Finished We 7/19/12 Featured selection for Contemporary Book Club July 25, 2012
(Post on Good Reads)
Newly retired NYPD detective, Dave Gurney, is trying to acclimate to early retirement with his wife Madeleine when he is asked to be a consultant on a gruesome murder. Dr. Scott Ashton's wife has been brutally beheaded on their wedding day. Hector Flores, their Mexican gardener, and the suspected killer has disappeared into thin air. The developing investigation uncovers a lurid international murder/prostitution ring involving Dr. Ashton's Mapleshade Residential Academy.
This is a real page-turner and a well-written thriller. The second novel in a series, and I'll try to find the first one, and look forward to more by John Verdon.
Jack Hardwick- NYPD cop friend of Dave's and he gets him to contact Val Perry, the mother of the victim.
Jillian Perry (Ashton)- Nymphomatic sociopath with an IQ of 168.
ART OF DECEPTION/EUREKA FALLACY- These are the subjects that Dave lectures to current police officers. He was an expert on undercover police work. "In order to fool a person into believing your story, you must demonstrate credible passion and valid emotions". "What people say about themselves can be believed, but what you find out about them yourself is the 'most' true".
Kiki Mueller, married to Carl- She is beheaded and rumored to be the lover of Hector Flores. Carl is demented, and spends his time running his toy trains in the basement and listening to Xmas carols.
MELLERY CASE- This is the investigation that is the subject of the first Dave Gurney novel. It's only alluded to in this book, and you really don't find out much about it. Madeleine and Dave lost a four year old child in a car accident, and they also have an older son, Kyle, who was working on Wall Street, but now is getting his law degree (to may The Big Bucks).
Calvin Haleu- 'White Trash' neighbor of the Ashton's, violently racist, and serves as a 'red herring'.
Marion Elliot- Another neighbor who is a retired professor of philosophy who fills in the back story about Dr. Scott Ashton. He wrote a book claiming that Self is a manifestation of 'boundary confusion', and sociopaths don't have this problem. Then, he released another book, under a different name, and attacked the premise of the first book.
Hobart Ashton- The father of Scott Ashton. However, his real name is Giotto Skard, one of the three brothers who head up the evil Skard criminal family. Scott is his son, and really named Leonardo.
George and Peggy Meeker- Friends of Dave and Madeleine and Peggy solves the 'Edward Vallory' subplot in the novel. A very misogynist play-write from the 16TH century.
Sonya Reynolds- Dave's art dealer who brokers his 'Mug Shot Portraits'.
Jay Jykynstyl- Dave's afternoon visit with this multimillionaire who wants all of Dave's portraits for a million dollars. Dave is given a drug, and possibly raped at the meeting, but he has no recollection.
Irana Magelena- Married to Giotto and mother of Leonardo (Scott). She is a coke addict and abused Scott and this is the reason he hates women.
Karnala- Worldwide prostitution ring that operates as a Fashion Photography company. Rich men view the photo spreads which supposedly advertise the clothing, but really they are buying the models. When they are finished with them, they must behead them. This offers further cover for Dr. Ashton.
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