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InSight
Psychologist Abigael Gallant fought her way back from her ex-husband’s brutal attack that killed their daughter and left her blind. Now she “reads” audio books, runs with a guide at a local track, and has a thriving practice that specializes in treating the newly disabled. The last thing she needs is another man in her life.
Enter Detective Luke McCallister, a cop forced into counseling a year after a gun blast during a meth lab take-down robbed him of his hearing. Luke is fighting hard to stay on the force, but computer work and fingerprint analysis are not what he has in mind. Initially reluctant to Abby’s therapy, Luke’s barriers tumble because Abby sees deeper into him than anyone ever cared to.
Though Luke’s lip reading is excellent, he refuses to “listen” to Abby’s warning that his romantic overture jeopardizes her professional ethics. But when break-ins and threatening computer messages escalate into a physical attack on Abby and her guide dog, Luke walks a fine line between cop, protector, and lover. Unable to deny their physical attraction, Abby and Luke tiptoe around their personal baggage and enter into a delicate relationship.
Then Abby is kidnapped. While Luke puts his life at risk to find her, Abby discovers the ghosts of her past are back to haunt her, and the man she once loved was as much of a victim as she.
Enter Detective Luke McCallister, a cop forced into counseling a year after a gun blast during a meth lab take-down robbed him of his hearing. Luke is fighting hard to stay on the force, but computer work and fingerprint analysis are not what he has in mind. Initially reluctant to Abby’s therapy, Luke’s barriers tumble because Abby sees deeper into him than anyone ever cared to.
Though Luke’s lip reading is excellent, he refuses to “listen” to Abby’s warning that his romantic overture jeopardizes her professional ethics. But when break-ins and threatening computer messages escalate into a physical attack on Abby and her guide dog, Luke walks a fine line between cop, protector, and lover. Unable to deny their physical attraction, Abby and Luke tiptoe around their personal baggage and enter into a delicate relationship.
Then Abby is kidnapped. While Luke puts his life at risk to find her, Abby discovers the ghosts of her past are back to haunt her, and the man she once loved was as much of a victim as she.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 7, 2011
104 people are currently reading
1292 people want to read
About the author
Polly Iyer
20 books133 followersI'm a reader and writer. My reading choices range from mysteries to romantic suspense to thrillers. All my books have elements of suspense, mystery, and romance, with a dash of humor here and there. They are available as an ebook and in paperback.
amazon.com/Polly-Iyer/e/B006IUWXWO
amazon.com/Polly-Iyer/e/B006IUWXWO
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
September 10, 2017
3.75 stars
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Writing style: 3.5/5
Plot: 2.75/5
Steamy times: 3.75/5
Likability of main characters: 3.9/5
POVs:
This book had so much promise at the start and it was impossible not to enjoy the way these characters were written. The way Abigael Gallant and Luke McCallister communicated with each other in spite of their profound disabilities was an eye-opening experience and those were my favorite parts of this book. The way they challenged and explored one another was fascinating. Ultimately, I loved the premise of this story but it spiraled into some chaotic and far-fetched directions.
Other issues?
The last quarter of the story felt long-winded.
The upside?
Abigael's thirty and Luke's forty-two. This is an okay R/S story for a reader wanting to read about two individuals who have established careers and who share meaningful life experiences while being supportive of each other.
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Writing style: 3.5/5
Plot: 2.75/5
Steamy times: 3.75/5
Likability of main characters: 3.9/5
POVs:
This book had so much promise at the start and it was impossible not to enjoy the way these characters were written. The way Abigael Gallant and Luke McCallister communicated with each other in spite of their profound disabilities was an eye-opening experience and those were my favorite parts of this book. The way they challenged and explored one another was fascinating. Ultimately, I loved the premise of this story but it spiraled into some chaotic and far-fetched directions.
Other issues?
The last quarter of the story felt long-winded.
The upside?
Abigael's thirty and Luke's forty-two. This is an okay R/S story for a reader wanting to read about two individuals who have established careers and who share meaningful life experiences while being supportive of each other.
July 31, 2013
Another new author for me ... one I'm glad I didn't miss! I'm not sure where I would place this one ... it's far more than a cozy, but not a psychological mystery even though the main character is a psychologist. Maybe I would call it more of a romantic suspense. There is certainly romance which causes my little heart to hitch.
Dr. Abigael Gallant is a beautiful, but blind, psychologist who treats others who are newly disabled. She's lived through a brutal attack by her ex-husband that left her young daughter dead. She is also dealing with an alcoholic mother who has been sober since the attack.
She's come a long way in her healing and she's not looking for more. But that's before she meets Luke McAllister, a detective who was left deaf as a result of an on-the-job incident. He's bitter, he's frustrated, and really, really attracted to Abigael.
Abigael is being stalked. She receives threatening emails. Her house is broken into and trashed. Luke has to walk the fine line between cop and protector and lover, all while hiding secrets of his own. When Abigael is kidnapped, her past comes to confront her at an amazing pace.
The book is well-paced with only one small area that seemed to lag, but not nearly enough to put the book down. I liked the interaction and attraction between the main characters and the mystery kept me turning pages to see what happened next.
There were two secondary characters that deserve mention. One is Luke's best friend, Alex, who is a working detective and the other is Jeff, former Special Ops who now does personal protection work. I know this author has other books out.. they are next on my list to get and read. I'm keeping fingers crossed that Alex and Jeff get their own books ... they deserve it.
Dr. Abigael Gallant is a beautiful, but blind, psychologist who treats others who are newly disabled. She's lived through a brutal attack by her ex-husband that left her young daughter dead. She is also dealing with an alcoholic mother who has been sober since the attack.
She's come a long way in her healing and she's not looking for more. But that's before she meets Luke McAllister, a detective who was left deaf as a result of an on-the-job incident. He's bitter, he's frustrated, and really, really attracted to Abigael.
Abigael is being stalked. She receives threatening emails. Her house is broken into and trashed. Luke has to walk the fine line between cop and protector and lover, all while hiding secrets of his own. When Abigael is kidnapped, her past comes to confront her at an amazing pace.
The book is well-paced with only one small area that seemed to lag, but not nearly enough to put the book down. I liked the interaction and attraction between the main characters and the mystery kept me turning pages to see what happened next.
There were two secondary characters that deserve mention. One is Luke's best friend, Alex, who is a working detective and the other is Jeff, former Special Ops who now does personal protection work. I know this author has other books out.. they are next on my list to get and read. I'm keeping fingers crossed that Alex and Jeff get their own books ... they deserve it.
December 19, 2011
I love this book and its unique characters and perspective. As Polly's critique partner, I read it during its development and fell in love with Abby and Luke from the beginning. They display much more than their ability to deal with the challenges thrown into their paths. The mystery is intriguing, the action fast, and the story exciting. I truly enjoyed watching them uncover the layers of deception and transgressions until the true crime is finally revealed. I highly recommend this book.
March 28, 2013
The most unique aspect of this suspense mystery by Polly Iyer is the pairing of a blind therapist with a recently-deafened cop, something Iyer does well. She shows their individual strengths and weaknesses, adds the elements of their respective disabilities, and makes it work. Iyer gets it right on all fronts.
I wanted to rush home each night to finish the book and sometimes was disappointed that I was too tired to read. Iyer sets the pace to keep you hooked (the title of another book of hers that I'm just starting).
Some of the story seems a bit stretched - the moneyed matriarch controlling so many others, but who's to say it isn't possible? And, as we learn every day in the headlines, there's a lot that goes on in the world of money and power that we just find unbelievable - until it gets exposed.
If you want a good mystery, with some unexpected twists to the plot, and you like the story to keep moving along, then this is the book to read.
I wanted to rush home each night to finish the book and sometimes was disappointed that I was too tired to read. Iyer sets the pace to keep you hooked (the title of another book of hers that I'm just starting).
Some of the story seems a bit stretched - the moneyed matriarch controlling so many others, but who's to say it isn't possible? And, as we learn every day in the headlines, there's a lot that goes on in the world of money and power that we just find unbelievable - until it gets exposed.
If you want a good mystery, with some unexpected twists to the plot, and you like the story to keep moving along, then this is the book to read.
August 26, 2013
Spoiler alert within! - What an original story!, so descriptive, so engrossing and so many layers, this author can write a mystery!, Abby & Luke such wonderful, brave characters, what they go through is just heartbreaking, but their journey together is heartwarming to say the least, you could totally see this as a movie, a proper romantic thriller, you have the villains, who are just plain evil and the good guys helping Abby & Luke, Jeff & Norm, but throughout all this my heart went out to Stewart, my god what he went through, I was choked up for him at the end. I really hope there's another book, I can feel their story isn't finished yet, especially about Luke's brother, I hope so, would love to read more.
June 1, 2013
This was a really interesting read! It was my first foray into Romantic Suspense and was quite enjoyable! It reminded me a lot of an episode of Criminal Minds. The romantic aspects were subtle, almost barely there, to the point where I would rather classify this as a mystery rather than a romantic suspense book. I found the premise of a blind heroine and a deaf hero interesting, and the author did a good job of presenting their difficulties in a believable manner. I've already recommended that my mother read this book, and would recommend it to others that are looking for a little something different to read.
July 17, 2014
My first time reading this author and WOW, did this story blow me away. I wholeheartedly recommend that you dig into this well developed character study of 2 individuals whose lives intersect as they become full into a crime Well written and kept me on the edge of my seat. THIS is the kind of thriller I want to read, not something formulaic. Very well done.
September 12, 2012
Awesome story. Loved the whole storyline.
Loved learning how a deaf man and a blind woman can make it together in the world, and survive all they go through.
Great story.
Loved learning how a deaf man and a blind woman can make it together in the world, and survive all they go through.
Great story.
January 30, 2015
Polly Iyer skillfully writes a fast moving thought provoking plot gripping her readers from the beginning to the end of the story. The author introduces her protagonist Dr. Abigael Gallant, a successful psychologist who is blind. Iyer gives her readers details of Gallant’s disability. We learn of the support characters and their roles as Iyer introduces them into the story line.
Readers meet INSIGHT’s male protagonist, Luke McCallister, who is dealing with an injury that left him deaf. Iyer helps readers understand his backstory as she helps her readers see Luke’s growth and his angry. Abigael sees his anger as a sign Luke is hiding something from his past. Readers must pay attention if they want to know the answer of what makes Luke tick.
INSIGHT’s fast moving plot delivers action, intrigue, mystery, and suspense at the turn of every page. The author involves readers with McCallister, sitting on his shoulder describing details of his on-the-job injury. Luke’s disability brings Luke to Abigael to help. Luke accepts he is deaf, but he refuses to let anyone help him. Luke’s refusal to accept he can’t get his life back to normal bothers Abigael.
The pace of Iyer’s story line increases momentum with the turn of each page. Iyer skillfully weaves actions of her antagonists showing readers their back stories. The author shows how the antagonist lacks having any conscience concern for right and wrong. The main antagonist, Abigael’s ex-mother-law, shows readers she can be very unfriendly.
The group of evil support characters cover up illegal activities or actions on all levels of government and Charleston's Police Department. Involvement in the cover up the drug activities is probably the same person who ordered the death of Abigael’s daughter Macy. Readers, as they sit on Abigael's shoulder, see unethical medical practices, experimenting drugs on patients, and we learn who is responsible the attack on Abigael leading to her loss of sight.
Iyer creates many plot and sub-plot changes so readers will not be able to guess who is doing all the manipulations. The author involves readers as they embrace well-developed characters, effortlessly coming to expect the unexpected. INSIGHT by Polly Iyer is a must read with an unforgettable ending. Readers find insight to dealing with the disabilities of blindness and loss of hearing. INSIGHT doesn’t disappoint readers when the unpredictable ending comes to light. Polly Iyer INSIGHT earns a 5 star ranking.
Readers meet INSIGHT’s male protagonist, Luke McCallister, who is dealing with an injury that left him deaf. Iyer helps readers understand his backstory as she helps her readers see Luke’s growth and his angry. Abigael sees his anger as a sign Luke is hiding something from his past. Readers must pay attention if they want to know the answer of what makes Luke tick.
INSIGHT’s fast moving plot delivers action, intrigue, mystery, and suspense at the turn of every page. The author involves readers with McCallister, sitting on his shoulder describing details of his on-the-job injury. Luke’s disability brings Luke to Abigael to help. Luke accepts he is deaf, but he refuses to let anyone help him. Luke’s refusal to accept he can’t get his life back to normal bothers Abigael.
The pace of Iyer’s story line increases momentum with the turn of each page. Iyer skillfully weaves actions of her antagonists showing readers their back stories. The author shows how the antagonist lacks having any conscience concern for right and wrong. The main antagonist, Abigael’s ex-mother-law, shows readers she can be very unfriendly.
The group of evil support characters cover up illegal activities or actions on all levels of government and Charleston's Police Department. Involvement in the cover up the drug activities is probably the same person who ordered the death of Abigael’s daughter Macy. Readers, as they sit on Abigael's shoulder, see unethical medical practices, experimenting drugs on patients, and we learn who is responsible the attack on Abigael leading to her loss of sight.
Iyer creates many plot and sub-plot changes so readers will not be able to guess who is doing all the manipulations. The author involves readers as they embrace well-developed characters, effortlessly coming to expect the unexpected. INSIGHT by Polly Iyer is a must read with an unforgettable ending. Readers find insight to dealing with the disabilities of blindness and loss of hearing. INSIGHT doesn’t disappoint readers when the unpredictable ending comes to light. Polly Iyer INSIGHT earns a 5 star ranking.
January 29, 2013
In InSight, Polly throws together a blind counselor and a deaf police officer. Abby Gallant, blinded by a vicious ex-husband, is a psychologist supposed to help Luke McAllister deal with issues over sudden, duty-related total loss of hearing. But the professional relationship is compromised when they develop an almost instant mutual attraction, and Abby refers Luke to another counselor. Meanwhile, it appears someone is stalking Abby. The story takes off rapidly from there—with a scheming matriarch with too many ties to police and newspapers, an eerie Australian villain, and a doctor who does hallucogenic experiments on helpless patients.
Iyer is the master of thriller suspense, and the tension is so string on some scenes that you may pull down the shades or run for a drink. No spoilers here, except to say I was spellbound by the rapid action throughout the book and terrified by some of the scenes. Plus I really liked Abby and Luke, both strong but flawed characters trying to find their way in life…and together.
Iyer is the master of thriller suspense, and the tension is so string on some scenes that you may pull down the shades or run for a drink. No spoilers here, except to say I was spellbound by the rapid action throughout the book and terrified by some of the scenes. Plus I really liked Abby and Luke, both strong but flawed characters trying to find their way in life…and together.
April 20, 2013
The most novel thing about this novel is its two main characters. We start with Abby, a blind psychologist who helps her handicapped patients adjust to life with limitations. Enter Luke, the angry, bitter cop deafened by an explosion, who walks into her office for job-required therapy. This scenario has plenty of potential for conflict and sexual tension between the characters. Add to that the deranged ex-husband who blinded Abby with a gunshot and murdered their eight-year-old daughter. But he committed suicide - didn't he? Then, who's stalking Abby? Can Luke do enough to protect her? The author kept me turning pages with her excellent character development and nail-biting action. A great read.
March 1, 2013
I found that the relationship between a blind female psychologist and a deaf male policeman was the most striking and original aspect of this book. It's apparent that the author not only went to great effort to imagine their individual lives but also the difficulties of their interactions. This relationship creates the foundation for a unique story.
Although I admit to reading the book compulsively, I found the plot line somewhat less convincing, and some of the secondary characters seemed flat to me. None of this kept me from returning to the book at every free moment.
Overall, though, I would recommend this book and plan to read others by the author.
Although I admit to reading the book compulsively, I found the plot line somewhat less convincing, and some of the secondary characters seemed flat to me. None of this kept me from returning to the book at every free moment.
Overall, though, I would recommend this book and plan to read others by the author.
July 14, 2014
Great job by the author in creating compelling characters and a engrossing roller coaster plotline. Abby's life imploded when her mentally ill husband killed their daughter and blinded her and killed himself. She has in the intervening 8 years learned to cope with her blindness and built a life for herself as a psychologist. Luke is a cop deafened in a meth lab explosion who becomes her patient. I could not put this book down. Well written with a cast of great characters and the storyline is fascinating. Page turner.
May 12, 2013
Despite the easy flow, this book is full of twists and turns, mystery, suspense and romance - great for a good, well-written story.
I liked the bravery and determination of Abby and the natural goodness of Luke - who were both believable, as if popping out of the page like real people.
A tale that keeps you hooked until the end.
I liked the bravery and determination of Abby and the natural goodness of Luke - who were both believable, as if popping out of the page like real people.
A tale that keeps you hooked until the end.
December 4, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. Great characters - easy to get to know them and the author had me pulling for them early on. Plenty of suspense and danger with a nice dose of romance. Loved the determination of the human spirit. Great book.
July 7, 2014
Fun to read
The characters are complex and very believable. I liked the hidden twists and turns of the plot...it seemed reasonable for each quirk at the time, but the ramifications ripple into the story and it definitely kept me reading.
The characters are complex and very believable. I liked the hidden twists and turns of the plot...it seemed reasonable for each quirk at the time, but the ramifications ripple into the story and it definitely kept me reading.
April 29, 2015
Awesome!!
I was totally sucked in. I love the way you brought the characters to life. You could feel their pain and frustration. I would love more books of this nature. Great read!!!
I was totally sucked in. I love the way you brought the characters to life. You could feel their pain and frustration. I would love more books of this nature. Great read!!!
April 28, 2012
Really enjoyed this suspenseful novel. Obviously a lot of research went into this one and it paid off. Thanks, Polly, for the intro at the December meeting!
February 2, 2013
Excellent read. Kept me going. Highly recommended.
February 19, 2015
This book was excellent. Well-written and full of twists and turns. I will definitely read more books by Polly Iyer.
April 18, 2023
Psychologist Abigail Gallant is blind, as her ex husband tried to.kill her when he shot his daughter and himself. Eight years later she is running her own practice dealing with disabilities when she recusers herself from dealing with Luke callister, as they both seem interested in a relationship. Luke is a cop who has lost his hearing on the job and is struggling.
As they relationship is blossoming, Abi seems to be the target of a malicious attack - first cyber, then a break in, now things are really escalating. Can Luke and Ab Work out what is happening and why in time.
I really enjoyed this. I loved the little nuances it gave me into being blind and deaf as well as the style of writing. I will read more by this author.
As they relationship is blossoming, Abi seems to be the target of a malicious attack - first cyber, then a break in, now things are really escalating. Can Luke and Ab Work out what is happening and why in time.
I really enjoyed this. I loved the little nuances it gave me into being blind and deaf as well as the style of writing. I will read more by this author.
October 2, 2020
Solid read
I don’t read many books like this so I might be a bad reviewer. However overall I found the characters enjoyable and caught myself reading faster and faster to unravel the mysteries. I felt satisfied at the end even if I felt a few extra twists were added just to increase the drama (ahem the bit at the end that didn’t add to the plot in the slightest except answering a question hinted at earlier).
I don’t read many books like this so I might be a bad reviewer. However overall I found the characters enjoyable and caught myself reading faster and faster to unravel the mysteries. I felt satisfied at the end even if I felt a few extra twists were added just to increase the drama (ahem the bit at the end that didn’t add to the plot in the slightest except answering a question hinted at earlier).
January 21, 2021
Gaping plot holes and typos galore aside, I'm truly impressed by the author's ability to include ableism (against the deaf, the blind, and people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression, and mental illness in general), fatphobia, homophobia, aphobia, AND biphobia in less than 400 pages.
At least the book was free?
EDIT: I would like to give this book a shout out for teaching me the euphemism "world-class woody" as a stand-in for penis.
At least the book was free?
EDIT: I would like to give this book a shout out for teaching me the euphemism "world-class woody" as a stand-in for penis.
February 21, 2021
Terrible ending. He kept two HUGE secrets from her. They mentioned the possibility of the implants for his hearing and that's it. Never found out if he could possibly get some hearing back. Not to mention he wanted kids and her tubes were tied. How would they work it out? Adopt? What? They left out so much of the story line at the end it wasn't even worth reading it at that point.
November 9, 2023
Very interesting murder mystery. The female protagonist is blind and the male is deaf. Quite a combination! Abigael is a psychiatrist and Luke is an almost ex-policeman. Together they have to figure out who is killing people and who is harassing Abigael. A complex who dunnit. Enjoyable read as we, the readers, try to figure out what is going on too. Recommended!
September 8, 2018
Psycho Bitch
May not be nice, but am just describing the villain in this book. Enjoyed reading this book. Abby and Luke are such strong characters. You really can't tell what will be happening next. Will be reading more of Polls work.
May not be nice, but am just describing the villain in this book. Enjoyed reading this book. Abby and Luke are such strong characters. You really can't tell what will be happening next. Will be reading more of Polls work.
August 29, 2020
A very long story, that does take some unexpected turns. But though the disabilities of the main characters were refreshing, the actual story was rather dry. I also think there's quite a few discrepancies, but it was interesting. I think it would have been a lot better without the romance though.
September 4, 2017
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
June 9, 2021
One inappropriate sexual scene. Lots of crude language.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews