Don't Look In

I loved the small town setting and atmosphere created by Tom Saric in his crime thriller, Don't Look In. The semi-rural Maine location is becoming home to professionally disgraced psychiatrist Gus Young as he slowly integrates into this tight-knit community where the townsfolk are sure to mind their own business while also being acutely aware of every action their neighbours take. My imagination was piqued by Gus's isolated forest cabin which sounded just like the kind of home I want - without a local serial killer on the loose of course!

I liked Gus as a character and especially the way Saric allows readers to gradually get to know him well through his conversations and interactions. He has a blighted past, as is common for the genre, but I felt the sympathetic portrayal allowed me to see a far more authentically grounded character than I had initially expected. In fact I would say this is true of everyone we spend a significant amount of time with during Don't Look In. Wanda and Ned particularly could have been reduced to shallow stereotypes, but instead I could see them as fully fleshed out people, albeit ones who had been severely emotionally damaged in the earlier parts of their lives.

The synopsis had led me to expect a tale bordering on lurid, but I was pleasantly surprised to actually find myself reading a thoughtful and tightly-plotted thriller. Saric's real-life knowledge of psychiatry shines through in each of Gus's client sessions so I had no trouble believing his role was genuine and the claustrophobic imagery of his utility closet 'office', however prettily furnished, was a striking contrast to the wild forest scenes. What I appreciated most about Don't Look In was the tight rein Saric keeps on the narrative. For me this was an increasingly tense read, cleverly convoluted and with a great pace throughout so I was kept eagerly glued to its pages.