The Madman's Diary (Paperback)

by Thom Racina (Author) "When Judy Sussman stepped outside to get the morning paper, she suspected it was going to be one of those days when you could fry..." (more)
Key Phrases: poisoner shaman, coyote melon, sweat house, Palm Springs, San Diego, Norman Lempke (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Still haunted by the suicide of a former lover and the disappearance of another, 34-year-old interior designer and architect Judy Sussman is struck especially hard by the news of a beloved colleague's murder. While Judy's live-in "soul mate," Skeet, offers emotional support, her neighbor, professional sleuth and mystery novelist Annie Chestnut, examines the case. The dumpy private investigator provides a good measure of noxious Southern humor, but her investigative skills are irreproachable. Through her snooping, Annie uncovers bizarre evidence (such as stolen underwear, a used toothbrush and an altar) that seems to incriminate Judy's gorgeous gardener. When a young waiter who'd openly admired Judy mysteriously overdoses on an obscure poisonous substance, Judy becomes concerned that her new fianc may be targeted next. Racina (Secret Weekend) firmly establishes the killer's interest in Native American lore and the history of the California desert lands, but the cryptic and ultimately misleading diary entries he intersperses throughout are distracting and interrupt the narrative's fast-paced momentum. Although readers will enjoy Racina's crisp dialogue and quirky characters, the "madman's" incessant ramblings and obsessions will prove tiresome. (Apr. 10)
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
A fast-paced thriller...a smart read. -- San Francisco Examiner

Chilling suspense. -- Judith Gould

Could be a heck of a movie. -- Publishers Weekly

Harrowing. -- Romantic Times

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Signet (April 10, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451203615
• ISBN-13: 978-0451203618
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,322,758 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A chilling thriller, April 3, 2001

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Interior designer Judy Sussman specializes in restaurant designing. Although the competition is fierce, Judy has earned quite a good reputation for herself. Even though her professional life is near perfect, her personal life needs to be reengineered. Judy lives with her soul mate Skeet, but yearns for a husband and children. One day when Judy feels extremely depressed, her father persuades her to take a tram ride where she meets Benjamin Siegal. Both are immediately attracted to one another and want to explore a relationship. However, someone calling himself the Shaman wants her for himself and has killed any male who he believes has gotten too close to his Judy. As Judy begins to fall for Ben, she begins to wonder if she is the reason that so many men who were close to her died.

Thom Racina's latest novel takes off a rapid clip and never eases off the throttle. Although the villain fairly easy to spot, it is fun to observe Judy and her associates being led by a master puppeteer. The MADMAN'S DIARY is an exciting thriller with an unexpected ending that begs for a sequel.

Harriet Klausner

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mr. Racina's An Amazing Author!, April 18, 2001

By	Brad Stonecipher (FRESNO/CLOVIS CA) - See all my reviews

"The Madman's Diary," was in my opinion, Thom Racina's best novel. I have read all of his novels and I think they are wonderful masterpieces of suspenseful literary work with an excess usage of mystery, intrigue, and adventure. "The Madman's Diary" was extremely interesting. The author starts the first couple pages with a descriptively gory murder scene that draws the reader in and tempts them to devour this novel in one sitting. The plot: Judy Sussman, who is an interior designer, has noticed that a lot of men in her life are disappearing. Some are dying in gruesome ways. Judy, her friend, Annie, and roommate, Skeet, are watching their backs carefully because somebody is out there watching them. This sadistic person has an obsession with Judy Sussman and he/she feels that no one should belong with her except for himself/herself. This person believes he is a "shaman" and is king. Mr. Racina shows off his knowledge of the Indian culture with descriptive dialogue and structure throughtout the novel. The conclusion of this novel was incredibly well thought out and impressive. Overall, "The Madman's Diary" is a wonderful work of fiction that all mystery fans need to read. Also be on the look out for his next novel coming in early 2002!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling suspense in an exotic setting, April 7, 2001

By	Chris Beakey "Chris" (Lewes, Delaware and Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

Suspenseful, thrilling and too much fun to put down, The Madman's Diary is a great story in an exotic locale. Thom Racina again weaves a nicely complicated plot with perfectly drawn, intriguing characters, including familiar real-life figures that mark his signature style. It's a pleasure to read on a number of levels. The reader not only wonders who did it . . . but also who's going to get it next . . . and the colorful glimpses into past and present Palm Springs bear the unmistakeable authenticity of everyday experience and truth. This is escapist thriller fiction at its best, another great one in the Thom Racina collection.