The right madness - James Crumley

Another hardboiled white knuckle ride from the author of The Final Country, winner of the CWA Silver Dagger Award 2002

C.W. Sughrue, ex hippie, heavy drinker and recovering gunshot victim, knows better than to work for his buddy, Dr Will Mackindrick. But when someone breaks into Mac's office and copies tapes of confidential psychoanalysis, it's clear the doctor needs help. Besides, he's offering a $30,000 sweetener upfront.

Sughrue's first day on the job lives up to expectations when the wife of one of Mac's patients comes hurtling towards him with a noose round her neck. `Mrs Ritter didn't have the vaguest idea how to hang herself. Too much slack in the rope.' But it is enough for her to die, and Sughrue's pretty certain she won't be the only fatality.

With six other patients, including a part-time stripper and a local anchor-woman to trail, Sughrue finds himself being dragged into a case that's rapidly becoming the wildest white-knuckle ride of his career.