How far would you go to erase your grief after the death of a partner? When Arthur signs up to a therapy retreat on a remote island, he is ready for Dr Codelle to help him with the grief of his wife. However, the removal of that grief comes with a cost, and is Arthur ready to pay for it?

I wasn’t sure what to expect with The Grief Doctor, it didn’t have great reviews from previous readers when I started it, but I think it was a good read. Dealing in grief, it’s a difficult and polarising subject in general, and some of the therapy explored was genuinely heartbreaking and difficult to read (the video section in particular was awful!). Dr Codelle has very unorthodox methods for dealing with the addiction of grief and you are fully on Arthur’s side as he tries to escape. I would perhaps have liked a little more ‘normal’ side of the island to have been introduced before the darker side is thrown at us – I think that might have made a greater impact.

I liked that the book still felt in the realms of realism throughout – although it’s a pacy thriller, I didn’t feel taken out of the action at any point. It certainly makes you question how you feel about the idea of grief and leaves an impression on you long after you have turned the final page.

Overall, The Grief Doctor is a tricky read and one that leaves you with a lot of questions on how much grief we should hold on to when someone close to us leaves us. Thank you to NetGalley & Bloomsbury Publishing – Raven Books for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Set against the backdrop of the remote and mysterious Elizabeth Codelle Therapeutic Institute, this chilling tale of genius, morality, and consequences will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

What sets "The Grief Doctor" apart is its masterful exploration of complex themes such as grief, addiction, and morality. Anderson's insightful portrayal of Arthur's journey is both poignant and thought-provoking, offering readers a window into the depths of despair and the lengths one will go to find relief. Through Arthur's eyes, we are forced to confront uncomfortable truths about the nature of addiction and the consequences of seeking a quick fix.

But it's not just the themes that make "The Grief Doctor" a compelling read; Anderson's prose is vivid and evocative, transporting readers to the windswept shores of the Welsh coast and the eerie confines of the institute. His descriptions are rich and immersive, painting a picture of a world where nothing is quite as it seems.

As Arthur grapples with the moral implications of Dr. Codelle's treatment, readers will find themselves questioning their own beliefs about right and wrong. Cured or not cured.

Arthur, a young widower struggling to cope with his wife's death finds himself at the Elizabeth Codelle Therapeutic Institute, a place promising revolutionary treatments for grief. However, the story turns rather dark as Arthur faces Dr. Codelle's extreme methods.

The book does well in portraying Arthur's grief and drawing you into his emotional turmoil. However, the plot that becomes slightly bizarre towards the end.

Struggling to cope after the death of his wife, Arthur agrees to be admitted to a private psychiatric facility with revolutionary new treatments that claim to cure any psychological problem, whether it be drug addiction or grief. Once at the facility, however, Arthur discovers that this quick fix comes at a massive price.

I struggled my way through this book, unfortunately. It was very heavy on description and I found myself getting bored quickly after pages of description of the facility building and surroundings. The plot I felt was engaging at first, but became bizarre and unbelievable towards the ending.

There are aspects that I’d recommend, however. Arthur’s character is strongly written and the reader is quickly invested in his wellbeing. In addition, the author does a good job of depicting grief, and there are parts of the book that are very affecting.

Not a bad book by any means, but not one that I’d strongly recommend.

The Grief Doctor is the debut novel from Jack Anderson and will be published in June 2024.

The story centres around Arthur, a young widower who can not get over or move on from the tragic death of his young wife. Despite grief counselling and regular therapy sessions, Arthur just can’t cope without his beloved soulmate. Struggling to carry on, he attempts to take his own life and finds himself waking up in hospital.

Arthur’s mother, an extremely wealthy woman and CEO of a very large, successful international company is understandably worried sick about her son. Unable to sit by and watch him fall apart, she wants to help him any way possible at any cost.

The Elizabeth Codelle Institute is a therapeutic rehabilitation centre run by Elizabeth Codelle, the youngest ever graduate from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm who lectured at Oxford before she was 25 and ran a leading psychiatric practice in LA where she was given the John Bright Fellow Award! Usually, it’s only bestowed following a lifetime of significant contribution to the field of psychology.

The Institute is located on a tiny isolated island off the coast of Wales and only takes one patient at a time (at an exorbitant price) and reluctantly Arthur agrees to a two week intense one-to-one programme with Codelle, or at least that what he thinks, because when he arrives everything becomes really dark and dangerous.

Codelle’s methods are harsh, disturbing and unrelentless. She’s determined to “help” Arthur face his grief and remove any emotions he has for his late wife by some very unorthodox treatment and Arthur just wants to get off the island and escape.

The Grief Doctor is a fast paced, emotional thriller which I really enjoyed. With a small cast, the story was intense and quite heavy in places. The subject of grief was dealt with sensitivity, and the “treatment methods” whilst unorthodox were certainly thought provoking.

I think this book would make a great book club choice as it certainly triggers some interesting discussion points and leaves the reader asking themselves “if you had the option to not feel grief at the death of someone you loved – to remember them but not feel pain at their loss – would you take it?”

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"The Grief Doctor" by Jack Anderson delves into the enigmatic world of The Elizabeth Codelle Therapeutic Institute, a secluded haven for the wealthy seeking a total cure for addiction. Dr. Codelle's unorthodox methods and exclusivity add layers of intrigue to the story. Widower Arthur's journey of healing and redemption under Dr. Codelle's care is both compelling and suspenseful. Anderson skillfully weaves a narrative that explores the complexities of grief, redemption, and the lengths one will go to find solace. This thought-provoking tale delves into the depths of human emotion and the quest for true healing.

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Struggling with writing style, not really loving it. I like the idea but the novel, no. Didn't seem to get involved with book, kept putting it down and didn't fall into a pace with it.

This is an unusual story that's well plotted. There are twists to keep you guessing and the plot is just this side of credible. The satisfying ending helped to make for an enjoyable read.

The premise of this novel was interesting and thought provoking. A well written and challenging literary thriller.

I found this novel a pleasant surprise, while there wasn’t a great deal of suspense there were good portrayals of desperation.

I enjoyed the answering of how far would you go to stop this and I think it’s a great book for book clubs as will bring many interesting conversations.

An enjoyable and thought provoking read - I am very fortunate *touch wood* to not have been impacted by grief in my life but I found it fascinating to see how all encompassing it can be and how it can impact the relationships around you and the lengths you may go to in order to find some comfort again - I would definitely revisit other works from this Author! gripping stuff!

This was a very interesting read especially when you think about how grief can effect people and it makes you question the ways we deal with this grief and if there any rights or wrongs in this situation.

This is one book that made me think! I finished it days ago but am still thinking about it and this review! It’s an intelligent thriller that asks some very interesting questions, it certainly made me think! A bit different to other novels, I really enjoyed it!

3.5 🌟

This was an interesting one! How far would you go to rid yourself of all consuming grief?
Having finished the book, I can now say, not this far!

It's quite the wild ride at times, a real roller-coaster, and intense with such a small cast of characters.
I think its going to be a great one for discussion, is the end result worth it?


Enjoyable.