My guest today on What Cathy Read Next is author MM Desch whose debut psychological thriller, Tangled Darkness, will be published on 15th July 2025. Tangled Darkness is available to pre-order now in paperbook or as an ebook. I’m delighted to bring you an excerpt from the book.
About the Book
In a twisted web of lies, she’s either the spider or the fly.
When a psychiatric clinical assistant turns up dead, Dr. Leslie Schoen finds herself a suspect in the case — and facing allegations which could destroy her career.
As Detective Davis works the investigation, Leslie launches her own inquiries. She soon uncovers deception and illegal schemes involving stolen prescription opioids. It seems everyone around her is hiding something, and as she gets closer to the truth, the threats against her escalate. She struggles with keeping dangerous information from her pregnant wife, Izzy, and knows she needs to confront traumatic demons from her own past. But as she delves deeper into a web of lies, one thing becomes clear: someone will do anything to keep their criminal plans in the shadows.
With her family and even her life on the line, Leslie must outwit those who want her silenced before it’s too late. No one’s motives are what they seem, and the killer may be closer than anyone thinks.
Find Tangled Darkness on Goodreads
Excerpt from Tangled Darkness by MM Desch
Before you start reading, let the author set the scene…
“In Leslie Schoen’s psychiatric practice, personal celebration and professional crisis have collided. Leslie’s wife Izzy is pregnant after multiple heartbreaking setbacks, but this joy is immediately overshadowed when Leslie receives notice of an Oregon Medical Board investigation alleging she stole controlled substances from the office.
The accusation is perplexing as Leslie has never prescribed the Suboxone in question, which would have come from psychiatrist Dr. Bryce Nelson’s addiction treatment practice where she shares office space and staff. As Leslie begins investigating, concerning patterns emerge among her colleagues.
Her medical assistant Damon Grady has appeared increasingly distressed, making a cryptic late-night call claiming illness. Now Damon hasn’t shown up for work without explanation, despite telling the office receptionist, Lynn, he would be in early. Meanwhile, nurse Michelle has grown oddly intense and has barely spoken to Damon.
Bryce Nelson has just returned from vacation and consistently evades Leslie’s questions about the missing medication. Most alarmingly, Leslie has just learned from Pearl, the office billing manager, that Bryce has been planning to move Michelle into Leslie’s office space—a plan he’s never mentioned to Leslie herself.
With DEA inspectors conducting an unannounced review of Bryce’s addiction treatment practice and tensions escalating after a heated confrontation between Bryce and Damon that Leslie overheard, the situation has reached a critical point. Leslie must navigate these professional threats while protecting both her medical license and her growing family.”
AROUND MIDMORNING, while tapping on her laptop, Leslie finished a note at her desk with laser focus. Her office door opened after a brief knock. Lynn popped her head in.
“Doctor, your next patient wanted to be rescheduled. Dr. Nelson wants you to come to his office and talk about how we’ll deal without Damon today. The DEA is busy with Dr. Mannon right now.”
“Did Damon call?”
“No. No one’s heard anything.”
Leslie nodded. A plan for the short-staffed day was needed. But facing Bryce, knowing what Pearl had overheard, would be a challenge. She decided against addressing it with him, not wanting to put their biller in a tight spot. Maybe Leslie’s lease expiration in eight months was perfectly timed after all.
She centered herself, gazing at the art piece hanging on her office side wall. A person walking away from the viewer carried a crimson backpack, the only color in an otherwise gray winter scene. The solitary figure trudged along a narrow, uneven brick path exposed to falling snow between tall buildings.
A question formed in Leslie’s mind as she focused on the red knapsack. Why does Bryce want me out, after he did so much to recruit me? She closed her laptop and followed the aroma of freshly brewed coffee to Bryce’s door.
Leslie hated his office—its dark furnishings, expensive, and ginormous. He’d chosen every piece of furniture for someone six feet or taller. Heavy drapes covered the windows. A stuffed couch sat too high off the floor. Every shelf was overfilled with mementos, books, and tchotchkes. The sizes of the furniture pieces were simply too large for the space, making it an obstacle course to move through the room. Michelle sat opposite him, elbows on the mighty teak desk. Bryce leaned away in his custom swivel chair, grimacing, looking so different from the smiling man in his ridiculous framed credenza photo with the governor.
“Hey there.” She sat, not waiting for a reply. “You wanted to talk about no Damon today?”
“Listen, Leslie.” Bryce hovered over the desk with dissatisfaction, his dark eyes flashing with threatened authority. “We want to know where he is.”
“Dr. Nelson always relies on me to get everything done.” Michelle had settled upright in her chair. She’d pulled her hair back into a tight braid, highlighting deepened hollows beneath her high cheekbones. “And I can assure you I’m ready. I’ll juggle whatever DEA-related tasks are needed as well.”
Something more was going on here. Michelle sounded ready to pop, her voice climbing high and tight. It was as if her blood pressure was maxing out, her orblike face was so reddened. She was more tightly wound than Leslie had ever witnessed.
“I have three people who need nursing or medical assistant attention today. Would you like their names now?”
“Dr. Nelson wants you to check on Damon,” Michelle blurted, the whites of her eyes growing larger as she leaned forward. “You can go to his apartment and text us when you find him.”
“I’m calling for no such thing.” Bryce kept his voice at an even pace.
His breathing sounded through flared nostrils as he frowned at Michelle. “You often seem to think you know what I prefer. And here, you are incorrect. To the contrary, I’m opposed.” The muscles in his jawline contracted and relaxed. “But I believe you know where Damon is, Leslie. You two have become so chummy.”
Now, she was definitely worried about Damon. Checking on him would give her a perfect chance to find out what he knew about the missing bupe. He’d looked so drained lately. Maybe he’d gotten into the opiates—taken the drugs himself. But he’d never shown pinned pupils or appeared intoxicated around her. Or had withdrawal signs like sweating and shakiness.
“I wish I knew where he was.” Leslie kept her expression fixed. “But I have no idea. How will we get everything covered today? I am willing to check on him after my work’s done.”
“I’m the one who’s covering for Damon.” Michelle tapped her hand on her heart. “Good—you’ll look in on him. Let me know what’s needed. I’ll address questions and discuss charts with the inspectors.” Her speaking pace had quickened. “Pearl can get messages at my desk. She’ll process the mail. We’ll get it all done.”
Leslie stood, with Bryce now between her and the door.
“You’re involved in some way with Damon’s absence.” Bryce pointed at Leslie, his tone menacing.
She softened her face into an amiable smile, reaching back to performance skills from a college theater class. In a couple of weeks, she might be talking to the medical board with him in the room. He was already coming after her. Time to tread carefully. “I don’t know why you’d say that, Bryce. Your reactions baffle me sometimes.” She rose, her throat tight, to make her exit. “Lynn left Damon a message. I’ll swing by his place later. I’m concerned about him. He’s never not shown without calling.”
“Of all days,” Bryce muttered something more under his breath.
“Michelle, get Pearl to help. We’re done.”
He waved Leslie and Michelle away.
About the Author
MM Desch brings over three decades as a practicing psychiatrist to her debut psychological thriller, Tangled Darkness (Rowan Prose Publishing). With a passion for telling realistic stories about the veiled realm of psychiatric practice, Desch blends high crime and suspense with her real-world knowledge of addiction medicine. She and her wife live in Portland, Oregon, USA.
Connect with MM Desch
Website | Facebook | Bluesky
