I really liked the premise of PLEASE TELL ME by Mike Omer. An eight-year-old is abducted and then returned, but she refuses to talk about her ordeal or anything else. She begins seeing a local therapist, and what she reveals is unsettling, to say the least.

Robin Hart is a complex creation. She is a PhD psychologist and specializes in helping children through therapy, but she also has her own unresolved issues going back to her childhood. Omer leaves a trail of clues regarding Robin's mother and the trauma Robin endured that isn't really resolved until the end. In fact, one of the book’s recurring themes is motherhood: What makes a "good" mother?

"The story is gripping. Omer's ability to write a tightly knit plot combines with his likable characters, resulting in an extremely readable book. In fact, we really want to know what happens next, so we fly through the pages."

Kathy was kidnapped while she was playing in her front yard. It was during COVID, and their neighborhood was quiet and safe. Her mother, Claire, was inside doing the dishes, but after Kathy's disappearance, she had second-guessed everything she did leading up to the abduction. Upon Kathy's return a year later, Claire is determined to make sure she does everything possible to keep her safe and help her emotionally. Claire's husband, Pete, doesn't get it.

Pete doesn't approve of the therapy because he doesn't understand how Kathy's reenactment of what she witnessed will help her heal. He thinks Robin is making her do things, though we know that isn’t the case. Robin provides a playroom, and Kathy is encouraged to play with whatever she wants. There are many different possible activities, including a sandbox, art supplies, dolls and a doll house. Kathy plays with the dolls but in a highly disturbing manner. She has a creepy-looking doll kill some of the other dolls in very specific ways. She also makes props for the doll house at home and uses them during her sessions with Robin.

When Robin realizes that some of Kathy's play habits seem to resemble recent murders, she contacts the police. But there's a fine line for therapists, and Omer carefully and accurately takes us through a description of that line (Omer's parents and sister are psychologists and advised him regarding the responsibilities of therapists). What can Robin reveal, and what should her first priority be? Assisting Kathy or helping the police catch a serial killer? Or can she do both?

The story is gripping. Omer's ability to write a tightly knit plot combines with his likable characters, resulting in an extremely readable book. In fact, we really want to know what happens next, so we fly through the pages. The twist at the end is nicely done. While I don't necessarily think there is enough deep material for a book club to plumb, it is certainly a fine suspense novel and worthy of recommendation.