Book Review: Privileged Communications

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Privileged Communications     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Pat Frieder
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Classic
Bantam, Jun 2000, $5.99, 288 pp.

Alan Prather lived a life of wealth and privilege as he financed dummy corporations, skimmed money, and created shell companies to siphon away funds. He was a great con man who had the trust of his investors, many of whom were personal friends. That ended when Alan filed for bankruptcy. Even more depressing to Alan was that his cherished wife Denise was painfully dying from cancer.

When their car blew up with both Prathers inside, the police quickly concluded a murder-suicide had occurred. However, one of the investigators has doubts about the cause. He petitions the court to allow him to listen to Denise’s audiotapes from when she was a practicing psychologist. Angie Abeyta hires attorney Mattie Donahue to represent her spouse who was one of Denise’s patients. Angie worries that her husband Jimmy could do hard time if law enforcement officials attain the tape. Mattie uses a series of legal maneuvers to gain time. She now has one month to find out the truth behind the deaths of the Prathers or she and Jimmy will be in a lot of trouble.

The protagonist of this mystery is an adrenaline junkie who gets off on danger and skating close to the edge. Denise is easy to like and understand, but no parent would want his or her child to emulate her risky behavior. Pat Frieder uses plenty of legalese to explain Alan’s business dealings, which probably make sense to the Justice Department and GAO, but for the non-lawyer/accountant, it reads like quantum physics. In spite of that, PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATIONS remains a fun tale to read that will capture the attention of those fans that enjoy a puzzle inside a cypher.

Harriet Klausner

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