Kay Pfaltz’s new and powerful psychological mystery, The Things We Do, is about a kind young woman and a dog. The two meet in difficult circumstances and then separate by tragedy.
The story opens in a Virginia women’s prison. First, we meet Dr. Eleanor Hartley, the prison’s lead psychologist. A highly skilled professional, she works closely with many of the prisoners.
Helen, the head warden, has summoned Dr. Hartley to talk about a young woman recently brought to the prison. Her crime? The murder of two men: a police officer and a well known drug dealer. When arrested, she had fake ID and she hasn’t spoken a word since the night of the killings. Meanwhile, Jane Doe is her name until someone, hopefully Dr. Hartley, learns her identity. And why she murdered the men.
The psychologist soon meets Jane, who will be one of her greatest career challenges. Hartley is determined to help her and, during that process, will learn much about Jane as well as herself.
Intermingled flashbacks open a second story about another caged species–dogs. As we closely follow Jane and Dr. Hartley’s relationship, we also cling to hope for the incarcerated dogs. The twists of these two journeys are compelling and riveting.
Shortly after the story’s mid-point, I took a short break from The Things We Do. I needed some space after reading a particularly dark part that I knew also held compelling truths. Following that pause, I re-engaged and avidly completed the book.
I highly recommend this book for the reasons that follow. A lifelong mystery lover, I was completely engrossed with the multiple layers of this powerful psychological mystery. Secondly, Pfaltz deepened my understanding of the reality of those living in these particular environments. I gained insight into how all our stories – human and animals – have such rich interconnections. Kindness and compassion with all, no matter how others behave, is our highest calling, I believe. And lastly, I enjoyed the pleasure of reading Pfaltz’s highly skilled, well-crafted work.
Author Kay Pfaltz‘s work has been published in English, German, and French. She is the author of four previous books, including Lauren’s Story: An American Dog in Paris and Flash’s Song: How One Small Dog Turned into One Big Miracle. Currently she writes for several publications. She has taught for Mary Baldwin University, Southern Methodist University, and James Madison University. Pfaltz lives in Virginia, where you can visit her at www.kaypfaltz.com.