Kerry Peresta delivers a well-written slow-burn psychological suspense as protagonist Olivia Callahan struggles to regain her memory after an assault lands her in the hospital. As she recovers, Olivia embraces a fresh, independent, and outspoken identity — one that is paradoxically different than the demure housewife who a mugger left on the lawn of a local hospital.

With the help of her mother, daughters, and potential love interest, Olivia attempts to navigate divorce proceedings left unfinished from her life before. To complicate matters, her soon-to-be ex-husband begins to show up more often — erratically dancing between reconciliation and retaliation. Regardless of his real motives, he brings a dangerous element back into the picture, one that could cost Olivia and her daughters more than a messy divorce could on its own.

While closer to 3.5 than 3 for the writing, The Deadening is a deftly linear story with a protagonist you want to know, but not necessarily across as many chapters as Peresta delivers. The story is also complicated by so many chapters dedicated to an ex-husband whose motivation is too difficult to pin down and a potential love interest who sometimes feels like a procedural prop.

All in all, the story is enjoyable, and the primary character is promising. Peresta does an excellent job at dissecting the end of a troubled marriage. Yet, the story never truly takes as the thriller it could have been. Despite threats around every corner, none of them have the kind of teeth that will keep anyone up at night, leaving the sense that you like the story and telling but an uncertainty whether you might want more.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.