Aberrant Behavior

by Jim Lively

How does a functional alcoholic and possible schizophrenic, who is also a successful attorney for the health insurance industry, handle the demise of a plaintiff due to a technicality that denied him an expensive life-saving procedure? Simple. Charles Pierce retires and books a cruise to escape his meaningless life and personal demons. Little does he know that the dead plaintiff’s widow, armed with poison and intent on revenge, has booked the same cruise. Upon departure, a mysterious woman seduces Charles. She warns him that the unhinged wife of her lover may be onboard, but then she suddenly vanishes. Bewildered, Charles can find no trace of her guest registration. After he investigates the possibility of foul play, Charles contacts the ship’s chief security officer. But the officer is too preoccupied to pay any attention to his findings because someone has stolen a priceless diamond from the ship’s boutique. What else could go wrong? Find out, as you follow the baffling plot twists and unpredictable actions of Charles. Worry about him while he struggles to find answers and avoid getting killed by a growing list of other strange characters, who all exhibit Aberrant Behavior.

Kindle Edition

Published October 12, 2020

About the author

After practicing law for many years, Jim decided to pursue his passion full time as a visual artist, film maker and author. He received the 2016 Merrimack Media Outstanding Writer Award for his second novel, Punitive Damages. Arbitrary and Capricious is the fourth novel in a series. Choking on the Splinters is the third novel in a series, a Global Book Bronze Award winner for Mystery and Suspense. Surreal Absurdity, also a Global Book Bronze Award winner, is a sequel to his novel, Aberrant Behavior. Your Brain’s Still Flashing is a sequel to Never Ignore Monica, a finalist in the Thriller genre for the 2024 Book Excellence Awards.
His artwork and art films have been recognized in numerous juried competitions, publications and film festivals. He has exhibited his artwork in several group and solo exhibitions across North America and Europe.
Eighteen of Jim’s films have been selected to various film festivals around the world. His art film, The Soul of Vinyl, Abbey Road Side 2. screened at the 2016 New York City Independent Film Festival. Jim’s film, The Case of the Deranged Sommelier won Best Experimental Film in the 2016 Directors Circle of Shorts Film Festival and the 2017 Lion’s Head Film Festival. His film, Still Mad as Hell screened at the 2017 New York City Independent Film Festival. His film, It's Gonna Disappear screened at the 2021 New York Flash Film Festival. His latest film, Top Secret and Not So Confidential was selected as a Semi-Finalist in the 2023 San Jose Independent Film Festival.
Jim’s education includes a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Texas at Austin, a Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University in Dallas and Level One Wine Sommelier Certification from the International Wine and Spirits Guild.
His website is www.jimlivelyart.com.