The Disturbing Incidents at Lonesome Woods Boarding School (Dr. Harper Therapy) by Dr. Harper

The Disturbing Incidents at Lonesome Woods Boarding School (Dr. Harper Therapy) Reviews

• 
  Kay Oliver

  I did not read the first book of this series, but that didn't matter. This was a great standalone. It was intriguing, mysterious, gripping, dark, quirky, and fast-paced. It was refreshing and unique with a fantastic cast of characters playing a dangerous game among an ominous setting. I will be looking for more from this author for sure. Loved this!
• 
  Elyse

  5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for the insanity that is Dr. Harper.
  
  This is a prequel to the Dr. Harper Therapy files. Which hello, if you haven’t read those, please do. I actually even suggest reading all 3 before you read this prequel. Part of the opening of this book is: ”I mean, sure, I’ve always been a bit…high strung. But I never used to stalk my therapy patients. Or yell at them. Or hold them captive in my garage. No, all of that started after the incidents at Lonesome Woods Boarding School.” You really can’t understand all of that in its glory and the shenanigans one Dr. Elliot Harper gets himself mixed up in, without reading Dr. Harper’s Therapy Files first.
  But it’s okay, continue with the prequel beforehand if you must. You’ll come to love Elliot anyway. (At least I hope you do)
  
  Anyways, Lonesome Woods is a place where people blame the rain for the tragedies that are bestowed upon Lonesome Woods Boarding School. A boarding school tucked neatly away in a more isolated area, and where privacy is of the utmost importance. This is where Dr. Harper is called in, to be the go to on hand for all personal issues. After some “hard” work, he’s developed a good relationship with some students at the school; Allie, Wyatt, Oliver, Isabelle and Kat. (Elliot said if he’s picking favorites his is Oliver, and I have to say so is mine.) After being introduced to the group, right away the classic craziness that is known in Dr. Harper’s stories starts happening. Self injury, blood, and chanting. Oh my. Because of this incident, Elliot is being forced to move in with his little posse of students and serve as their chaperone. Sounds like a great way for shit to get weird, right? Right.
  
  When all of his students are shutting him out, Elliot decides to try out the local museum. A museum that Gabriel runs and he houses all of the stories of tragedies past. Gabriel is an odd man, one Elliot feels creeped out by. But of course, Elliot can’t help himself and accepts a date with the mysterious Gabriel. This date is interrupted by the death of a student at Lonesome Boarding School. The first one for Elliot to witness while working there. Events continue to happen.
  
  Then we find out who is involved, what’s causing all of the curse hoopla and just wow. Like always, these stories have the BEST endings. I mean the best. I’m still just like wow. Mind tripping.
  
  No really…I’ve lost my mind. What in the ever loving….what just happened. And James - Elliot and Noah’s son - is being sent to this school!? Why would Elliot ever do that!? Unless he didn’t. Is any of it real.
  Okay I’m gonna go sit in a corner now and pry my brain apart.
  
  Soooo good.
• 
  Kade Gulluscio

  I have always loved Dr. Harper's books, and man this was no different. This book was a tad different than the other books they've written. This was a bit more like a novel while the others told stories about their clients and their issues.
  
  This book follows a small town and its boarding school. The area is believed to be cursed. Elliott is hired on to be a therapist / school counselor at the boarding school, and he gladly accepts... not quite believing any of the hype about the school.
  
  He quickly realizes something is VERY wrong with the place. Students are appearing possessed; forks are being slammed into hands; someone jumps off a building... oh and did i mention a child was potentially murdered there years ago?
  
  This book has some great twists to it, and it's SO worth the read!
• 
  Angie

  Oh gosh, these books always give me the creeps but they're impossible to look away from D:
• 
  Emily

  i can't stop consuming dr. harper's books and i'm fearing that i'll mix up some of his sherlockian weirdass methods with my own therapist's which is just bad and inappropriate. the whole deal is that this author knows how to play with plot twists and give you false hints where you don't expect them, only to later make you rethink your whole experience with the book, with all the books really as they're all connected in a complicated web that's just. so. good.
• 
  clumsyplankton

  This was such a good book. It’s the first one of the series I’ve read and it was so interesting it had me on edge the entire time trying to figure out what was happening. The ending of the book really had me trying to figure out who actually committed the crimes because of how crazy the ending was.
• 
  Amanda Cortez

  I've enjoyed all of the Dr Harper books, the stories are just perfectly outlandish. Such a great quick read, absolutley didn't disappoint.
• 
  Kym Fisher

  Great short story, lots of twists and turns. Great short crime thriller. Read carefully as you may miss a few bits!
• 
  Brittany

  Not as good as the others but a fun, quick, wild ride!
• 
  Summer Rain

  I have no idea what this book is. I don’t have any clue what to call it, or really even how to explain it. It completely baffles me… and fills me with joy to read it! Exhilarating, quirky, funny to its core. I found myself constantly in a bind of, “Do I like this?” Because it’s unlike anything I’ve read before- even quite different from the trilogy that came before it. The formatting, as always, threw me off. It’s an unusual way to put together a book, but that is part of its charm, rife with piercing chapter titles, online message board quotes, and a storyline that goes back and forth between the current chaos and erotic vampire dreams. Yes, you heard me right.
  
  I love the wild, creative mess that Dr. Harper weaves together, and as always, the ending was simply stunning. I adore following Dr. Elliot Harper- now in his earlier days, the days before his makeshift family from the trilogy- as he explores a supposedly cursed school. This novel has a lot of twists and turns, an intriguing romance plot that isn’t what it seems , and a whole new cast of characters to fall in love with. I can’t say much without spoiling it, and this is one of those books that I would hate to spoil: It’s something you need to experience for yourself, it will blow you away.
  
  But to note a few things I loved: There is a mental twist that is ten times more captivating than The Silent Patient. The characters are unique, witty, and provide memorable moments. The plot will make your jaw drop. Then, of course, there are little things to tie it to the previous trilogy- which only made a fan like me love it even more.
  
  As a writer myself, I am a strong believer in: If you have a great world with a great cast of characters, keep using them. Bounce off them, build them up, do more with them. Which is why I am thrilled to see Dr. Harper’s journey continuing, and I can't wait for the next book. In my opinion, this is one of the most skillfully written series of books I’ve come across this year, and extremely undervalued- more people need to check them out.
  
• 
  Eloise Mohan

  As with all of this series, I finished this book in less than a day.
  
  This is the fourth book, but a prequal to the first 3 and honestly, it's no wonder Elliot is the World's most messed up therapist!
  
  His journey through Lonesome Woods boarding school throws more trauma and mystery into his life. Determined to help the students through 'a curse' that shadows over the school, he finds himself thrown into the depths of said curse.
  
  Using his therapist/detective skills he thinks he's cracked it, or has it cracked him? Elliot struggles to work out which reality is true and which is his own repressed trauma resurfacing.
  
  This book kept me hooked and when I thought it was all wrapped up too soon, I was happy to come across a twist in the story.. And then another one.
  
  I recommend this series to any psychological thriller fans, they're fast easy reads that keep you hooked all the way through.
  
  Ps, pay attention to the guest log book. Especially the last entry. I NEED ANSWERS.
• 
  Coffee_Booze_and_Books

  4.5 🌟 what can I say!!??!? Dr Elliott Harper delivers again. I'll expound on my review tomorrow.
  Ok, to complete my review.
  This book and series is a gem, a very dark gem! A total psychological mindfuck. Mindblowing twists and turns, and not graphically gruesome.
  Every little plot twist has you wanting to learn more, and it's never what you thought. For those interested in spine tingling thrillers this series is for you! Once you get into the series and understand how the plot line works, you'll really enjoy it. Dr. Harper has one messed up and warped mind and psyche. Which makes for a fantastic and interesting read. Nothing is ever as it seems at first. I recommend this series. This book can be read first or as written, as a prequel.
  This review is my own opinion and will be cross-posted.
• 
  Dana Laird

  I just finished the trilogy and was interested in reading what came next. I have to say it was better than the last conglomeration…this actually followed a storyline and had a plot. This was a prequel to the trilogy…a look at the start of Dr Harper’s career and the craziness that ensues. Dr Harper is hired to work as a counselor at a boarding school with a sordid past. It is known to be cursed. When the children begin performing strange rituals and one ends up dead, Mr Harper takes it upon himself to investigate. Crazy story, even crazier characters….I look forward to the next book in the series.
• 
  Katherine "Kj" Joslin

  I am not sure what I picked up... this series was recommended to me by a fellow reader. I was immediately sucked into the first book and ran through all three books in the series in one day. The next day I picked up this prequel and am just bummed that there are no futher books in the series. This series contains trigger warnings but it is written as a black comedy (in my opinion) so even though some of the content was difficult it was written in a manner that left me a amused.
  
  I read the audiobook but I did have a print copy and really appreciated the notes etc in the print version. I recommend BOTH!
• 
  Mellisa

  I absolutely LOVED the three therapist books, so was sooooo excited when I found out this one was available!!
  
  This did not disappoint! Absolutely loved seeing where Dr Harper started, it has a very spooky vibe to the whole story. Just like with the other books, it kept me on the edge of my seat, rooting for Dr Harper!
  
  That last part of the book, oh wow! The next book when it is released is going to be INCREDIBLE. I'm so EXCITED. What a way to finish the story, I need more!!
  
  Read this ASAP!! And if you haven't read Dr Harpers three therapist books, read those too!!
• 
  Sierra Fenwick

  Addictive
  
  I really love the dr Harper series. They are always quick reads and I'm always genuinely engaged throughout! I started this series a few years ago when I was reading out of my comfort zone and I'm so glad I did! Because I love this series now!
• 
  kaylan 🦇

  I absolutely loved this book, as always. Dr. Harper has done it again!
• 
  hailie

  felt like the last twist at the end was a little cheap but fun enough.
• 
  Risha

  4.5!!
• 
  Holly Kenny

  This is not one of the author's best novels, but it was still a great read filling in some holes surrounding Dr. Harper and the beginning of his career! I'm excited for the next crossover novel!
• 
  Rhonda Parrish

  Sort of a prequel to the other 3. Still weird. Still good. Looks like another one is coming.
• 
  Sarah

  the twist of the twist is what saved it. the rest was shit imo
• 
  Amy Deans

  I read this book cover-to-cover in one sitting - it grips you and pulls you in! An excellent addition to the Dr Harper books, and a great look into the earlier life of Dr Elliot Harper. The format of this one is a regular novel, which is a change from the usually case-study style of writing, but it lends itself well to the story. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
• 
  Laken hoffman

  the book was good. it did have me on the edge of my seat and it was an easy to follow along with read. it seemed to be too predictable and just seemed too fake a little bit.
• 
  Erin Corley

  I don’t know if it’s because my taste in reading has changed since I read the first three books, but I didn’t enjoy this one as much. Sure it was still fun and exciting, but as someone who is about to become a licensed therapist, I just wonder what board gave Elliot a license to practice?
• 
  Charity Moore

  remarkable
  
  I’m counting down the days for the 5th book! These are so intriguing!
  
  I love how the author has even made a website for Lonesome Woods!
  
  Can’t wait to read the 5th one!
• 
  ☠Arianne Reads Horror ☠

  (4.5 stars)
  
  
  The once optomistic Dr.Harper starts his job at Lonesome Woods Boarding School. Still fresh faced and maybe abit naive, he wants to see a glimmer of hope in everyone. It was after the events at this boarding school, that Dr. Harper searched for the evil in everyone instead...
  A prequel everyone waited for!
  *
  Like with most prequels, I was worried this was going to be abit shit in all honesty. I'm so glad I was proven wrong, and I'm definitely never doubting dr.harper ever again lmao. If you remember my last review on a dr.harper book, it did get a slightly lower score than the others. This book really made me feel better about that because it redeemed the lower score so much by adding the best OTT flair back into the dr.harper tales.
  
  This prequel really bought back that super unpredictability that the first and second book had, and added in an almost paranormal/ occult-y element in some places too. This read really homes in on the ''origin story'' vibe and it's quite fun!
  
  Doctor Harper has a way of writing that is super clever, especially when it comes to writing about other people. He has this way of causing you to judge a person extremely quickly...then they're proven to be innocent and it really opens your eyes about how easy it is to influence other peoples views.
  
  Throughout the book, we really learn alot about Dr.Harper. Which if you have read the other three books, you'll know hes usually quite elusive. This book answers some of the manty questions you may have had about him and about his behaviours.
  -
  Dr.Harper does it again!! A great prequel, which would definitely work as a standalone too. There's a 5th book coming soon and i'm definitely ready for it.
• 
  Migs Camacho

  This was different!
  
  I picked it up pretty blindly, like I do most books, so I didn't know there would be a gay protagonist which was such a nice surprise. I'm usually not into romance in my books but this was actually pretty spicy and fun so maybe I'm just a close minded guy that only cares about gay romance?? (epiphany!). I also didn't know this was a prequel so I'm sure there are a bunch of nuances I didnt pick up on.
  
  But it's a great book! Reminded me a bit of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the show of course). Had some pretty creepy scenes, was super funny and moves really (actually a bit too) fast. Has some great twists tho I'm still processing how I feel about the final twist. Felt a bit unnecessary as the rest of the story was strong enough on it's own but I'll definitely be reading more from the series and I'll see how this twist plays out. Could be very fun.
• 
  Chlöe-Louise Morgan

  I enjoyed this Dr Harper book greatly. The fact that Elliot believes certain things have happened, and people are blacking out, when it is in fact him... well I won't spoil it.
  
  My reason behind 4 stars and not 5, is purely because I did not understand the reference between the notes from individuals who have visited the School, people who seem stuck in a loop, or held against their will but they cannot fathom what's going on. Maybe I missed something.
  
  A curse has had Lonesome Woods Boarding School in it's grasp for years. Elliot is frantically trying to prevent any more deaths occurring throigh this disturbing cult activity. Can he figure it out before it's too late? Who is the real instigator of this big dark secret...