The Hawthorne School (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781643857923)

For fans of Riley Sager, The Hawthorne School is a twisty psychological suspense about the lengths one mother will go for her child, inspired by present-day obsession with cults and true crime.

Claudia Vera is overwhelmed. She's a single parent trying the best that she can, but her four-year-old son, Henry, is a handful--for her and for his preschool. When Claudia hears about a school with an atypical teaching style near her Chicagoland home, she has to visit. The Hawthorne School is beautiful and has everything she dreams of for Henry: time to play outside, music, and art. The head of the school, Zelma, will even let Claudia volunteer to cover the cost of tuition.

The school is good for Henry: his "behavioral problems" disappear, and he comes home subdued instead of rageful. But there's something a bit off about the school, its cold halls, and its enigmatic headmistress. When Henry brings home stories of ceremonies in the woods and odd rules, Claudia's instincts tell her that something isn't quite right, and she begins to realize she's caught in a web of manipulations and power.

The author's work as a psychotherapist, with a focus on narcissistic manipulation and addictive power dynamics, guides this exploration of a young mother wanting to do the best for her child.

Author: Sylvie Perry
ISBN-10: 1643857924
ISBN-13: 9781643857923
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Language: English
Published: 12/07/2021
Pages: 304
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.05lbs
Size: 9.30h x 6.20w x 1.20d

Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 09/13/2021
Kirkus Reviews 09/15/2021