The White Squirrel Book

This was my second Sidney Sheldon novel. I was in high school back then. A friend had an edition which included two novels - Nothing Lasts Forever and this one. I had heard a lot about Sheldon's novel and borrowed the book.

Nothing Lasts Forever did not make much of an impression but Tell Me Your Dreams was the real deal. I was hooked on from the very beginning and became a fan of the author. I agree that this book is not a great piece of piece of literature. But, it is a very entertaining potboiler indeed.

Now let's come to the story. There is serial killer out there! Men are just not being murdered but their bodies are horribly mutilated. The killer operates across countries.

Then there are three very attractive young women with different natures and nationalities. They are somehow in the middle of all these.

The book is chilling - I loved the atmosphere of suspense and tension. All the trademark ingredients of Sidney Sheldon novels such as sex, deception, betrayal, dark secrets, ulterior motives, greed, opportunism have been skilfully used. I enjoyed how the author portrayed the dark psyche of human beings. If there are perverts hiding behind a facade of respectability then there are some very decent people as well.

The mystery, the suspense, the tension - all these make the novel a very engrossing read. The author has thrown about a few clues here and there.

It is a psychological thriller. Nowadays readers can very easily connect the dots - the theme has been used a thousand times in novels, TV serials and movies. But, back then - when the story was published, I am sure quite a few readers were stumped.

The added bonus for me was the trial. I enjoyed the way the defense counsel fought to win against a deluge of negative public opinion, ignorance and even a hostile judge.

The ending makes the book even more chilling and terrifying.

The book had introduced me to not only the psychological thriller genre but made me aware of a condition as well. I had come across the said condition somewhere prior to reading this book the first time but couldn't place it in the story. Years later I purchased the book as I wanted it in my collection.

For me re-reading the book for a buddy read was a great pleasure.

Even if you can see through the mystery - I would still say that the story can keep you turning the pages. If you like thrillers and do not mind sex & gore -then you might enjoy the book.