Customer Reviews

Prescription for Terror

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Psychologist Sandra Levy Ceren has created strong portraits of both the ruthless psychopathic rapist who preys on the vulnerable young therapy patients of San Diego -- as well as the engaging and enigmatic therapist who takes him on, despite the haunting demons in her own past. The danger that Presciption for Terror exposes in the managed care system is absolutely chilling. Just try to put it down!

In Prescription for Terror, Dr. Levy Ceren shares more than a good tale set in a beautiful, interesting locale. She dispenses valuable insights into the analyst's own mind; how they cope with ethics; the devil's choice of managed care; their own personality weaknesses, as well as quirks. I like Dr. Cohen, her heroine. She's at an interesting age, accomplished in a career she loves, sexually confident, susceptible to romance, but not to her detriment. A good role model to fill a huge void -- that post-baby making age group. I can imagine her screen character breaking the tension with those yiddish wisdoms and witticisms, whether in conversations with friends or in whispers from her ghostly granny. Can't wait to read the next one!

There's only two ways a reader can read this one and it not affect his or her mind or life, either with the lights on or during the daytime. It's that intense and riveting. There is a danger along the San Diego coast, where a slasher, rapist is targeting young lonely single women. After one of Dr. Cory Cohen's patients is killed, Cory decides to get involved, but the police do not want her help, needless to say that does not stop Cory. She bands together a group of psychologists in hopes of finding out how many of their patients are receiving calls from the rapist, they also attempt to come up with a pattern. Cory decides to go even further by putting herself in harms way to get this maniac. I call him a maniac because the rapist they are dealing with is a brutal, unemotional psychopath like no other I have ever read. The author does an excellent job of literally putting the reader into the mind of the killer. I promise as you read Prescription for Terror, you too will wonder with a feeling of fear could there really be such an evil creature as this running around our streets. This psychological thriller is one of the best that I have read. It was fast paced -- a real page-turner. I can hardly wait for the sequel.

A first-rate thiller that I found thoughly enjoyable, both for its suspense and social conscience. A must read; I look forward to her next book.

Author Sandra Ceren draws upon her thirty years of clinical work with crime victims to bring a degree of realism and accuracy that is rarely matched and never surpassed.

PRESCRIPTION FOR TERROR would make a unique screenplay. The characters are fascinating; the plot fast-moving and full of surprises. The psychological background gives the book a depth rarely found in popular mysteries. Full of criminal mischief, this story holds the readers interest from the first page. And once the book ends the reader eagerly awaits the next book in the series. By Maryanne Raphael, Writers World

Prescription for Terror is an outstanding book, not glutted with trite bloody passages that go nowhere; instead, it's filled with good, solid dialog, contemplative detail, and frightening insight into the mind of a maniac. Those looking for a cheap, beer-guzzling, maggot-filled thrill won't like it. To enjoy this book, you MUST have a triple-digit IQ. So many books are filled with pages of dialog that don't mirror real-life speech -- and they sound so contrived one wonders where they hear people talk like that, but this book's right on target! For a change! It pushes the right buttons in those of us who know that he-man women-haters are real, and it raised the hair on the back of my neck. I wondered several times if it were based on a true story. I read it straight through during hurricane Floyd, and I hope I don't have to wait for another hurricane to enjoy more of Ceren's stories.

With its intricately woven plot, this novel of suspense held me from start to finish. It would make a great movie!

PRESCRIPTION FOR TERROR Sandra Levy Ceren Andrew Scott Publishers ISBN: 0-966-98610-5 May 1999 Psychological Suspense

A man is terrorizing women along the coast of San Diego. After gaining their trust by claiming he is shy around women, he arrives at their homes where he brutally rapes them. Two women are stabbed to death after the rape. Police are baffled and have no idea who the rapist/murderer could be.

Dr. Cory Cohen is haunted by memories of her own rape, years ago. As she learns of patients who have been raped by this man, she realizes that there is a common link. Dr. Cohen and other fellow psychologists band together to warn women, but the killer may be closer than she thinks.

PRESCRIPTION FOR TERROR is a chilling view into the mind of a deranged man and the problems that managed care can cause. Dr. Cohen is an extremely resilient heroine; she will protect her patients no matter the cost. The story is told through Dr. Cohen's eyes and also the killer's, which gives the reader better insight to his depraved mind. The killer is as malevolent as they come. The dramatic narrative each woman uses to describe this man is incredibly lucid-It seemed I could smell the sweaty, oiliness that they experienced.

If you are expecting a bizarre whodunit, you will be better off elsewhere, but if you enjoy richly painted psychological suspense, PRESCRIPTION FOR TERROR is an excellent choice.

An exciting original story by a woman, expert in her field, who brings her experience to the pages. Excellent story, good dialogue, and believable characters make this page turner a good read! I heartily recommend it to anyone who loves mysteries.