Deadly When Disturbed is a psychological thriller by D.M. Barr. Dara Banks is on the search for an assistant, and she can’t believe her luck when she finds Meryl Rafter. Believing she has found the perfect assistant, she doesn’t bother to check her background. The savvy realtor has just made the biggest mistake of her life. It doesn’t take long for her “helpful” assistant to worm her way into Dara’s whole life, but when Dara’s suspicions are aroused, she begins investigating. Meryl decides to investigate Dara, but it doesn’t take long to realize she may have chosen the wrong person to try to con. Both women have secrets, but the inevitable confrontation threatens to destroy both of them and everyone around them.

Deadly When Disturbed by D.M. Barr is a stunning psychological thriller that will leave you breathless. This is an action-packed story that has you on the edge of your seat from the very first page. The minute you start reading, you are dragged into a drama of epic proportions in a story that twists and turns its way to the end. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, it’s off on another tangent that throws a spanner in the works. The characters are well-developed into likable people that you can relate to on one level or another, and they’ll have you questioning everyone around you and every decision you’ve ever made. This is a thrilling story, highly recommended for all fans of suspense, psychological, and domestic thrillers.

Deadly When Disturbed by D.M. Barr is a psychological thriller that follows Dara Banks, a successful realtor and philanthropist, who hires Meryl ‘Merry’ Rafter as an assistant. Initially, Merry seems perfect, but Dara’s decision not to run a background check leads to chaos. As Merry becomes deeply entangled in Dara’s personal and professional life, the women begin investigating each other’s secrets, revealing hidden pasts and dangerous motives. Their suspicions spiral into a deadly confrontation, threatening to unravel not just their lives, but the lives of those around them. The author bathes this thrilling work in constant looming tension right from the start, keeping readers on edge as Dara and Merry’s mutual distrust escalates through a plot filled with brilliant twists and sudden discoveries.

The alternating investigations between Dara and Merry are brilliantly handled and offer a great structure for the story, allowing readers to see both sides of the intrigue, but also leaving them in the dark in some key moments that preserve the suspense. Both Dara and Merry are well-developed and multi-layered, each harboring secrets that make them unpredictable and compelling, and their psychological and emotional depths are narrated with keen attention to speech and thought presentation so that readers feel every moment of the plot for its full impact. D.M. Barr also underpins the plot with a smooth and intelligent commentary on social class, identity, and ambition, and this thematic depth gives gravitas and realism to the plot. This makes it feel all the more urgent when things go wrong, with readers rooting for Dara and Merry right to the bitter end. Overall, I would certainly recommend Deadly When Disturbed for thriller fans everywhere as an accomplished and really enjoyable read.

In D.M. Barr's psychological thriller Deadly When Disturbed, Rock Canyon Realty's realtor, Dara Banks, needed a new assistant. Merry's resume had limited information that raised concerns, and Dara did not conduct a security check. Dara was impressed by Merry's help during a crisis and believed she would make a capable assistant. There was something about Merry that Dara found appealing. Recognizing Merry's potential as a saleswoman, Dara offered to enroll her in a course and exam to obtain her license. Merry gradually integrated herself into Dara's business and personal life. Eventually, Dara realized Merry was not who she claimed to be and began investigating her past. Merry was determined not to be ousted from where she had insinuated herself.

Deadly When Disturbed by D.M. Barr had me on the edge of my seat from the start until the end. The writing style kept my attention throughout the book, and I missed nothing. This page-turner was fast-paced and full of action. There was never time for a dull moment. All the twists and turns kept the tension building, and I had no idea what to expect next. All my guesses were wrong, and I could not put the book down. Dara and Merry were two strong female characters and allowed no opposition. The other characters contributed to building the tension, and each had a specific place in the plot. The story was excellently written, and the major twist at the end was shocking. It was a big surprise, and I did not expect it.

The protagonist of this disturbing novel…yes, disturbing is a perfect word for it, along with frightening…is an overly busy, highly successful real estate agent, Dara Banks. She barely has time for herself, let alone her disabled husband and two children. Coming to her rescue, initially as a business assistant, is the remarkably competent Merry Rafter for whom no task is too difficult, including, eventually, looking after every aspect of Dara’s family. Her business, along with her husband and children, is thriving under Merry’s magical management. Dara wonders where this angel of mercy has come from until she begins investigating Merry’s past, something she should have done when she hired her. Once she discovers Merry’s true identity and motives, Dara faces the biggest challenge of her life: saving her business, family, and herself before Merry destroys everything. But wait! Is that all there is to Deadly When Disturbed by D.M. Barr? Does the ending hinge on which woman will win? Not so fast.

“Wow!” That was my first thought when I finished reading Deadly When Disturbed. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers who loves the challenge of figuring everything out before the ending, I wonder if you’ll be as surprised as I was. D.M. Barr kept me hanging on the edge with every turn of the page, but her ending was one I certainly didn’t see coming. Some thriller detective I am! As I recall from an earlier book by D.M. Barr I reviewed, Saving Grace, this author is remarkable for creating strong, authentic female characters and both Dara and Merry are certainly that. Barr’s skill at keeping readers hooked and in suspense is amazing. I set two other books aside because I couldn’t wait to see where Barr would take me in a novel that is indeed both deadly and disturbing and where nothing is exactly as it seems. Consider yourself warned!