Skull Session
I suppose brain disease is fertile substance for novels; especially novels that cross into the 
supernatural.
I recently completed this almost 600 page debut work of author Daniel Hecht written in 1998. The book was referred to me by a psychiatric expert who assists me with traumatic brain injury cases I handle. It was a very fast read despite its length. I enjoyed it immensely.
I recently was in New York for a conference, which added to the experience since the book takes place in areas west of Manhattan. I could easily visualize the trees and Hudson River descriptions from my locale.
The characters are all excellently defined and believable real people with relatable issues and thoughts. The main character, Paul Skoglund, has Tourettes. He is medicated and it is a mild condition for him. However, it bears on the climatic ending of the book.
Mr. Hecht certainly stretches the imagination with how the brain condition can manifest itself. By the end of the book, the manifestation reveals the story might sit well alongside a Stephen King shelf in a bookstore. However, by that time I was so engrossed in the story, characters and mystery, the thriller part came naturally.
I plan to look at the prequel, which I understand includes the other main character, the detective, who is not lucky enough In Skull Session to appear in any sequels.
