Tara, disgusted with society, politics, and the government’s rampant disrespect for the environment, leaves her busy city work life to try being solo in a remote tract in the Santa Monica Mountains. She is inspired by her quirky house and raw land, where she begins to create gardens, grow her own food, and experiment with living a simple life, harmonious with nature. Her goals are to discover her strengths and capabilities, be independent, and find happiness without a boyfriend and disappointing, superficial friends. As an added bonus, she aims to be free of the inequitable rules and laws in her prior urban lifestyle.

At first, Tara’s gardens flourish and she seems to achieve her aspirations. Then, however, her siblings, Link and Angie, notice a rapid change in Tara’s demeanor whenever they call or FaceTime her. Tara starts to look haggard and sounds eerily paranoid. When Link can no longer reach her by phone, email, or text, he alerts Angie, and together they rush to determine what may have happened to their sister. What they uncover is horrific and inexplicable. Tara is on the verge of death and her home is in ruins.

VEIS DJALALI practices psychotherapy in Santa Monica, California. Her work involves a variety of issues and clientele from all walks of life and all age and ethnic groups. Her first novel, Sex, Lies, and Retribution, is a depiction of the betrayal wound as it experienced in the struggles of couples when they are deceived. Her second, I Don’t Remember When I Died, covers a gambit of life issues, including death, aging, loss, parenting, the connections between siblings, and the keeping of family. Veis is also the author of Reflections on Psychotherapy and Paths for Wellbeing, a non-fiction collection written primarily as a training manual to initiate those interested in becoming psychotherapists. The numerous case studies and treatment plans included in this book illustrate and express the flavor and process of psychotherapy. All her books are available on Amazon in paperback, eBook, and audiobook.