Book Review: The Syndrome

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Syndrome     Amazon US HC Amazon US Audio Book Amazon Canada HC Amazon Canada Audio Book
John Case
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Medical   Thriller
Ballantine, May 2001, $25.95, 464 pp.

In Washington DC, Adrienne Cope blames clinical therapist Dr. Jeffrey Duran for the suicide death of her half-sister Nicole Sullivan. She hires a private sleuth, Bonilla, to investigate Duran. He learns that the real Duran died several years ago at the age of two and that the good doctor never went to Brown or Wisconsin Universities as he claims. When confronted Jeff is stunned and thinks Adrienne is a quack and Bonilla a professional forger. However, he follows up and sees evidence that leaves him shaken.

He takes a lie detector test that proves he believes he is Dr. Jeff Duran. Not long afterwards, Adrienne asks to see Nico's file, but nothing is inside stunning Jeff further. Two individuals claiming to be detectives arrive and Bonilla challenges their credentials. One of the phony cops kills his partner and Bonilla, but Adrienne and Jeff escape, which is not easy for him as he suffers from agoraphobia. As they try to learn the truth, they are targeted for death by a conspiracy that threatens the future course of the world.

THE SYNDROME is an exciting thriller that never slows down on the accelerator. The key to the novel is the reactions of the cast which seem so genuine they take the story line to incredible levels of entertainment. John Case, known for THE GENESIS CODE, employs the concept of whether a person's memories are real or borrowed implants as the basis for a fabulous novel that will garner the writing team many new readers and accolades.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner