Turn of Mind Summary & Key Insights

Alice LaPlante's "Turn of Mind" is a psychological thriller told from the first-person perspective of Dr. Jennifer White, a respected psychiatrist struggling with early-onset dementia. The novel masterfully blends a compelling mystery with the chilling unraveling of Jennifer's mind, leaving the reader constantly questioning her reliability.

The story begins with Jennifer's arrest for the murder of her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Eleanor Vance. Jennifer vehemently denies the crime, but the circumstantial evidence is damning: she was the last person seen with Mrs. Vance, a bloody knife is found in her possession, and her memory of the events is fragmented and unreliable. The novel unfolds through Jennifer's fragmented recollections, interspersed with police interrogations, memories of her patients, and increasingly disturbing lapses in her cognitive abilities.

Key characters besides Jennifer include Detective Sergeant Matt Sisco, a compassionate but skeptical investigator assigned to her case; and her family, particularly her daughter, who struggles to reconcile her mother's alleged crime with the woman she knows. The supporting characters, many of Jennifer's former patients, each offer glimpses into the complexities of human behaviour and mental illness, reflecting Jennifer's professional life and subtly foreshadowing the narrative's unraveling.

The primary plot centers around the question of Jennifer's guilt. As she pieces together her memories, we are presented with several possibilities: she did commit the murder, she is suffering from a delusion that makes her believe she's innocent, or someone else framed her. LaPlante expertly crafts a narrative where all options remain plausible, maintaining suspense throughout. Jennifer's deteriorating mental state constantly challenges the reader to discern truth from hallucination, reality from fabrication. She recalls snippets of her life and her patients' lives – a seemingly unconnected series of events which slowly weave together revealing possible motivations and connections.

The overarching theme is the fragility of memory and the unreliability of perception, particularly when battling a debilitating illness like dementia. The novel explores the ethical dilemmas faced by both Jennifer and her colleagues in the medical profession. It delves into the inherent biases within the legal system and highlights how easily a person, particularly one already facing vulnerability, can be manipulated and wrongly accused. Furthermore, the novel touches upon the theme of guilt and responsibility, questioning whether one can be held accountable for actions committed during periods of impaired mental capacity. Ultimately, "Turn of Mind" is a poignant and suspenseful exploration of memory, justice, and the devastating effects of dementia, leaving the reader with unsettling questions long after the book's conclusion.