Synopsis: Amanda Should Have Died - Mystery/Detective Novel

Here is a brief synopsis of my newly completed mystery/Detective novel.  In the next few days I will be posting several excerpts.

Amanda Should Have Died,  is a Mystery/Crime novel directed at Detective novel fans as well as readers fascinated by the psychological workings of the hidden mind.  The book is the first in the series featuring Psychologist Dr. Gray Ackerman, and Detective Delilah Savantro.

 If you are interested in reqading more, please contact me at gargoylegar@gmail.com.  I will be sending out pre-publication review copies of the complete manuscript to a limited number of readers who are willing to read through the manuscript and send comments.

Sixteen year old Amanda McLaughlin has a mission.  She is determined to take apart the social structure of the high school Jocks and Pops whose hypocrisy, and viciousness she can not tolerate. 

As a child Amanda suffered the harshness of being the scapegoat - red haired, short, chubby, geeky and smart, she had, by 7^th grade come to see herself as the most reviled person in school.  But with the onset of puberty she had slimmed down to the requisite petite size, her face had taken on a striking beauty, set off by her red hair and blue green eyes.  Now she was invited by word and deed to join the popular set.  The rules were clear, act virginal, and play the game. 

Then at aged 14 two things changed.  Her mother suddenly abandoned the family, to become an artist in Taos, New Mexico cutting off all contact with Amanda and her father.  Then, Roger Slemson, the class president - football hero, asked her out and on the second date made it clear that sex would be required to maintain the status of girlfriend. That, and the demand that  she abandon her long time friend, oafish Jeffery Millwort set her on her high risk course.

Amanda turned 180 degrees joining Jacqui Hopgoode and her Goth friends, forming a secrete club for losers.

But then as the novel itself begins, the secrete hideout is violated, Amanda is brutally assaulted and left for dead.  Brought back to life by a medical miracle, Amanda is shrouded in a loss of memory caused by the trauma. 

The drama of Amanda’s life comes to light as psychologist Ackerman and Detective Savantro piece together the puzzle of what caused the sequence of terrifying and tragic events that occur just after Amanda’s 16^th birthday.  Hidden in the deep reaches of the unconscious mind, or in the forensic clues and linked facts concerning an ever growing list of suspects, the shocking answer for who was responsible needs to be uncovered…As long as the assailant is at large, Amanda’s life remains in jeopardy…and even Dr. Ackerman becomes targeted for death.