The Girl without a Name by Sandra Block is a psychological thriller centering around one doctor’s mission to help her patient remember who she is.

Dr. Zoe Goldman is a resident in training in a psychiatric ward in Buffalo, New York, and she’s more than a little different. Not only does she stick out of the crowd because of her height, but her ADHD makes it hard for her to focus, keep her mouth shut, and play by the rules.

But that’s what makes her so good. Even if she can be a pain in the ass for her coworkers.

In The Girl without a Name, Zoe gets a new patient in the form of a little girl they’ve dubbed Jane Doe. Jane is catatonic and they can’t find any record of her before she got her own room on their floor.

But that’s by far the least mysterious part about Jane. When she does wake up, Jane can’t remember who she is or how she ended up in the hospital. Other than a small scar on her ankle, the doctors don’t have much to go on. As the mystery deepens, however, it becomes obvious that someone will go to any lengths to make sure she never remembers.

‘The Girl without a Name’ book review

This is Sandra Block’s second novel and the second book starring Zoe Goldman, though you would never guess it. The characters are rich and interesting, the science real and important, and the plot mysterious and surprising.

You do not need to read the first Zoe Goldman book, Little Black Lies, to appreciate the story found in Girl, but, frankly, you don’t want to miss out on the delicious mystery found in the author’s debut novel, which will only enhance your love for the characters.

The Girl without a Name further builds upon what we saw in the first book. Zoe continues to develop, both personally and professionally, and she continues to hit obstacles that we can only hope she will overcome. Elements from the first book come into play, but there is a time jump that means new readers can easily get into this one, too.

Perhaps the strongest characteristic of the Zoe Goldman books is the science of psychiatry, details of which can be found on each and every page. Block is, after all, a practicing neurologist. Rather than being deterred by this, readers will find themselves entranced by the behind the scenes look at a psych ward, wanting to know who will show up next and quickly becoming invested in each new patient’s personal welfare.

With a satisfying ending that leaves room for more, we can only hope that Sandra Block will continue to tell Zoe Goldman’s story for a long time to come.

The Girl without a Name is available now. Add it to your Goodreads list or purchase it from Amazon or IndieBound.