Twisted Justice

Patricia Gussin
Oceanview Publishing (2007)
ISBN 9781933515083
Reviewed by Tammy Petty Conrad for Reader Views (9/07)


I just finished Patricia Gussin’s fast-moving, rollercoaster of a novel and enjoyed every minute of it. Each time I thought all had been revealed, another detail surfaced and my hunches proved all wrong. Just like an amusement ride, there were plenty of moments when I held my breath till the next scene and didn’t want to stop until I completed another chapter and then another. Indeed this was one of those 2:00 a.m. books, meaning I found myself up later than I planned each night, rushing to get to the end when all would be revealed. Or would it?

Laura Nelson seems to have it all -- a successful career as a surgeon, five children and a TV anchor for a husband. She even has a housekeeper who lives on the property to fill in when there’s a late night surgery. But, as tends to happen in a perfect world, someone makes a mistake.  In this case a major mistake is made, and suddenly the husband is kicked out of the house. But it is not until Laura is found with the blood of her husband’s co-anchor on her hands that things begin to race downhill. There was more going on than what the nightly viewers saw!

Steve, Laura’s husband, quickly blames Laura as do the police and the tabloids. Her fulltime job, as that of her lawyers, becomes proving her innocence. And keeping up with her husband whose behavior deteriorates with each chapter. Once he entangles the kids in his crazy plans, there is no chance of reconciliation or even sympathy for him. He quickly became my favorite character to hate.

The author’s medical expertise made every hospital scene all too realistic and painful to read, especially for those with children. I could feel Laura’s anguish as if I was in the room with her. I did question whether there was any legal team that would be so completely available 24/7 for a client. Each member plays an integral role in the plot and it wouldn’t have been the same without them. I can only imagine what her bill was at the end of it all! I did also have a few questions about Frank Santiago, a mobster, and what his actual involvement was in the murder. But maybe I was reading so fast that I missed something.

I would recommend “Twisted Justice” to anyone who enjoys unpredictable mysteries with an unlimited number of surprises. And to anyone who doesn’t mind missing some sleep!

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