Downfall by Mark Rubinstein Book Review

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First, his doppelganger is killed—then
it’s his father. Rick Shepherd is being stalked by a murderer.

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Dr. Rick Shepherd switches on the
evening news and sees his own face on the television—except it
isn’t him, it’s a man who looks exactly like him and who was
killed on the doorstep of Rick’s office. Two nights later, his
father is killed, and Rick senses a growing target on his back. Rick
needs to learn what’s behind these macabre events—before it’s
too late.

This
is a character driven psychological thriller that moves at a
consistent and methodical pace. There is much character thought in
relation to action. We have the thoughts of Rick, the targeted
doctor. We have the thoughts of Art, the detective investigating the
case with troubling issues with his ex. We also have periodic
chapters with the thoughts of the villain.

The
pace of the plot movement was not engaging. I found myself skimming
paragraphs of thoughts to get to the next dialogue or action scene.
There was not much psychological tension. Rick received hang up calls
and that was about it. Even those stop when he changes his phone
number. There is one scene of suspense near the end.

Rubinstein
does explore several issues in the novel such as perception and
memories as well as the impact of childhood experiences. Readers who
enjoy lots of character reflection will like this novel.

My
rating: 3/5 stars.

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Mark Rubinstein is an award-winning
novelist, physician, and psychiatrist who has written nonfiction and suspense-thriller
fiction. His books have won the IPPY Gold Award and two Benjamin Franklin Silver Awards. His
Mad Dog Trilogy is under consideration for film or TV series adaptation. He lives in
Connecticut with his wife and as many dogs as she’ll allow in the house. Downfall is his latest
novel.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My
star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It’s OK, 2-I don’t like it,
1-I hate it.)