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During my time as an e-book reviewer, I’ve come across some great authors, whose work I want to read again and again. William Wilde is one of those authors. In Julia’s Room, he masterfully takes readers into the mind of an introvert who was created by her circumstances.
For several years, Julia was held prisoner in a basement room created by her aunt. When she’s finally released, she’s a shy, withdrawn woman with underlying psychological problems. However, she remains in the same house where the atrocious incident happened, and she only ventures out to go grocery shopping. But she has a secret life that she may or may not be aware of.
Crime writer Robert Graham is looking for his next bestseller. It’s been a while, and his publisher is getting antsy. When he accidentally hits Julia with his car, he thinks he may have found it. But convincing her to open up and talk to him about her experience might be a little challenging.
Meanwhile, sleazy private detective Carl Enroe is looking for a missing person named Frank Daley. He’s convinced that Julia knows what happened to him, since he was last seen entering her house, but he can’t get past Robert Graham to gain proof.
Julia’s Room is a suspenseful mystery that’s centered on one woman’s psychological makeup. Julia is fragile, mysterious, and somewhat creepy. Something’s a little off about her, but you’ll never be entirely sure what that might be.
Graham becomes almost obsessed with Julia—to the point that he comes close to destroying his life. For that reason, I sometimes wanted to smack him and tell him to snap out of it. At the same time, though, you can’t blame him for wanting to get his career back on track—or for feeling protective toward Julia, who endured severe psychological trauma in her life.
William Wilde is a gifted storyteller with an eye for the uncanny and unique, along with a talent for characterization. As you read, you’ll be able to feel Julia’s fragility and Graham’s frustration and desperation. And although I was able to figure out what was coming near the story’s end, it was still fun and enjoyably nerve-wracking to continue reading as the action approached its climax.
The next time you’re looking for a different kind of psychological suspense, Julia’s Room should scratch that itch.
