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The deep inner fear of every woman comes to life in Prescription for Terror. Amateur psychologists and mystery lovers will find lots of mind twisting action in this story from Sandra Levy Ceren. The novel reads like something from yesterday's paper or newscast. It seems so real and plausible that I had a hard time remembering it was just a story. The realism grabs your attention, and with tight suspenseful writing keeps you reading until the end. Do not read this one alone. The every day life and practice of a psychologist Dr. Cory Cohen, switches from the hassles of paperwork in managed mental health care, lack of clients and a dissatisfying love life, to tracking and trapping a serial killer. This murder mystery starts out slow but then quickly pulls you in as the psychologists patients are killed off in a carefully implemented way, how many will die before someone stops him. A deadly pattern emerges and before you know it, Dr. Cohen becomes immersed in the chase to catch the psychopath. The author, Sandra Levy Ceren, tackles the issue of managed health care and a psychopathic serial killer all in one story. Murder via medical billing records is just one of many aspects of managed health care looked at in this book. No one is immune from the effects of this killer who strikes even where he works. The local managed health care center is facilitating murder. The insight provided into the mind of the serial killer is similar to true crime stories. Told from the perspective of the psychologist you get a detailed profile of the killer. The no holds barred murder scenes and the emotional details of the victims and survivors make you feel part of the story. Sometimes the line between fiction and reality seem very blurred. Is this the highly imaginative and skillful mind of a psychologist playing with our psyche or a fictionalization of real case histories? You decide after reading this story. The sleuth, Dr. Cory Cohen, is a psychologist and the story was written by a psychologist. Sandra Levy Ceren must have excellent case notes on which to draw for plots and characters. The story is so narrowly focused, and with such dominate lead characters that all other information seems superfluous. The strong, purposeful writing style of Sandra Ceren fits perfectly with the two main characters. Dr. Cory Cohen tall, athletic and a martial arts black belt; Mr. Pope with his air of education, aloofness, and weight lifter build. Both have strong mental and physical aspects but who has the greater control and understanding of themselves in order to win in the end. The final confrontation is not what you expect. The twists and turns of this novel take place in the minds of the readers and with the calculated and deceptive actions of the killer. Who and when he will strike, is anyone's guess. While chasing the killer and setting up the victims, the author touches on the older woman involved with a younger man, loss of choice through managed care, lack of unity amongst professionals, and women's physical vulnerability when confronted by brute male strength. Boundary issues abound in this story from the psychologist Dr. Cory Cohen, and Mr. Pope, to all the patients, police etc. involved. When does a person drop the required, expected manners and behaviors and go to the heart of the issue. Where is the line between right and wrong, good and evil? Lots of controversial topics in this book. Sandra Ceren has done a good job of weaving fictions and reality together in a story that strikes close to home. If you are looking for a well-crafted murder mystery that will play on your fears check this one out. You will be looking over your shoulder for a long time after reading Prescription for Terror.
Reviewed by Marilyn Clements, August 2001
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