Jim Waltzer, Sound of Mind

Sound of Mind

Jim Waltzer

Five Star, Apr 2007, $25.95

ISBN: 1594145334

In Philadelphia, thirty-year-old former mental patient Richard Keene has supersonic hearing that makes it difficult for him to live a normal life though for the first time he is trying by moving into a Manhattan high riser and working as an audiometric technician. After completing his exercise program, Richard takes the elevator down, but gets off on the wrong floor. He hears noises that lead him to believe the resident of 2307 has strangled someone to death. Shook up he hustles down to his apartment one floor below.

Richard reports what he heard to the building superintendent and the cops, but neither believes a nut case like him, especially when the accused is renowned Dr. Davis Braun and no corpse surfaces. Still, refusing to give it up, Richard needs to prove he may have issues, but his hearing is perfect even when murder occurs behind closed doors.

Richard owns this novel as his super-hearing is a handicap that has brought him anguish and placed him on the brink of insanity. Thus when it is his word vs. a respected doctor, who is the cops, the tenants and manager, and readers going to believe? SOUND OF MIND is a fascinating thriller due to the lead character and his unique sense of hearing.

Harriet Klausner