Synopsis
Accused of strangling his lover, forensic psychologist Jake Danser goes on the run to prove himself innocent--but is he?
Publishers Weekly
In Edgar-nominee Stansberry's compelling and incredibly dark modern noir shocker, forensic psychologist Jake Danser alternates between his day job-interviewing murder suspects then testifying to their culpability-and bedding as many women as possible without letting his beautiful wife catch on. When one of his mistresses ends up dead, the focus turns on Danser, and a weighty knot of a psychological puzzle begins to slowly unravel. Danser is a fascinating narrator because he's a shifty one, telling his story in small, measured bits ("it is true, there are a few things I haven't mentioned here about Angela and myself," he says nearly halfway into the story); the things going on in the world outside him are almost of secondary interest to what is going on inside his head. While the Hard Case series consciously strives for a pulp feel with retro artwork and packaging, the writing itself is infused with a modern sensibility-after all, Philip Marlowe never said anything like "for a minute I was a man within the void, and it was the void that imagined me." Stansberry pours on the blood and guts in places, so much so that readers may want to take a shower upon finishing, but lovers of industrial strength neo-noir will savor the book's thoroughly seamy atmosphere. Agent, Fred Hill. (Nov. 2) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.