This is a review of “Helpless” by Jessica Knoll
“Helpless” is a rather dark psychological novel. The thriller features intense power dynamics that culminate in a significant final twist. The book is a compelling, deeply polarizing read.
The novel starts twelve years after Henry Spalding’s heart was broken by Faye Heron. Henry was Faye’s college boyfriend, her first intense but complicated love affair.
Twelve years later, Faye, together with her husband, runs a high-profile, powerful Hollywood production firm, while Henry is a married father who runs the family business. Actually, both their lives went according to plan.
However, a tragedy reunites Faye and Henry when a beloved former college professor unexpectedly passes away. However, when Henry takes Faye, against her will, to a remote cabin, things start to escalate.
Faye is beside herself after Henry brought her to the remote mountain cabin. Did Henry bring her there to punish her? After all, she had written and played in a television feature based on their vicious breakup and indelicate appetites.
In the week of Faye’s captivity, Henry’s cruel demands intensified, and a years-old sprawling mystery started taking shape, a mystery that would rewrite Faye’s remembrance of history, revealing a cataclysmic, astounding truth.
The novel starts as a captive thriller, but evolves into a captivating psychological thriller that explores the complex situation of memory, a shared past, and fixation.
Psychological suspense
In “Helpless,” psychological suspense is blended with intense character features. The novel describes complex interpersonal dynamics and mature themes, resulting in a provocative, intense assessment of challenging, complex subjects.
About the author
Jessica Knoll wrote “The favorite Sister” and “Luckiest Girl Alive,” which is now a successful motion picture on Netflix (starring Mila Kunis).
Jessica, formerly a senior Cosmopolitan editor, and a SELF articles editor, grew up in Philadelphia and holds degrees from The Shipley School, Bryn Mawr, PA, and Hobart & William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY.
Today, Jessica, together with her husband, live in Los Angeles. In September, her new novel, “Bright Young Women,” will be published.