The Blame Game by Sandie Jones

 

Naomi came to England with her husband when his American visa ran out.  She is a psychologist and they are living on a large estate where Leon is managing events.  Leon is Naomi's only family.  Her father murdered her mother in one of his rages when she was a child and her sister was lost to her in a world of drugs.  She was glad to leave the States and start anew.

Naomi specializes in domestic abuse cases.  Leon says that she is overinvested in her patients but Naomi sees it as doing whatever she can.  She currently has two such cases.  Anna is deciding if she needs to leave her abusive husband.  Jacob is a more uncommon case.  He has been married and abused physically, emotionally and psychologically for years by his wife, Vanessa.  Naomi offers Jacob the use of a cottage she and Leon own which is over the line.  She also meets him one night at a local hotel to calm him down when he believes his abusive wife has found his new residence.  When Jacob goes missing, the police focus in on Naomi and believe that she has been having an affair with Jacob and is responsible for his disappearance.  

Sandie Jones is known for psychological suspense novels.  This one features a main character who might have been as well off being treated for her issues instead of treating others.  She crosses the professional line and as one might expect, it is a disaster for all concerned.  There are lots of twists and turns and the reader won't be sure until the end who is lying and who is telling the truth.  This book is recommended for mystery readers.