Head Games

by Chuck Rose

Successful Park Avenue psychiatrist Dr. Jonah Hoffman leads a fairly normal life–a good practice, a loving wife and children–until he takes on a dangerous new patient. At first Robert Kolfax, CEO of a Blackwater-like private security firm with secret ops all over the world, seems like a powerful but troubled man in need of Jonah’s help. But Jonah soon discovers that Kolfax is a sociopath. A mass murderer. And what’s worse, he’s untouchable, operating in a jurisdictional bubble. In an effort to aid his country, Jonah becomes a secret government operative, answering to the shadowy Mr. Price. But Jonah’s undercover operations quickly begin taking over his life, putting himself and everyone close to him in danger. To survive he must leave the safe confines of his Manhattan office and plunge himself into a world of terrorists, mercenaries and spies, and outwit them at their own game.

Genres: Thriller

221 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 26, 2014

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a thriller that was more than just an exciting and intelligent story that kept me eagerly engaged in what was about to transpire next. It had all that, which is key. Another layer of interest which was possibly even more vital to the tale was the constant evolution of the protagonist, Jonah, and in his relationships with everyone in his life as he left the security of his successful professional world to try to make a difference in helping his nation's security.

At every turn he was faced with having to analyze almost everyone in his world, including his family, to see where the boundaries of his trust lie with them. Given the circumstances he'd placed himself in, it was no wonder he was bordering on the paranoid at certain points. In addition, he was re-evaluating what he knew of himself and his potential for taking risks for his cause. He was always weighing his moral compass in terms of his professional actions, but never in terms of his human compassion. Most of all in this story I enjoyed seeing this multidimensional transformation in his character.

It ends with the potential for more of his future adventures, which would be wonderful to read of more. But it wraps up in a full and satisfying fashion that leaves you pondering how his life might move forward.

[Marydaly4 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put this book down!

[clara white · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twist and intrigue

Loved the surprise of character strength didn't go where I thought it was headed but very comforting at it destination

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

All book review websites have a slightly different meaning for their star ratings. On Goodreads 3 stars means you liked the book. I liked Head Games. No matter who I received the book from to review I plan on being completely honest. Chuck Rose asked me to do a review of his book Head Games. I enjoyed reading it. I found this book to be more of a mystery than a thriller. The characters in the book are all well developed. Head Games takes place around psychiatrist Dr. Jonah Hoffman. Jonah is doing very well in his life with his psychiatry practice in Manhattan and a wife and two children at home. It appears that maybe Dr. Hoffman is going through a midlife crisis or maybe it is the monotony of his job has pushed him to look for some adventure. Dr. Hoffman decides to break his oath as a psychiatrist and hand over confidential client information to Nathan Price a spy for the U.S.A.; or is he?

All Jonah has to do is try to get his new clients to confide in him about important information and hand this information over to Price. This information is to help Price stop some very bad things from happening. The book contains some interesting characters. Kolfax who is a big time business man who has no problem with killing people who do him wrong. Amanda Patterson who is a recent divorced college professor. Amanda's children decided that they wanted to live with their father and is looking for a new agenda in life.
Here is something to think about. Why would the government be after a college professor? Is Kolfax so powerful he could destroy the world or maybe a country?

At a point Dr. Hoffman leaves the safety of his office to do some
investigating on his own. Is what he is being told really what is going on?
He confides in a couple people that he thinks can help him find the truth. But does he? I really do not want to give much away but here are some things to think about. There are more people to the story. Who comes out alive? Where does Dr. Hoffman go? It has a good ending that I will say. This is an enjoyable book.

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fan of the Jonathan Kellerman novels so I was very curious about this book about another psychiatrist as the protagonist. I wasn't disappointed. Rose has created a wonderful lead character, Jonah, who is both brave and charismatic but also struggling to be the best husband and father he can be while hiding an entire double life from his family. Jonah also has a wry self deprecating sense of humor that surprises and delights the reader. The suspense ride of this novel is spot on with the tension building subtly chapter to chapter until you discover your are rocketing along toward the climax. Additionally our hero's ability to understand people and what makes them tick makes for a great intellectual cat and mouse game. What I think I enjoyed most about this book was the author's addition of Jonah's family life. I appreciate that some of the most emotional moments in the book came from his relationship with his daughter, son, wife and father. Jonah's struggle to understand a willful daughter, connect with a father who had disappointed him and preserve his relationship with his wife while lying to her was both human and true. Rose hinted at a sequel. I'll be watching for it.

[Matt Horwitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book, by an amazing new author that everyone should read! Seriously I recommend this like crazy!

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book!! A wonderful read over the holiday break! Block out a couple of hours at home or while you're traveling for this book.
Really fun and engaging!

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Head Games

This unusual spy thriller kept me interested and trying to separate the good guys from the bad guys all the way to the end of the book. Very well written.

[Bruce Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A GREAT read. I highly recommend "Head Games" to all!