Lie If You Can

by Greg W. Peterson

Julie Swanson is a single, hardworking professor, admired by her University of Minnesota students. She awakes in a hospital following a brutal beating and begins to experience strange déjà vu-like sensations. She seeks answers from renown neuroscientist Karl Undset who compares her unusual episodes to a well-established scientific condition known as dual processing. Her injury has resulted in a new ability to sense elevated autonomic indicators present in certain voice patterns, those that change under stress. She’s processing these indicators in the same way a polygraph detects elevated levels of blood pressure and skin conductivity. Julie, in effect, has become a lie detector. She and her brain surgeon become romantically involved and together they devise a plan to use her ‘sixth sense’ to find her attacker. This intriguing medical mystery is based on established neuroscientific principles that credibly explains how Julie’s condition is not only possible but is believably intriguing.

Genres: Crime, Thriller, Mystery

303 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 15, 2020

About the author

Greg Peterson is a prior naval aviator, commercial airline pilot, and air traffic control specialist. He holds nearly every fixed wing flight certificate available and is a certified ground and instrument instructor. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota.

Although Mr. Peterson has been published in a number of professional magazines. "Newgate's Knocker" is his first full-length novel.The story is fictional, however you may find it interesting that the historical background of the main character, Mac Macintyre is based on Mr. Peterson's real life, and most of the aviation sequences are also taken from his flying experiences.

Greg Peterson is also certified in seven different categories by the International Code Council and has owned and operated a professional residential home inspection company since 1999. His home inspection report supplement provides a comprehensive explanation of many common concerns reported in most home inspections. His home inspection supplement, "Your Home Inspected-An Addendum For Residential Home Inspection Reports" can be purchased in Kindle, paperback or CD form. He can be contacted through his home inspection Corporation, Greg Peterson Inspections, Inc.

Reviews

[Stanley McShane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the full review on Rosepoint Publishing.

Julie returns home from teaching her class at the university. Bending into her car she grabs for her purse and tennis racket. That is the last thing she can recall before waking in a hospital room.
A neighbor called the ambulance which rushed Julie to the hospital. Without the call it would have become a murder investigation instead of a follow-up to a brutal mugging. Police get involved and are helpful but their case load is heavy. As the investigation proceeds the case is relegated to a back burner. The prospect for a satisfactory outcome looks dim.

Muggings and brutal attacks often come out of the blue with no warning and trauma often causes amnesia. Trying to expose the reason takes an extreme effort, but the loss of her memory is not the only change. Both she and Dr. Tyler gradually become aware of another interesting neuro-change.
Julie and Dr. Tyler have an attractive chemistry but having a doctor/patient relationship keeps the relationship at arms’ length. The author does an admirable job of building the sexual tension between the two.

The doctor and patient take some of the investigation upon themselves and is a great parallel plot in this story. A drug dealer enters the picture and begins to look like a very viable suspect. Can the duo get to the bottom of a very brutal attack in Julie’s own drive-way?

The relationship grows between the doctor and Julie as the two work together and the sexual tension between the two increases. The doctor moves in slow motion despite the fact there is obviously an attraction between them. As a reader I wanted to be able to step up and slap him alongside the head.

The novel reached a mid-point but not a full conclusion. I hoped their relationship would continue to grow satisfactorily, but it seems this may have ended rather abruptly. The outcome is satisfying and aggravating at the same time. While well-plotted and paced, his sophomore novel didn’t quite complete the storyline for me. 4.5/5 stars – CE Williams

[Tiffany Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily see this as a movie

Not my typical read, but definitely my go to movie genre. I enjoyed it, and would love to see it on screen.

[Karen Inkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

If only!

Need to review

After a day of teaching, Professor Julie Swanson left for home. En route, she accidentally cut in front of a driver who the started to follow her home. Arriving home, she got out of her car, the next thing she woke in hospital after a savage attack. As time progressed, she discovered she had a hidden gift which would help both herself and the police with their investigation to uncover the perpetrator.
A uniquely, creative plot that has been well researched to give it believability. A story that builds with progression to maintain interest. If only there were people put there with this gift! Enjoyable read.

[Aaron Gottfried · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was well written and kept my interest the whole way through. It had been years since reading the genre and the book made me miss it and be glad to be absorbed in this kind of story at the same time.

The characters and story line kept me reading fast and wanting more and I appreciate someone who can write this type of story because I think it poses difficult. I love the changes and the interaction between the characters . The book is a finely written and very smooth. Highly recommended.

[J. Rose Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique journey

A complex psychological thriller that explores blurring lines between reality and fiction. Well-paced to keep tensions high, Mr Peterson does an excellent job of peeling back layers to reveal truths, secrets and motivations by key characters at just the right moment to keep you guessing. Well developed characters and a slow burning secondary romance fully round out this suspense-filled story.

A great read!

[Kem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good writing. Moves fast. Fun characters, and fortunately what might have been a far-fetched brain anomaly became believable as the pages turned. I moved through this book quickly, eager to find out how the romantic element would complete, as well as how the criminal/mystery would play out. I wasn't disappointed in either regard.

[Robert Hrzic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not one for superhero like powers but this is something I would like to have. That way, the effects of my ex gf would have been different, ahahaha. In any case, I love how Julie uses her powers for good and tries to find the enemy. The only thing that would make this better is if the police could have had some use from Julie and Karl.

[Tina Sanson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bored

Sorry couldn't finish this book I only got into it about 100 pages. This book actually put me to sleep. I don't know if it was to much background deal thrown at me over and over again or what it was but this was not a book for me. I loved his writing style but just not the subject of the book I guess.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was well written and easy to read. The story developed very well, and kept my interest throughout. I was also impressed by how the author managed to keep up the pace of the writing throughout the entire novel. Definitely worth the read!

[tesker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting characters, good well-developed story. I enjoyed the writing style. Held my interest. Good slant on a mental condition resulting from a traumatic head injury.

[Gerald Dude · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked the references to various neuroscience theories and how they impacted the main characters of this mystery novel. I liked the characters who appeared authentic and interesting.