Title: Tangled Darkness

Author: M.M. Desch

Genre: Psychological thriller

 

In Tangled Darkness by M.M. Desch, psychiatrist Leslie Schoen suddenly finds her life turned upside down when she is accused of stealing a heavily guarded medication. Shortly after that, one of her colleagues turns up dead, presumed murdered, and she’s a suspect. As a recovering alcoholic, the review board at work and her coworkers assume the worst, and to make matters even more complicated for Leslie, her wife, Izzy, is pregnant after miscarrying, and Leslie is keeping secrets from her.

Tangled Darkness is a deeply compelling psychological thriller, skillfully combining the world of medical malpractice with deeply personal themes of addiction, family trauma, and LGBTQ+ identity. It’s written in a time when all these factors are relevant to American society, and many readers will feel connected or drawn in. Leslie is a flawed but sympathetic protagonist. She has deep, believable struggles with sobriety and past trauma, which are displayed throughout the narrative in flashback sequences that bring to light her struggle even more.

The author uses such scenes to great effect in order to explain why Leslie is the way she currently is. Leslie and Izzy’s romantic relationship is rendered with care, giving it a tender authenticity, providing emotional grounding as Leslie’s circumstances grow more dangerous. This fact feels especially realistic.

Desch continues her skill at character development with the rest of the cast. The questionable dynamics at play between Leslie’s coworkers and the detectives who are involved in the alleged murder stand out. The author avoids a commonly seen failure in many thrillers: one-dimensional antagonists. Especially noteworthy is Nurse Michelle’s psychological breakdown, which Desch writes with sensitivity, employing strong showing techniques in the narrative rather than merely telling about the damaging effects of childhood trauma and abuse.

Desch has created an authentic portrayal of the medical world. The clinical details feel genuine. The complexities of insurance fraud, drug diversion schemes, and professional misconduct meld together to create a backdrop that elevates the thriller to a higher level. The author expertly displays impressive knowledge of medical board investigations, DEA procedures, and dynamics of shared medical practices, further enhancing the story.

Tangled Darkness excels in its representation of the life of a recovering addict, which is a challenging balancing act of care and facts. Desch writes these aspects well, blending them naturally within the framework of the narrative rather than forcing them. The pregnancy storyline adds another layer of stakes, especially given the history of an earlier miscarriage and its devastating effects on Izzy and Leslie.

The pacing throughout is managed well. The author builds tension with steadily progressing events, simultaneously giving plenty of page space for character development and themes such as trust, family bonds, and recovery. Desch masterfully balances multiple plotlines—the board investigation, the alleged murder, the drug scheme, and Leslie’s personal journey.

The story’s resolution proves satisfying without being overly neatly tied up. Desch shows restraint throughout the narrative by not over-explaining plot points. However, that said, the final confrontation does lend to feeling somewhat rushed compared to the careful pacing throughout the rest of the novel.

Tangled Darkness announces M.M. Desch as a talented new voice in the psychological thriller genre, combining her vast medical knowledge with emotional depth and careful plotting. Tangled Darkness is a compelling debut that promises stronger work in the author’s future, leaving readers hopeful that she will keep producing novels. This thriller is perfect for readers who appreciate character-driven narratives.

 

 

This Editorial Review was written by the Book Review Directory staff. To receive a similarly honest, professional review for one of your own books, click here.