Queen of Hearts by Heather Day Gilbert begins a series of psychological thrillers with new protagonists in each one.
Alexandra (Alex) Dubois is a much-loved famous author who appreciates her fans but would rather not expose herself to any of the activities which are required of a person with her status. She's working on the final book in her latest popular series when she faces the demanding actions of a stalker regarding the outcome of that final novel in the series. When the demands include a violent action, "Alex" is forced to call her agent and editor. The only other person she's close to is her cousin Emily who truly cares about Alex and immediately responds.
It's decided what's best is for her to travel at her publisher's expense to a beautiful and isolated cabin in West Virginia owned by her editor, Micah. It's been previously used as a writing retreat until an unfortunate accident deterred further events. To assure her of her privacy and safety, she's told of Henry, the recluse caretaker of the place living across the small bridge to "the cabin."
Hard as it is for this "neurodivergent"/autistic author to determinedly make the journey, after arriving, she stops in at the tiny town's Page Turner bookstore and is recognized and greeted by the cashier and bookstore owner, enthusiastic fans of her work. Awkwardly, she navigates that scenario and continues on to find the cabin which, when she rumbles along the discreet road to its approach, she spots who she thinks is "Henry" the caretaker. Arriving at the cabin, she takes in the mansion size of it before getting out of her rental car.
Alex is a single, divorced woman who was not treated well as a child by her mother, and her father has passed away. When she married the charming "Renard," she had no idea he would treat her with ongoing disrespect and cruelty while living the high-life that her author success afforded him. Now amidst all that's happened, she can't help but wonder if he's somehow resorted to this. When something disturbing happens at the cabin, she's forced to call Henry, and he immediately comes to her aid.
This is only the prelude to what all happens to Alex. As she begins to question how this could be happening to her here, everyone she's met or known is suspect even as she questions her own sanity.
Using a quirky heroine as the victim leaves the reader of Queen of Hearts shuffling through all the characters right along with Alex. Is she okay, is she imagining it, is she dreaming it, is she writing it, is she staging it? The intensity heats up as the conclusion draws near. The mind games are real even after a climactic event. When the psychological trauma comes to a close, the ending is very satisfying.
The start of a no-doubt satisfying series by Heather.
Father, you know Heather's heart. You know her intentions. Keep her seeking your direction and leading and bless her big-time in all she does. Watch over her and her family and keep them safe from all harm. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.