CHANCE by Kem Nunn

Finished Tu 6/10/14

He is a surfer, has written six novels, and screenwriter who worked on DEADWOOD and SONS OF ANARCHY

Plot- Dr. Eldon Chance is in the process of a messy divorce, and falls for one of his patients, Jaclyn Blackstone. She tells him that her detective husband is abusive, and she wants out. He's a homicidal maniac and won't let he leave. Chance meets 'Big D' at the antique store and enlists his support. Several murders, and Chance finally frees Jaclyn (or Jackie Brown- one of her personalities), but she leaves and you don't really know if she was crazy  or had a hidden agenda.

Very well written, and I'd read another by this author.

Dr. Eldon Chance Forensic Psychiatrist He is called to testify as a 'psychiatric expert' in trial cases. One of his cases is a retired, 93 year old dentist (Dr. Billy) who gave a million dollars to his hispanic 'helper' and his family wants Dr. Chance to find him incompetent to protect their inheritance. This is a very minor subplot, but of interest to me.

Chance specializes in head injuries and what they can do

Jaclyn Blackstone- Disturbed but alluring. Probably a schizophrenic ex-prostitute. But she is married to a Berkley homicide detective, Raymond Blackstone.

This man is involved with a Romanian criminal gang and has interest in a massage parlor/whore house and they kidnap underage girls and make them prostitutes.

Dr. Chance sells a $70,000 antique, but finds out from the restorer that it is a fake, but he has him change it to make it pass as authentic.
Allan's Antiques- Elderly gay black man runs the shop. 'Big D' works there and claims to be a combat veteran of Afghanistan (he isn't). Huge body, shaved head with a spider tattooed on the crown of his head. Expert fighter in martial arts, weapons, and knives. Ax-tool, Tomahawk- weapon.

Jean-Baptiste A student of anthropology and medicine who sustained a head injury. Now, lives in Chance's building and makes photos of truly crazy individuals and hangs them in the building.