Fatal Analysis [Hardcover]

Dr. Martin Obler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 1997

Mesmerizing struggle unfolds as respected psychologist becomes certain manipulative patient is serial killer.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This potentially riveting story of New York City therapist Obler's (Moira, New Horizon, 1993) sessions with a patient he comes strongly to suspect of being an ongoing, vicious serial killer suffers from a credibility gap. The reader sympathizes with Obler's dilemma over confidentiality and professional ethics, but when the patient kidnaps, binds, and gags Obler's fiancee?who is rescued by Obler in a feat of derring-do?it seems mind-boggling that the police are not contacted. Instead, in a final confrontation, the patient is persuaded to desist from his violent tendencies and later becomes a successful lawyer. The authors note that the book "was inspired by and is based on" Obler's experiences and that some chronology, names, locations?and even "events"?have been "changed or altered." Coupled with a melodramatic approach and soap-opera dialog, this tale is over the top. Not recommended.?Gregor A. Preston, formerly with Univ. of California Lib., Davis
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: New Horizon Press; First Edition edition (February 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882821520
• ISBN-13: 978-0882821528
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,600,431 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This one belongs in the fiction section., September 3, 2000

By 

Christina Dunigan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fatal Analysis (Hardcover)

The closest this comes to being a non-fiction work is if you could pass it off as "docu-drama." And even then, it would be a pathetic excuse for docu-drama.

The supposedly "ethical" headshrinker does things like:

1. Fail to pursue commitment for a patient who is clearly a danger to others. 2. Fail to call the police and report a kidnapping and assault committed on the woman he supposedly loves by a patient who has been stalking her. 3. Brings a dangerous and unpredictable patient into a therapy group and unleashes him on the hapless patients who trusted him to provide them with a safe environment.

He also interferes with a police investigation of brutal serial murders.

All this is supposedly in the name of "professional ethics."

The author also misrepresents the idea of patient confidentiality. Professionals who are working with the same patient get releases all the time to discuss their findings with one another. There's nothing the least bit unusual or ethical about it. In fact, it's standard oprating procedure when taking on a new patient to request releases to get his records from anybody else who has treated or assessed him.

The author is clearly hoping that he can bamboozle the reading public behind a phony wall of professional mystique.

If this story is true, the author belongs in prison as an accessory to murder, and should be drummed out of the profession for inexcusably putting his ego ahead of his responsibilities to the patient and to the public.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Fatal Ethics, January 26, 2002

By 

David B. (Braintree, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fatal Analysis (Mass Market Paperback)

While it is extremely questionable that this book is non-fiction, it manages to fail either way. If it is, indeed a true account, the author's "ethical and moral dilemma" is the result of his own fuzzy morals. He is content to chat weekly with a man who appears to be killing folks in his spare time, that is, between "therapy sessions" with Dr. Obler. His overconcern with patient confidentiality and "loyalty to his patient", overide the long standing requirement that therapists have to report such knowledge. Not until the probable killer seems to be focusing on the good doctor's family does Obler suddendly decide to reconsider his ego-driven moral stance. By then, numerous people have perhaps needlessly died, at the hands of a monster. If this is a work of fiction, instead of "A true story of professional privilage and serial murder", as advertised on the book jacket, then it is contrived and sappy. It contains such laughable content as, "a steel edge in my voice" and "I gave him an approving smile", which underline the need Dr. Obler has to embellish his standing and status in the field. This from a therapist who passively conspires with a sick patient, while striking up a romance with another patient who came to group therapy to save a relationship. All in all, though, it may be worth it to purchase this book, especially for aspiring writers or therapists. It is good primer as far as technical and ethical pitfalls that should be avoided if one is to be succesful and honest.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disturbed shrink and psycho patient meld into fatal folie-a-deux, December 19, 2005

By 

D. Goodpasture (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fatal Analysis (Mass Market Paperback)

Dr. Obler comes off as condescending even though he's not a very astute judge of character and apparently has some codependency issues. He's not at all suspicious when a charming weasel of a colleague calls to pawn off a suspected serial killer patient. Instead Obler has such faith in his skills (keep in mind there is no cure for psychopathy) that he eagerly takes up the challenge.

It was very frustrating to read this warped incoherent account. From the background descriptions the story seems to shift decades every now and then. Despite glaring evidence Obler just can't be sure that his patient, Devon, is "really" a serial killer. Obler becomes obsessed with their "relationship." Devon it becomes his raison d'etre. Obler sits back and watches with what appears to be depraved indifference, or schadenfreude, as Devon commits one murder after another. Obler's only concern seems to be getting inside Devon's head and learning how to win his respect. Obler continues to use the excuse of his doctor-patient confidentiality for not turning in his favorite patient, his alter ego. In fact, such is the doc's affinity for Devon that even when he starts accosting and threatening the doc's family he still can't bring himself to make that anonymous call to the police or have one of his family members do it, since they're not bound by any confidentiality rules.

It appears that the hackneyed detective (i.e. she's beautiful but tough as nails GAG!) also suffers from room temp IQ syndrome. When Obler comes to her like a schoolboy asking; "just suppose the killer really were a patient of mine?" she manages to figure it out. Well, who wouldn't? She gets in his face and confronts him, which probably wasn't a bright idea given Obler's protectiveness of his patient. Sidekick, Obler of course sticks to his "confidentiality" guns and doesn't dare rat out his murderous patient. It never occurs to our hard boiled detective gal that since she has a basic description of the guy all she has to do is have someone stake out the doc's office to find this guy.

In the end we witness the doc's righteous indignation when the police finally arrest the wrong man. Well, actually his concern appears not to be that the wrong man is going to prison or that several people were murdered with his with his passive complicity but the realization that now he'll never get rid of Devon. At this point the honeymoon stage of the relationship (the excitement and thrill of the mystery killings) has worn off and Dev has become a real pest.

If you are looking for a good psychodrama novel to read I suggest William March's The Bad Seed (not the movie) or some Dean Koontz novels. I also recommend (non-fiction) Without Conscience: the disturbing world of the psychopaths among us by psychologist Robert D. Hare.