Nothing to See Here

David L. Post
Beckham Publications Group (2007)
ISBN 0931761298
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (6/07)

Professionally caring, and competent, Dr. Alan Sarnover, a successful Boston psychiatrist, is suddenly faced with a family crisis of his own. His wife Cassie, mother of their ten-year-old son, Mitch, in on the brink of a nervous breakdown. Her erratic behavior, uncontrolled outbursts, repeated relapses, and a heavy dependence on prescription drugs culminate in a destructive climactic departure from the home leaving no trace as to her whereabouts. Several weeks later Cassie reappears, files for divorce, custody of Mitch, the larger share of their assets, and an expense support settlement.

Author David L. Post, long a practicing clinical psychologist, shows a rich depth of understanding as he describes diverse symptoms and authentic background psychological analysis to help the reader understand characters introduced in the novel. He portrays dysfunctional relationships, the results of broken marriages, suicidal symptoms, weaknesses and flaws of character just below the surface ready to erupt in many of us.

The author is also a published composer and musician. This love for music came through his writing in the broad base of performers and composers referred to throughout the narrative. This alone will entice many music lovers back to read his next work of fiction.

I was drawn into the web of suspense as Sarnover moved from success as a therapist to the very edge of sanity. Faced with the stress of single parenting, a declining practice, and outrageous attorney’s fees, Sarnover, finds himself out of touch with reality, drifting in and out of daydreaming, and on a quest to fulfill his daydreams and other hedonistic pleasures with an old college buddy, Tug.

After the suicide of her ex-boyfriend, Sarnover counseled his grieving office manager, Nina, “No one really knows anyone at all, at least not to the extent they think they do. Listen, we’ve all got demons, most of the time we can keep them under control. Sometimes they get unbearably strong. Anything we do to try to put them back in their cages is useless. They tear us apart with their fury.” A variation of these demons would soon plague Alan’s very existence.

As Alan continued to plummet deeper in his despair he mused, “You couldn’t watch CNN for more than a week without seeing someone go berserk in McDonalds or K-mart.” He, himself, “now losing his own protective skin could almost empathize, he was getting to know the currents and undertows that would drive you to such a point.”

While spiraling out of control himself, Alan buries himself in a destructive pattern of self-loathing, jealousy, paranoia and a way to personally administer justice for the bad hand of fate he had been dealt. Graphic violence and a strong sexual current vividly describe the depths of Alan’s deprivation.

The timely theme, the dialog, suspense and drama of “Nothing to See Here” make this a potential novel for Hollywood consideration.

The engaging, multi-dimensional characters, gripping plot, and strong dialog, all combine to give David L. Post the potential of becoming a best selling author in the psychological suspense thriller genre. Superb writing!

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