Delirious is the perfect name for this psychological thriller from author, Daniel Palmer... after all, I was in a state of delirium the entire time I read this book -- engrossed, thrilled, and in a frenzy to find out where the story was headed, I read it late into the night and then late into the next morning. (Hey, running late to work every now and then isn't such a bad thing, right?)
Charles Giles, the main character, works high in the ranks at a large electronics firm after selling his own start-up electronics company with his technologically advanced product, InVision. Charles is proudly successful after overcoming a difficult past that included his father physically abandoning him after a psychotic break and his mother emotionally abandoning him to devote her energy into Charles's brother, Joe. First suffering from a form of epilepsy related to their father's abandonment, Joe falls in their father's footsteps by later being diagnosed with Schizophrenia.
In psychologically terrifying fashion, things start to spiral out of control and lead Charles to realize he is going crazy... I don't want to give it all away here, but let's just say strange things happen that have accompanying proof Charles did it -- and then it becomes more serious -- Charles's life comes crashing further down as his co-workers start dying and he becomes the prime suspect. Everyone believes Charles is guilty, and while he doesn't recall much, he is also sadly aware that with Schizophrenia running in his family and his being intensely overworked, he may be succumbing to the symptoms of a similar psychotic break. As the evidence against him continues to pile higher, Charles sets out to determine whether he truly is going crazy - delirious - or if someone is out to get him.
The author did such a fantastic job putting this story together. I spent the entire reading experience completely enthralled by what was happening and determined to read more so I could figure out what was going on. One of the things I really appreciated about this book was the mental health aspect. It fit so perfectly into the story and added such an interesting dimension to the regular thriller. I also learned a little about musicogenic epilepsy, when a song triggers a seizure, that was fascinating. Palmer maintained a level of suspense that was well done and didn't seem forced at all. This book has also been referred to as "techno-savvy". I would say that's a fairly accurate description. I think I feared that it would be drenched in technological terms that would distract from the reading, but it wasn't like that at all, and really gave me some things to think about!
According to Daniel Palmer's website, Delirious is the first of a three book contract with Kensington all of which have some type of techno-focus. After reading this, I'm really looking forward to his next book which will reportedly explore the effects of "sexting". As a companion to Delirious, the author has created an InVision blog that takes place prior to the start of this book.
(cross-posted from www.takemeawayreading.com)
Charles Giles, the main character, works high in the ranks at a large electronics firm after selling his own start-up electronics company with his technologically advanced product, InVision. Charles is proudly successful after overcoming a difficult past that included his father physically abandoning him after a psychotic break and his mother emotionally abandoning him to devote her energy into Charles's brother, Joe. First suffering from a form of epilepsy related to their father's abandonment, Joe falls in their father's footsteps by later being diagnosed with Schizophrenia.
In psychologically terrifying fashion, things start to spiral out of control and lead Charles to realize he is going crazy... I don't want to give it all away here, but let's just say strange things happen that have accompanying proof Charles did it -- and then it becomes more serious -- Charles's life comes crashing further down as his co-workers start dying and he becomes the prime suspect. Everyone believes Charles is guilty, and while he doesn't recall much, he is also sadly aware that with Schizophrenia running in his family and his being intensely overworked, he may be succumbing to the symptoms of a similar psychotic break. As the evidence against him continues to pile higher, Charles sets out to determine whether he truly is going crazy - delirious - or if someone is out to get him.
The author did such a fantastic job putting this story together. I spent the entire reading experience completely enthralled by what was happening and determined to read more so I could figure out what was going on. One of the things I really appreciated about this book was the mental health aspect. It fit so perfectly into the story and added such an interesting dimension to the regular thriller. I also learned a little about musicogenic epilepsy, when a song triggers a seizure, that was fascinating. Palmer maintained a level of suspense that was well done and didn't seem forced at all. This book has also been referred to as "techno-savvy". I would say that's a fairly accurate description. I think I feared that it would be drenched in technological terms that would distract from the reading, but it wasn't like that at all, and really gave me some things to think about!
According to Daniel Palmer's website, Delirious is the first of a three book contract with Kensington all of which have some type of techno-focus. After reading this, I'm really looking forward to his next book which will reportedly explore the effects of "sexting". As a companion to Delirious, the author has created an InVision blog that takes place prior to the start of this book.
(cross-posted from www.takemeawayreading.com)
The review below was written by my mother and I have to say I agree with it! This was a fantastic thrilling read!
When I first started reading this, I felt like I was not going to enjoy it. It wasn't long before it got to the "can't put it down" stage. It kept you in suspense as to who dunnit throughout the book. Your mind was constantly changing directions as to who was the guilty party. The main character was a man who had it all. His past comes back to haunt him. Questioning his own sanity and those around him, the author Daniel Palmer, has you even questioning the sanity of main character. 5 stars to it.
The twists and turns of this book are like a maze. Just when you think you know whodunnit, the author throws you for another loop. I really like the main character as he is very brilliant and has done well in life. Now he must face his family and their issues to conquer the events that are making him question his own sanity. As the reader you are in a constant state of apprehension as you always want the good guys to win. Because of the many twists you have no clue who are the bad guys. Awesome riveting book. He is up there with the best. Readers who love suspense and thrill this is a must read.
When I first started reading this, I felt like I was not going to enjoy it. It wasn't long before it got to the "can't put it down" stage. It kept you in suspense as to who dunnit throughout the book. Your mind was constantly changing directions as to who was the guilty party. The main character was a man who had it all. His past comes back to haunt him. Questioning his own sanity and those around him, the author Daniel Palmer, has you even questioning the sanity of main character. 5 stars to it.
The twists and turns of this book are like a maze. Just when you think you know whodunnit, the author throws you for another loop. I really like the main character as he is very brilliant and has done well in life. Now he must face his family and their issues to conquer the events that are making him question his own sanity. As the reader you are in a constant state of apprehension as you always want the good guys to win. Because of the many twists you have no clue who are the bad guys. Awesome riveting book. He is up there with the best. Readers who love suspense and thrill this is a must read.
WHAT THE HECK?
I discovered Palmer by accident and have tried all his books, the latest one I got from the library and returned it quickly because I didn't like it, then I started this one and that's about as far as I got, it just didn't start out interesting at all and as I turned each page it just wasn't any good and the lead character, Charlie,? well he just sounded like the biggest kind of jerk, then it was just pages of descriptions I just didn't care about at all, ergo! I quit at page 30!!!!!!!!!
I won't give up on him I'll try again because I read a couple of his that I thought were really good but this one? dud!
I discovered Palmer by accident and have tried all his books, the latest one I got from the library and returned it quickly because I didn't like it, then I started this one and that's about as far as I got, it just didn't start out interesting at all and as I turned each page it just wasn't any good and the lead character, Charlie,? well he just sounded like the biggest kind of jerk, then it was just pages of descriptions I just didn't care about at all, ergo! I quit at page 30!!!!!!!!!
I won't give up on him I'll try again because I read a couple of his that I thought were really good but this one? dud!
Throughout the long middle of this book, I felt the plotting was predictable and somewhat tedious. However, near the end the story took a couple of turns that I had not anticipated and I ended up feeling that it was an enjoyable read.
Delirious is Daniel Palmer's first thriller, and had I started with it, I would not have read any more of his books. The plot was interesting, about a tech mogul who invented an all-in one computer program for automobiles, similar to On-Star or the technology of today.He gets embroiled in company politics, where he ends up shunned and disgraced. Immediately he plunges into mental illness, which runs in his family. The whole story line is completely preposterous.
