Book Review: The Perfect Daughter by D.J. Palmer

5/5 stars.

I have a rule when reviewing books: If I figure out the ending too quickly, I won’t give more than four out of five stars. I wish I could give an extra star for how amazingly D.J. Palmer kept this one under wraps. I am so incredibly impressed. Usually, when I’m this surprised by an ending, it’s because the author tried so hard to make it surprising, there’s no real connection to the story. A well-done ending is one that comes out of nowhere - but also doesn’t. Like when you rewatched The Sixth Sense and said, “I totally see it now.” Just like the perfect ending crafted in this book.

Grace Francone, a single mother of three children, knows her daughter Penny suffers from dissociative identity disorder (DID). She has become well-accustomed to the ups and downs that come with raising a child who struggles with a mental illness. She knows they will weather troubling times, but even in her worst fears, she never expected one of those to be a murder charge. Unfortunately, the physical evidence linking Penny to the murder of Rachel Boyd appears insurmountable and when coupled with the memory lapses that tend to accompany DID, even Grace has to admit that Penny is likely facing a lifetime behind bars.

As Palmer takes us into the world of DID, the reader meets not only Penny, but her alters: Ruby, Chloe, and Eve. One by one, we become familiar with their unique traits and habits. It is a rare family that hasn’t been affected by mental illness in some way and as Jack, Penny’s older brother, describes what it was like to grow up with Penny and her alters, we are given a rare glimpse into a normal family. One that struggles, that adapts, that perseveres.  

Remarkable work. Palmer takes hugely difficult themes (there is a side story of addiction, as well) and tackles them beautifully, with empathy and professionalism, creating an absolute work of art. Brilliant. 

This one releases in April 2021 and is easily going to be one of the best books of the year. I can’t recommend it highly enough. 

Huge thanks to D.J. Palmer, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the ARC. So grateful for the opportunity to rave about this beauty.