- Paperback: 448 pages
- Publisher: Signet Book (April 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0451203615
- ISBN-13: 978-0451203618
- Product Dimensions: 16.5 x 10.4 x 3.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 4,577,609 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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First Sentence
When Judy Sussman stepped outside to get the morning paper, she suspected it was going to be one of those days when you could fry an egg on the sidewalk. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
When Judy Sussman stepped outside to get the morning paper, she suspected it was going to be one of those days when you could fry an egg on the sidewalk. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
Judy Sussman is a thirty something interior designer who lives platonically with her soul mate, a former boyfriend names Skeet, who is a successful restaurateur. When a close business associate of Judy's is murdered, Judy is shocked. Then her favorite waiter, Troy, who works in Skeet's restaurant also bites the dust, a pattern begins to emerge that is linked with Judy's past, as well as with her present. When Judy Meets Ben Spiegel, a man with whom she falls in love, things begin to spiral totally out of control. Her friend Annie, an author and private investigator, is determined to discover just what is going on. The cost to Annie, however, will prove dear.
This is a quick, throwaway read. The story is formulaic and only marginally interesting, as it is peppered with mostly unlikable characters that are one dimensional, with the exception of Annie. The story is also hampered by turgid dialogue and hackneyed writing. Still, the plot is fast-paced and manages to keep the story afloat, although the discerning reader should be able to figure out who the bad guy really is, despite the myriad of red herrings that abound in the book. There is, however, a real unexpected twist to the end. Those readers who enjoy thrillers and mysteries should get a modicum of enjoyment from this book.
This is a quick, throwaway read. The story is formulaic and only marginally interesting, as it is peppered with mostly unlikable characters that are one dimensional, with the exception of Annie. The story is also hampered by turgid dialogue and hackneyed writing. Still, the plot is fast-paced and manages to keep the story afloat, although the discerning reader should be able to figure out who the bad guy really is, despite the myriad of red herrings that abound in the book. There is, however, a real unexpected twist to the end. Those readers who enjoy thrillers and mysteries should get a modicum of enjoyment from this book.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
8 reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
A chilling thriller
3 April 2001
Format:Paperback
Interior designer Judy Sussman specializes in restaurant designing. Although the competition is fierce, Judy has earned quite a good reputation for herself. Even though her professional life is near perfect, her personal life needs to be reengineered. Judy lives with her soul mate Skeet, but yearns for a husband and children. One day when Judy feels extremely depressed, her father persuades her to take a tram ride where she meets Benjamin Siegal. Both are immediately attracted to one another and want to explore a relationship. However, someone calling himself the Shaman wants her for himself and has killed any male who he believes has gotten too close to his Judy. As Judy begins to fall for Ben, she begins to wonder if she is the reason that so many men who were close to her died.
Thom Racina's latest novel takes off a rapid clip and never eases off the throttle. Although the villain fairly easy to spot, it is fun to observe Judy and her associates being led by a master puppeteer. The MADMAN'S DIARY is an exciting thriller with an unexpected ending that begs for a sequel.
Harriet Klausner
19 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Mr. Racina's An Amazing Author!
19 April 2001
Format:Paperback
"The Madman's Diary," was in my opinion, Thom Racina's best novel. I have read all of his novels and I think they are wonderful masterpieces of suspenseful literary work with an excess usage of mystery, intrigue, and adventure. "The Madman's Diary" was extremely interesting. The author starts the first couple pages with a descriptively gory murder scene that draws the reader in and tempts them to devour this novel in one sitting. The plot: Judy Sussman, who is an interior designer, has noticed that a lot of men in her life are disappearing. Some are dying in gruesome ways. Judy, her friend, Annie, and roommate, Skeet, are watching their backs carefully because somebody is out there watching them. This sadistic person has an obsession with Judy Sussman and he/she feels that no one should belong with her except for himself/herself. This person believes he is a "shaman" and is king. Mr. Racina shows off his knowledge of the Indian culture with descriptive dialogue and structure throughtout the novel. The conclusion of this novel was incredibly well thought out and impressive. Overall, "The Madman's Diary" is a wonderful work of fiction that all mystery fans need to read. Also be on the look out for his next novel coming in early 2002!
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Thrilling suspense in an exotic setting
7 April 2001
Format:Paperback
Suspenseful, thrilling and too much fun to put down, The Madman's Diary is a great story in an exotic locale. Thom Racina again weaves a nicely complicated plot with perfectly drawn, intriguing characters, including familiar real-life figures that mark his signature style. It's a pleasure to read on a number of levels. The reader not only wonders who did it . . . but also who's going to get it next . . . and the colorful glimpses into past and present Palm Springs bear the unmistakeable authenticity of everyday experience and truth. This is escapist thriller fiction at its best, another great one in the Thom Racina collection.
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