Title: All of Us by A. F. Carter
Publisher: Mysterious Press
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 208 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
A twisting, thrilling suspense novel about a woman with dissociative identity disorder borne of unspeakable childhood trauma who must face her abuser’s release from prison
All of Us is a riveting thriller with six compelling protagonists—who all share one body. Though legally she is Carolyn Grand, in practice she is Martha, a homemaker who cooks and cleans for her “family,” Victoria, a put-together people person, Serena, a free spirit, Kirk, a heterosexual man, Eleni, a promiscuous risk-taker, and Tina, a manifestation of what is left of Carolyn after years of childhood sexual abuse.
As they jockey for control of their body, all the personalities also work together to avoid being committed to a psychiatric facility. But Carolyn’s tenuous normal is shattered when Hank Grand, the man who abused her and leased her out to pedophiles, is released from prison. Soon he begins stalking her, bringing back painful memories for all of the personalities.
When Hank is murdered in a seedy hotel room, Carolyn is immediately a prime suspect. But the man has other shady dealings, and the burden of proof weighs heavy on the police—especially when, propelled by demons of his own, one of the detectives assigned to the case finds his way into Carolyn’s very solitary life.
The police and the reader are left wondering: are any of Carolyn’s personalities capable of murder? A deeply suspenseful novel, with a truly unique cast of characters.
Review:
All of Us by A. F. Carter is a riveting mystery with a delightfully unique premise.
Carolyn Grand’s horrific child abuse at the hands of her father, Hank, and her first foster parents was too much for her shattered mind to endure. Her body is now host to six distinctive people with very different personalities. Martha and Victoria take care of the day to day tasks of living. Kirk is the family muscle who loves to play video games and watch ballgames. Eleni basks in her sexuality and much to the others’ dismay, she indulges in indiscriminate one night stands. Serena is a bit of a hippy who enjoys art. Tina is the keeper of the memories of their abuse and she mainly resides in the background. Their once stable home-life is threatened after Eleni propositions the wrong man. “Carolyn” must now attend counseling sessions with a psychologist who is pursuing his own agenda. And after Hank’s early release from prison, it quickly becomes clear he won’t leave his daughter alone. After he is murdered, the police zero in on Carolyn but did one of her personalities kill her father?
With each of the chapters altering between the six personalities, All of Us is fast-paced and gripping. The personalities are well-developed with interesting quirks, strengths and weaknesses. The storyline is well-developed and quite intriguing. The psychologist is odious but the personalities aptly turn the tables on him. The investigation into Hank’s murder is fascinating but the unexpected relationship between one of the detectives and Carolyn crosses an ethical boundary. With an unanticipated plot twist, A. F. Carter brings this clever mystery to a bit of an abrupt and ambiguous conclusion that is satisfyingly true to the uncertainty surrounding the personalities’ future(s). An outstanding debut that I found impossible to put down and highly recommend to fans of the genre.
