Customer Reviews

Certifiably Insane: A Novel

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Certifiably Insane is a fantastic book. Readers who enjoy the novels of Johnathon Kellerman and Stephen White will enjoy this new main character, forensic psychologist Simon Rose. I knew I loved this writer in the first chapter when I found out Simon's dog was named Tupelo Honey and his prior dog had been named Sara Smiles. The book contains fantastic character development and a great sense of humor about the funny and not so funny parts of life. I think it is a great loss for avid readers that this author passed away during the editing of this novel but I was thrilled to read his wife's note (see above) that she will be continuing with the Simon Rose character in a series. I look forward to the next installment.

Yes, it's true...Janice Jensen is having a bad day. But is this bad day the result of insanity, or is it a way of getting attention? It is up to Simon Rose to find the answer, but before he can do so he must deal with the demons in his own past. Arthur Bahr, perhaps my greatest friend, has given the world a gem of a novel, one that asks a fundamental question about both psychology and the criminal system...how does it help those who are truely insane...and how easily is it abused by those who know how to manipulate the system? This novel is filled with compelling characters who we were meant to learn more about in future novels. Arthur's death in 1995 has taken from us not only a remarkable indivdual, but a window into a wonderful world of his imagination. I miss him terribly, but am grateful to have Simon Rose, and his friends and family, Kate, Debby, and Tommy, to keep me company and continue to entertain me in this extraordinary novel.

because the brilliance of his first piece, "Certifiably Insane", felt as though there was much promise for the future.

Bahr passed away before the book was published, and his widow finished the book from his notes. As a result, the ending is a little rough, but Bahr puts together a thriller, a love story, and a tome on today's definition of what constitutes "a family". In his hero, Simon Rose, Bahr has created the kind of quiet force of life that you wish would step off the pages into your own life. Simon's career in forensic psychology causes him to meet Janice Jensen - one of those villainesses that is really too evil to be as beautiful as she is. A group of interesting and caring relatives and friends frames Simon's private life, and Bahr puts together the whole book with style and an admirable way of turning a phrase!

Fantastic book, nominated for an Edgar, definitely a must-have for your collection!

Here was a psychological intrigue full of quirky yet interesting characters. My favorite was Tupelo, Simon's talking pet dog. The author used a unique and flip kind of humor to tell his tale. I found it intriguing, but often felt that he was talking to other men rather than a coed group of readers. Nevertheless this was one of those thrilling "I can't put it down til I'm done" page turners. I'm truly saddened that the author is no longer alive to write many more such thrillers. This book was a joy to read.

As a real life forensic psychologist Authur Bahr brings an insight and perspective that makes the story incomparable. The question was not whether the judge would find Janice "nuts" for the heinous, cold blooded murder of her husband and infant son. He would. But was she certifiably insane or just plain evil?

It is through Simon, the reclusive, widowed psychiatrist that the story is told. The author weaves the tale through the recall of events past and puts them into the relevant high school nerd at a time when the "jocks" were the masters of the universe; his desire for Janice, the beauty queen; his friendship and brief love affair with her; his knowledge of her family; his hippie period and anti-war stance; his hated job as a state employed shrink; and his coming of age with the suicide of his wife and his relationship to his teenage step-daughter.

Masterfully told, this novel is fast paced, complex and edgy. It is a wonderfully woven tale that in the right hands looks like a movie to me.

Edward L. Gluec

That's the question forensic psychiatrist, Simon Rose, has to ask about Janice Jensen. The NYPD found Jensen in her apartment. Her police officer husband had been shot four times in the head. Her infant son was pinned to his crib by a fillet knife.

The cop who investigated said she was "gone."

Janice Jensen was also the star of the Drama Club when Simon Rose knew her back when in high school. Dr. Rose unwittingly takes her case and discovers Janice Jensen used to be Janice Davenport, a girl he'd loved and lost. For ethical reasons, Dr. Rose declines the case, but Janice won't let go of him.

Her Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity Defense is approved. She spends six months in a mental hospital. Then she's out and campaigning for Simon's life.

Art Bahr has created an amazing cast of characters: Simon, the hippie shrink who's still recovering from his wife's accidental suicide 20 years prior, Debby, Simon's adopted daughter who has nightmares from a past life, Kate Newhouse, the spunky wheelchair bound criminal attorney, Tommy, Simon's kid brother who's an unrepentent thug.

And, Janice--at 45, still as beautiful as she was in High School. And still as deadly.

For the most part, the plot keeps you moving, and the explanation of the NGRI defense from an author who is a forensic psychologist is definitely worth a read.

"Criminally Insane" is an unusual book in that it was finished posthumously by Art Bahr's wife. Clearly the first part of the book is mostly Bahr's. The second part was finished from Bahr's notes. My ***** rating is based more on the first pages and the wife's labor of love to get the book done. While the second half clearly is not in the same 'voice' as the first, "Criminally Insane" is still a worthwhile and enjoyable read.

I really enjoyed this novel. The main character, Simon Rose, is great. I love the idea of a vegetarian ex-hippie that talks to his dog being the focus of a novel! His family is interesting, too, and make for good sub plots. I hate that we lost this great talent before he could complete more books in this series. Rose is one of the best protagonists I've read in a long time, and I would have liked to have read more about him.

Great read throughout! Jancice's actions caught my attention from the beginning. I think she is evil, and not Certifiably Insane at all!!

Don't get me wrong: over 50 percent of this book is a great read. But beware Chapter 18. After Chapter 18 this book fails every test of literary competency and narrative continuity. It was either at this point that Mr. Bahr's widow began her ill conceived attempt to finish her husband's work or that Mr. Bahr suffered the unfortunate head injury that led to his regrettable heart attack. You think this review is in bad taste? So was the idea of letting this book out for public consumption. Thanks for nothing, Simon and Schuster!

This is a small novel, quick and easy to read. Although some of the plot turns are a bit predictable, the main character makes the story worthwhile.