Don't Look Down by David Laing Dawson

Publisher: Bridgeross Communications
Pages: 194

From the Cover: Four men, age 18 to 81, have murdered, and now share a room in the secure forensic psychiatry ward of a mental hospital. Who better to get inside their heads, and find both the tragedy and comedy of their lives than Canadian psychiatrist and novelist David Laing Dawson. Three of Dawson's previous novels, Last Rights, Double Blind, and Essondale have been published in seven European countries, the US and the UK. Dawson's novels have been described as a cross between Elmore Leonard and Seinfeld and as close to reality as it gets.

Henry is an 81 year old man who has lost his grip on reality. First his wife dies from cancer when they are both in their 70's. Marion wanted to try some whacking Mexican cure, but the shyster just steals their money. Dixie comes into his life soon after and for 10 years, it's a new lease on life. Then cancer comes again, but this time, Dixie begs Henry; Please, Please.

Frank is a middle aged Socio/Psychopath. He's abuse as a child by his mother. He's blamed for his father's death. He's abused and has abused; mentally, physically, and drugs of all kinds. He's evil to his soul.

Joseph has suffered of all of his life. He trusts no one. He's paranoid and hearing voices. He believes his wife has never been faithful. He knows he's no good and he will be punished; there will only be one escape for him.

David is an 18 year old boy with disillusions. He's schizophrenic, obsessive compulsive disordered. He tries to keep the voices of other from invading his mind; he wets his hair and wraps his head. Evilness scares him. He knows he can be the hand of God. There will be only one escape for him as well.

Don't Look Down is the journey of these four men, held at mental facility that keeps the inmates compliant with medication of all kinds. If you do look down, it's further than you think to fall.

Don't Look Down by David Laing Dawson is a psychological thriller about four men capable of the worse crime imaginable. Henry has released his live in from the pain and suffering as she had been begging. Joseph can no longer function in the world, he has punished and knows God will bring punishment to him as well. He knows he will be stricken, but it will be by his hand, not another. David can no longer stay in the controlling influence of his mother. He leaves home, only to find Sally. Sally is an older woman (much older than David) who prays upon the system. She wants the easy way, but David can see the evilness in her soul. He must save her by freeing her from the evilness. Frank learned long ago not to let anyone use him, he is the user. He is truly a dangerous, sick individual. All of the men are being held and treated in a Canadian mental facility. But do they all belong there? When the opportunity arises, Frank makes a break for it, taking a nurse hostage. Henry can't allow this to happen, so he offers himself. David can't let the evilness take Henry. Will they escape?

Don't Look Down was an interesting psychological read that kept me guessing. All four of these men are capable of murder. The question is who will commit it and why. And will they all survive their own fears and reality? Definitely a gripping read that it capture your attention, a quick read that leaves you wondering with quirky humorous moments. For more information, please visit http://www.bridgeross.com. David Laing Dawson is a Forensic Psychiatrist who has written several books.

I received this book from the author for review and all opinions expressed are my own.