Chasing Backwards: A Psychological Murder Mystery

by Arthur Smukler

Confined to a pediatric hospital at age six, the brutal death of his father at age seven, and always desperate for money, left a deep psychological imprint on Joe Belmont. In spite of it, he mowed lawns, pumped gas, waited tables and worked hard in school. When he turned eighteen, he borrowed money, lived low, and worked himself through college and into medical school. Finally the end was in sight... Then without warning his "saintly" mother was murdered in her modest home, and his uncle, his only living relative, died in a suspicious auto accident. Now, for no apparent reason, whoever killed them are trying to kill him. From multiple hiding places within the Philadelphia neighborhood where he grew up, to the Jersey shore hospital where he was placed at bedrest for 12 nightmarish months, to the financial district of Zurich, Switzerland, Belmont desperately tries to unlock the secrets that have marked him for death. Only now is he realizing that his only hope of survival lies in the one place he has always avoided, the darkest corner of his own mind.

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 19, 2011

Reviews

[Christa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true page-turner!

Joe Belmont's mother, the saintly Teresa, is brutally murdered and nobody can figure out why. According to some, she was "a saint," lived alone, and did volunteer work. So who would want to kill her? And who killed Joe's uncle and is now threatening his own life? Instead of answers, Joe has more and more questions, not just about the murders but about the people he thought he knew as well as about his own past. In the course of his investigation, Joe uncovers a string of shocking and sinister truths.

This is a fascinating mystery that takes off with a bang and continues to move from one adventure to the next from Philadelphia, USA, to Zurich, Switzerland, and back. The author's terse style is in perfect sink with the often gritty action. The interesting and psychologically complex characters are believable. And the love story woven into it adds a tender note to an otherwise tough environment. Excellent work!

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Jeff Abbott, Simon Kernick or Linwood Barclay you're likely to enjoy this edge-of-your-seat thriller. In the space of a few days Joe Belmont's mother and uncle have been murdered and it seems the killers are after him too. He has no idea why but sets about investigating his family and his past in order to find some answers to, hopefully, enable him to escape the killer's clutches. An enjoyable cat-and-mouse romp of non-stop action and danger. A great effort for a debut novel.

[Vicki Sykes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an easy read, but still an interesting murder mystery, not at all run-of-the-mill. When first his mother and then his uncle are murdered, a young medical student must uncover his frightening past in order to figure out who wants him dead and why.

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too much swearing from the beginning. Might have been a good story, but you know the language isn't going to get any better.