A review by missprint_
Don't You Trust Me? by Patrice Kindl
3.0
Morgan has known for a long time that she is different--cold, even. She is very good at mimicking and reading people. But she doesn't care about anyone except herself.
When her parents decide to send Morgan away to a school for troubled teens even though she is obviously not troubled and knows exactly what she's doing, Morgan knows it's time to move on before her plans to attend a top-tier college, become a lawyer, and make lots of money are completely ruined.
Morgan's one weak point has always been impulsiveness. When Morgan sees a sad sack girl sobbing hysterically at the airport over being separated from her boyfriend, Morgan doesn't think twice before offering to switch places.
Suddenly Morgan is living across the country under an assumed name with her very well off "aunt" and "uncle." And her overly trusting "cousin" Brooke. Morgan knows she has found a good thing here--something that can help her achieve that grand future she has planned. The only question is whether or not Morgan can keep such a complex con going indefinitely in Don't You Trust Me? (2016) by Patrice Kindl.
While Morgan never calls herself a psychopath or sociopath during the course of the novel, it's safe to say that she has Antisocial Personality Disorder and the related lack of empathy at the very least.
Kindl packs a lot into this slim novel where Morgan learns very quickly how to use her unique skills to get ahead. Morgan is a classic unreliable narrator as she leads her new "family," friends, and readers on a wild ride through her months living a double life in an affluent Albany suburb.
Morgan's first person narration is as humorous as it is heartless as she explains exactly how she changes identities and begins conning local charities and rich neighbors in her constant quest for money and security.
Unsurprisingly, not everything comes easily to Morgan as lies begin stacking up and secrets threaten to come out in Don't You Trust Me? Short chapters and Morgan's blunt narration make this book ideal for readers looking for a fast-paced story. Thriller fans looking for something a little different and readers who enjoy dark humor will also find a lot to recommend here.
Possible Pairings: The Vigilante Poets of Selwyn Academy by Kate Hattemer, Charlie, Presumed Dead by Anne Heltzel, The Truth Commission by Susan Juby, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart, Consent by Nancy Ohlin, This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab, The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma, Thieving Weasels by Billy Taylor, Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls by Lynn Weingarten
When her parents decide to send Morgan away to a school for troubled teens even though she is obviously not troubled and knows exactly what she's doing, Morgan knows it's time to move on before her plans to attend a top-tier college, become a lawyer, and make lots of money are completely ruined.
Morgan's one weak point has always been impulsiveness. When Morgan sees a sad sack girl sobbing hysterically at the airport over being separated from her boyfriend, Morgan doesn't think twice before offering to switch places.
Suddenly Morgan is living across the country under an assumed name with her very well off "aunt" and "uncle." And her overly trusting "cousin" Brooke. Morgan knows she has found a good thing here--something that can help her achieve that grand future she has planned. The only question is whether or not Morgan can keep such a complex con going indefinitely in Don't You Trust Me? (2016) by Patrice Kindl.
While Morgan never calls herself a psychopath or sociopath during the course of the novel, it's safe to say that she has Antisocial Personality Disorder and the related lack of empathy at the very least.
Kindl packs a lot into this slim novel where Morgan learns very quickly how to use her unique skills to get ahead. Morgan is a classic unreliable narrator as she leads her new "family," friends, and readers on a wild ride through her months living a double life in an affluent Albany suburb.
Morgan's first person narration is as humorous as it is heartless as she explains exactly how she changes identities and begins conning local charities and rich neighbors in her constant quest for money and security.
Unsurprisingly, not everything comes easily to Morgan as lies begin stacking up and secrets threaten to come out in Don't You Trust Me? Short chapters and Morgan's blunt narration make this book ideal for readers looking for a fast-paced story. Thriller fans looking for something a little different and readers who enjoy dark humor will also find a lot to recommend here.
Possible Pairings: The Vigilante Poets of Selwyn Academy by Kate Hattemer, Charlie, Presumed Dead by Anne Heltzel, The Truth Commission by Susan Juby, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart, Consent by Nancy Ohlin, This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab, The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma, Thieving Weasels by Billy Taylor, Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls by Lynn Weingarten