Chapter 5 Summary

Sophie begins to tell the story of Dr. Lawrence Shields: "He's a doctor of psychology who uses his mail-order credentials to fleece rich but lonely, vulnerable women, both young and old....His self-help, let-me-show-you-how-to-turn-your-miserable-life-around seminars draw hundreds of unsuspecting men and women. It's so sad, really. The young are looking for a guru for guidance in figuring out what they should do with their futures, and the older men and women are looking for ways to change the paths they've taken (pg. 40)."

Sophie shows Regan photocopies of a diary written by Mary Coolidge. Her husband passed away and Mary spent two years trapped in a deep depression. She heard about Dr. Shields' seminars, however, and registered for the $1,000, two-day seminar.

Dr. Shields recognized her loneliness and wormed his way into her heart. Within three months, he proposed but asked Mary to keep their...