Dennis Palumbo

Panic Attack by Dennis Palumbo is the sixth entry in the Daniel Rinaldi series. I found the frequent references to the previous novels in the series to be unnecessary as they did not enhance this story. The Pittsburgh mystery opens with the shooting death of a team mascot on the playing field in front of many in attendance. Daniel Rinaldi, a psychologist specializing in the treatment of trauma, is in the audience. Because he is also a consultant for the Pittsburgh police department, he becomes involved in the case, which soon escalates. Before long, he turns up at other crime scenes, making him unpopular with the police. The action moves at an adequate pace. The characters are diverse but sometimes one-dimensional: the FBI, the police, the victims, the families of the victims, the criminals and, of course, the psychologist, who shows up in odd places. I enjoyed Panic Attack because the story touches on subjects that are very pertinent and relevant in today’s world. Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.… (mehr)

I seem to remember reading an earlier Danny Rinaldi book but not recently enough to show up in my database. Nevertheless, the pattern is the same – first person detective fiction set in Pittsburgh. Rinaldi is a clinical psychologist who works with the police. I don't think first person stories are very exciting, unless perhaps written by Raymond Chandler, and now, in reading "Panic Attack", I know why I haven't searched out more of this series.

There is nothing wrong with "Panic Attack" but choose your setting carefully. A hammock, or a long airplane ride maybe, somewhere you can drop off to sleep between words. There is nothing here to keep you awake.

I received a review copy of "Panic Attack" by Dennis Palumbo from Poisoned Pen Press through NetGalley.com.… (mehr)

“Panic Attack” is book six in the “Daniel Rinaldi” Series, but new readers will be able to easily follow along. There are references to past books both professional and personal, but any information critical to current events is included as part of the narrative. Dr. Daniel Rinaldi is a clinical psychologist; he keeps secrets for a living. He has a contract with the Pittsburgh Police Department to provide necessary services to traumatized crime victims, but as a “civilian,” procedural protocols and strict rules of evidence gathering do not apply to him. He also drives a fully restored green ’65 Mustang.

The story is told in Rinaldi’s detailed and comprehensive first-person narrative. He documents his day, almost minute by minute: his patients, his calls, his food and drink, the intense, the casual, and the ordinary. It is a daily diary of what people say, what he says, and what he thinks about everything that is going on. Sometimes the tone is casual and friendly, but at other times, in some situations, it is clinical and specialized.

Events evolve quickly into something much more complex than first indicated. Fear and paranoia develop in the small western Pennsylvania town; in essence, the community is having a panic attack. Old secrets do not stay secret, and Rinaldi begins to wonder if he is fated to be followed by sudden, violent death for the rest of his days. He shares this ever-increasingly complex case with Pittsburgh Police Sergeant Harry Polk whom he describes as brash, abrupt, and capable with a strong sense of professional duty.
“Panic Attack” is concisely written with a compelling and increasingly complex plot. I received a review copy of “Panic Attack” from Dennis Palumbo, Poisoned Pen Press, and Sourcebooks. It is sensational, well organized, and full of surprises.

Just when things seem to be finished, they have only just begun.… (mehr)

Palumbo infuses Mirror Image with a strong sense of place, and I certainly enjoyed his descriptions of Pittsburgh. Another strength is his pithy one-line descriptions of characters that often made me laugh.

Daniel Rinaldi is a strong character whose major "fault" seems to be caring too much for the welfare of others. He thinks nothing of putting himself in danger to protect someone else. As he says, "Justice and compassion. Everything else is just...talk." Throughout the book, Rinaldi provides excellent insight into both himself and the behavior of others.

Mirror Image is a strong mystery that deals with mental illness and how to make the real bad guy pay for his crimes. If there was any weakness to the story, it was Rinaldi's love interest and the-- to me-- unnecessary love scenes. It was also rather easy to identify one character's true identity. However, with those complaints out of the way, Dennis Palumbo has created a strong, sympathetic character that I enjoyed getting to know. I'm looking forward to another visit to Pittsburgh.… (mehr)