Review of THE PERFECT DAUGHTER by D. J. Palmer

*I would rate this book for mature audiences since the content deals with mental illness, murder and family issues that are very sensitive.*

I was totally blown away by this intricate tale of family relationships, secrets, murder and mental illness! Penny was found in the park when she was only a small child, and Grace was determined to give her a good, stable home with her own children, Ryan and Jack. Life’s circumstances and Penny’s past got in the way of Grace’s plans for Penny when Penny’s biological mother is murdered and Penny is the primary suspect. Grace is hopeful that the doctor at the institution where Penny is imprisoned awaiting trial will be able to help her at the trial, determining that she was mentally ill when she killed her mother. The trial lawyer Navarro isn’t very hopeful, but he goes along with Grace’s ideas to allow Penny to testify. This book touched me in all of the right places and satisfied all of my reading addictions. With themes of dark secrets and unconditional love, this book was a complex story with clues left in unlikely places at unlikely times. In fact, once I finished the book, I sighed and told myself that now I have to read it again to look for all of the hidden clues about what was really happening in the background that led to the very satisfactory conclusion. I was totally enthralled and mesmerized by the story of Penny and by the family love that Jack and Grace showed to Penny, accepting her just as she was. There is also a sub-plot of Dr. Mitch’s son Adam and his addiction to opiates. Putting a more caring face on the doctor who is mostly all business was a necessary part of his characterization that made him more likable. The fact is that most of the characters were likable and all were three-dimensional and realistically portrayed. This is a spider-web of a story that drew me in and didn’t let me go, haunting my thoughts even after I completed it. Fans of the author and of psychological suspense will devour this book.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”