Wendy Walker had a real hit with last year’s All is Not Forgotten. She returns with her newest psychological thriller, Emma in the Night, proving once again she has taken her time to explore the depths of a psychological situation that makes her work eerily real.

The story revolves around the Tanner sisters, who disappeared three years ago. Cass was 15 and her older sister, Emma, 17 on the night they didn’t come home.

Now Cass has reappeared without Emma, and with a story about where the girls have been that includes kidnapping and being held on a remote island in Maine.

Helping the FBI investigation is the forensic psychologist who was on the case originally when the girls disappeared, Dr. Abby Winter. Told in alternating viewpoints from Abby and Cass, the story unfolds in a dynamic that will grip readers.

Exploring their mother’s narcissistic personality feel familiar to Abby, whose own mother was a narcissist. The impact on Abby and her sister is one she is still feeling; indeed, her doctoral thesis was written on the disorder. She’s acutely aware of the dynamics within a family with a narcissistic parent and will use this to her advantage.

As Cass’s story is told and points are checked out and verified, it certainly seems that she’s telling the truth. Then why does her mother want to paint her as crazy? And why is Abby certain that there is more to that night than Cass is revealing?

This is one of those stories that readers will gobble up as the pages fly by. At the surprising end, there is still another twist in this terrific thriller that teaches you more than you ever wanted to know about narcissism. Be prepared to start evaluating your friends . . .