Jesse Kellerman, Trouble

Trouble

Jesse Kellerman

Putnam, January 2007, $24.95

ISBN 0399154035

Following a shift as third year medical resident at St. Agatha's teaching hospital, Jonah Stem, heeding to the unwritten guidance of the ghosts of students past of ODT (out the door or else be available) walks towards Time Square at two forty five in the morning. He needs to buy steady comfortable shoes, as his Rockport Walkers died after two years on his feet. However, he follows up to a scream he hears; and intercedes between a knife wielding man and a pretty woman. The wannabe killer goes after Jonah, who instead kills the adversary.

Jonah gains his fifteen minutes of fame, but quickly dives back into the medical student world. The woman he saved, Eve Gones, personally thanks him, which leads to a heated affair. However, her sado-masochistic needs scare Jonah, who decides this it not right for him. He ends their relationship, only to find himself being stalked by the dead assailant's family, the DA who questions the use of excess force and worst yet, Eve Gones ultimately leading to Stem understanding the motive of the man he killed.

This is an excellent character study that digs deep into the mental deterioration of a nice Good Samaritan, who goes from enjoying adulation to empathy towards the man he killed, because of the relentless trouble caused by the woman he rescued. Readers who appreciate a deep powerful psychological thriller will want to read Jesse Kellerman's second tale (see SUNSTROKE), that will be considered one of the sub-genre's top ten of the year.