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Forger: A Psychological Thriller
Lester Gordon was laughed out of art school for wanting to paint like the Impressionist masters, but that’s the least of his
He’s only Lester Gordon part of the time.
Sometimes he’s Louis Bétancourt, a painter of unfathomable talent who can create canvases good enough to fool all the experts on earth.
At other times, he’s a Jesuit priest named Father Gordon Humphries, who travels around the country giving Bétancourt’s paintings to regional museums.
And sometimes he reverts to Baby Les, a seven-year-old victim of abuse and neglect.
Dr. Cheryl Weissberg, a rookie psychologist, diagnoses him with multiple personality disorder and strives to unify Lester’s psyche.
She succeeds, but there’s a When his personality is fragmented, Lester is docile and harmless; after he’s “cured,” he becomes capable of murder.
This gripping psychological thriller will make you want to lock the door, examine yourself in the mirror, and go searching for your childhood teddy bear.
Let’s hope you find it.
He’s only Lester Gordon part of the time.
Sometimes he’s Louis Bétancourt, a painter of unfathomable talent who can create canvases good enough to fool all the experts on earth.
At other times, he’s a Jesuit priest named Father Gordon Humphries, who travels around the country giving Bétancourt’s paintings to regional museums.
And sometimes he reverts to Baby Les, a seven-year-old victim of abuse and neglect.
Dr. Cheryl Weissberg, a rookie psychologist, diagnoses him with multiple personality disorder and strives to unify Lester’s psyche.
She succeeds, but there’s a When his personality is fragmented, Lester is docile and harmless; after he’s “cured,” he becomes capable of murder.
This gripping psychological thriller will make you want to lock the door, examine yourself in the mirror, and go searching for your childhood teddy bear.
Let’s hope you find it.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 30, 2023
16 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Mark Spivak
7 books300 followersMark Spivak is an award-winning writer specializing in wine, spirits, food, restaurants and culinary travel. He is the former wine columnist for The Palm Beach Post, and since 2001 has been the Wine & Spirits Editor for the Palm Beach Media Group. He is the author of two non-fiction books: Iconic Spirits: An Intoxicating History (Lyons Press, 2012) and Moonshine Nation (Lyons Press, 2014), and two novels. His political thriller, The American Crusade, was released by TCK Publishing in April, 2019.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 14, 2023
Forger by Mark Spivak is an intense and captivating psychological thriller. Lester Gordon is not one but multiple people. Sometimes, a painter of unfathomable talent, sometimes a priest, sometimes a Baby Les; victim of abuse and neglect, he is reeling from multiple personality disorders. Dr. Cheryl Weissberg, in an attempt to unify Lester's psyche, succeeds yet opens a gateway to far more dangerous Lester. Capable of murder, being cured is the new terror. Amazing storyline, well developed characters, and the atmosphere of thrill had me captivated from start to finish. The author has exceeded my expectations and presented a thriller that will always linger in my mind. The storyline has enough mystery and horror to provide the right dose of creep and horror. A must-read for all the thriller fans!
November 10, 2023
While this mystery revolves around 2 main themes - that of multiple personalities and the world of art - you’ll learn more about art than the psychiatric disorder. Lester Gordon has 3 alternate personalities: a Jesuit priest, a very talented artist, and a 7-year-old child. All the adult personalities have an interest in art. The author plays it straight with the plot and there are essentially no surprises.
Lester has a snobbish attitude toward art, believing any work of art that is not in the impressionist style is junk and should never be displayed. This attitude is what motivates him and leads to his downfall. That part is not a mystery as we are told on the very first pages that he killed the head of an auction house. The only doubt about the murderer at that point is which personality pulled the trigger. I imagine there will be a lot of readers who do not find this enough of a mystery to read on. I even think this story could have been told without the multiple personality angle and without the murder.
That is because there is another more interesting mystery about the painting being auctioned off in the Cantwell Gallery (named after the murdered man). Is the painting genuine or is it an extremely good fake? The suspicion is that it is a fake, but none of the tests done on the painting can detect anything wrong with it.
Even though this is a very interesting read (mostly due to the art angle), I felt like something was missing, and that there should have been more to the story. It’s still a good late-night read or beach story, but I was disappointed in how it wound up.
Lester has a snobbish attitude toward art, believing any work of art that is not in the impressionist style is junk and should never be displayed. This attitude is what motivates him and leads to his downfall. That part is not a mystery as we are told on the very first pages that he killed the head of an auction house. The only doubt about the murderer at that point is which personality pulled the trigger. I imagine there will be a lot of readers who do not find this enough of a mystery to read on. I even think this story could have been told without the multiple personality angle and without the murder.
That is because there is another more interesting mystery about the painting being auctioned off in the Cantwell Gallery (named after the murdered man). Is the painting genuine or is it an extremely good fake? The suspicion is that it is a fake, but none of the tests done on the painting can detect anything wrong with it.
Even though this is a very interesting read (mostly due to the art angle), I felt like something was missing, and that there should have been more to the story. It’s still a good late-night read or beach story, but I was disappointed in how it wound up.
April 12, 2023
An unputdownable psychological thriller...
Forger: A Psychological Thriller by Mark Spivak is a well-crafted, absorbing, and thought-provoking novel. Spivak's treatment of protagonist Lester's complex psychological issues is both sensitive and engaging, drawing the reader in. The novel's clever and intricate mystery provides ample opportunities for thought and reflection, keeping the reader thoroughly entertained. Spivak's deft handling of character and plot make "Forger" a standout work of fiction that will captivate fans of mystery, thriller, and suspense.
Spivak is a writer who excels at using tone to complement and contrast with the content of his work, demonstrating his exceptional talent. His focus on sentence structure is as important to him as the plot, using words to shift or reinforce meaning. This results in a writing style that is refined and almost poetic, replete with nuances and qualifications. By employing juxtapositions and qualifications, his writing becomes more than just a straightforward narrative, allowing for analysis and deep thought. This creates an intellectual depth that will engage the reader. Highly recommended.
Forger: A Psychological Thriller by Mark Spivak is a well-crafted, absorbing, and thought-provoking novel. Spivak's treatment of protagonist Lester's complex psychological issues is both sensitive and engaging, drawing the reader in. The novel's clever and intricate mystery provides ample opportunities for thought and reflection, keeping the reader thoroughly entertained. Spivak's deft handling of character and plot make "Forger" a standout work of fiction that will captivate fans of mystery, thriller, and suspense.
Spivak is a writer who excels at using tone to complement and contrast with the content of his work, demonstrating his exceptional talent. His focus on sentence structure is as important to him as the plot, using words to shift or reinforce meaning. This results in a writing style that is refined and almost poetic, replete with nuances and qualifications. By employing juxtapositions and qualifications, his writing becomes more than just a straightforward narrative, allowing for analysis and deep thought. This creates an intellectual depth that will engage the reader. Highly recommended.
April 14, 2023
Amazing plot
The novel "Forger: A Psychological Thriller" by Mark Spivak is a captivating and thought-provoking story about a man battling multiple personality disorder. The narrative explores the complexities of the protagonist's mental state and his constant struggle against himself. As Lester Gordon risks losing himself to his darker side, the stakes become higher, and the story takes unexpected twists and turns.
Spivak's writing style is refined and poetic, using words to shift or reinforce meaning, creating a narrative that is more than just a straightforward story. The characters are believable, and the emotions are heartfelt, making the story grounded in the realities of life. The fast-paced action, coupled with the psychological complexity of the protagonist's disorder, makes for an enthralling read that keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
The novel "Forger: A Psychological Thriller" by Mark Spivak is a captivating and thought-provoking story about a man battling multiple personality disorder. The narrative explores the complexities of the protagonist's mental state and his constant struggle against himself. As Lester Gordon risks losing himself to his darker side, the stakes become higher, and the story takes unexpected twists and turns.
Spivak's writing style is refined and poetic, using words to shift or reinforce meaning, creating a narrative that is more than just a straightforward story. The characters are believable, and the emotions are heartfelt, making the story grounded in the realities of life. The fast-paced action, coupled with the psychological complexity of the protagonist's disorder, makes for an enthralling read that keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
April 15, 2023
A Psychological Thriller by Mark Spivak tells the story of Lester Gordon, Louis Bétancourt, Father Gordon Humphries, Baby Les and Dr. Cheryl Weissberg, where the first 4 characters are of the same person. Dr. Cheryl Weissberg, the psychologist who works with Lester on his personality disorder, immersed herself in Lester’s treatment in search of a cure but only to uncover something dark. Multiple personality disorders are often villainized in novels and in movies for what they do, which sometimes is an impulse they can't control, but nonetheless scary. I was halfway through the book when I realised I needed to lock my door and arm my security. It's scarier than a ghost story because it's closer to reality, heck you could be living next to one... The author Mark Spivak was brilliant , he was able to scare me and at the same time feel bad for Lester. This is quite a thrilling read. Also great artwork for the book cover.
April 14, 2023
Forger: A Psychological Thriller by Mark Spivak is a gripping and intense book. The story follows a talented young artist named Letser Gordon who suffers from multiple personality disorder.
The woman in charge of helping him is Dr. Cheryl Weissberg, a young psychologist who wants to help him, but she comes to realize this is a task easier said than done, as she ends finding out he is a dangerous murderous monster.
I think that the character development is well-crafted and that the plot is well-constructed, as it kept me guessing until the very end. The author's writing style is fluid and engaging, making it easy to get lost in the story.
Forger is a compelling and thought-provoking thriller that I would highly recommend to fans of the genre.
The woman in charge of helping him is Dr. Cheryl Weissberg, a young psychologist who wants to help him, but she comes to realize this is a task easier said than done, as she ends finding out he is a dangerous murderous monster.
I think that the character development is well-crafted and that the plot is well-constructed, as it kept me guessing until the very end. The author's writing style is fluid and engaging, making it easy to get lost in the story.
Forger is a compelling and thought-provoking thriller that I would highly recommend to fans of the genre.
April 14, 2023
“Forger” by Mark Spivak is a psychological thriller that revolves around the unique idea that someone can become a murderer only AFTER they are cured of their mental illness. The main character is initially diagnosed with multiple personality disorder, but only once he receives treatment and is supposedly better does he become a criminal. I am wary of books that in any way link mental illness with criminality, since this is a conclusion many people jump to quite easily which is usually completely incorrect. However, leaving that aside, this thriller is definitely a tense and exciting read which fans of the genre will enjoy. If you’re an avid reader of psychological crime thrillers, I recommend this book.
May 3, 2023
If there is one thing that I like doing is discovering new authors. Spivak is certainly a new author for me. I read this book in just a couple of days and, by the end of the first page, I knew that this was going to be a good story and that I would find it difficult to put the book down for any length of time. It was with excitement that I grabbed my Kindle and settled down for what proved to be interesting afternoons of reading.
The story begins in a particularly memorable way with some scenes that strike me. It is well written. The author certainly knows how to grab the reader's attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a read. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained a steady pace throughout.
The story begins in a particularly memorable way with some scenes that strike me. It is well written. The author certainly knows how to grab the reader's attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a read. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained a steady pace throughout.
May 6, 2023
''Forger: A Psychological Thriller'' written by Mark Spivak is an interesting reading that for sure you will enjoy. This is the story of Lester Gordon, a man struggling with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) . In this case, sometimes, he is a student, another a painter, a priest, or a 7-year-old girl until he becomes a murderer. The novel is full of suspense, action, and some funny parts, which make the story very good because it is not totally plain. The author has a good style to write psychological thrillers conveying all the suspense to the readers. Although it was very similar to the movie called Split, which I'm a fan of, the book was well written to keep my attention the whole time.
April 14, 2023
I don't know how or where to start talking about this book. The first thing I will say is that I absolutely adored its premise. Personality disorder is a delightful topic to write an intriguing story but believe me when I say that this author took advantage of his skill and creativity to create this unsurpassed psychological thriller.
“Forger” is filled with mystery and pain; sometimes, I felt a little sorry for the protagonist in spite of the harm he was doing and sometimes, I wanted to yell at him a lot during this story. I was on the edge of my seat until the very end because I had no idea the direction the action would take.
“Forger” is filled with mystery and pain; sometimes, I felt a little sorry for the protagonist in spite of the harm he was doing and sometimes, I wanted to yell at him a lot during this story. I was on the edge of my seat until the very end because I had no idea the direction the action would take.
April 14, 2023
Forger by author Mark Spivak is an absorbing psychological thriller about Lester Gordon, the main character, who suffers from multiple personality disorder. The novel is masterfully written, weaving the psychological issues of the protagonist with the mystery plot. The writer's successful task of describing each of his identities as well as the suspense printed in each chapter make this novel a captivating and immersive read.
All in all, this is a great thriller. The book is exciting, gripping, and action-packed, and I think any reader of this literary type will not be able to put it down. Thus, I will recommend it to everyone who likes the mystery and thriller genre.
All in all, this is a great thriller. The book is exciting, gripping, and action-packed, and I think any reader of this literary type will not be able to put it down. Thus, I will recommend it to everyone who likes the mystery and thriller genre.
April 14, 2023
An exciting thriller!
This book has everything I like in a thriller. At the beginning, it was confusing and the author did a great job of not rushing into explanations and keeping me intrigued.
Forger: A Psychological Thriller by Mark Spivak stars a peculiar man diagnosed with multiple personalities. The protagonist is Lester Gordon, but he also is the painter Louis Bétancourt or Father Gordon Humphries, and other times he is the little girl Baby Les. The big problem appears when Dr. Weissberg "cures" him and he becomes a murderer.
I recommend it without a doubt to fans of suspense and psychological horror. It is an exciting story that I couldn't stop reading until I finished it.
This book has everything I like in a thriller. At the beginning, it was confusing and the author did a great job of not rushing into explanations and keeping me intrigued.
Forger: A Psychological Thriller by Mark Spivak stars a peculiar man diagnosed with multiple personalities. The protagonist is Lester Gordon, but he also is the painter Louis Bétancourt or Father Gordon Humphries, and other times he is the little girl Baby Les. The big problem appears when Dr. Weissberg "cures" him and he becomes a murderer.
I recommend it without a doubt to fans of suspense and psychological horror. It is an exciting story that I couldn't stop reading until I finished it.
April 14, 2023
I found this book to be excellent from its cover, which perfectly reflects the content of the novel simply with the image and design style.
It is a fictional novel that tells the story and events in the life of a schizophrenic man. At times, I found myself feeling a lot of empathy for the character and at times terrified as if I were watching a horror movie. This is why I know that the author has done a great job of showing these multiple personalities and stories.
The story seems to end when this enigmatic protagonist begins his psychiatric therapy, but far from being the solution everyone expects, it seems to be the beginning of something complex and dangerous.
It is a fictional novel that tells the story and events in the life of a schizophrenic man. At times, I found myself feeling a lot of empathy for the character and at times terrified as if I were watching a horror movie. This is why I know that the author has done a great job of showing these multiple personalities and stories.
The story seems to end when this enigmatic protagonist begins his psychiatric therapy, but far from being the solution everyone expects, it seems to be the beginning of something complex and dangerous.
April 16, 2023
Forger by Mark Spivak is a dark, thrilling read. The book tells the story of Lester Gordon, a gifted artist with multiple personality disorder. The psychological complexities of Lester's disorder are explored and shown in the most expert way. The plot is developed by the battle against himself. I loved the fact that the story takes twists with each new persona. The descriptions, of both characters and situations, are so nicely written that I could picture each scene perfectly. The dialogues are key to understand each part of the story. I simply loved the writing style of the author. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to enjoyed an intriguing reading.
May 4, 2023
This thriller by author Mark Spivak explores the concept of someone with multiple personality disorder becoming a dangerous criminal. The protagonist, Lester Gordon, has different personas. Sometimes, he is Lester Gordon, an art student, sometimes he is a great painter and sometimes he is a priest. Once he is “cured”, he becomes a murderer. Personally, I think the concept that someone with mental illness becomes a murderer is an old and overused trope. In addition, it has the danger of encouraging prejudiced and inaccurate views of people with mental illness. I felt like this book is trying really hard to be original but misses the mark. For me this is a 3-star read.
May 6, 2023
This psychological thriller will absorb the reader into the dynamic between very intriguing characters. Lester Gordon is known as an art student to all except for his doctor Cheryl Weissbergbut, she for sure knows all his layers and what is behind each of them, or at least that was what she thought.
This story navigates their session in order to help Lester heal but at some point, she discovers that it could never happen without terrible consequences.
I think Forger is a great book; I'm a fan of psycho thrillers and this was a very well-made novel. Personally, I liked author Mark Spivak's narration style and the way the development of the characters follows the plotline.
This story navigates their session in order to help Lester heal but at some point, she discovers that it could never happen without terrible consequences.
I think Forger is a great book; I'm a fan of psycho thrillers and this was a very well-made novel. Personally, I liked author Mark Spivak's narration style and the way the development of the characters follows the plotline.
May 7, 2023
A masterpiece
Forger: A Psychological Thriller is a book that you will not be able to stop reading; it has excellent characters which are very captivating. I think that was my favourite part. It is incredible what the human mind can do and create, whether it is used for good or for evil, and this book shows a bit of this.
It is an extremely captivating book that you will not be able to stop reading. The narrative invites you to continue reading to know what happens on the following page. The book opened my mind to observe everyone to discover that even those who do not seem may have several personalities. In my opinion, Mark Spivak created a masterpiece.
Forger: A Psychological Thriller is a book that you will not be able to stop reading; it has excellent characters which are very captivating. I think that was my favourite part. It is incredible what the human mind can do and create, whether it is used for good or for evil, and this book shows a bit of this.
It is an extremely captivating book that you will not be able to stop reading. The narrative invites you to continue reading to know what happens on the following page. The book opened my mind to observe everyone to discover that even those who do not seem may have several personalities. In my opinion, Mark Spivak created a masterpiece.
May 15, 2023
This was well written, with a good grasp of mental health issues. But billed as a psychological thriller? It was NOT a psychological thriller. I kept waiting for the “twist” and it never came. That left me disappointed.
So the main character committed murder. Was that supposed to be a twist? I didn’t think so. Also, I have very real doubts that any mental health professional would go to the lengths Cheryl did to “save” her patient. She really stepped into the guy’s life. I have had a few therapists in my life, and I don’t believe any of them would see me without my paying them on a regular basis, and without showing up for appointments every time one was scheduled.
So the main character committed murder. Was that supposed to be a twist? I didn’t think so. Also, I have very real doubts that any mental health professional would go to the lengths Cheryl did to “save” her patient. She really stepped into the guy’s life. I have had a few therapists in my life, and I don’t believe any of them would see me without my paying them on a regular basis, and without showing up for appointments every time one was scheduled.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2023
Thriller
A true psychological thriller with twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Gordon suffers from split personalities that are widely different. Rookie psychologist Dr. Weissman is striving to help him combine his personalities. What they don't know is that when they do, it will unlock a devious and intelligent murderer in Gordon's stead. Will Dr. Weissman be his first victim? What a ride, the story was fast paced and the author was able to weave this web of intrigue that just pulled me in and didn't let go until the very end..
A true psychological thriller with twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Gordon suffers from split personalities that are widely different. Rookie psychologist Dr. Weissman is striving to help him combine his personalities. What they don't know is that when they do, it will unlock a devious and intelligent murderer in Gordon's stead. Will Dr. Weissman be his first victim? What a ride, the story was fast paced and the author was able to weave this web of intrigue that just pulled me in and didn't let go until the very end..
April 23, 2023
Forger...
Spiral down and down... Into a maelstrom of seemingly unrelated plot threads, that come together into a terrifying whole. Where greed and hubris unleash, or perhaps creates, a horrifying end result.
“I’ll sleep on it.” He rose and shook her hand. “Anything for art.” - Paul Hoffman
Wow oh wow. I wasn't sure exactly what to expect when I started this book. I found out.... Intense, deep and sometimes difficult, this book takes you on a journey that will leave you wondering what is truly real.
Spiral down and down... Into a maelstrom of seemingly unrelated plot threads, that come together into a terrifying whole. Where greed and hubris unleash, or perhaps creates, a horrifying end result.
“I’ll sleep on it.” He rose and shook her hand. “Anything for art.” - Paul Hoffman
Wow oh wow. I wasn't sure exactly what to expect when I started this book. I found out.... Intense, deep and sometimes difficult, this book takes you on a journey that will leave you wondering what is truly real.
May 2, 2023
This is certainly a must-read story. I love psychological thrillers and this one blew my mind. Forger, written by author Mark Spivak, ahs well rounded characters and a plot that surprised me more than one. I will undoubtedly recommend reading it.
What I also liked were how the scenes were told; the author's story telling style is very captivating and for this reason I read for hours - it was difficult to put the book down. The story is totally gripping. Anyone who likes psychological thrillers will be delighted with this novel.
What I also liked were how the scenes were told; the author's story telling style is very captivating and for this reason I read for hours - it was difficult to put the book down. The story is totally gripping. Anyone who likes psychological thrillers will be delighted with this novel.
May 29, 2024
"Forger: Psychological Thriller" is a beautifully crafted psychological thriller that will keep you guessing, learning, and laughing (occasionally nervously) until the last page. Whether you’re a fan of psychiatric mysteries, an art lover, or just someone who enjoys a good plot twist, this book is a masterpiece worth adding to your collection.
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June 16, 2023Spellbinding
This book was difficult to put down once I got the gist of the story. It does tend to wander back and forth between characters but all in all a good read.
This book was difficult to put down once I got the gist of the story. It does tend to wander back and forth between characters but all in all a good read.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews