Under the Looking Glass by Alisa Tangredi
4 stars
(Excerpt from Goodreads) Maura Reyes survived an almost unbearable trauma—the loss of her family in a home invasion. Two years later, she’s still consumed by grief and acute insomnia, hiding inside her elegant, empty Los Angeles home. No amount of therapy or medication can restore what Maura lost. When her therapist suggests a change of scenery, Maura reluctantly agrees to go on a cruise. But once aboard the luxury liner, she finds herself in a bizarre and terrifying wonderland.
On the strange ship Cockaigne, Maura discovers an artist’s homage to “Alice in Wonderland”, complete with Dormouse, Mad Hatter, Tweedledum and Tweedledee. All that’s missing is Alice herself—and Maura, a pretty blond widow, suits the artist’s vision perfectly. Soon, Maura finds herself sliding between past and present, reliving that deadly night in bizarre and contradictory ways. Desperate for sleep, she first questions her memory, then her sanity. Is someone trying to drive her insane? Or is the truth darker and more twisted than she can possibly imagine?
Maura Reyes was a victim of a home invasion. She is now alone with insomnia and trying to figure out what happened that night. The only time she leaves the house is to see her therapists. They are trying to help her with medication and therapy. Eventually they suggest that she take a cruise.
On the Cockaigne, Maura discovers an Alice in Wonderland theme missing the Alice. Maura takes the place of Alice is begins her adventure to heal from the home invasion and break through to what really happened that night.
This is one heck of a thrill ride. I was hooked when I read Alice in Wonderland in the description. But as you follow Maura through to the truth, you don’t realize how far the human psyche can go off kilter. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough and I admit that I had to back track a little because I got lost. But I never expected the ending.
I’m sorry to say that I have not heard of Alisa Tangredi before, but I will be sure to check out her other books. This is a great short story for those that like great psychological thriller and you don’t want to miss this one.
I received this book for free from the Book Rooster program in exchange for an honest review.
For more information about Under the Looking Glass be sure to check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads. For more information about Alisa Tangredi or her other novels check out her website.
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