When surgeon, Trevor Lucas, is accused of two murders and pleads insanity, he is taken to a psychiatric hospital. Upon arrival, he takes personnel and patients as hostages, then asks for Frank Clevenger, a forensic psychiatrist, to help him.

I read Denial, the first in the series, in 2004 and rated it a 3.75/5. I have no notes of my reading, so I have no idea why, but I do know that I will not be continuing this series. I did not care for Clevenger in the least. He was mega-flawed (yeah, we all are), but there was nothing to identify with or any redeeming quality to save this character. The plot became more and more ridiculous as the pages were turned and Clevenger's psychiatric knowledge and/or beliefs seemed to be extremely out of whack. Sad to say, this was not worth my time. (2/5)

Originally posted on: "Thoughts of Joy..." ( )

This is the second in the Clevenger series and is a first-rate psychological thriller. Lots of violence a la Hannibal Lecter.

Back Cover Blurb:
Once an accomplished plastic surgeon, Trevor Lucas started using his scalpel to do very bad things....
Locked in a Boston psychiatric hospital, Lucas is holding the ward hostage - and performing grisly 'operations' on his prisoners....
Lucas, calling for forensic psychiatrist Frank Clevenger, is willing to strike a deal....
What Lucas knows about Clevenger could ruin the psychiatrist. What Clevenger can find out about Lucas could save the hostages. And he's got 24 hours to do it....
As Clevenger feverishly delves into Lucas' past, what he discovers is chilling, disturbing, and all too familiar. For Clevenger can't help but wonder if his proximity to killers and madmen is coincidence or something much more complex. ( )