This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
After 50 years as a practicing clinical psychologist, I have turned my attention to writing fiction. I have published several psychologically based novels and screenplays based on my experiences. My mission has been to help people maximize their potential and achieve their goals. Now, through my fiction writing, I hope to continue this mission and reach a larger audience. The stories I tell are all based on my years of practice. Each story deals with another aspect of the human condition
Reviewed by Darryl Greer for Readers' Favorite
Edward A Dreyfus’ The Midnight Shrink is a work of fiction but, given the author’s experience and background, might just be a touch autobiographical. The concept is certainly original. Dr David Edminson is a psychologist with a conscience. He treats ordinary folk at his regular practice during the day, then ventures into the night in LA’s Skid Row to treat those who are not-so-ordinary: pimps, prostitutes, drug dealers, and the like. And he does so from the back of a van. To add a little more ‘colour’ to the character, Dreyfus has him in a relationship with an exotic dancer, Max, who has aspirations of bettering herself while working nights in a strip club. The good doctor’s life becomes even more interesting when he discovers there is a serial killer stalking working girls in the Row. One by one, the bodies are stacking up and they’re all well known to Max. Will she be next?
Edminson is a consultant to the LAPD so he has his finger on the pulse throughout the investigation. Leaving his friends in the department to continue their hunt for the killer, he heads off to New York to carry out a little investigation of his own. The journey to New York proves enlightening in more ways than one, but Edminson must hurry back to LA and to Max, especially as he has an inkling of just who the killer might be.
There are various layers to The Midnight Shrink. The pace gets off to a cracking start with the discovery of the serial killer’s first victim, the banter between Edminson and the cops, his fascinating patients, and Max’s rather unusual extra curricular activities. Then it slackens somewhat as he goes on his fact finding journey to New York. Nonetheless, it does add to characterisation and makes for an interesting backstory. The comment in the narrative “…what if his memories were fabrications based on limited information or misinformation?” might give a hint to the author’s profession.
Dreyfus has nicely juxtaposed the inhabitants of Skid Row with the high powered movers and shakers in nearby downtown LA. The Midnight Shrink is certainly a mystery and the reader can’t help wondering if the killer is someone known to Dr Edminson. I wouldn’t describe the book as a fast paced thriller, but that is not to detract from the power – and message – of the story. It is a thought provoking suspenseful drama with enough action in the highly descriptive and visual narrative to keep you interested to the end.
