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Phantom Limb

(Daniel Rinaldi #4)

Dennis Palumbo

3.99 · Rating details · 68 ratings · 23 reviews

Psychologist and Pittsburgh Police Department consultant Daniel Rinaldi has a new patient. Lisa Harland, a local girl, once made a splash in Playboy and the dubious side of Hollywood before bottoming out. Back home, down and out again, she married one of the city’s richest and most ruthless tycoons. Lisa’s challenge to Danny is that she intends to commit suicide by 7:00 PM ...more

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Paperback, 250 pages

Published September 2nd 2014 by Poisoned Pen Press (first published June 3rd 2014)

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Aug 26, 2014 Anna Cole rated it liked it

I received an advance copy (ARC) of this book for review. This does not change how I reviewed this book. Phantom Limb is the fourth Daniel Rinaldi mystery book, but is the first one I have read. Mystery books are some of my favorite go to books. I started reading mystery books as a young teen because my mom, grandma and aunt all read them. Growing up my grandma, mom, aunt and I would talk mystery books and trade our favorite books back and forth over the years. The description on the back of th I received an advance copy (ARC) of this book for review. This does not change how I reviewed this book. Phantom Limb is the fourth Daniel Rinaldi mystery book, but is the first one I have read. Mystery books are some of my favorite go to books. I started reading mystery books as a young teen because my mom, grandma and aunt all read them. Growing up my grandma, mom, aunt and I would talk mystery books and trade our favorite books back and forth over the years. The description on the back of the book: “Psychologist and Pittsburgh Police Department consultant Daniel Rinaldi has a new patient. Lisa Harland, a local girl, once made a splash in Playboy and the dubious side of Hollywood before bottoming out. Back home, down and out again, she married one of the city’s richest and most ruthless tycoons. Lisa’s challenge to Danny is that she intends to commit suicide by 7:00 PM. His therapist skills may buy some time—but, exiting, she’s kidnapped right outside his office. Summoned to the Harland estate, Danny is forced, through a bizarre sequence of events, to be the bag man on the ransom delivery. This draws him into a deadly cat-and-mouse game with a brilliant, lethal adversary. Complicating things is the unhappy Harland family, whose members have dark secrets of their own along with suspect loyalties, as well as one of Danny’s other patients, a volatile vet whose life may, like Lisa’s, be at risk. What is really at stake here?” I was instantly engrossed and hooked, and the book is action packed the whole way through.
I do not want to give more of the plot away. It is a mystery so of course there are numerous characters introduced and many suspects. The main character, Daniel Rinaldi, acknowledges the fact that he is someone who seems to find himself in the middle of “crazy” mysteries and cases. I love that the author did this. Some mystery series thrust the main character into one “crazy” situation after another like it is commonplace. I think it is apparent, in a good way, that the author has a psychotherapist background (it is mentioned in the beginning of the ARC that Palumbo currently practices psychotherapy). It adds levity to the character of Daniel.
Since this was not the first book in the series I was worried I may be confused. However, that was not the case. This book stands alone, while also clearly complimenting the other books in the series in that it makes references to other cases that I assume were discussed in the previous books. It helps give background to the character of Daniel, but does not spoil too much of what happened previously so that it will be easy for me to go back and read the previous books.
One of the things I kept thinking about while reading this book is how I could envision this as a TV show or movie. It struck me as a Bones type of book. I have not read the books that Bones is based on, but I have watched the show. The way the characters lives are interspersed into the cases in an organic way is what made me think of Bones while reading Phantom Limb.
If you enjoy mysteries and do not mind gritty then this is a great book for you. I loved it. I cannot wait to read the rest of the books in the series. Plus, I will definitely be recommending this book to my mom and aunt. (Sadly, I cannot recommend it to my grandma, though she probably has access to all the books she wants in Heaven.)
Here are some nuggets (quotes) that I loved. All are non-spoilers:
“Yet, like with my father, a felt sense of her lingers. Perhaps this is true for everyone. That those with whom we’re most intimately connected persist, not only in memory, but almost like missing parts of ourselves. Like phantom limbs, we feel their presence, even though they’re gone forever…” (Page 138)
“ ‘Whenever I feel a strong wind, I think of Elvira.’ He glanced over at me. ‘Our old nanny when I was a child. She used to say the sound of the wind was the wail of lost souls, the dead flying around the world looking for a way into heaven.’” (Page 150)
[Note about the quotes: This is in ARC so page numbers may be changed and it is also possible the text or quotes themselves could be edited before being published.]
It is quotes like these that make this book stand out as different from other mysteries. It has so many other elements than just the mystery and delves deeper into characters than many mysteries do. Check it out and let me know what you think.
Phantom Limb will be released in September by Poisoned Pen Press.
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Sep 04, 2014 Ronald Roseborough rated it really liked it

Shelves: crime, fiction, murder, mystery, suspense

I enjoyed this mystery, suspense story set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its nice to read a mystery story that doesn’t take place in the oh-so familiar literary settings of Los Angeles or New York . Daniel Rinaldi is a psychologist who occasionally acts as a consultant for the Pittsburgh Police Department. In this the fourth book of a series, Rinaldi has a new walk-in client. The tall, well built sexy blonde may be showing a few signs of wear do to a hard life, but she still lives up to her one t ...more

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Apr 19, 2015 Gloria Feit rated it really liked it

Daniel Rinaldi is a Pittsburgh psychologist and consultant to the Police Department, counseling victims suffering reactions to violent crimes. Somehow he also manages to get himself into all kinds of dangerous situations and probably could use similar help himself from some other professional. In this fourth novel in an excellent series, he outdoes his involvement and placing himself in death’s ways several times.

It all begins when Lisa Harland, trophy wife of a billionaire, keeps an initial app ...more

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Aug 01, 2014 Fran rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Phantom Limb: Dennis Palumbo

A phantom is something that can exist in the mind of a person but is not really there. I can haunt them, cause them to believe that something exists yet it does not. Imagine living your life as if you are going through the motions, doing things by rote yet not really thinking anyone sees you or cares that you are there. Sometimes people lose a limb and think it’s too attached to them even though it’s gone. An apparition, a vision that seems to reoccur within the depth Phantom Limb: Dennis Palumbo

A phantom is something that can exist in the mind of a person but is not really there. I can haunt them, cause them to believe that something exists yet it does not. Imagine living your life as if you are going through the motions, doing things by rote yet not really thinking anyone sees you or cares that you are there. Sometimes people lose a limb and think it’s too attached to them even though it’s gone. An apparition, a vision that seems to reoccur within the depths of a person’s mind yet that’s the only place it really exists.

Lisa Harland lives in a world that was created by others in order to make it look like she was some type of starlet or movie queen. Lisa’s life took more than a downward turn when she married a rich industrialist named Charles Harland and this ordinary girl who once filled the centerfold in Playboy, enjoyed recreational and hard drugs, drank and eventually bottomed out lived her life married to one of Pittsburgh’s richest and most dangerous businessmen. Lisa gave up on life because she was being blackmailed, threatened and had been abused by someone that was close to not only her but her husband. Someone that many feared others hated and would soon prove to be more than just an adversary but a coldhearted killer. What would you do if you were a psychologist and consultant for Pittsburgh Police Department and a client or patient came into your office and dared you to convince them to not commit suicide. Within a short 50-minute time frame consultant Daniel Rinaldi had to convince new patient Lisa Harland not to take her own life. The time 6: 10 the end game would be 7:00 P.M. using everything he had and incorporating all of his skills Daniel needed to find a way to convince Lisa to vote for life and hopefully buy himself some time to delve more into the real Lisa. But, although she agreed to a pardon for herself or a reprieve from the warden, she was far from home free. Leaving his office someone stood in her way, enter Daniel office, knocked him and out kidnapped Lisa. But why? Who and what would the end result be? Lisa’s disappearance was to be handled without the police or any law enforcement agency included. But, Charles Harland was a powerful man and one phone call would change what the demands of the kidnappers were and the chain of events would place more than just Lisa in harms way. Phantom Limb: Dennis Palumbo: Just where is this imaginary vision? Who will it strike next and why was Lisa kidnapped? Her story will unfold and readers won’t believe the outcome or who is behind what Dennis Palumbo so brilliantly delivers.

Danny has not choice to be to the Harland Estate and face a cast of characters that from the start will not be on his top ten list of favorite people. Mike Payton the security guard roughs him up and uses him for a punching bag to make sure that he’s not going to endanger his boss. A deadly killer named Sykes and his accomplice Griffin are behind the kidnapping but who orchestrated it and why? Five million in bearer bonds is what the kidnappers want. Arthur Drake is counsel for Charles Harland, Mike Payton his bodyguard, James Harland his outcast son and Detective Lieutenant Biegler whose presence creates more dissension and whose lack of proper leadership could blow it all. Added in Danny is the one that is told to deliver the ransom. When the first attempt goes sour the second proves deadly for someone. As the author reveals Lisa’s history and story we also learn more about James, the death of his younger brother, the guilt that he feels for introducing him to drugs and a downward spiral life and the end result that would alienate him from his father’s love forever.
Added in we meet the cast at Noah’s Ark the bar that Danny frequents and a veteran named Skip whose life changed and might be as volatile as an explosive bomb unless he seeks the help that Danny suggests that he get.

When both the police and the FBI question Danny and insist that he reveal his consultation with Lisa, he invokes the confidentiality clause much to the frustration of both the police and the FBI. Wanting to get Lisa back, placing himself in danger. Special Agent Gloria Russo finds herself a victim of this dangerous killer as Danny is tricked into meeting with her and before the killers can do their worst something happens and the tables are turned. Able to escape and find their way to safety, Lisa is still missing, the nurse that takes care of Charles Harland is missing and the end result is more than just tragic.

Lisa’s revelation of what happened to her at the hand of James Harland changes the complexion of the investigation for Danny as he promises not to reveal what happened to her, keeping information from the police and the FBI and knowing that she might still carry out the threat she made when she met him. But, things get hot when Danny returns home after being interrogated and can’t sleep. Finds his way to Noah’s Ark and a starling revelation is made that might link not only the identity of Julian to someone he just met but who else might be behind the kidnapping and why! Money, greed, power or was it something else that someone wanted? Just why was Lisa taken and who was the mastermind? Who is Julian? What about James? He hates his father and Lisa, did he have something to do with the murders and her kidnapping? Who are the Four horsemen?

Lies, deceits, betrayals, hate, drug, cartels, greed, power and revenge are all at the center of this novel. A recurring theme that runs throughout this novel is acceptance. Lisa wants people to accept her for the person she has become and not what she was before. James cannot reconcile himself with his feelings for what he did to his brother and knows that his father will never accept him as a true son. Danny seems to be searching for his own acceptance as he works with many agencies as a consultant and yet in many ways is an outcast. Forgiveness comes hard to so many as some of the characters like Mike Payton pay a heavy price for their actions. Often blaming himself for what happened to Lisa and not moving ahead with the investigation into her disappearance the right way and holding back information, he learns a hard lesson but not in a good way. Danny finds himself in the middle of this controversy and searches long and hard within himself whether to keep Lisa’s confidence, tell the police what she told him or just hope for a positive outcome. When the author describes what happened to Lisa on pages 186-187 you being to wonder is what Danny does or does not do is truly justified. Sergeant Harry Polk, counselor Arthur Drake, James Harland, Charles Harland, Mike Payton, Daniel Rinaldi, Skip Hines and the killers themselves: Each having their own agenda. Each one searching for their own truth and each one seeking a goal of their own: Money, greed, revenge, retribution, hate, fear in a climate filled with sex, drugs, slave trade4 and a high profile billionaire who will use his influence and power to get what he wants. This is one novel that will keep you wondering until the very end: Whose facing the hardest decisions? Whose Phantom Limb will haunt them for ever as some are not part of your body, the limb of a tree but some limbs are situations in life that some claim or state: My Life hangs on a delicate limb and hopefully it won’t break off!

Each character carrying a burden and own hidden pain whether imaginary or real it is still there. Skip his missing limb, James his hate for his father and himself causing an inner pain that will never go away. Lisa who does not regret her past but hates her present and does not want to be defined by what someone wants to bring out about her. Mike Payton hides the truth about someone and his feelings for another. Characters that have human flaws that might cost them more than the respect of Charles Harland. Gloria Reese who must face what the killers tried to do to her and yet represses it in order to not lose face at work. Each one harbors a secret but at what price?

An ending that will not only leave the reader with many unanswered questions but will bring to light something in Danny’s life that has haunted him for so long and given him pain: Phantom Limb: A phantom limb is the sensation that a missing limb or amputated part of the body feels like it’s still attached. Sensations sometimes occur after the body part is removed. Attacks occur over time but although the limb is not there in some cases the pain is real. Danny learns at the end of this novel that something that has haunted him for so long just might represent something real. The answer cannot be found within the pages of this outstanding novel but within the ones the author will pen when we find out what is next for Danny.

Fran Lewis: Reviewer

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Jul 02, 2018 Denise Mullins rated it it was ok

Consulting police psychologist Daniel Rinaldi becomes embroiled in a convoluted kidnap scheme when an aging porn star consults him for suicidal ideation. While the first 50 pages were intriguing and held great promise, the plot quickly devolved into a cockeyed series of absurd twists that defied believability. Even worse, the dialogue consisted of a series of childish banter between one dimensional characters that all-too-often repeated phrases of "Bite me", "Screw you", and their like no matter ...more

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Feb 23, 2019 Terry Graue rated it liked it

Although hard to put down as the action never lets up, the storyline has quite a few murders, mayhem and awful characters. But I enjoyed that the story was set in Pittsburgh, my hometown. Not sure if I will read anymore of this series.

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Oct 26, 2014 Jen DeHart rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-reviews, audio-jukebox-reviews

Title: Phantom Limb: Daniel Rinaldi, Book 4
Author: Dennis Palumbo
Narrator: Tom Taylorson
Publisher/Date: Blackstone Audio, 09/01/14

I received this audiobook for review through Audio Jukebox
(and the crowd goes wild..)

This is the 4th book in the Daniel Rinaldi series, which I love.
That being said, it wasn't my favorite.
I have been pondering how to review this book without sounding as if I am slamming the writer and the editors.
It is a fine book, it is. Really. It is definitely worth the read. Trul ...more

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Dec 03, 2017 Laura rated it it was amazing

Shelves: murder-and-mayhem, mystery, psychology

Daniel Rinaldi is a private psychologist that also consults with the Pittsburg Police Department when needed. In the past, this has brought trouble to his doorstep. Unfortunately, this time things could get deadly for him.

His new patient was a Playboy model and starred in some sketchy films. Returning home to Pittsburg she is now married to a very rich man with questionable activities. These activities get her snatched right after her first session with Rinaldi.

This plunges Rinaldi into the case Daniel Rinaldi is a private psychologist that also consults with the Pittsburg Police Department when needed. In the past, this has brought trouble to his doorstep. Unfortunately, this time things could get deadly for him.

His new patient was a Playboy model and starred in some sketchy films. Returning home to Pittsburg she is now married to a very rich man with questionable activities. These activities get her snatched right after her first session with Rinaldi.

This plunges Rinaldi into the case as well as into danger. Happenstance puts him in even more danger with the kidnappers; he is tagged to be the one to deliver the ransom to the bad guys. Will he be able to save the young woman he just met or will her secrets be too much for the kidnappers to chance letting her go at any price? Either way Rinaldi feels he has to help her. Unfortunately for him, his involvement is becoming more treacherous with each passing hour. He may not be able to save her or himself from the psychopath behind the whole scheme.

Palumbo’s gripping tale is a nail-biting, page turning mystery that pulls the reader along for the ride. The witty banter and complex characters round out this fantastic read. The unexpected twists and turns kept me guessing until the last pages – a perfect mystery in my opinion.

As a former Hollywood screenwriter and licensed psychotherapist he brings firsthand knowledge to the pages along with his amazing fiction, making the perfect combo for great mysteries. This is the first book I have read in the Daniel Rinaldi Mystery series, but the fourth book in Palumbo’s series. It works perfectly as a stand-alone book if you choose to read it first. He has published a mystery collection, From Crime to Crime and has had short fiction published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy that I can keep for consideration in preparing to write this content. I was not expected to return this item after my review. Copyright © 2018 Laura Hartman ...more

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Feb 07, 2017 DP Lyle rated it it was amazing

Police psychologist Daniel Rinaldi returns in Phantom Limb, another deftly plotted thriller from Dennis Palumbo. This one revolves around Lisa Campbell, ex-Hollywood starlet, ex-Playboy model, and current arm candy to a disabled tycoon, and her planned suicide—to occur at precisely 7 p.m. Daniel has a single 50 minute session to convince her otherwise. But as if that wasn’t enough pressure, as soon as Lisa leaves his office she is kidnapped. But this is no ordinary kidnapping and Daniel is launc ...more

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Jul 29, 2014 Carolyn Injoy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Daniel Palumbo fans, Daniel Rinaldi fans, murder mystery readers, suspense thrillers

Shelves: 2014-read-or-earlier

I received a free e-copy of Phantom Limb: a Daniel Rinaldi Mystery by Dennis Palumbo from NetGalley for fair review.

I loved the fact that it kept me guessing from chapter to chapter. There were plenty of twists & turns to this mystery including kidnapping & murder.

I read it in one sitting. That & the hangover a book leaves after I've finished reading are two of my gauges of a successful book. Now I'm not quite ready to move on to the next. I want to allow these characters to linger a bit longer ...more

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Aug 26, 2014 Karen rated it really liked it

Shelves: first-reads-copy

This was a first-reads copy. Ordinarily I only read books in a series in order, but since this is just out, and I loved the first book, I felt I should read and review it ASAP, despite not having read the last two books.

I really enjoy this series, and except for the amount of violence I was very pleased with this episode. Dennis is a terrific writer, and the story flows smoothly. I like Daniel and his friends, and can tolerate the cranky police and FBI higher ups. The bad guys are exceptionally ...more

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Sep 29, 2014 Kathy rated it it was amazing

Another great read from the folks at Poisoned Pen Press! Phantom Limb is the fourth book in the Daniel Rinaldi series by author Dennis Palumbo.

This series is set in Pittsburgh which is a city that I have not visited. Luckily author Palumbo is able to bring the city to life in this book, Phantom Limb. Daniel Rinaldi is a psychologist and Pittsburgh Police Department consultant. Author Palumbo is a psychotherapist so is able to realistically portray Rinaldi.

I wish that I had read the earlier book ...more

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May 15, 2016 D.J. Adamson rated it really liked it

As a psychotherapist, author Dennis Palumbo has no problem getting into character motive, angst, or defining the theme in his novels. As a former Hollywood screenwriter, the dialog in this novel is spot on.
Phantom Limb is the fourth in the Daniel Rinaldi series. A psychologist becomes a consultant for the Pittsburgh Police Department. Rinaldi as a protagonist shows compassion and a need for truth, as would a man of his profession,
This novel is another fun and suspenseful read. The story is the ...more

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Jun 26, 2014 Ann rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: thrillers

Dennis Palumbo now has four thrillers (as of September 1, 2014) in the Daniel Rinaldi mysteries set in Pittsburgh, where he grew up. That is one of the features that drew me to the series and I began reading each one as it came out. Each one improves on the last.

Daniel Rinaldi is a psychologist who reluctantly gets called in, by the police, to help with difficult cases needing his skills. His specialty is traumatized victims of crime including sexual assault. But never fear. Since Dennis Palumbo ...more

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May 31, 2015 April rated it liked it

Shelves: mystery

Pretty interesting mystery starring a psychologist who gets drawn in when an old B movie star comes to see him to keep her from suicide but gets kidnapped right outside his office door. The minor characters are kind of stock...nasty old businessman/CEO; evil, twisted, rich son; faithful retainers; and Mafia criminals. But I did like personalities of the main character, his friends, and the kidnap victim.

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Jun 26, 2015 Mergim Ukaj rated it really liked it

I wanted to read more of it, and somehow I wanted it to develop even more.
Easy to follow narrative of the smartest and coolest psychiatrist one could think of, and wonderful portrayal of popular characters and their real faces and feelings.

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Oct 29, 2014 Chanda2426 rated it really liked it

Phantom Limb was the first book of Dennis Palumbo's that I've read and it was excellent! Palumbo does a great job of building characters that the reader cares for. He also ties up all the loose ends, while leaving the reader waiting and wanting more... ...more

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Oct 31, 2014 Jack Goodstein rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: novels

Pittsburgh setting makes up for some of the creaky explanations that come at the end of the book in this workmanlike thriller.

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Aug 26, 2014 Jennifer rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, mystery

My first A Daniel Rinaldi Mystery, but it will not be my last. Now I need to begin with the first in the series.

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Nov 16, 2014 David Marshall rated it really liked it

This is a very impressive thriller and maintains the high standard of books in this series.

http://opionator.wordpress.com/2014/1... ...more

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Nov 30, 2014 Mam rated it liked it

Like this author - more than his "I am smarter than anyone else " main character. Still a good read. ...more

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Sep 03, 2014 David rated it liked it

For thriller and crime fans, this one is certainly worth your time. Quick enjoyable read. Another great find from Poisoned Pen Press

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About Dennis Palumbo

Dennis Palumbo

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Formerly a Hollywood screenwriter (My Favorite Year, Welcome Back, Kotter, etc.), Dennis Palumbo is now a licensed psychotherapist and author

His mystery fiction has appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, The Strand, and elsewhere, and is collected in From Crime to Crime.

His acclaimed series of crime novels (Mirror Image, Fever Dream, Night Terrors, Phantom Limb, and Head Wounds) feature psyc ...more