Irmas Endgame By Paulette Mahurin
Thought Provoking Contemporary Story
This book delivers at so many levels. The prose entices with a harmony that is both beautiful and unique to this writer’s voice; ‘The door to her closed heart had been kicked open.’ I could share many powerful phrases like that one, and thus Irma’s Endgame Kicks open the reader’s curiosity and anticipation.
I don’t like to review with spoilers and that is a hard thing to do with this multifaceted storyline in which one explores dynamics in unique relationships. The kind of encounters that fate thrust upon people with no warning or expectation.
As the characters suffer, as a reader I felt their pain. When they found light, I did as well. I cannot stop thinking of so many aspects in the storyline.
I took a four-hour train ride after I finished the book and found myself talking to a fellow traveler, a stranger, about cellular memory as explored in this storyline. He wrote down the book’s title. I know in the next few weeks I will Google it often!
The story takes place during the course of several years. This was written with a clever backdrop of global events, as a reader it placed me right there.
The type of brilliant book that is thought provoking and lingers on long after one reads the last page.
Irmas Endgame What if the human heart was not just a mechanical pump in the body, an organ with purely physiological properties? What if it were something altogether more complex and mysterious?
When renowned transplant surgeon Peter Dayton removes the heart from the victim of a road traffic accident, Lexi Parkhouse, and transplants it into the dying body of Jeffrey Kincaide, a chain of events is set in motion with devastating consequences. In the sumptuous Bel Air mansion that is home to the wealthy Kincaide family, the couple’s previous domestic harmony turns sour as Jeffrey recuperates with his new heart. Initially overcome with gratitude at the miraculous intervention that saved her husband’s life, Amelia Kincaide, becomes increasingly disturbed by what she perceives as abnormal changes in him, changes that inspire suspicion and hatred. At the same time, Lexi’s grieving widower, Randolf Parkhouse, is struggling unsuccessfully to get over the loss of the woman he loved. In an attempt find solace, he starts to explore far-fetched, quasi-spiritual notions about communion with the dead, becoming gradually convinced that he is still somehow connected to his wife, whose presence lingers on earth through the heart which now beats in the chest of Randolf.
Unaware of all this, surgeon Peter Dayton continues to operate. He is a man who, on the surface, has everything–money, prestige, a brilliant career and international reputation–but, apart from his job and his affection for his dog, Bella, he is carrying out a meaningless existence in a loveless marriage, consumed by regret for the woman he loved and lost years ago through his own bad choices. Unknown to him, that woman, Irma Mullins, is about to enter his life once more when she opens a newspaper and reads that her former lover has been arrested on charges of killing one of his patients. ‘Involuntary manslaughter…’ Shocked to the core, Irma has no doubt as to her ex-lover’s innocence, and, convinced he is the victim of a vendetta, determines to clear his name.
What starts as a classic, suspenseful whodunnit gradually turns into something far more complex and multi-layered. Author Paulette Mahurin puts her characters under the microscope, scrutinising what is going on in their ‘hearts’ in the wider sense of the term, dissecting in forensic detail the way they live, their innermost feelings and passions, how their backgrounds have shaped their personalities, the motivations behind their behaviour and, more immediately, their reactions as events unfold with a frightening inevitability, sweeping them along like a flash flood. The tempestuous rumblings in their personal stories are eerily mirrored in what is happening on a planetary scale. Global political and economic upheaval, growing social divides in Western societies, the devastation raging in war torn countries, the apparent increase in extreme weather events–all these contribute to an ominous feeling that the world is off kilter, out of balance, chaotic. We sense that things are slipping beyond our control, our belief in the rational, the scientific, the provable, is shaken, our certainties over-turned. As Irma remarks, becoming more and more stressed by the agonising drag of the legal process and the seeming impossibility of altering its course, it is ‘like trying to mold pottery with over-wet material while in handcuffs.’ The tension builds as the characters react to the growing pressure (I found myself experiencing sympathetic stomach pains), with even those most convinced of Peter’s innocence, including himself, beginning to have doubts.
By crafting such detailed portraits of her characters and their growing emotional turmoil, Mahurin anchors her story in the real, the every-day, and is thus able to give credibility to the incredible, when at last Irma’s team begin to make progress, discovering a thread which, unbelievable as it may appear, offers a chance of building a solid case in Peter’s defence: ‘a small, barely visible thread that (leads) to a Sherman tank.’
It’s impossible to do justice to all the admirable qualities of this author’s latest work in a short review. Suffice it to say that that ‘Irma’s Endgame’ is one of those books which not only keeps us captivated until the last page, but also prompts us to ask questions about our own lives, the mistakes we make, the paths we choose and their validity, and our dimly perceived apprehension of the greater truth behind Hamlet’s words: ‘There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamed of in your philosophy.’
Irmas Endgame I'm a big fan of this author and this is another great book, which I have finished reading in just two sittings. At the heart of the story is love and an original and thought provoking idea about what makes us human. I can't say much as I don't do spoilers but let me say this is a good mystery with plenty of suspense that makes you want to keep turning the pages. As with all the author's books, the writing is excellent and the characters jump off the pages. Highly recommended! Irmas Endgame I’ve come to love the way that Miss Mahurin tackles real subjects in her novel. I first became a fan of this author after reading her historical fiction so when I saw that she had a murder mystery available, I was quick to scoop that up since it’s one of my favorite genres. She did not disappoint.
Irma is stunned that her old college friend, a renowned heart surgeon, has been accused of murder. She vows to get to the bottom of the mystery because she knows that he can’t be the one responsible.
I loved how well-written both Irma and Peter were. They were complex with their own flaws and strengths. Especially Irma. For all her confidence as a lawyer, she still had moments where she struggled to believe in herself, especially when it came to helping Peter.
The medical world introduced in the story is very real, and a fantastic foundation for the story.
Irmas Endgame As any regular reader of my reviews will know, I have long been a fan of Author Paulette Mahurin's work, so when a new release came on the market, I was one of the first in line to buy and enjoy. Mahurin's usual gamut is historical fiction, where she builds a fictional story around real historical people and events. To my pleasant surprise, Irma's Endgame, is a departure from her usual fare and represents an author's effort to grow and expand her repertoire, something I admire greatly.
Irma is a hard-working, somewhat cynical and hard-bitten but focused legal mediator. She has seen the best and the worst of human nature in her role, over the years but she has a reputation for fairness and achieving just settlements in disputes. When she sees a newspaper headline screaming at her that her first, one-true love, heart replacement surgeon, Peter Dayton has been arrested and charged with culpable homicide after one of his transplant patients had died due to a mistake in medication, Irma knows she has to help the man she once loved (maybe even still does) with every fibre of her being.
Peter has all the trappings of success, wealth, status, and power but over the years his arrogant and overbearing manner has seen him disliked, as a person, within the halls of medicine. His incredible skill and success has leavened that cold nature in the eyes of hospital administrators and he is recognised as a hero, especially among those he has given a new life, with transplant surgery. His biggest regret in life remains his kowtowing to his parents back in College to end his relationship with Irma, as she was clearly an unsuitable match for this silver-spooned future surgeon. Despite all the trappings of success, Peter is sad, lonely and desperate for affection.
Faced with an open and shut case against Peter, Irma finds herself clinging to any sort of hope and this leads her to investigate a heart-transplant patient who appears to have dramatically changed personality since receiving a woman's heart. Can it possibly be that this seeming personality transfer has something to do with Peter's demise?
As I said, Irma's Endgame was a departure for Mahurin but, for me, a successful departure. The two main characters Irma and Peter, their separate lives and trials that have brought them back full-circle to find each other again are the classic unrequited love story. I particularly enjoyed the exploration Mahurin did of the idea of personality transference in organ transplants. The idea that some small part of a donor's personality somehow lives on in the recipient of the organ was fascinating. The relationship between the husband of the donor and the recipient was beautifully written and one could feel the instant connection between the two and marvel at it.
This is a fantastic story that I read with absolute zeal and like all books of Mahurin's I was disappointed to have reached the end. I can highly recommend this read, as Mahurin tests the boundaries and depth of friendship, loyalty, psychosis, betrayal and most importantly, of love. It is a triumphal departure from her usual genre for this incredibly talented author.
Irmas Endgame
Love, Mystery and Suspense - Irma’s Endgame Really Delivers!
Irma’s Endgame is truly an emotional rollercoaster ride! It’s a page turner from beginning to end. The author has obviously done a lot of detailed research for this book and pours much of her life experience as a nurse into her writing. The character development is excellent; the reader can’t help but feel something for hero and villain alike. What runs through this story, in addition to a good dose of mystery and suspense, is the power of love through the years, how it ebbs and flows and influences the direction our lives take. A must read - highly recommend! Irmas Endgame Another great novel from Paulette Mahurin, Irma's Endgame is something you won't be able to put down. The story revolves around a medical mystery with a doctor who has prescribed incorrect medication for his patients. When it came to the last five or six chapters, I had to postpone dinner to find out what really happened.
I have read other novels from Ms. Mahurin and this one stacks up well against the others. She has the unique ability to describe characters, locations, emotions and actions with such intricate descriptions, it makes you feel as if you are right inside the story, elbow to elbow with the characters. In my opinion, this book is well worth the time. Irmas Endgame A heart-stopping mystery
I've read this author's historical fiction books and have been impressed the quality of writing. This is a cozy crime mystery with medical and legal overtones, which blend very well to produce a convincing story. The characters are well developed, memorable and believable in their situations. Their backgrounds, struggles and relationships are expertly crafted. The intricate plot moves along at a steady pace and the unfolding mystery kept me turning the pages. The central topic is novel, poses a fundamental question about the wider impact organ donation, and had me pondering the possibilities after I had finished the book. The author has used her experience in medicine to add great credibility and depth to the story. Highly recommended.
Irmas Endgame Amazon Reviews:
Amazon U.S.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QZM22W3/
Amazon U.K.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07QZM22W3
Amazon France
https://www.amazon.fr/Irmas-Endgame-E...
Irmas Endgame Irma's Endgame explores the unique intertwining of lives that occurs when Randolf's wife's, Lexi's, heart is transplanted into Jeffrey Kincaide's disease weakened body by surgeon Peter Dayton. How this heroic act results in a murder is a mystery that pulls Dayton's first love into a cast of dis-functional characters and unresolved questions. The ins and outs of the story and fascinating characters kept me turning the pages long past my bedtime. Pretenses abound in this modern day tale set against the backdrop of California's complex politics and conflicting strata of society. A narrator's point of view weaves the intricate plot lines and backstories together in a way that's captivating and curious, heartbreaking and homey. I highly admire the author's ability to make this mystery - love story compelling and authentic. The twists and turns will keep you guessing until the very end. Highly recommended. Irmas Endgame
When newspaper headlines screamed in large bold print that one of the world’s leading heart-transplant surgeons, Peter Dayton, was arrested for the death of one of his transplant patients, shock waves were felt around the world. Particularly impacted was an attorney, Irma Mullins, who found it inconceivable that the man she once loved could have committed the heinous act for which he had been arrested. Determined to find out what happened, she embarks on a course of action to uncover the truth. But when all paths lead to one dead-end after another, and Dayton continues to maintain his innocence, she detours. Through desperation, frustration, fear, and determination she grasps at thin threads for anything that might uncover facts to help exonerate Dayton. What she ultimately discovers is both shocking and unbelievable. Written by the award-winning, international best-selling author, Paulette Mahurin, Irma’s Endgame is a story of friendship and loyalty, of betrayal and revenge, of mystery and discovery, of enmity and love. It is a narrative that shakes the very core of the scientific ground we all walk on and proves that what we think is real is not always solid terrain. This is a novel that will be remembered long after the last page is finished. Irmas Endgame