Denial
by Keith Ablow

Just when you're getting tired of dysfunctional shrinks who solve crimes by submerging themselves in the mire of their own tangled neuroses Keith Ablow has come up with an interesting new idea. This forensic psychologist is a practising Christian who is in love with his wife although he sometimes grumbles good-naturedly about having to take the trash out. His only vice is occasionally sipping a two ounce measure of twenty-five year old malt whiskey in the company of the local priest. Just kidding. Frank Clevenger is of course a coke fiend, a perve, a gambler, and a drink and drug addict. It's hard to escape the feeling that we have been here before but this psychologist author clearly knows what he is talking about and writes from the heart. It doesn't help that one of the characters is called Fitz, further reminiscent of Cracker, itself 'strongly influenced' by the Silence Of The Lambs. Luckily this is free of Jimmy McGovern's specious claptrap about the saintly proletariat and ever so wicked middle classes. Actually, I was extremely moved by Jimmy's play about the Hillsborough tragedy. Liverpool fans never get drunk or start trouble as anyone who was at Heysel stadium will readily agree. Incidentally Jimmy, why not try spread betting, it's very exciting and then you wouldn't have to feel guilty about having so much money, you miserable bearded… What?…Oh yes, this is supposed to be a book review. Sometimes I get so angry.

Most of the well rounded characters here are also struggling with rage and denial and the author has clearly lived a little but…here's some things that top crime experts like PD James might not know.

It's scarcely credible that a drinking drugging sadist who regularly sleeps with whores would not have tried anal intercourse before his late thirties. Also, one of the characters snorts Prozac which sent me to blow the cobwebs off my old supply and try a line. One stinging nose later and ten minutes wasted trying to see if it felt like anything I remain puzzled as to why anyone would want to do that but it takes all sorts. Nitpicking aside this is full of excellent accurate writing about the seamy side of life and it doesn't pretend that psychiatry has all the answers which is a refreshing change. There is also plenty to think about after you have put the book down. His musings on the nature of evil and recycled pain and the possibilities of breaking the chain of misery ring true although it's a couple of months since I read them and I'm still a complete bastard. Never mind. This is an interesting experiment in taking mainstream blockbuster fiction somewhere dark and dangerous. I didn't want to ruin the plot for you but suffice to say there is an adequate supply of fresh cadavers, plenty of twists and turns, and there is a powerful satisfying and surprising ending. Good stuff.

Reviewed by Mark Ramsden