Delusion

September 16, 2002
Ephron's third novel (after 2001's Addiction) to feature forensic psychiatrist/expert defense witness Dr. Peter Zak deftly probes the intersections between sanity and psychosis, paranoia and murder, doctor and patient. Lisa Babikian, the luscious young wife of a computer games wizard, is found naked and eviscerated, floating in her swimming pool behind a house filled with masks and surveillance equipment. Zak must decide whether her blood-spattered husband Nick committed the crime. One possible witness is Nick's elderly mother, but her mind is riddled by Alzheimer's disease and the family paranoia originating in the Armenian massacres of the early 20th century. As usual, Zak confronts his own emotions relating to his own wife's brutal murder as they enlighten and confuse the case. Ephron uses psychology and pharmacology to add complexity and credibility to the plot, so the reader feels informed rather than intrusively educated. As in Addiction, the hospital where Zak works and the Boston/Cambridge setting become vivid characters in the novel. This is by far the best book in the Zak series—lively, astringent, fast paced and believable. Zak sometimes waxes bitter with baby boomer angst when confronting the younger, pierced generation, but his warming relationship with detective Annie Squires saves him from becoming too much of a curmudgeon. Zak is a thoughtful, compassionate sleuth who, if he ever finds gum on his shoe, will no doubt trace it quickly to the factory of its origin. Agent, Louise Quayle. (Oct. 21)FYI:Ephron is the pseudonym of journalist Hallie Ephron Touger and forensic psychologist Dr. Donald Davidoff.