David Wynthers, a microbiology professor, has always been in control of all aspects of his life. One day all that changes and his entire life is thrown into turmoil by the accidental death of his wife. Racked with guilt, Dave simply stops functioning. After several weeks of complete depression, he finally decides to take a year's sabbatical and work in Mexico City. Time passes slowly at first as he begins to heal. Soon the year is up and he returns to Colorado to restart his career. On his flight from Mexico City something happens and within days people start to die.

Dave soon elicits the help of beautiful Denver Police Detective Lorrie Morgan who is in charge of one of the murder investigations. They work together until they are stopped cold when the FBI swoops in and takes command. Suddenly Dave is no long in control, which is something he can’t stand. But things continue to escalate which causes a cascade of events for Dave to cope with – murder, mystery, terrorists, sudden wealth, a new love, and of course the FBI.

I found A Man in Control by Harry E. Gilleland. Jr to be a technically well written story. It starts off with a hook to grab the reader’s attention. The protagonist is a man that suffers great personal loss but struggles to regain control. The characterization is good. However, the story shifts in the last few chapters of the book to another central character. While I liked the ending, it did seem a little disjointed and an offshoot of the original story plot.

A Man in Control is a police procedural thriller written by Harry E. Gilleland, Jr. Dave Wynthers and his wife, Brenda, were celebrating their twelfth wedding anniversary with a stay at the ski lodge where they honeymooned, when they began to argue over a long-standing topic of dissension. Their efforts at having a family had long been unsuccessful, and Dave was determined to make something happen. Brenda stormed out of the suite and died after attempting a ski run that was far beyond her abilities as a skier. Dave was shattered and guilt-ridden over his wife’s death, and became unable to function in his capacity as a professor. When his department chairman offered him an early year-long sabbatical to work with a colleague in Mexico, Dave jumped at the chance. When the year was over, he reluctantly returned to Colorado, staying first overnight at his twin brother Dan’s house in Denver. He’s horrified to learn the next day that Dan had been tortured and killed by someone who may have confused his identical twin for himself.

Harry E. Gilleland, Jr.’s thriller, A Man in Control, is fast-paced and exciting. Dave is a complex and complicated character who seems determined to avenge his brother’s death, but is unconcerned about the potential risk to himself and the countless others he puts in jeopardy by his actions. His interactions with Detective Morgan, the Denver police officer in charge of the case, his brother’s attorney, and the FBI officials are well-developed and make this terrorist thriller engaging and suspenseful. I am a fan of the police procedural genre and particularly enjoyed Gilleland’s coverage of the investigation into Dan’s death and the undercover operation in which Detective Morgan plays a crucial role. I would welcome seeing the detective in a sequel to this novel. A Man in Control is a solid, satisfying read, with intriguing psychological undertones, and is recommended reading.