Book Review: Twice Dying

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Twice Dying     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Neil McMahon
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Psychological Suspense   Thriller   Noir
Series: Carroll Monks # 1
Harper, Mar 2000, $24.00, 200 pp.

Dr. Carroll Monks works in the emergency room of San Francisco Mercy Hospital. He is a dedicated and responsible physician, but Carroll remains lonely. However, his loneliness ends when Dr. Alison Chapley reenters his life. Carroll shared a brief fling years ago with his colleague, who provides consulting services to the notorious Clevenger Hospital, home of dangerous murderers who have pleaded “not guilty by reason of insanity” (NGI). Founder Dr. Francis Jephson runs the NGI program but doesn’t allow Alison to him help him.

Dr. Jephson places sociopaths in his program by labeling them as schizophrenics or manic-depressives. He treats his patients for two years before discharging them as being cured. Thus, cold-blooded killers stalk the streets of San Francisco and other cities waiting for the chance to murder again. Alison once revered Dr. Jephson but now wants the dangerous program ended and asks Carroll to help her attain evidence that will do just that. Unbeknownst to the two physicians, an unknown assailant awaits in the shadows with a strategic plan that includes the pair.

In a relatively short novel, Neil McMahon provides quite a powerful left hook to the gut of lovers who demand high quality psychological suspense thrillers. The seemingly straightforward plot spins into a totally unexpected but clever and welcome path that will shock but please the audience. TWICE DYING stars an interesting protagonist who alternately will receive pity and warmth as his obvious flaws make him feel like a friend. The intense story line is dark, chilling, and belies the fact that this is Mr. McMahon’s debut novel. Anyone who enjoys an intense medical thriller with legal overtones will relish this terrific tale.

Harriet Klausner

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