Book Review: Heart Seizure

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Heart Seizure     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Bill Fitzhugh
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Morrow, Apr 2003, $21.95, 480 pp.

Rose Tailor needs a heart transplant, but her AB blood type makes her need the rarest of organs. Over time Rose works her way to the top of the AB list and is the person to receive the next heart. However, while on the campaign trail for reelection doing the "required" Clinton fitness jog, President Webster collapses. Rushed to the hospital, he needs an AB heart transplant.

When stunt car driver Mardell Coleman dies in a crash leaving his AB ticker in place, all the president’s men jump the conga line to take the heart while Rose’s two adult sons, attorney Spence and banker Boyd, think otherwise. The competition seems unfair as Webster only has the FBI while Tailor has only her two sons who have slew nothing. The mad, mad, mad world chase begins with one heart for whoever proves to be the worthier warrior.

HEART SEIZURE is a wild satire that skews many of the sacred icons of American society especially the notion of fair play when the upper elite or the bottom line competes against the multitude of middle masses. The novel turns the "Stupid White Man’s" calendar into a full Keystone Cop’s parody of the hallowed symbols of equality. Though relationships outside the Tailor family and the governmental vertical organization are never developed, the cast in its zany way makes the story work. Fans who want to see the other side of the rest of the story will relish Bill Fitzhugh’s latest skin ripper, but clearly more cheers will come from the supporters of Bernie Sanders than those who are always right.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner