If I Go Quiet by M.M. Desch

A Book Review by Anneka Lowrie

If I Go Quiet is a psychologically layered mystery that examines the intersection of addiction medicine, altered states of consciousness, and the ethical boundaries of therapeutic practice. Set against the backdrop of an exclusive Oregon retreat offering psilocybin-assisted transformation to affluent clients, M. M. Desch builds a suspenseful investigation around questions of trust, vulnerability, and the misuse of influence.

Dr. Leslie Schoen, an addiction psychiatrist, enters Ascension Grove under the guise of a consultant while searching for answers surrounding the disappearance of her brother-in-law. What begins as a professional inquiry gradually uncovers a culture of secrecy where healing, power, and manipulation become increasingly difficult to distinguish.

What I found particularly compelling was Desch's perceptive exploration of psychoactive therapies. Rather than treating psilocybin as either miracle or menace, the novel examines how altered states can expose deeply personal truths while also leaving vulnerable individuals susceptible to exploitation when ethical safeguards fail. The suspense grows as much from these psychological and moral tensions as from the investigation itself.

Leslie is an engaging protagonist whose professional expertise and willingness to challenge questionable practices lend credibility to the narrative. Her determination to pursue difficult questions, even when doing so places her own safety at risk, gives the story both emotional weight and narrative momentum.

Readers who enjoy mysteries that combine psychological realism, ethical complexity, and investigative suspense will find If I Go Quiet an engaging addition to the Portland Mystery Series.

To Purchase: https://a.co/d/08SiBUQC