Dr John Sanders steps through the entrance to face a distracted woman pushing a nurses’ cart before her. Charging madly down the hallway toward the door exiting the ‘Clearcreek Mental Care Center: An Oasis for the Mentally Ill’ is a determined patient. The single-minded Clarissa is well known to the staff; this is not her first frantic effort to take flight.
John Sanders, with his newly completed graduate preparation and certification examinations at last behind him, had been looking forward to his first day as a member of the staff at the fashionable, private inpatient care facility with some concern. On the other hand, nothing had prepared Sanders for the reality of his first day.
His first moments spent within the walls of the sanatorium have Sanders wondering what he has gotten himself into. Organic Aggressive residents, community meetings, never-ending episodic outburst patients, individual treatment, small group meetings, psychological testing for every client in his unit; clinical psychologist Sanders begins to feel a tad overcome. And, this is all within the first hour.
As Sanders commences working with client Rebecca Brownell, he begins to recognize there is something much more menacing than just the exigency of patients having desperate problems pervading the Care Center. Will he be able to affect any resolution, or will the Center continue exactly as it has for many years? Media attention, money exchanging hands, a suicidal patient and an unexpected friendship all figure in account.
Brought to light are the struggles with which the mentally ill must learn to cope. The challenges of those working with the mentally ill are examined. Sander’s Starfish is a powerful story regarding the worth of a soul and doing what is right in the face of any challenge which may arise. As tension builds, author Allred does a masterful job with intermingling the lives of the two main characters. The manuscript is accomplished with ardent insight into the life of the mentally ill as well as being completed with striking writing. The detailed and true to life scenes of life in a residential care treatment center are powerfully portrayed.
Sanders’ Starfish is a riveting account drawing the reader into the storyline from the opening lines as we stand at the door confronting Clarissa with Dr Sanders. Our knees smart when the cart is thrust into his by the dogged patient. Reader attention is held fast from that initial contact with this anecdote’s main character and does not diminish until we find the conflict is properly decided.
Writing is good quality, action is fast paced, a convincing well thought out plot is easy to follow, dialogue used effectively moves the story along. Sanders’ Starfish is not a light hearted little tale. Richly rendered surroundings, commanding stimulus, story line twists, snappy exchanges, hair raising excitement and satisfyingly puzzling uncertainty pack the pages of author Allred’s initial work with mesmerizing reader appeal. With a razor sharp, centered narrative; Allred gives a picture of life in a residential care unit few are aware exists. Flourishing with well rounded characters in this remarkably directed anecdote of deception, underhanded conniving and unexpected disputes, the book has something to please every reader.
Reviewed by: Molly’s Reviews
molly martin
