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Boundary Issues
Hank Pressman, MD has lived a messy personal life marred by infidelity, alcoholism, and a surprising lack of self-awareness. His professional life as a psychiatrist has been unblemished, until now. When he meets a sad, young woman who somehow reminds him of his dead wife; a downward spiral begins that threatens his career and the safety of those he loves. Murder, blackmail, and violent assault force him to make a decision...one that he doesn't want to make.
420 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 25, 2022
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5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 22, 2022
First and foremost, a large thank you to Reedsy Discovery and Thomas Boxleiter for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
After I was approached with an ARC of Thomas Boxleiter’s novel, I could not help but be intrigued. The dust jacket blurb presented a novel full of action and with just the right amount of legal flavouring to be something that I would enjoy. Boxleiter did not disappoint at any point, providing a story that garnered not only my attention, but admiration for being so thorough. Mixing a number of areas together with just enough detail to leave the reader wanting more, Boxleiter has shown himself to be an author worth watching for in the years to come.
Dr. Hank Pressman has been running his psychiatric practice for years, with a number of patients who have achieved various forms of personal success. Beneath the surface, Pressman has a life that is a little more involved, from the death of his long-time wife, to bouts of infidelity, and even a blossoming addiction to alcohol. Still, he’s been able to keep things running smoothly.
When Marian Ash visits Dr. Pressman and demands that he take her on as a client, things begin to get a little more intense. Refusing to offer more than the bare minimum when it comes to information—as she fears her husband will find out—Marian speaks of an abusive relationship at home. She comes to the office with physical bruises, which only worries Dr. Pressman more. He does his best to help her, but Marian Ash has other ideas.
While Dr. Pressman is trying to get his life back on track with a new relationship, things take a turn one night when Marian shows up at his home. Soon thereafter, she’s taken into custody when her husband is found murdered. While Dr. Pressman has some of his own views on the matter, a series of events leave him wondering if he can serve as an expert witness to either help or hinder the defence. Faced with a mountain of personal and professional issues, Dr. Hank Pressman while have to decide what matters most to him and how he will look himself in the mirror once legal proceedings begin. A thrilling piece that is sure to make a name for Thomas Boxleiter!
I always enjoy new authors who make their way onto my radar. Thomas Boxleiter did so effectively and showed just how much skill he has with both storytelling and writing. The story, which may seem cookie cutter from the outset, actually delves into some wonderful themes and topics, all while educating the reader throughout the process. Boxleiter pulls no punches and keeps the reader in the middle, feeling as though they are right there with Dr. Pressman and the others. I look forward to reading more by Boxleiter, when the chance arises, and would encourage anyone looking for something refreshing and highly entertaining to try this novel for themselves.
Thomas Boxleiter offers up a strong narrative to guide the reader through the journey. Things begin well and build from there, providing a roadmap for a successful story. The characters Boxleiter uses throughout flavour things effectively and keep the reader intrigued about what is going on, without proving to be too over the top. I must applaud Boxleiter for developing Dr. Hank Pressman so well throughout the novel. There is significant progress for the character, who grows and expands in a variety of ways, such that the reader really feels as though they know his struggles. Use of plot twists keeps the story on point and allows the reader to feel a sense of not knowing where things are headed. While I cannot tell if there will be more for Dr. Pressman, or other novels in the same vein, I can only hope Thomas Boxleiter keeps writing and that I have the chance to read them. I was thoroughly impressed with this effort, which appears to be a debut novel!
Kudos, Mr. Boxleiter, for a great piece that kept me turning pages well into the night.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
After I was approached with an ARC of Thomas Boxleiter’s novel, I could not help but be intrigued. The dust jacket blurb presented a novel full of action and with just the right amount of legal flavouring to be something that I would enjoy. Boxleiter did not disappoint at any point, providing a story that garnered not only my attention, but admiration for being so thorough. Mixing a number of areas together with just enough detail to leave the reader wanting more, Boxleiter has shown himself to be an author worth watching for in the years to come.
Dr. Hank Pressman has been running his psychiatric practice for years, with a number of patients who have achieved various forms of personal success. Beneath the surface, Pressman has a life that is a little more involved, from the death of his long-time wife, to bouts of infidelity, and even a blossoming addiction to alcohol. Still, he’s been able to keep things running smoothly.
When Marian Ash visits Dr. Pressman and demands that he take her on as a client, things begin to get a little more intense. Refusing to offer more than the bare minimum when it comes to information—as she fears her husband will find out—Marian speaks of an abusive relationship at home. She comes to the office with physical bruises, which only worries Dr. Pressman more. He does his best to help her, but Marian Ash has other ideas.
While Dr. Pressman is trying to get his life back on track with a new relationship, things take a turn one night when Marian shows up at his home. Soon thereafter, she’s taken into custody when her husband is found murdered. While Dr. Pressman has some of his own views on the matter, a series of events leave him wondering if he can serve as an expert witness to either help or hinder the defence. Faced with a mountain of personal and professional issues, Dr. Hank Pressman while have to decide what matters most to him and how he will look himself in the mirror once legal proceedings begin. A thrilling piece that is sure to make a name for Thomas Boxleiter!
I always enjoy new authors who make their way onto my radar. Thomas Boxleiter did so effectively and showed just how much skill he has with both storytelling and writing. The story, which may seem cookie cutter from the outset, actually delves into some wonderful themes and topics, all while educating the reader throughout the process. Boxleiter pulls no punches and keeps the reader in the middle, feeling as though they are right there with Dr. Pressman and the others. I look forward to reading more by Boxleiter, when the chance arises, and would encourage anyone looking for something refreshing and highly entertaining to try this novel for themselves.
Thomas Boxleiter offers up a strong narrative to guide the reader through the journey. Things begin well and build from there, providing a roadmap for a successful story. The characters Boxleiter uses throughout flavour things effectively and keep the reader intrigued about what is going on, without proving to be too over the top. I must applaud Boxleiter for developing Dr. Hank Pressman so well throughout the novel. There is significant progress for the character, who grows and expands in a variety of ways, such that the reader really feels as though they know his struggles. Use of plot twists keeps the story on point and allows the reader to feel a sense of not knowing where things are headed. While I cannot tell if there will be more for Dr. Pressman, or other novels in the same vein, I can only hope Thomas Boxleiter keeps writing and that I have the chance to read them. I was thoroughly impressed with this effort, which appears to be a debut novel!
Kudos, Mr. Boxleiter, for a great piece that kept me turning pages well into the night.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
February 11, 2023
I’m amazed this is the author’s first book, at least the first book that he’s published. The story has all the qualities you’d expect from a psychological thriller, but in some ways it breaks or at least stretches the norms. It’s a bit longer than a typical thriller, yet I never felt as though it was bogging down, always eager to keep reading and figure out where the story was going. There were surprises, as things the typical reader thinks they understand turn out to not be reality. Hank, the protagonist, spends a lot of time considering his life thus far, recognizing and coming to terms with mistakes he’s made, and trying to change his life direction where it makes sense. The changes and struggles Hank went through were a major part of the story and a bit atypical of a thriller.
The pieces that made up the thriller part of the story have a bit of a mystery element, as the reader watches Hank figure out the reality of what’s going on and then is faced with a decision as to how he should proceed based on what he knows. Things are complicated by Hank’s own personal demons, a desire to make corrections in his own life, and a need to protect those important to him. Some of those most important to him might be negatively impacted by his decision which only complicates things more. Hank’s major choice and how things shake out for all concerned is put off until much later than a typical novel, but the story kept me engaged the entire time, eager to see how it all shook out in the end.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
The pieces that made up the thriller part of the story have a bit of a mystery element, as the reader watches Hank figure out the reality of what’s going on and then is faced with a decision as to how he should proceed based on what he knows. Things are complicated by Hank’s own personal demons, a desire to make corrections in his own life, and a need to protect those important to him. Some of those most important to him might be negatively impacted by his decision which only complicates things more. Hank’s major choice and how things shake out for all concerned is put off until much later than a typical novel, but the story kept me engaged the entire time, eager to see how it all shook out in the end.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
February 16, 2024
I just finished reading this book and it is a true page turner. I could not put it down until the end. Hopefully Thomas Boxleiter will keep writing; I'm a true fan!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews