.
We find Megan Youngblood living in a care home, it quickly becomes apparent that she is severely disabled, unable to speak and has very little physical movement. However, her sight, hearing, sense of smell and touch, as is her brain are in good working order.
As Megan lays immobile, isolated from family, at the mercy of her carers not all of who care, she recalls her life, her career as a concert pianist in her thoughts, recounting her life’s highs and the all too frequent lows. The recurring thread is her enduring love for her childhood sweetheart Gideon. Interspersed between episodes of her autobiography, are accounts of the care Megan receives and the all too frequent lack of it. The staff are overworked, poorly regarded, under resourced and in some cases cruel. As the story moves on we learn of the relationships Megan has formed, how they progress and some end, discovering also the train of events leading to her arrival in this unsatisfactory care home. We hope desperately that at some stage Megan will find a way out of these terrible circumstances she finds herself trapped in.
It is well written book, engaging and difficult to put down. I cannot say which genre it belongs to, it combines a love story, mystery and certainly a crime story, all skilfully intertwined.
I found it a brilliant read and stayed up late one night, well just into the next morning to finish it.
Fenlandphil's Blog 
Posted by Cathy Cade on May 2, 2023 at 4:22 pm
Sounds interesting. Maybe a little too close to home though, as the possibility looms nearer…
Posted by alexcraigie on May 3, 2023 at 12:14 am
I do understand, Cathy. It doesn’t make for reassuring reading…
Posted by Cathy Cade on May 3, 2023 at 10:12 am
Now you’ve hooked me!
Posted by fenlandphil on May 2, 2023 at 4:24 pm
I agree, Cathy.
Posted by alexcraigie on May 3, 2023 at 12:12 am
I know! I do keep telling people NOT to read it!
Posted by alexcraigie on May 3, 2023 at 12:18 am
Thanks so much for this terrific review, Phil! It means the world to me when someone appreciates my writing and then goes to the trouble of writing a considered comment on it. I’ll be grinning like an eejit for ages now!
Posted by fenlandphil on May 3, 2023 at 6:34 am
You are very welcome, Alex.
Posted by summertime75 on May 3, 2023 at 12:42 pm
Thank you, it sounds like an interesting but a disturbing read, it’s on my Amazon “to read list”
Posted by alexcraigie on May 7, 2023 at 1:43 am
Many thanks! (And apologies for the delay in responding.)
Posted by Marsha on May 12, 2023 at 2:31 am
This sounds like a fabulous book, a very emotional read, I think.
Posted by fenlandphil on May 12, 2023 at 6:34 am
It is a very interesting, absorbing book, disturbing and thought-provoking, and yes emotional too. I haven’t read anything like it before.
Posted by alexcraigie on May 12, 2023 at 9:20 am
Phil, that’s quite one of the loveliest tributes anyone could have made about the book. I might have to print it out and stick it on the fridge. 🙂
Posted by Marsha on May 12, 2023 at 9:41 pm
I had a nice response from the author as well. Great review.
Posted by alexcraigie on May 12, 2023 at 9:19 am
Thanks for your lovely response, Marsha. It is an emotional book and I don’t recommend it to anyone with someone in a care home – unless they know it to be a properly ‘caring’ one. It’s the unintentional neglect that I particularly wanted to highlight, and I do have to say that there are many, many care homes out there with superb and dedicated staff.
Posted by Marsha on May 12, 2023 at 9:39 pm
I had a couple of horror stories with my mom. She was on dialysis, so with the help of her renal doctor and the driver who picked her up, I was able to get her out and get some private care for her.
Posted by alexcraigie on May 13, 2023 at 7:58 am
That sounds traumatic for both of you. I’m so sorry that you found yourself in what was clearly a nightmare situation. Sadly, I’ve also come across true horror stories and carers who shouldn’t have been allowed anywhere near vulnerable people. Well done for removing your mother from a toxic and dangerous situation.