REVIEWS
Read reviews from critics and fellow readers as they react to the first book in The Schizo Series by Ilene B. Benator.
REVIEWS
Read reviews from critics and fellow readers as they react to the first book in The Schizo Series by Ilene B. Benator.
Reader reviews for Schizo: Hidden in Plain Sight
"A laudable mystery that starts tangled and slowly unravels—with not one but two twists at the end."
A man wrongly convicted of murder feigns a mental disorder, giving him time in a psychiatric facility to concoct a scheme for clearing his name, in this debut thriller.
Medical student Dan Greenberg’s rotation at the Northwest Indiana Psychiatric Institution is a far cry from where he ends up—as a resident. When it’s clear that the evidence against him for his girlfriend Melinda Baum’s murder will guarantee Dan a prison sentence, he opts for convincing everyone that he’s a schizophrenic.
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Institutionalized Dan, Sheri, and fellow patient Jake formulate a plan of escape to prove Dan’s innocence. The story smoothly alternates between present day and past, generating suspense, for example, with the knowledge of Melinda’s imminent doom.
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Characters are engaging all around, with Jake a standout. He may also have pled insane to avoid jail and yet never denies having killed four family members while on a cocktail of psychedelic drugs.
A laudable mystery that starts tangled and slowly unravels—with not one but two twists at the end.
— Kirkus Book Reviews
"Highly recommended not just for thriller readers; but any who wanted One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest to take the next step."
Fans of medical thrillers and investigative pieces who appreciate a healthy degree of psychological inspection in their reading will find Schizo a compelling read written on the level of Robin Cook, packed with satisfying twists and solid attention to the details of interactions between psychiatrist and mental illness.
At the end of the tale, one wonders about the fine line between sanity and insanity. The process of crossing that boundary succeeds in crafting ethical dilemmas and impossible situations that inject more than a degree of thought-provoking insights into a realistic action mix that ultimately examines the dilemma of mental illness in America. Highly recommended not just for thriller readers; but any who wanted One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest to take the next step.
— Diane Donovan for Midwest Book Review
"The writing is powerful and crisp, and the author's
voice comes across with undeniable authority, cutting
like a scalpel."
Ilene B. Benator’s Schizo: Hidden in Plain Sight is absorbingly riveting, a tale that is as seductive as it is terrifying. The writing is powerful and crisp, and the author’s voice comes across with undeniable authority, cutting like a scalpel. The descriptions are vivid and laced with forensic precision, creating a world for readers to explore. Benator’s unique style will be welcomed by fans of thrillers who are looking for a fresh element in the genre.
— Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
"If you're a fan of medical dramas and thrillers... you'll love Schizo."
Ms. Benator herself is a physician, and Schizo shows how intimately familiar she is with the world of hospitals and med-school patients. Many Americans have limited contact with doctors outside of occasional office visits, but Ms. Benator gives a three-dimensional, realistic and very human portrayal of their world. The story is well-written, suspenseful and catches the reader’s attention. If you’re a fan of medical dramas and thrillers, whether in book form or on TV, you’ll love Schizo: Hidden in Plain Sight.
— Raanan Geberer for Readers' Favorite
"...a suspenseful and thrilling story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from the beginning to the end."
I loved Schizo: Hidden in Plain Sight. Loved. It. How's that for a review? Author Ilene B. Benator has done a fantastic job in creating a suspenseful and thrilling story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from the beginning to the end. Her background as a physician truly shines through in the more medical and technical aspects of the story, but her abilities as a story teller are the biggest star in this book. Any reader who likes thrillers, mysteries or action novels with a medical backstory will love this book, but any reader just looking for a great new book should definitely give this one a chance. I highly recommend Schizo: Hidden in Plain Sight, and am very much looking forward to reading more from the talented new author, Ilene B. Benator, as soon as I possibly can!
— Tracy Slowiak for Readers' Favorite
"Baited and hooked, I am looking forward to the next book in the series."
Ilene B. Benator takes her medical experience and plunges into the world of conspiracy in Schizo: Hidden in Plain Sight. From the very first page, the reader is immediately drawn into narrative. The time setting shifts frequently from past to present as the story unfolds. Hold on, because this high-speed action keeps you on the edge of your seat. You sense the struggle of the effects of psychotic medications and the thrill of being on the run. Schizo: Hidden in Plain Sight keeps you on your toes as the plot peaks. It continues to satisfy the longing of your soul for justice for the hero. And then wows you with its surprising ending. Baited and hooked, I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
— Cheryl E. Rodriguez for Readers' Favorite
