If I Should Die

by Judith Kelman

Fear made their hearts race, palms sweat, breaths come in panicked gasps.  Dr. Maggie Lyon's phobia patients sat in their therapy group, imprisoned by their own secret terrors, depending on her to set them free . . .  "The bridge was just a few steps away, and Macklin felt himself running toward it, no longer afraid--even when he climbed up on the railing, even when his scream echoed as he tumbled all the long way down.  The speedometer climbed toward 100, and the driver squealed in delight.  She never be teased about being "The Snail" agian as she raced down the highway toward the sharp curve and a fiery dive to death.  Dr. Maggie Lyons felt a chill when she heard about the suicide and the accident.  Two of her patients were dead, and the authorities believed she was to blame.  Unless someone had murdered them.  Detective Sam Bannister thought so, and now Maggie felt the growing threat of someone in the darkness . . . someone who knew her weakness . . . someone waiting to unleash the dear that kills.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Harry · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading this book, I felt like I was the one taking the bravery drug. It is slow moving until the end when you finally get the adrenaline rush. There are several diverse arcs in the book, none of which add meaningfully to the plot. Somehow, Kelman pulls them together in the finale. The relationship between the blue collar, insensitive bore of a detective, Bannister, and the successful and educated psychiatrist, Maggie Lyons, who heretofore has never expressed any interest in a love life is highly dubious.

[Karen Benson]

The fact that I am the only one to review this book speaks volumes. A friend passed it on to me a couple of years back and I forced myself to finish it since I'm not one to invest time in half a book and then drop it. I have since changed my ways and will put a book aside if I think it's not worth my time or effort. This one is NOT!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be entertaining and easy to read. I enjoy this style of writing for a suspense/thriller, with shorter chapters and alternating viewpoints. I find that makes the book feel more fast paced and keeps me turning the pages. The outcome is a little far-fetched but fiction isn't necessarily meant to be realistic, so I don't mind. Overall, I enjoyed the book and would read more by this author.

[Siisso · Rating 4 out of 5]

A downward and increasingly lateral spiral across the psychology of a man and his shrink. It slowly becomes plausible that the physician has some personal ills to conquer, all along attending to an unusual patient.

[pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just an ok read. Don't think I'll read any more of the author's books.