<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: I'M PSYCHED!
Review: Finally - a book that gets psychology right! It's wonderful to read such a well-written, exciting story set in a psychiatric hospital. The authors clearly know how testing is done, how drugs are prescribed, and how drug companies do what they do. In addition, the authors know a lot about human behavior, about men, women,adolescents and the political life of mental health facilities. The story is captivating, and I found myself "addicted" until I found "who did it"! This is not only a good mystery, but one in which you can learn a lot about the world of psychology. There are also wonderful food tips for you Boston fans - where to get great ice cream , for example! The writing is great - spare, clean and a lot easier to read than to write! Like the other reviewers, I couldn't put it down!
Rating: 
Summary: Exciting, but plagued by key factual errors
Review: I thought the book was exciting, but then there were key factual errors that ruined my enjoyment. The story included reference to the availability of "free" samples of medications supposedly provided to the main characters by drug company sales reps. Only problem is that the medications mentioned were all controlled substances which are never given out that way. (In this country anyway!) And of course, duh, as you can see in the book how such medications could be abused or misused if they were freely handed out by sales reps! Moreover, the author's ignorance of the limited abuse potential of methlyphenidate (Ritalin) similarly rankled. A recent study in the January 2003 issue of Pediatrics concurred "with 11 previous studies in finding no compelling evidence that stimulant treatment of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder leads to an increased risk for substance experimentation, use, dependence, or abuse by adulthood." Lets hope the authors double check their facts next time and don't let stupid errors ruin an otherwise exciting book!
Rating:
Summary: A dynamite read
Review: It has been a couple of years since the psychopath killed his wife as an act of revenge for Dr. Peter Zak's testimony against him. The forensic psychologist and teacher is regaining control of his life and is even seeing someone, albeit a bit sporadically. After Peter and a peer give a lecture to students at the Massachusetts Pearce Psychiatric Institute, psychiatrist Dr. Channing Temple asks for a favor. She wants Peter to help her teenage daughter Olivia, who is withdrawing from the world. Channing already sees a psychiatrist, her mother's mentor Dr. Daphne Smythe-Gooding, but Peter reluctantly agrees to help for old time's sake, as Chaining was his college lover. However, instead of a patient, Peter finds Olivia holding a discharged gun with a dead Channing nearby. Daphne insists suicide occurred because of the pressure on Channing due to her research and her clinic work being challenged. Peter takes Olivia under his care even as he begins to apply his investigative skills as a forensic expert to learn what really happened. The superb second Zak novel allows readers to observe an intriguing type of mental illness while providing a cleverly designed mystery. The story line is filled with action and a few twists to keep the audience alert. Peter is a wonderful character struggling with his guilt while resolving to move on in life and the support cast further hones his personality. With novels like this one and AMNESIA, readers will quickly forget other sub-genre authors as this writing team turns into an ADDICTION. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Addicted to Ephron
Review: Peter Zak, the hero of Addicted, the second in a series of mysteries set in Boston, is my kind of guy -- compassionate yet slightly cynical, willing to rush headlong into an obviously dangerous situation to protect those whom he loves, and smart! I couldn't figure out who done it, kept turning the pages as fast as I could read because I wanted to know "what happens next," and rushed to a very satisfying end. But come on, Pete, stop neglecting Annie's obvious interest in you and get on with life! A great and satisfying mystery read. Five stars, easily.
Rating:
Summary: So you want a new drug??
Review: The setting is Boston, where Dr. Peter Zak is a forensic neuropsychologist at the Pearce Psychiatric Institute. Dr. Zak's longtime college friend and fellow psychologist at The Pearce, Temple Channing, is found dead. Soon afterwards, Temple's drug-addicted daughter, Olivia, is charged with her murder. Through a vivid portrayal of words and scenarios the reader can feel the plot thicken and see the dastardly deeds unfold. How can a drug addicted individual defend an action they don't recollect? Weaving through the web of suspects are a teenager abusing Ritalin; doctors self-treating with Ativan; and pharmaceutical researchers competing to make the "best" new drug. "Addiction" is a novel worthy of reading not only because it's a great mystery, but more importantly because it intertwines the facts of today's newspaper headlines with fiction in an easy to understand and heartstopping manner.
Rating: 
Summary: An interesting read but contains serious factual errors
Review: This book was a fun read, especially for a Boston native, with lots of referances to local places in Boston and Somerville. The hospital is obviously supposed to be McLean, down to the tunnels under the buildings and the history of year long hospitalizations. However, the book's whole premise was based on incorrect information. The plot revolves around a teenagers addiction to Ritalin. The latest studies, published in scientific journals, show that you do not increase your tolerance to Ritalin as you take it. There are also no withdrawel effects from the drug. It is not considered addictive at all, although some people do abuse it by snorting it and get a high with that method. It is concerning to see a book with such incorrect information. These authors did not do enough research before writing, which is too bad, because otherwise it's a fun story.
<< 1 >>
| 
