{"id":2096,"date":"2025-02-25T11:43:57","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T11:43:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=2096"},"modified":"2025-02-25T11:43:57","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T11:43:57","slug":"trust-issues-by-elizabeth-mccullough-keenan-and-greg-wands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=2096","title":{"rendered":"Trust Issues by Elizabeth McCullough Keenan and Greg Wands"},"content":{"rendered":"

In \u201cTrust Issues,\u201d co-authors Elizabeth McCullough Keenan and Greg Wands deliver a deliciously twisted tale of familial deception<\/a> that reads like a high-stakes game of emotional chess. The novel introduces us to estranged siblings Hazel and Kagan Bailey, whose fraught relationship is tested when their mother Janice dies under suspicious circumstances at Fort Tryon Park in New York City. When the siblings discover their stepfather Perry Walters has disappeared with their inheritance, they embark on a revenge-fueled treasure hunt that evolves into a darkly comedic odyssey of betrayal and self-discovery.<\/p>\n

Writing as the duo E.G. Scott, Keenan and Wands have previously penned psychological thrillers including \u201cThe Woman Inside,\u201d \u201cIn Case of Emergency,\u201d and \u201cThe Rule of Three.\u201d With \u201cTrust Issues,\u201d Keenan and Wands <\/em>have crafted their most compulsively readable work yet \u2013 a twisty crime thriller that doubles as a scathing examination of family dynamics and the lies we tell ourselves.<\/p>\n

A Family of Marks and Grifters<\/h2>\n

The novel\u2019s greatest strength lies in its deeply flawed yet compelling characters. The Bailey siblings are far from innocent victims, and that\u2019s precisely what makes them fascinating. Hazel, a conspiracy theory influencer whose \u201cTrust Issues\u201d online channel peddles paranoid content to vulnerable followers, is as adept at manipulating her audience as the con artists she\u2019s pursuing. Her digital addiction serves as a modern twist on the traditional substance dependencies that plague her brother Kagan, a struggling photographer with a cocaine habit who drifts between jobs and relationships.<\/p>\n

Keenan and Wands skillfully ensure these characters never become caricatures. Instead, they create a nuanced portrait of adult siblings whose dysfunction stems from genuine emotional wounds inflicted by their abusive father Charles and their complicated relationship with their mother. Their mutual resentment and competitive dynamic feels painfully authentic, especially as they jockey for position with Ava, Perry\u2019s alleged daughter who becomes their unlikely ally.<\/p>\n

The authors excel at revealing character through dialogue. Consider this exchange when the siblings discuss their predicament:<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the easier way, Ava,\u201d Hazel says, putting her phone aside.<\/h4>\n

Kagan sits on the side of Ava\u2019s chair and drapes his arm around her shoulders.<\/h4>\n

\u201cAva, babe, we\u2019ve got this all under control.\u201d<\/h4>\n

These few lines brilliantly encapsulate both siblings\u2019 manipulative tendencies\u2014Hazel\u2019s dismissive overconfidence and Kagan\u2019s sleazy attempt to assert dominance through physical touch. Their behavior throughout reflects people who have learned all the wrong lessons from a lifetime of toxic relationships.<\/p>\n

The Perfect Con: Plot and Pacing<\/h2>\n

The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives\u2014Hazel, Kagan, Ava, and Perry\/Walt\u2014creating a kaleidoscopic view of deception. This structure builds suspense effectively, allowing readers to piece together the puzzle alongside the characters while still preserving pivotal twists for maximum impact.<\/p>\n

The plot moves at a brisk clip, particularly once the action shifts to Florida, where Perry (now \u201cWalt\u201d) is preparing to marry wealthy divorc\u00e9e Iris. The siblings\u2019 scheme to infiltrate the wedding as \u201cPatricia and Matt Devlin\u201d injects the narrative with darkly comedic moments. Watching them stumble through their charade while Perry maintains his own elaborate deception creates delicious dramatic irony.<\/p>\n

However, the authors occasionally sacrifice plausibility for the sake of narrative convenience. The ease with which Ava hacks into secure systems stretches credibility, and some coincidences feel contrived rather than organic. The appearance of Adam, Hazel\u2019s ex-boyfriend who turns out to be in league with Perry, particularly strains belief. While these moments create effective plot twists, they occasionally undermine the otherwise meticulous construction of the con artist\u2019s world.<\/p>\n

Thematic Depth: Trust, Addiction, and Inheritance<\/h2>\n

Beyond its thriller elements, \u201cTrust Issues\u201d<\/em> by Keenan and Wands<\/em> offers a thoughtful exploration of several interwoven themes:<\/p>\n

The Nature of Trust<\/strong>: The novel interrogates how trust functions within families and romantic relationships<\/a>, revealing how easily it can be manipulated by those with ulterior motives.
\nModern Addiction<\/strong>: Through Hazel\u2019s digital obsession and Kagan\u2019s substance abuse, the book examines how addiction manifests in contemporary society. This comes full circle with the darkly ironic ending, where their inheritance is used to fund their rehabilitation.
\nFamily Legacy<\/strong>: The Bailey siblings are shaped by both genetic inheritance (their father\u2019s manipulative tendencies) and financial inheritance (the money they feel entitled to). The narrative questions whether we can ever truly escape what we inherit from our families.
\nIdentity and Reinvention<\/strong>: Every character in the novel wears multiple masks, from Perry\u2019s literal identity changes to Hazel\u2019s carefully curated online persona. The book asks whether authentic connection is possible in a world where everyone is performing.<\/p>\n

One particularly effective scene occurs when Ava discovers emails revealing that, contrary to the siblings\u2019 claims, Janice had actually remained involved in her children\u2019s lives despite their growing distance. This revelation adds moral complexity to what might otherwise be a straightforward revenge tale. It suggests that the \u201ctruth\u201d is rarely as simple as victims and perpetrators \u2013 most people exist in the murky in-between.<\/p>\n

Stylistic Flourishes and Shortcomings<\/h2>\n

Keenan and Wands demonstrate impressive control of tone, balancing dark comedy with genuine tension. Their prose is efficient yet evocative, particularly in passages depicting the siblings\u2019 mounting desperation:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe coincidence sends Hazel into dizzying confusion.<\/h4>\n

\u2018How did she fall? I don\u2019t get it. She died from a fall?\u2019 Strangled emotion chokes each question.<\/h4>\n

\u2018Perry just said she tumbled over a wall and fell down the embankment. They don\u2019t think she suffered,\u2019 he replies morosely.\u201d<\/h4>\n

This economical writing style keeps the pages turning while still conveying emotional resonance. The authors also display a talent for memorable scene-setting, whether describing the sterile confines of a police interview room or the faded grandeur of a Hilton Head mansion.<\/p>\n

Where the writing occasionally falters is in maintaining distinct voices for each point-of-view character. While the siblings\u2019 perspectives are well-differentiated, Perry\/Walt\u2019s sections sometimes lack the psychological depth that would make his motivations fully convincing. His characterization occasionally veers toward archetypal villain territory when a more nuanced portrayal might have elevated the book further.<\/p>\n

Sailing Away: The Art of the Ending<\/h2>\n

Without revealing too many spoilers, the novel\u2019s conclusion delivers a perfect cocktail of satisfaction and frustration. The final twist\u2014that Ava has been playing her own long con\u2014feels both surprising and inevitable in retrospect. The epilogue, from Ava\u2019s perspective as she sails away with the money, offers a bittersweet coda that complicates our sympathies one final time.<\/p>\n

What makes the ending particularly effective is how it subverts traditional expectations of justice. Rather than a neat resolution where the villain is punished and the protagonists triumph, \u201cTrust Issues\u201d by Keenan and Wands<\/em> leaves us with morally ambiguous outcomes for all involved. This resistance to simplistic morality feels refreshingly true to the complex world the authors have created.<\/p>\n

Comparisons and Context<\/h2>\n

\u201cTrust Issues\u201d by Keenan and Wands<\/em> sits comfortably alongside recent literary thrillers exploring family dysfunction such as Liane Moriarty\u2019s \u201cBig Little Lies\u201d and Tana French\u2019s \u201cThe Witch Elm.\u201d It also recalls films like \u201cThe Grifters\u201d and \u201cMatchstick Men\u201d in its nuanced portrayal of con artists and the psychological toll of deception<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What distinguishes this novel is its contemporary focus on digital identity and modern addiction. By incorporating elements like Hazel\u2019s conspiracy theory channel and online persona, the authors update classic con artist tropes for the social media age. This feels especially relevant in an era where online scams and digital manipulation have become increasingly sophisticated.<\/p>\n

The book also benefits from comparison to the authors\u2019 previous works as E.G. Scott. While maintaining the psychological suspense that characterized those novels, \u201cTrust Issues\u201d demonstrates growth in character development and thematic complexity.<\/p>\n

The Final Verdict<\/h2>\n

\u201cTrust Issues\u201d by Keenan and Wands<\/em> is a gripping, darkly entertaining thriller that transcends genre conventions through its complex characterization and thematic ambition. While not without flaws\u2014some coincidences strain credibility, and certain character motivations could be more thoroughly explored\u2014these minor shortcomings are easily overlooked given the novel\u2019s many strengths.<\/p>\n

What ultimately makes the book worthwhile is its unflinching examination of how family relationships shape us, for better or worse. The Bailey siblings\u2019 toxicity toward each other feels painfully authentic, as does their surprising capacity for loyalty when external threats emerge. Their journey may not end with conventional redemption, but it offers something more interesting: a mirror reflecting our own complicated relationships with trust, truth, and family.<\/p>\n

Strengths and Weaknesses<\/h3>\n

What Works:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Complex, morally ambiguous characters
\nSharp, realistic dialogue
\nEffective use of multiple perspectives
\nContemporary themes of digital addiction and online identity
\nSatisfying yet unpredictable conclusion<\/p>\n

What Could Be Improved:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Some plot developments rely too heavily on coincidence
\nPerry\/Walt\u2019s character could benefit from more psychological depth
\nTechnical aspects of hacking and financial schemes sometimes lack credibility
\nSecondary characters like Iris occasionally feel underdeveloped<\/p>\n

Recommended For:<\/h3>\n

Readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with complex family dynamics will find much to appreciate in \u201cTrust Issues.\u201d Fans of authors like Gillian Flynn, Liane Moriarty, and Lisa Jewell should add this to their reading lists, as should anyone who appreciates clever confidence schemes and morally complicated protagonists.<\/p>\n

The novel\u2019s exploration of digital addiction and online personas also makes it relevant to readers interested in how technology shapes modern identity and relationships.<\/p>\n

Final Rating<\/h3>\n

\u201cTrust Issues\u201d by Keenan and Wands<\/em> delivers a compelling blend of psychological suspense, family drama, and con artist intrigue. Despite occasional lapses in plausibility, the novel\u2019s sharp characterization, thematic depth, and satisfying conclusion make it a standout entry in the psychological thriller genre. Keenan and Wands have crafted a tale that will keep readers guessing until the final page \u2013 and questioning their own family dynamics long after.<\/p>\n

As Ava reflects near the novel\u2019s end: \u201cThe open water reminds her that she can control only how she lives her life, not much else.\u201d In \u201cTrust Issues,\u201d control is always an illusion \u2013 for the characters and for readers who think they\u2019ve figured out where this twisty tale is heading. That unpredictability is precisely what makes the journey so rewarding.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In \u201cTrust Issues,\u201d co-authors Elizabeth McCullough Keenan and Greg Wands deliver a deliciously twisted tale of familial deception that reads like a high-stakes game of emotional chess. The novel introduces us to estranged siblings Hazel and Kagan Bailey, whose fraught relationship is tested when their mother Janice dies under suspicious circumstances at Fort Tryon Park […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2096","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bookreviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2096"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2096"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2096\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2096"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2096"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2096"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}