what the clients need too. Than Angie got two Psychology doctoral students instead of one. Kevin who she knew about and Lucy.
I finished the book but just didn’t seem to connect with it or the characters in it. I won’t read it again. I definitely didn’t like that Angie’s clients were referred to by their diseases. I felt that was just dehumanization. I am sure others will like this but it just wasn’t for me.