Michael Allen Dymmoch

Dymmoch is one of those authors who improve every time they put out a book and I actually liked this book better than the first book in the series [b:The Man Who Understood Cats|3193926|The Man Who Understood Cats (John Thinnes/Jack Caleb Mysteries)|Michael Allen Dymmoch|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg|3226978]. Detective Thinnes and Dr. Caleb are interesting characters, even if the writing takes a step back from letting us deep into either of their thoughts or emotions. show more Where Ms. Dymmoch does really well is building up the mystery at the center of the book, which takes something like a year to finally solve. show less

A murder in Chicago of a Vietnamese woman appears linked to a killer who had operated in Vietnam during the war, which brings back memories for Detective John Thinnes and his psychiatrist friend Jack Caleb. Evocative novel about the experience of young men in a terrible war, with the killer almost overshadowed by the power of their memories.

Well constructed detective mystery that connects a gay psychiatrist and experienced detective (Thinnes) as they look into an apparent suicide. The psychiatrist (Caleb) has two cats, Freud and Skinner, and he discusses cat behavior as it relates to human relationships. Very Good!! July '09

3-1/2 stars

Good read. The cats in the title refers to Dr. Caleb's way of categorizing people as to whether they're cat people (patient and not really need of constant reassurance or attention) or dog people (those who need to be acknowledged by others on a constant basis). However, this really doesn't seem to make much difference to the over all plot - which features the murder of an inoffensive accountant, blackmail, a crooked shrink, a marriage on the rocks, stolen art work, a show more psychiatrist, and a detective determined to get to the bottom of it all. show less