Mirror Image

November 1, 2010
This debut novel from psychotherapist Palumbo features a psychologist, Daniel Rinaldi, whose client, a college student, is murdered. But heres the twist: the victim, for therapeutic reasons, had lately been imitating Rinaldis appearance and manner of dress. So, naturally, Rinaldi believes that henot his clientwas the intended victim. Wracked with guilt over the incidenthe believes his encouragement of the victims behavior got him killedRinaldi sets out to find the killer. Palumbo, a screenwriter with credits as varied as Welcome Back, Kotter, and the classic film My Favorite Year, does an excellent job of building suspense; and Rinaldi, who comes off as likable if a bit self-absorbed, makes a complex protagonist. A solid first novel, especially recommendable to fans of Jonathan Kellerman, Keith Ablow, and Meg Gardiner.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)

October 4, 2010
Although experienced readers will spot the major plot twist chapters ahead of the reveal, psychotherapist Palumbo does a decent job creating suspense in his first novel. Pittsburgh psychologist Daniel Rinaldi is increasingly concerned that patient Kevin Merrick, whom he's treating for emotional trauma after a burglary, is changing his appearance to copy Rinaldi's. When Merrick turns up dead, stabbed repeatedly in the parking garage of the therapist's building and wearing one of Rinaldi's jackets, the police theorize that Rinaldi was the intended victim. Merrick's billionaire CEO father, Miles Wingfield, who surfaces soon after the start of the murder investigation, makes clear that Merrick lied about his name. As he does his own digging, Rinaldi gets involved with Casey Walters, the attractive prosecutor assigned to the case. Predictable plot developments (e.g., the lead comes under suspicion) and behavior on the part of Rinaldi that's inconsistent with his intelligence mark this as the work of a newcomer. Still, the author keeps the pages turning.