Customer Reviews

The Cadaver's Ball

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In 1991, Ed Tyson proposes to Beth, who apologetically says no. Instead she marries another medical student Peter Grainger. Ed vows that one day Beth will be his at any cost as he thinks of his father the "Judge" saying the " end justifies the mean".

In 2004, Peter, now a psychiatrist, struggles with the accident that killed Beth and their unborn child. He currently works as the medical director for the University Hospital Mental Health Clinic, a job he got because of his pal Ed, Dean at the school. As a favor to Ed, he currently is seeing a twenty-two years old coed Ann Walsh who looks just like Beth. Ann apparently cut her wrists following a discussion with her drunken father renowned writer Carter Walsh. Soon other incidents each more dangerous than the previous occur with Peter wondering if Ed is setting him up for some reason or he is just going insane. Police Detective Nicole Sullivan, whose daughter remains traumatized from being molested by an uncle, looks into the strange happenings at the University Hospital Medical School.

THE CADAVER'S BALL is a fabulous psychological thriller starring a person at his most vulnerable as he still grieves deeply his loss; even his son cannot help Peter recover. Interestingly the manipulations of the twisted Ed are what snap a teetering Peter back to life. Though flashbacks by Peter to happier times add depth on the other hand Ed reflecting back to his childhood seems out of place although that provides some understanding as to his Bushian philosophy of the end always justifies the means.

Harriet Klausner

I reviewed Dr. Atkins' first two novels for Publishers Weekly (The Portrait; Risk Factor) and only wish I was working for them now so I could review this one as well, because this psycho-medical novel of revenge ranks right up there with his earlier works and belongs on the shelf of any reader who has ever enjoyed the work of Robin Cook or Michael Palmer.

This is an excellent psychological thriller. It combined a mystery that kept me turning the pages and it led me into a labyrinth of twisted characters who were by turns fascinating, horrible, pitiful, charming and wholly believable. The villian, if he is a villian, was clearly deluded and evil, but he was also appealing -- a broken-hearted genius who took a tragic turn. The hero, if he is the hero, is also sympathetic, as well as charming and attractive. At the same time, his inability to come to turns with his own inner demons make him frustrating and not always likable. I loved the way the whole thing came together in the end and I especially liked the touches of South American shamanic medicine. Did what I think happened at the end really happen at all? I don't even mind that I'm not sure. Highly recommended.

This was a wonderful thriller and a fast read. I could not put it down!

This book is an excellent psycological, supensfull ride. You will enjoy it from the very first page.

At the medical school's annual "Cadaver's Ball," several of their classmates pair off, but Beth turns down Ed Tyson's proposal to accept their mutual friend Peter's. Ed, a sociopathic doctor who is studying hallucinatory drugs from the Amazon, does not forget or forgive this slight. Years later, he attempts to get even by slowly destroying his former friend's life without his knowledge.

Ed gets his chance when Ann Walsh, a beautiful, troubled medical student, winds up in the emergency room and her case is supervised by Peter. Ann may have borderline personality disorder, and unbeknown to Peter has been involved in a sexual harassment suite against a former therapist. The young woman is also involved with Ed. A third storyline revolves around Detective Nicole Sullivan, whose young daughter is dealing with the aftermath of sexual abuse, and who becomes involved with the other characters when a crime is committed at the hospital where Peter and Ed work.

As Peter becomes aware of what his "friend" is doing, he struggles to solve the murder mystery, before he - or his son - becomes the next target.

Unlike the author's first two novels, "Cadaver's Ball" is told in the third person, but is like them, an engaging psychological mystery.

As a practicing psychiatrist, I found this book both gripping and fascinating. Dr. Atkins weaves a spectacular tale of revenge that centers on two psychiatrists. The psychiatric details of the book added a special element for me, but at its core, this is a great thriller; the book was so exciting I found myself reading chapters between patients. My wife, who is also a psychiatrist, couldn't put this book down either. A great read.

I guess I am in the minority here. But this book did absolutely nothing for me. I thought the premise was very interesting but the pacing was sooooooo slow it did not manage to keep me interested in the storyline or the characters. Too much detail, too much dialogue and not enough action.