Shadow Image

This book hooked me from the first page. It's a terrific page turner. Do yourself a favor and order Time Release at the same time because when you finish this, you'll want to read more by Martin J. Smith.

Martin J. Smith has penned a second book that tops his explosive debut TIME RELEASE. Psychologist Jim Christiansen, a memory expert, is called in to help investigate the attempted murder of a powerful grande dame of a wealthy political family who has Alzheimer's. She has been shoved off a cliff but survived the fall. Now he must sift through the shattered pieces of her memory to find the truth -- as her son runs for office in state government. An intriguing, gripping tale of murder that works on many levels, and has an explosive, satisfying ending.

In Pittsburgh, police are investigating the apparent unsuccessful suicide attempt of an Alzheimer's patient, Floss Underhill, a member of a prominent political family. Because of physical evidence and an eyewitness statement, law enforcement officials are looking into possible foul play by Floss' husband and primary caregiver, former Gov. Vincent Underhill. The family hires highly regarded defense attorney Brenna Kennedy to provide them legal protection, advice, and a defense, if necessary. Brenna's mate is psychologist Jim Christensen, who is studying how Alzheimer's patients communicate through drawings. Jim and Brenna work closely together to insure that the Underhills have the best legal (and medical) defense possible even as the team has private doubts about what is actually the truth. SHADOW IMAGE is a great mixing of elements from the legal thriller with that from medical novels (a la Cook), a blend that makes this work one of the best books of the year. The characters are all top rate with their motives very obvious, especially the lead protagonists and the Underhills. However, it is the premise of the story line -- that our legal system is built around the faulty memories of the victims -- that is brilliantly portrayed. This reviewer strongly recommends this novel and Smith's previous work, TIME RELEASE, for some mind-boggling stories.