“Twisted” by Andrew E. Kaufman – Binds of Sanity

We feel a bit silly after doing so, but many of us have more-or-less wondered, on a couple of occasions at least, whether we are living a lie and the reality surrounding us is completely different from what we imagine it to be. Basically, we sometimes wonder whether or not we are insane... after all, if we were, the chances that we'd notice aren't exactly inspiring.

Thankfully though, most of us have relatively simple and stable lives with entrenched realities that leave us rather confident of our abilities to distinguish between the real and imaginary.

However, as Andrew E. Kaufman explores it in his latest novel Twisted, there can come a time when one is forced to confront and review their own life, an event which can shatter our preconceptions of our past and change everything.

In Twisted, we are treated to two main characters: Dr. Christopher Kellan who is in charge of the unit known as Alpha Twelve (reserved for only for the most psychotic of killers) at the Loveland Psychiatric Hospital, and Donny Ray Smith, the latest patient in the unit, accused of having killed ten girls, with no bodies having been found.

Instead of being a run-of-the-mill case, Donny turns out to be the catalyst that sends Kellan on a profound journey within himself. Not only is there something strangely and disturbingly familiar about Donny, but he also seems to have surprising information about Kellan, things he couldn't have possibly learned anywhere.

As the interactions between the two develop Christopher becomes less and less certain of what he thinks he knows about himself, ever doubting if he is actually losing his grip on reality or if that is simply what Donny's trying to do.

To start things off, if the plot of the book sounds a bit similar to a certain movie made a few years ago, it's because it is. In case you've forgotten that movie or have never even seen it I won't name it, but if you have, I'll to disappoint you and say that the plot is ultimately predictable.

Otherwise though, if you're oblivious to the somewhat obvious source of inspiration for this piece of literature, then I'll be happy to say that you'll probably find this thriller to be a very enjoyable experience.

The plot moves along fast enough to keep things going, but slow enough to allow for character development and for the reader to think about what's happening, making their own deductions and conclusions.

I will admit that some of the twists are a bit telegraphed, but ultimately you'll find yourself rather surprised by the final conclusion, and perhaps even more amazed at how it was reached.

Kaufman doesn't simply rely on the novelty of misleading his readers and the weight of his plot twists. Rather, he knows how to weave an entrancing story, one where you taken deep into the character's mind and made to live through the ordeals with them.

Experiencing the doctor's slow loss of grasp on reality, having to wonder alongside him what is real and what isn't and figuring out just who this Donny Ray character is are what makes this novel truly memorable.

In the end, if you're looking for a solid psychological thriller that will take you to unexpected places and surprise you on more than one account (except if, of course, you've seen that movie briefly discussed earlier), Twisted is definitely a book you should pick up.

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Andrew E. Kaufman Personal site Andrew E. Kaufman is an American broadcast journalist and author who lives in Southern California. He is rated as being one of the highest-grossing independent authors in the United States, with his book The Lion, The Lamb, The Hunted reaching the rank of #1 international bestseller.