One of the most striking elements of Kitty Thomas’s writing in this novel is the method of coercion. The captor does not rely on constant physical brutality to break Emily. Instead, he utilizes isolation and sensory deprivation.

Kitty Thomas is known for dark romance and psychological fiction (e.g., The Game Maker series, Tender Mercies ). However, I don’t have a widely known piece by her specifically called “Comfort Food” in her major published catalog.

The Master refuses to speak to her, knowing Emily’s desperate need for human interaction.