Demented


Fiction - Suspense
412 Pages
Reviewed on 08/12/2020
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

Does a person ever get over being raped? Rape victims do “get over it” to a degree; some, like Cindy Foster in Demented by Joe Clark, even manage to rebuild their lives. But they never forget the event, and if they see their rapist, even many years later, just one look can cause panic. When Cindy recognizes the handsome Adan Jackson as one of 3 men who gang-raped her 15 years prior, and when Adan somehow always seems to be where she is...they work for the same company...she becomes increasingly nervous. But neither the wealthy, charismatic Adan nor his brother was convicted for the rape. Only Troy Mondale was. So when Cindy’s car is vandalized, and a PI Cindy has hired is nearly run off the road, Cindy is convinced that Troy Mondale, now out of prison, is to blame. It was Cindy’s testimony that put Troy in jail; now it must be Troy seeking revenge. But are Cindy, the PI, Nickey, and Police Seargent Jack Edwards looking in the right direction?

The plot of Demented is populated by many characters. At times, it’s hard to keep up with them all. But under Joe Clark’s pen, each one has a purpose as the story races to its conclusion. People are murdered; Adan Jackson, the consummate narcissist and lecher, believes himself irresistible and invincible and Troy Mondale is hounded by those who think he’s responsible for the ongoing wave of crime surrounding Cindy. More reserved readers might find the few graphic sex scenes starring Adan a bit over the top, but they are realistic and enhance our understanding of Adan’s character. But while the plot and characterization of Demented are impressive, even more memorable is the fascinating look at prison life that Troy supplies. Readers will learn a lot about what a prisoner feels and experiences when incarcerated. It’s not a pretty picture and explains to some degree why suicide rates in prison are as high as they are.

I’ve always believed that a good novel does two things: it entertains and informs. Using that criteria, Joe Clark has written an excellent novel deserving your time. What really caught my attention was the information the author supplied at the end of the book about how he conceived the plot of Demented and why he brought this interesting cast of characters together. Make sure you read that section as well as the novel. It’s intriguing ... especially if you’re a fan, as I am, of the TV show Law and Order. Demented: a good read in many ways.