Category Archives: Mark Rubinstein

Blog Tour Stop & Review: Love Gone Mad by Mark Rubinstein

Title: Love Gone Mad by Mark Rubinstein
Publisher: Thunder Lake Press
Genre: Contemporary, Thriller
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: C+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Blog Tour Company

Summary:

When heart surgeon Adrian Douglas and Megan Haggarty, RN, meet at the hospital where they work, neither has any idea of the scorpion’s nest into which they’ve stumbled. Strange and frightening events begin happening to each of them; someone is after them both–and the stalker is not only brilliant and crafty, but vows to exact revenge for the ultimate betrayal. As things spin out of control, Megan and Adrian fight for their lives.

When a spine-tingling trial for attempted murder is resolved, things return to normal–or so it seems. But more chilling surprises await the couple as Love Gone Mad rockets to a conclusion that brings the legal, medical, and psychiatric communities to their knees.

The Review:

Mark Rubinstein’s Love Gone Mad is a suspense laden psychological thriller. Adrian Douglas and Megan Haggarty’s burgeoning romance takes an ominous turn when a stalker sets his sights on the couple.

Adrian and Megan are likable characters, but they are somewhat underdeveloped. Their romance is rushed and a little too perfect. The dialogue between them is sometimes stilted and borders on being too sweet. While a few of the coincidences are a little difficult to believe, they are necessary for plot development.

Megan and Adrian’s relationship is still in the beginning stages when a person from Megan’s past reappears, putting them jeopardy. It is at this point in the story that the focus of Love Gone Mad shifts from Megan and Adrian to the man responsible stalking for them. I found the ensuing court case and insight into the perpetrator’s mental state quite fascinating. There are some very interesting and thought-provoking points about the legal system and the not guilty by reason of insanity defense presented and I have a much clearer understanding of what this defense entails.

Mr. Rubinstein’s writing is quite descriptive but too many extraneous and unnecessary details make the first half of the novel slow moving. However the pace of the story really picks up during the last half of Love Gone Mad. Mr. Rubinstein’s expertise and ease with the subject matter is apparent and the writing becomes much crisper and more compelling. His explanation of the psychological aspects of the storyline is in layman’s terms and easy to understand.

Mark Rubinstein’s Love Gone Mad is an entertaining novel with a unique plot. There are some surprising plot twists that I did not see coming and I thought the novel’s ending was brilliantly executed. It is an overall intriguing story that raises very interesting questions about the legal definition of insanity and whether or not a person suffering from delusions and psychosis is truly capable of being cured.


Author Bio

MARK RUBINSTEIN grew up in Brooklyn, NY, near Sheepshead Bay. After earning a degree in Business Administration at NYU, he served in the U.S. Army as a field medic tending to paratroopers of the Eighty-Second Airborne Division. After his discharge, he went to medical school, became a physician, and then a psychiatrist. As a forensic psychiatrist, he was an expert witness in many trials. As an attending psychiatrist at New York Presbyterian Hospital and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Cornell, he taught psychiatric residents, psychologists and social workers while practicing psychiatry.

His first thriller, MAD DOG HOUSE was released in the fall of 2012. Before turning to fiction, he coauthored five books on psychological and medical topics. He also is a contributing blogger to Huffington Post and “Psychology Today”.

He lives in Connecticut with as many dogs as his wife will allow in the house. He is currently working on his next novel.

To learn more, please visit www.markrubinstein-author.com.

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Filed under Blog Tour, Contemporary, Love Gone Mad, Mark Rubinstein, Rated C+, Review, Thriller, Thunder Lake Press