“Her Perfect Secret,” T.J. Brearton’s latest stand-alone psychological thriller, is a power-packed critique of the human condition and the institutions we have set into place to guide us. The narrative preys on our instincts to place trust in authority– doctors, psychologists, law enforcement, judicial figures — and through an exemplary utilization of an unreliable narrator, undermines those beliefs.

Protagonist Dr. Lindman, a psychotherapist, finds herself thrust back in time when her daughter brings home a surprise guest, whom she had as a patient over a decade earlier; she knew him in a different life … and by a different name. As Dr. Lindman works to uncover her visitor’s true identity, a past she had worked so hard to hide away begins to expose itself, unraveling tragic truths, disrupting her past and her present. And the dedicated psychologist, a societal figure of emotional health and stability, reveals herself to be anything but.

In reading Brearton’s novel, I was reminded of two expository elements that make or break a thriller: the question and the disclosure. An author stands at a disadvantage when writing mysteries and thrillers as a consequence of knowing too much. It is their story, their characters, their secrets. An author chooses when to divulge information and how much they are willing to share. And this is a constant balancing act for them. Brearton has mastered this tight rope, skillfully building depth and mystery around his characters, divulging just enough information to maintain interest, while keeping readers’ looking in the wrong direction until the very end. Brearton lives with his family in the heart of the Adirondack mountains. He relies on the familiarity of the region to set the scene for this novel, the majority of the plot taking place in Lake Placid and its surrounding areas. “Her Perfect Secret” is a perfect novel for anyone attracted to evasive characters, fast-paced plot and multi-layered deception.