Guilt

by G.H. Ephron and Alex Brown

Forensic psychologist Dr. Peter Zak helps the police investigators track downa bomber targeting Cambridge.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312335954
• ISBN13: 9780312335953
• Release Date: March 2005
• Publisher: Minotaur Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.8" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

Our heroes square off against an anarchist and an abusive husband

Readers meet the two characters whose presence drives Guilt's plot in its first chapter. One is Jackie Klevinski, a victim of spousal abuse. The other, later dubbed the "A-bomber," is an anarchist bearing a grudge against society. These two disparate souls eventually gain the attention of Ephron's series characters, forensic psychologist Peter Zak and his significant other, private investigator Annie Squires; Zach allies himself with the Cambridge, Massachusetts police to track down the bomber, while Annie squares off against wife beater Joe Klevinski. Their involvement in each case proves risky to both their psyches and persons. Despite the expectations created by its title, Guilt does not directly deal with either culpability or self-reproach. A more appropriate title might have been Doubt, which better describes the state of mind of Ephron's protagonists--Zak feels unsure of himself when asked to assume the unfamiliar role of profiler, and Annie is conflicted about her efforts to assist the unappreciative Jackie Klevinski. This understandable doubt allows readers to better identify with the characters, at the same time increasing the level of suspense. Regardless of the suitability of its title, the book makes for involving reading; the writing is lively, the pace deliberate, and its characterizations ring true. With Guilt, Ephron (a pseudonym for the writing team of Hallie Ephron and Dr. Don Davidof) adds another enticing entry to the ongoing Peter Zak series. Although familiarity with previous installments is not necessary to appreciate Guilt, readers will likely feel compelled to seek them out upon finishing.

interesting police procedural

The bomb exploded near a Harvard law school building killing several people including student Mary Alice Boudreaux. The law student had been assisting battered Jackie Kelvinski with ending her marriage and getting an injunction against her abusive husband Joe. Jackie has no doubt that Joe killed these people to get at her counselor and to warn her others will die if she persists though her hired private investigator Anne Squires says that most likely will not come to pass. A second bomb explodes at a Cambridge courthouse killing more people. Neuropsychiatrist Peter Zak would have been part of the body count except that he was late for an appointment at the courthouse. He wonders if he was the target. Deliberate evidence left behind by the bomber connects the two deadly incidents insisting more will follow. Detective Sergeant Joseph MacRae leads the investigation in which he obtains Peter's reluctant and somewhat frightened help with profiling the culprit, but denies any assistance to Anne who worries her client will return to her husband so that no one else dies. Zak's latest mystery is an interesting police procedural because those "fortunate" to survive believe they were the target even though no evidence exists to sustain their claim. The story line contains a terrific investigative tale starting several strong characters especially Peter, who is frightened and wants to hide, but does the right thing anyway. Team Ephron provides a wonderful tale in which even those still living are victims consumed with GUILT that not only did they survive, but they were probable cause. Harriet Klausner