Overheard in a Dream

Family therapist James starts working with the child of famous novelist Laura Deighnton. Conor has been diagnosed as autistic, but as time progresses, something about his behavior doesn't seem right. Between treating Conor's sister and hearing their mother's life story during weekly dinner dates which e desperately tries to make into professional meetings, James starts to suspect that Conor's problem is something more sinister than what his diagnosis suggests.
A thrilling read, given just a hint of 'fantasy' feel through the introduction of Torgon, Laura's imaginary friend who followed her from her childhood and way past the point where most people dismiss such. The story suggests that there is some kind of mystical link between show more Torgon's world and Laura's, though whether this is another way in which Laura's imagination manifests itself or something supernatural at work only Hayden knows. This book was also much better than Hayden's other attempt at fiction that I've read, The Sunflower Forest, possibly because it seems to be closer to home for her. Even so, I wholeheartedly believe in Hayden's ability to write fiction -- the excellently crafted passages about Torgon serve as proof to me -- and I would jump at the chance to get to read Torgon's story in a novel format rather than as episodes spaced out throughout another novel. show less

The physcologist's patient is a very disturbed young boy. Slowly the doctor is able to identify and thus help remedy the problems troubling this child. And the lad certainly does have something in his past to be traumatised about!
We are also shown that problems don't just trouble his patients. Even the doctor has a few as he copes with fatherhood and a broken marriage. A worthwhile read.

Fiction, as opposed to most of Hayden's books that are based on real life. And this is not as good, nor as engaging.

A great psychological story

Inte som de andra Hayden böckerna. Torgon? i skogen. Skittrist, annars bra.