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Trance State
The Swiss-based Institute of Global Studies seems like the kind of philanthropic body any idealistic young scientist would want to work for. But when Lew McBride gets involved with them, his life takes a horrific turn. Something terrible is happening in Adrienne Sullivan's life, too. Her sister has died in mysterious circumstances. The only clues about what might have happened are locked away in a psychiatrist's files. And when she investigates, she discovers that the psychiatrist, while no figment of her imagination, doesn't exist. What is it that connects Lew McBride, Adrienne Sullivan, the psychiatrist and the Institute together? What takes Adrienne and the psychiatrist on a terrifying chase across the USA and Europe? Why should the CIA get involved? And why does the body-count start to rise alarmingly?
538 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
3 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
John Case
101 books139 followersWriting as 'John Case,' Jim and Carolyn Hougan are The New York Times best-selling authors of The Genesis Code and five other thrillers.
An award-winning investigative reporter, Jim is the author of The Magdalene Cipher, a novel of conspiracy, and two non-fiction books about the CIA: Spooks and Secret Agenda.
Carolyn is the author of four novels, including The Romeo Flag.
The name John Case is actually that of Carolyn's grandfather ( John F Case), a journalist and author of Tom of Peace Valley (Boy Knight of Agriculture).
An award-winning investigative reporter, Jim is the author of The Magdalene Cipher, a novel of conspiracy, and two non-fiction books about the CIA: Spooks and Secret Agenda.
Carolyn is the author of four novels, including The Romeo Flag.
The name John Case is actually that of Carolyn's grandfather ( John F Case), a journalist and author of Tom of Peace Valley (Boy Knight of Agriculture).
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 16, 2016
This is my first John Case novel, and I am now a fan.
When reaching the last line of a book makes you question everything you have ever been told about the way the world works and you start believing the conspiracy theorists, then you know it was a good read.
The pages never stop turning as we are introduced to Nikki, an assassin who kills herself; Adrienne Cope, Nikki's sister who sets out to investigate the cause of her sister's suicide that she believes may actually be murder and Dr Jeffery Duran, a clinical psychologist who does not actually exist and the man partially responsible for Nikki's suicide/murder.
As the plot is revealed, you become more wary as to how believable your surroundings really are. It deals with some of USA's 'letter Agencies' and their mind control experiments dating back to the end of WWII right up to current assassination attempts. Although the book is just over a decade old, it still has the ability to keep you hooked to the very last page.
John Case, I look forward to meeting more of your characters.
When reaching the last line of a book makes you question everything you have ever been told about the way the world works and you start believing the conspiracy theorists, then you know it was a good read.
The pages never stop turning as we are introduced to Nikki, an assassin who kills herself; Adrienne Cope, Nikki's sister who sets out to investigate the cause of her sister's suicide that she believes may actually be murder and Dr Jeffery Duran, a clinical psychologist who does not actually exist and the man partially responsible for Nikki's suicide/murder.
As the plot is revealed, you become more wary as to how believable your surroundings really are. It deals with some of USA's 'letter Agencies' and their mind control experiments dating back to the end of WWII right up to current assassination attempts. Although the book is just over a decade old, it still has the ability to keep you hooked to the very last page.
John Case, I look forward to meeting more of your characters.
May 7, 2013
Very good story. Only thing lacking is a sense of urgency usually found in a thriller.
August 25, 2014
Anything the writers"John Case" writes is fabulous!
June 19, 2025
The Swiss-based Institute of Global Studies seems like the kind of philanthropic body any idealistic young scientist would want to work for. But when Lew McBride gets involved with them, his life takes a horrific turn. Something terrible is happening in Adrienne Sullivan's life, too. Her sister has died in mysterious circumstances. The only clues about what might have happened are locked away in a psychiatrist's files. And when she investigates, she discovers that the psychiatrist, while no figment of her imagination, doesn't exist. What is it that connects Lew McBride, Adrienne Sullivan, the psychiatrist and the Institute together? What takes Adrienne and the psychiatrist on a terrifying chase across the USA and Europe? Why should the CIA get involved? And why does the body-count start to rise alarmingly?
October 8, 2022
Actually I had this book years ago, and quite liked it, now I'm trying to re-read it but can't get into it. I don't think it's the fault of the book, rather the society with too many things to consume these days.
But originally I found the characters and writing good and must have been engaging for me years ago.
But originally I found the characters and writing good and must have been engaging for me years ago.
April 26, 2019
What a massive pile of badly-written preposterous nonsense!
It was, however, quite entertaining nonsense, in a predictable, unsubtle and corny way - very Garth Marenghi!
Don't expect too much, and you'll enjoy this. Fine literature it ain't, but as an undemanding holiday read, it'll hit the spot.
It was, however, quite entertaining nonsense, in a predictable, unsubtle and corny way - very Garth Marenghi!
Don't expect too much, and you'll enjoy this. Fine literature it ain't, but as an undemanding holiday read, it'll hit the spot.
January 24, 2021
Excellent book, of those that will trap you and won't let go until you've read the last page.
I've been looking for a book like this ever since I finished Vitals by Greg Bear.
I can't recommend this book enough if you like a good conspiracy thriller...
I've been looking for a book like this ever since I finished Vitals by Greg Bear.
I can't recommend this book enough if you like a good conspiracy thriller...
March 17, 2025
More than 500 pages and I read it one day. Good fun. I thought the story was very tightly handled at the beginning but the author's grip on the plot slightly lessened as it went along. But it was definitely a page turner for me.
March 20, 2021
A great book with a clever plot, I really like it and have read it a few times.
February 22, 2024
Ok read. Interesting at times re mind control concepts but also slow going at times.
January 17, 2020
Why did writers in the 00s feel the need to describe connecting to the internet? We all know it was laborious, this doesn't serve to make you sound like a tech marvel, it ages your book (assuming the author would expect their book to keep being read?).
In essence, I found it easier to believe people are being hypnotised into robot assassin killers than that the two main characters ended up with each other.
In essence, I found it easier to believe people are being hypnotised into robot assassin killers than that the two main characters ended up with each other.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2008
Quite a good thriller, involving a sinister switching of personalities.
October 2, 2015
Very, very slow going. Not a bad story, but the weakest Case novel I've read.
July 14, 2025
Another enjoyable romp which unfortunately ended with something of an anti-climax.
January 10, 2013
7/10. Interesantu pavērsienu, un saistošu tēlu piedzīvojums meklējot īstās personības un laužoties caur maldinošiem ļaunajiem.
January 30, 2015
An awesome book that boggles your mind
February 18, 2016
A very enjoyable, unpredictable thriller with a couple of likeable protaganists.
October 14, 2016
An unpredictable page turner would highly recommend.
April 23, 2015
This is the second book of his I have read. I really enjoyed it. The story has depth
August 15, 2013
it was ok.
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May 1, 2017Paperback
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May 9, 2017An intriguing, fascinating thriller which revolves around the concept of identity and personality. How can you ever really know who you are and why you are driven to do the things you do?
January 29, 2018
(No review.)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews