7/8/25; 315 pages
Level Best Books
The Obsessions of Harvey Usher by David Putnam is a recommended thriller set in two timelines.
Harvey Usher, 80, is shocked when he wakes up and a young Rita
Hayworth look-a-like named Dolores is making him breakfast. Harvey's
beloved wife of 50 years, Sylvia (Lois) passed away years earlier. Now
Dolores, who he starts calling Rita, is claiming they've been married
for two years. She is concerned that he is losing his memory, and
lovingly continues to care for him.
First Harvey calls the police, but Dolores has a driver's license with her married name and address as well as a marriage license. The police are wondering if Harvey needs to go into long term care. Then Harvey turns to his neighbor, Esther, and a PI named Eddie Gurski to help him prove who Rita is so he can determine what con game she is playing. Things get much more complicated when people start dying.
The plot unfolds in two timelines, 1968, when
Harvey met Lois, and the present. There is a connection with organized
crime dating back to the 1960s timeline. Events become complicated when
past actions come forward years later and it is difficult to know who he
can trust. There are some exciting moments and twists along the way. The narrative starts out intriguing but then began to lose my full interest when events from the past began to unfold.
I never really liked Harvey or any of the characters in the novel, which did make it difficult to care about what was happening in either timeline. Those who appreciate organize crime novels may like this one more. Thanks to Level Best Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
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