Book Review: The Madman's Diary

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Madman's Diary     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Thom Racina
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Thriller
Signet, Apr 2001, $6.99, 448 pp.

Interior designer Judy Sussman specializes in restaurant designing. Although the competition is fierce, Judy has earned quite a good reputation for herself. Even though her professional life is near perfect, her personal life needs to be reengineered. Judy lives with her soul mate Skeet, but yearns for a husband and children.

One day when Judy feels extremely depressed, her father persuades her to take a tram ride where she meets Benjamin Siegal. Both are immediately attracted to one another and want to explore a relationship. However, someone calling himself the Shaman wants her for himself and has killed any male who he believes has gotten to close to his Judy. As Judy begins to fall for Ben, she begins to wonder if she is the reason that so many men who were close to her died.

Thom Racina's latest novel takes off a rapid clip and never eases off the throttle. Although the villain fairly easy to spot, it is fun to observe Judy and her associates being led by a master puppeteer. The MADMAN'S DIARY is an exciting thriller with an unexpected ending that begs for a sequel.

Harriet Klausner

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