Book Review: Dark Alchemy

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Dark Alchemy     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Sarah Lovett
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Medical   Thriller
Series: Dr. Sylvia Strange
Simon & Schuster, March 2003, $24.00, 320 pp.

Her scientific peers consider Dr. Christine Palmer the world’s foremost expert on neurotoxins. She knows how to make them and how to make antidotes for them. However, law enforcement officials believe that the beautiful, brilliant scientist is also a sociopath serial poisoner though no clear evidence proves the contention. Still Christine remains the prime suspect in the murders of her father, her fiancé and some of her co-workers.

Counterterrorist expert Edmond Sweetheart asks forensic psychologist Dr. Sylvia Strange to work up a profile of Dr. Christine Palmer so when the authorities bring her in for questioning, they will know how to interrogate this one-of-a kind woman. Sylvia agrees to a meeting with Dr. Palmer knowing she is being used as bait and walks away from the encounter a very sick person. Ironically, the only person who can help her is Dr. Palmer if she obtains what she wants from Sylvia.

There is much more to DARK ALCHEMY than a serial poisoner novel. The heroine’s partner has his own agenda and is willing to sacrifice anyone including her to make sure a spy/mole doesn’t get away with espionage. Sarah Lovett writes an exhilarating, enthralling crime thriller that will keep readers turning the pages until the end because it is not until the climax that the audience finds out whether Dr. Palmer is a sinister villain or a brilliant victim.

Harriet Klausner

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