The Believing Game

December 24, 2012
Corrigan (Accomplice) tackles cult thinking, dysfunction, and addiction as a charismatic and manipulative man works his way into the lives of troubled teenagers. When caught shoplifting for the third time, high school junior Greer is sent by her parents to McCracken Hill, a boarding school for addicts and wealthy juvenile offenders. When Greer becomes involved with magnetically popular Addison, a recovering alcoholic, she also gets swept up in the machinations of his mentor, Joshua, an older counselor and savvy puppeteer who cons the vulnerable group of friends into following his often bizarre and exploitative credos. Though the eclectic cast is a strong point, some exposition about cults, addiction, eating disorders, and shoplifting crosses into didactic territory. Much of the psychology rests on the appeal of Joshua, yet his menacing and unsavory nature may not persuade all readers that he could attract these acolytes in the first place. Regardless, Corrigan again presents darkly disturbing insight into the teenage psyche, while exploring how entering relationships without a sense of self-worth can lead to destruction. Ages 13â18.

November 1, 2012
A streetwise Svengali with questionable motives seduces a group of teen addicts. When high school junior Greer gets caught shoplifting for the third time, her parents send her to a pricey rehab facility, where she meets Addison, a gorgeous, saintly recovering alcoholic. Their attraction is immediate, but there is one irritating grain of sand in the oyster of their love. His name is Joshua, and he is Addison's adult sponsor, guru and adoptive father. His background is vague, and his speech is an off-putting mix of pretentious psychobabble and biblical doctrine. Even though Greer distrusts Joshua on sight, she keeps her suspicions to herself since the romance is still new. But then at a bizarre weekend getaway, Joshua plays a series of inappropriate mind games with Addison, Greer and their roommates in order to bring them under his sway. Greer sees through his manipulations and attempts to separate her boyfriend from his spiritual guide with predictably tragic results. The plot strains credulity (it's hard to believe any reputable youth rehabilitation center would allow a non-staff member so much access to its patients), the pacing is slowed by long-winded therapy-speak and the abrupt ending is unsatisfying. Nevertheless, the characterizations ring true, especially of creepy Joshua and skeptical Greer, who have clearly met their match in each other. Compelling characters, disappointing denouement. (Fiction. 14 & up)

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February 1, 2013

Gr 9 Up-Greer gets sent to rehab at McCracken Hill after she is caught shoplifting, but the facility treats teens with all sorts of problems: addiction, abuse, eating disorders, etc. There Greer meets Addison, a handsome, sensitive guy. He introduces her to his Narcotics Anonymous sponsor, an odd, older man. Soon Joshua has inserted himself into the lives of several broken teenagers looking for someone to believe in. Greer can't be sure that he isn't playing some elaborate, creepy game, and she can't help but wonder what Addison's role in it is. Is he a true believer or just playing along? In this slow-building suspense novel narrated from Greer's perspective, the protagonist is the most fully developed character. The secondary personalities are weaker, and their motivations are more difficult to understand, especially under the extreme circumstances. The pace is likewise uneven. Until the climactic revelation of Joshua's twisted and violent mission, the book is unhurried and filled with his dogma-a jumbled mixture of religious scripture and strange psychology. Once his goal is revealed, the pace picks up and speeds toward a resolute and satisfying ending. Ultimately, this is a novel for mature teens who will appreciate the subtle nuances of manipulation.-Heather E. Miller Cover, Homewood Public Library, AL

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