The Analyst (Mass Market Paperback)

When Dr Frederick (Ricky) Starks receives a letter on his 53rd birthday, he has no idea of the implications the message contained inside will have on his life. The anonymous writer, who signed the letter Rumplestiltskin, proposes that Ricky must play a game. In this game Ricky must either commit suicide or work out who Rumplestiltskin is. He has 15 days to achieve either of these objectives and if he fails, a family member will be chosen at random and destroyed. It's a fascinating scenario to open what turns out to be a very nicely constructed book.

To make things even more interesting, Ricky is helped out with clues as to who it was that he wronged in the past that caused this act of revenge. He is also allowed to ask three questions over the 15 days. To make things difficult, however, he keeps getting object lessons in how serious Rumplestiltskin is with his game. What Ricky finds becoming increasingly clear is that nothing can be taken at face value and his life, as he always accepted it, would very likely be changed for good by this experience.

I found this to be one of those page-turners that you just fly through, yet on the other hand keep trying to slow yourself down to try to savour every word. Although it's the first book of John Katzenbach's that I have read, it definitely won't be the last.

Usually I don’t mention the specifics of the plot in the review, normally the synopsis Amazon provides is good enough, but in this case it takes some explaining. Dr. Frederick Sparks is a psychoanalyst, a man who examines the problems of others and offers them treatment. One day before his August holiday he receives a strange letter signed by Rumplestiltskin, and boy, then his troubles really begin. The first half of the book is a twisting path of lies, deception and strange happenings as Dr. Sparks struggles to find out who is his tormentor while his life gradually falls apart in spectacular and terrifying fashion. This part of the book whizzes by and is amazingly tense and suspenseful. I loved this part as it made my stomach turn to knots and my muscles tighten up – a sure sign that the thriller is doing its job! I won’t give anything away, but the second half of the book is more slowly paced as something happens to change Dr. Sparks fortunes, but it is still fantastic and intriguing. I was with Dr. Sparks the whole way, urging him on and willing him to succeed.

Overall The Analyst is an unusual and beautiful thriller which deals with an unlikely sounding plot and makes it seem chillingly real. Dr. Sparks is immensely likeable and well developed and we come to sympathise as well as respect him. Finally, I must mention the excellent writing style, which is very descriptive and original, adding menace to the plot. I read the book as quickly as I could, devouring the pages. I think you will too.