Review: Chilling Psychological Suspense!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 10, 2013
Damian Stevenson's "Solstice" is an edge-of-your-seat psychological suspense tale.  It's the story of Dana Barnes, a troubled young woman who we first meet just as she's leaving "Expedition House" - a rehab/psychological treatment center.She checks into a motel with her boyfriend, who she argues with, and then who's nowhere to be found in the morning.  But it's a small town, and there's no buses or trains for him to get away on; his car is still there; even his wallet is still in the room.  Where could he have gone?  Dana goes to the local authorities, who conduct a search for him with no luck, and, worse, no proof that there ever even was a boyfriend.  Dana ends up at the nearby "Rainbow" community - a commune where her sister Zoe is living, and which takes her in while helping her to search for her boyfriend.  And then the trouble really starts...The book is suspenseful from beginning to end.  The author creates a believably troubled heroine, who isn't necessarily the most reliable narrator, adding to the tension.  The commune is believable as well; it rings true from stories of such places in real life.  And the psychological elements - questions of Dana's sanity and her reactions to what's going on around her - are very well handled.  The writing is crisp and clear; there's well-done action and compelling character moments as well.I'd highly recommend this book (but unless you'd like nightmares of your own, I'd recommend reading it in a well-lighted room with other people nearby!)