Addiction

Peter Zaks Mystery #2

by G.H. Ephron

Amnesia, G.H. Ephron's acclaimed debut, introduced forensic neuropsychologist and expert defense witness Dr. Peter Zak. Returning in Addiction, Peter is back in the thick of things at the Pearce Psychiatric Center, coping with patients as well as everyday average administrative nightmares at the hospital, like budgetary concerns, construction, and colleagues' drug trials. And then the worst nightmare of all-the murder of a colleague.

Such an event, if it weren't devastating enough, rekindles Peter's memories of the murder of his wife, which left Peter emotionally shattered and isolated; he's only recently begun to emerge. But he can't retreat this time; he must use his expertise to help reconstruct this baffling and intensely personal killing.

Peter discovers his friend and former lover, Pearce psychiatrist Channing Temple, dead from a gunshot wound on hospital grounds. Her 16-year-old daughter Olivia is standing over the body, holding a gun. Did Olivia, who has been abusing Ritalin and other drugs, kill her mother? Peter thinks not, but she is quickly arraigned for murder, and he has only two weeks to find the killer before Olivia is sent to prison. In this tense and compelling second installment in a highly lauded series, the talented writing team known as G.H. Ephron tackles the dangers and misconceptions surrounding addiction...and the chaos of murder.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Hallie Ephron and forensic neuropsychologist Donald Davidof are co-authors of the Dr. Peter Zak medical/psychological mysteries. They write under the shared pseudonum G.H. Ephron. The character of Dr. Zak is based loosely on Don, who runs a unit at the McLean, Harvard's psychiatric hospital, and often consults as an expert witness for the defense in criminal cases.

Reviews

[krlittleton · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I start a series, I give book one a lot of leeway to build characters and work out the new writer kinks. Book two doesn't get as much slack. This was interesting in ways. I like the way the psychologist/psychiatrist relationship is presented with Zaks and Kwan, showing how well it can work when each has respect for what the other does. However, this one was kinda preachy (big bad pharma ... you know, the same pharma that actually makes thousands and thousands of drugs that save lives every day and that the doctors in the book USE every day, but whatever). Also kinda losing interest in Zaks as he mostly appears to be a big dope. He is very insightful and sees important things when the plot needs him to, but misses giant things when the plot needs him to as well. Terrible character flaw or possibly just not very good plotting/writing. Trying one more in the series, but then may abandon for something with a bit more meat and a little less blah.

[Paulatics · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying this series. It's smart with interesting character development. Plus, this old psych major is happy to learn more.

[Annelein Van · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vet verhaal, wel een beetje lastig geschreven soms. Zat te twijfelen tussen 3 of 4 sterren maar ik zou m niet heel snel aanraden aan iemand dus toch maar 3 sterren.

[Amy Paget · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second volume in the Peter Zaks mystery series. I enjoyed the book for both its emotional content and for the insights into forensic pyschology. Reading this book is part of my exploration of the work of the Ephron sisters. G. H Ephron is actually Hallie Ephron and forensic neuropsychologist Donald Davidof. Vist Hallie's blog at www.hallieephron.com and look at my blog at http://amypaget.blogspot.com/which has a post in revision regarding the work of the Ephrons.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this murder mystery at a Psych Hospital. I had my suspicions for who was responsible but the story was more complex than initially thought. At the end there is a lot of info and I wasn't too sure if the book was going to be wrapped up nicely, but it was. I have not read any other books by this author and it seems that these characters have met each other in a previous book.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second in a series written by two authors. It is similar to Patricia Cornwall or Kathy Reichs or Jonathan Kellerman. Yet, the plot development is different. Not intending to sound "super" educated, the wording is a bit more sophisticated, yeilding a more interesting read. This book was published on 2001. One of those accidental finds.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

While reading this book, I kept wondering who was the murderer. The clues always pointed to someone new each chapter. Once I found out the culprit, it all added up. The author really knew how to keep a reader reading.

[Suziqoregon · Rating 4 out of 5]

My blog post about this book is at this link.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, interesting psychological concepts. Happens I am interested in neuropsychiatry right now and this book just caught my eye.

[beatriz · Rating 3 out of 5]

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