Book reviews

The Syndrome
John Case Book Review

Read a book review online (click here to search reviews)
Books Movies  
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Mystery/Thriller Literature Romance Biography Video
John Case Books
New book search
John Case Message Board
Get more information about this book
Plot Summary of The Syndrome
"

Ballantine, May 2001, 25.95, 464 pp.
ISBN: 0345433084

    In Washington DC, Adrienne Cope blames clinical therapist Dr. Jeffrey Duran for the suicide death of her half-sister Nicole Sullivan. She hires a private sleuth, Bonilla, to investigate Duran. He learns that the real Duran died several years ago at the age of two and that the good doctor never went to Brown or Wisconsin Universities as he claims. When confronted Jeff is stunned and thinks Adrienne is a quack and Bonilla a professional forger. However, he follows up and sees evidence that leaves him shaken. He takes a lie detector test that proves he believes he is Dr. Jeff Duran.

    Not long afterwards, Adrienne asks to see Nico's file, but nothing is inside stunning Jeff further. Two individuals claiming to be detectives arrive and Bonilla challenges their credentials. One of the phony cops kills his partner and Bonilla, but Adrienne and Jeff escape, which is not easy for him as he suffers from agoraphobia. As they try to learn the truth, they are targeted for death by a conspiracy that threatens the future course of the world.

    THE SYNDROME is an exciting thriller that never slows down on the accelerator. The key to the novel is the reactions of the cast which seem so genuine they take the story line to incredible levels of entertainment. John Case, known for THE GENESIS CODE, employs the concept of whether a person's memories are real or borrowed implants as the basis for a fabulous novel that will garner the writing team many new readers and accolades.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of The Syndrome
Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
descript. of violence and chases - 20%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20%




Time/era of story: - 1980's-1999
Medical Thriller Yes
Medical Plotlets: - psychiatrist messes up mind
Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Gender - Female
Profession/status: - small businessman
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events? Yes
How much violence does he/she use? - just the right amount
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - average physique

Main Adversary
Identity: - an organization
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - an average amount
Motive of antagonist - power

Setting
United States Yes
The US: - Southeast

Style
Person - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
How many deaths? - 3-4
Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
Most similar books to The Syndrome
Breaking the Silence by Diane Chamberlain
Therapy by Jonathan Kellerman
False Memory by Dean Koontz
Shrink Rap by Robert B. Parker
The Echo Maker by Richard Powers


Click here for more information about this book


John Case Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
Steph  

SCHOLARS:
BethG  


Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
Three ways to search for Thriller/Action books!

1) One-click plot searches! Simply click on a plot or subplot below!

Big vehicle disaster?

Crime Thriller

Disaster, natural or nuclear

Exploring into the wild

Horror Story?

Legal Thriller

Medical Thriller

Religious overtones?

Spying/Terrorism Thriller

War Thriller

Water adventure

Western



or 2) Simple lookup
(title or author)

or
3) Even more search options available with a Detailed Booksearch (click here)

Use our site!
17 FREE Sci-Fi Ebooks!
FREE "How to be happy" Ebook!
Feedback


Most recent discussions:

General Book Talk
Book writing discussion
Off-topic message board
Suzanne Weyn 10:35:23 PM
George W. Bush 5:33:46 PM
Kin Platt 12:58:29 AM
Anonymous 12:47:34 PM
Lilian Jackson Braun 10:05:52 PM
Jane Rubino 10:04:38 PM
LaVyrle Spencer 10:04:00 PM
G.A. McKevett 10:03:31 PM
David Williams 10:03:01 PM
Steven Pressfield 10:02:30 PM
Jeanette Walls 10:00:19 PM
Darryl Ponicsan 9:59:27 PM
Ann Rinaldi 9:58:30 PM
R.L. Stine 9:57:34 PM
Geoffrey Huntington 9:57:14 PM
Betty Mahmoody 9:56:38 PM
Deric Longden 9:56:11 PM
Mary Downing Hahn 9:55:48 PM
Iris Johansen 9:55:24 PM
Marlo Morgan 9:54:58 PM

More message boards