Book Review: Hard Feelings

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Hard Feelings     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Jason Starr
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Vintage, Jan 2002, $12.00, 256 pp.

When he worked at Network Strategies, he was the firm’s top salesperson, receiving the esteem and kudos of his peers and management. Richie Segal regrets moving to Midtown Consulting because he has failed to make a sale in his seven months at his new firm and his boss is on his case to produce or else.

Adding to his feelings of inadequacy is that his wife just received a promotion and a raise, earning $10,000 more than Richie earns. The worst thing to happen to Richie is running across high-powered attorney Michael Rudnick. When Michael was twelve, he molested then ten years old Richie. Now all his repressed memories surface and unable to cope with them, Richie takes an action that could jeopardize all he holds dear in life.

HARD FEELINGS is a fine urban noir thriller that stars a fascinating protagonist. Readers will understand his motives and even empathize with his deep feelings, but deplore his decisions and actions. Jason Starr creates a riveting tale that enthralls the audience with insights into a battered human psyche’s struggle to survive. This novel is worth reading at any price.

Harriet Klausner

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