In Memory Mary, the psychiatrist and writer protagonist of all the novellas in Escaping Psychiatrist is the victim of a crime. Raped and hit in the head she cannot remember any details and has to rebuild her life anew.
'Escaping Psychiatry' is a collection of three novellas with the same protagonist, Mary, a psychiatrist and writer. She is trying to develop her literary career but circumstances and friends conspire to keep dragging her back to psychiatry. In the third novella, 'Memory', Mary runs out of her apartment after a difficult encounter with her friend Phil, and goes missing. When she is found it seems that she was hit in the head, abducted and raped. As a result of the head injury she initially cannot recall what happened or remember many details of her life. She never recovers memory for the assault and finds it difficult to come to terms with something she cannot recall. Her relationships and her whole life are left in turmoil following the traumatic incident. The clues point towards a serial killer who could not finish his job in her case. But some things do not fit in. Who disturbed the killer? Why was she left there? The crime and the investigation surrounding it have a profound impact on Mary who decides that she needs to reconsider her life and start anew.
Exploring issues such as mental illness, memory, police investigation, trauma, serial killers and life as a single professional woman, 'Memory' is an intense and intriguing novella. Although this is a fictional work, the author, a forensic psychiatrist, brings her expertise and insight to the material, lifting it above a standard crime caper.
If you enjoy the characters, psychological depth and pace, why not check the other two novellas in the series: 'Cannon Fodder' and 'Teamwork'?
Excerpt
“Mary…”
“Phil?....Phil, what are you doing here?”
“I finished the case and had some time off. I thought I’d come and say hello.”
“That’s great. Come in. I’ll get you a drink.”
Mary walked ahead and Phil followed. The place was small and self-contained, but well kept and reasonably furnished.
“Sorry it‘s so small, but it’s better than many of the places they send me to. Make yourself at home, Phil. Did you bring anything with you? Are you staying for a while?”
“I didn’t bring anything with me. I didn’t think before I set off.”
“Oh…OK.” Mary came out of the kitchen and looked at Phil with what he felt was suspicion. “Are you feeling all right?”
“Yes…” As he replied he felt anger rising in his chest. “Why? Do I look mad or something?”
“No, Phil. You look perfectly fine. It’s just…out of character for you, that’s all.”
“Don’t you fucking patronise me! If you’re trying to ask me something, you should come out with it straight!”
“All right then. Have you been taking your medication?”
Phil saw a red cloud in front of his eyes and lost all control.
“I don’t need your fucking medicines! Who do you think you are? Do you think that because you’re a psychiatrist you can tell anyone they’re mad? You’re so full of crap! What you need is a good fuck, nothing else. And my bet is you haven’t had one in ages.”
Mary wasn’t the only one surprised by what he’d said. If anyone had asked him before he opened his mouth he wouldn’t have had a clue of what he was going to say. But once he’s said it, it seemed to make perfect sense. Yes, definitely that was Mary’s problem. And he was the man to sort it out.
“I’ll give it to you. Come here.”
Phil had grabbed the shocked Mary by the arm and tried to drag her towards the settee. Her training in breakaway techniques came handy and she managed to release herself from his grip.
“Phil, I’ll get you a drink and you can have something to relax you a little bit. You’ll feel much better in a minute.”
“I’m feeling fantastic already. Come here.”
This time he grabbed her with both hands and kissed her. Mary started to look worried.
“Phil…you don’t really want to do this. Let’s have a seat and talk about it.”
“There’s more to life than talking. Come on. You’ll enjoy yourself. I’m very good at this. You’ll see.”
Mary managed to release herself from him once again and walked towards the door. He was faster than her and blocked her way.
“Don’t be shy, Mary. You know you want it too.”
“Phil, you’ll feel very bad about this once you’re back to normal.”
“I’m perfectly bloody normal!”
Mary looked at him in the eyes and her expression changed to a comforting smile.
“Of course you are. Sorry Phil. Who am I kidding? You’re right. Let’s go. Why don’t you get yourself ready? That’s the bedroom, over there. Get your clothes off. I’ll get us a couple of drinks and I’ll join you.”
In any other circumstances he wouldn’t have fallen for such a simple trick, but he was so full of himself that he was only happy she’d finally submitted to his irresistible charm. He went to the bedroom. He took his clothes off and got into bed. After a few minutes waiting he realised that something wasn’t right. When he came out of the bedroom Mary had left the house.
Professional Reviews
4 out of 5 star. Memories of a novella series
9 Feb 2013
By Dave
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified PurchaseIt's a change of pace to CANNON FODDER & TEAMWORK but it lets MEMORY develop the central character in a different way that not only showcases her vulnerability but also supporting characters from the other novellas. Read them all, and in order and you'll really enjoy them
Aberash has been driven from the world by the tormenting of the dragons she released and now they threaten the balance of power. The Crimean War has broken out. Zabella is sent to Rehema, the exiled queen, to learn the secrets of the dragons. But can
