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Multiple Wounds
Holly Troy is a multiple, one of those damaged souls with dissociative identity disorder who spins out personalities like spiders spin webs - knock one down and another will replace it. This daughter of a classics scholar has other selves that are no mere they include Nemesis, Pandora, the Fates, Cronos, Eris, and Eurydice - and one frightened five-year-old child. Holly is a beautiful and talented artist whose only sanctuary is her art. But now her gallery owner has been murdered and her body left in a garden surrounded by Holly's sculptures. The horror is that Holly doesn't know where she was when the killing occurred. She doesn't know whether she witnessed a murder or even committed one that night. In fact, she's not even certain who she was when the killing occurred.
When Detective Orson Cheever was assigned to investigate the murder of gallery owner Bonnie Gill, the gods were not smiling. He's spent the last twenty years solving the bloody puzzles that murderers leave behind. His intelligence and the facts. This time, faced with a woman who is a little girl one minute, Cronos, the murderous father of the gods the next, and all three Fates in one body the minute after that, he realizes that he is going to have to find a new way to work. A way that will allow him to blindly feel his way between past and present, between myth and reality. He also knows that he will have to solve the too human puzzle that is Holly before he can even begin to know who killed Bonnie Gill.
When Detective Orson Cheever was assigned to investigate the murder of gallery owner Bonnie Gill, the gods were not smiling. He's spent the last twenty years solving the bloody puzzles that murderers leave behind. His intelligence and the facts. This time, faced with a woman who is a little girl one minute, Cronos, the murderous father of the gods the next, and all three Fates in one body the minute after that, he realizes that he is going to have to find a new way to work. A way that will allow him to blindly feel his way between past and present, between myth and reality. He also knows that he will have to solve the too human puzzle that is Holly before he can even begin to know who killed Bonnie Gill.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published July 3, 1996
223 people are currently reading
613 people want to read
About the author
Alan Russell
62 books289 followersFollow Alan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/alanrussellmysteryau...
Alan Russell is the author of The Last Good Dog, the sixth book in the #1 bestselling series featuring LAPD detective Michael Gideon and his K-9 partner, Sirius.
In 1990 Walker & Company published Alan's first book, No Sign of Murder, which received positive reviews, including a standalone rave from The New York Times. The work was followed up by The Forest Prime Evil and comedic mysteries The Hotel Detective and The Fat Innkeeper, which won him the Lefty Award, given to the best humorous mystery of the year, and a Critics’ Choice Award. His novel Multiple Wounds, a psychological thriller, earned him a nomination for both an Anthony Award and the Macavity Award for best novel of the year. Russell then published Shame, a novel of psychological suspense. His novels Exposure, Political Suicide, A Cold War, and The Homecoming, have been categorized as suspense novels. Alan is also the author of St. Nick, a Christmas Cop Novel, and the Gideon & Sirius novels, which include Burning Man, Guardians of the Night, Lost Dog, Gideon's Rescue, L.A. Woman, and The Last Good Dog.
Alan Russell is the author of The Last Good Dog, the sixth book in the #1 bestselling series featuring LAPD detective Michael Gideon and his K-9 partner, Sirius.
In 1990 Walker & Company published Alan's first book, No Sign of Murder, which received positive reviews, including a standalone rave from The New York Times. The work was followed up by The Forest Prime Evil and comedic mysteries The Hotel Detective and The Fat Innkeeper, which won him the Lefty Award, given to the best humorous mystery of the year, and a Critics’ Choice Award. His novel Multiple Wounds, a psychological thriller, earned him a nomination for both an Anthony Award and the Macavity Award for best novel of the year. Russell then published Shame, a novel of psychological suspense. His novels Exposure, Political Suicide, A Cold War, and The Homecoming, have been categorized as suspense novels. Alan is also the author of St. Nick, a Christmas Cop Novel, and the Gideon & Sirius novels, which include Burning Man, Guardians of the Night, Lost Dog, Gideon's Rescue, L.A. Woman, and The Last Good Dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
November 20, 2013
An intriguing concept for a murder story. Helen Troy has a multiple personality disorder and her 'other selves' originate in classical greek mythology.
The story begins with the murder of Bonnie Gill, the owner of the gallery where Helen exhibits her sculptures. Orson Cheever, the homicide detective leading the investigation who, against his better judgement, finds himself wanting to help the disturbed and vulnerable young woman after he witnesses her crying tears of blood.
The intricacies of multiple personality disorder are handled with thoughtful consideration and, along with the references to greek mythology, have been well researched.
Helen is a probable suspect in Bonnie's murder and the case evolves into Something Cheever has never witnessed, or had to deal with, before. Cheever and Rachel, Helen’s psychologist become close and unite in trying to help Helen. As Helen’s past is revealed slowly bit by bit Cheever can’t help but be moved and angered by the sad and shocking truth.
The descriptions of Helen's psychotic episodes are very well written. Suspenseful, complex and captivating it’s also a story of love, loss and suffering told with flashes of humour and a lot of emotional turmoil.
Performance
MacLeod Andrews alternates brilliantly between the gravely voiced Cheever and the various voices of Holly’s personalities not to mention the array of other characters.
The story begins with the murder of Bonnie Gill, the owner of the gallery where Helen exhibits her sculptures. Orson Cheever, the homicide detective leading the investigation who, against his better judgement, finds himself wanting to help the disturbed and vulnerable young woman after he witnesses her crying tears of blood.
The intricacies of multiple personality disorder are handled with thoughtful consideration and, along with the references to greek mythology, have been well researched.
Helen is a probable suspect in Bonnie's murder and the case evolves into Something Cheever has never witnessed, or had to deal with, before. Cheever and Rachel, Helen’s psychologist become close and unite in trying to help Helen. As Helen’s past is revealed slowly bit by bit Cheever can’t help but be moved and angered by the sad and shocking truth.
The descriptions of Helen's psychotic episodes are very well written. Suspenseful, complex and captivating it’s also a story of love, loss and suffering told with flashes of humour and a lot of emotional turmoil.
Performance
MacLeod Andrews alternates brilliantly between the gravely voiced Cheever and the various voices of Holly’s personalities not to mention the array of other characters.
August 21, 2014
2.5 out of 5 stars
Passive voice and nonsensical shifts in narration downgraded this reading experience. I sympathized with Helen Troy, the woman possessed by a Greek chorus, but I couldn't relate to Cheever as a narrator, especially when his tale was interrupted by Troy's psychiatrist.
I bought this book as an Amazon discount. It was my first attempt to try a book they promoted to me. I am disappointed in both the story and the quality of the writing.
Passive voice and nonsensical shifts in narration downgraded this reading experience. I sympathized with Helen Troy, the woman possessed by a Greek chorus, but I couldn't relate to Cheever as a narrator, especially when his tale was interrupted by Troy's psychiatrist.
I bought this book as an Amazon discount. It was my first attempt to try a book they promoted to me. I am disappointed in both the story and the quality of the writing.
September 14, 2020
Most Excellent Writing Mr. Russell
Very curious to have (spoiler alert) two bad guys in one story. It made the reading of this work so that there was no way you could figure out the "who done it?" . Very intriguing having Helen with multiple personalities. I definitely recommend this book to read!
Very curious to have (spoiler alert) two bad guys in one story. It made the reading of this work so that there was no way you could figure out the "who done it?" . Very intriguing having Helen with multiple personalities. I definitely recommend this book to read!
January 11, 2010
While investigating the death of an art dealer, Detective Orson Cheever encounters the dangerous Holly Troy, an enchanting woman with multiple personalities who appear in the form of classical gods.
What an excellent read; intelligent, intriguing--so well done.
MULTIPLE WOUNDS (Pol. Proc-Orson Cheevers-San Diego, CA-Cont) - Ex
Russell, Alan - Standalone
What an excellent read; intelligent, intriguing--so well done.
MULTIPLE WOUNDS (Pol. Proc-Orson Cheevers-San Diego, CA-Cont) - Ex
Russell, Alan - Standalone
January 14, 2014
What a read!
I stumbled on this book and am glad of it. A good mix of detective, psychology, and mythology ~ I learned quite a bit of all three. Well written and an evenings entertainment.
I stumbled on this book and am glad of it. A good mix of detective, psychology, and mythology ~ I learned quite a bit of all three. Well written and an evenings entertainment.
October 8, 2016
A lot of Greek Tragic for a modern mystery
I love mysteries but this one brought in so many mythological characters it was distracting instead of complimentary addition. Same goes for psychiatric disorders and opinions. Plot got lost and characters didn't feel very deep.
I love mysteries but this one brought in so many mythological characters it was distracting instead of complimentary addition. Same goes for psychiatric disorders and opinions. Plot got lost and characters didn't feel very deep.
September 7, 2017
Nicely written
This is my first book from this author and I didn't know what to expect. First I'll say at first I was lost. Unless you know a lot about Greek methodology (idk if I spelled it right), but at times it can be a lot! But I decided to try and stick it out. But once you start understanding, or trying, then it becomes easier.
But I found that I enjoyed this book. Even though I was able to figure out most things early on. I still continued to read because I found the character so easy to relate to and understand. I will def try a couple more of his books but I hope its doesn't have the same characters as I can do without all the stuff about the gods. I just found that part in itself so hard to understand. Maybe if I knew more about the different gods then I would enjoy it more. But as I said I was able to overlook that because I could relate to why she had so many. I mean who wouldn't if they didn't go through her life?
But as I said I will def try another of his books to see if its different and something a little harder to figure out. I was able to figure out who was the bad guys pretty early on...
This is my first book from this author and I didn't know what to expect. First I'll say at first I was lost. Unless you know a lot about Greek methodology (idk if I spelled it right), but at times it can be a lot! But I decided to try and stick it out. But once you start understanding, or trying, then it becomes easier.
But I found that I enjoyed this book. Even though I was able to figure out most things early on. I still continued to read because I found the character so easy to relate to and understand. I will def try a couple more of his books but I hope its doesn't have the same characters as I can do without all the stuff about the gods. I just found that part in itself so hard to understand. Maybe if I knew more about the different gods then I would enjoy it more. But as I said I was able to overlook that because I could relate to why she had so many. I mean who wouldn't if they didn't go through her life?
But as I said I will def try another of his books to see if its different and something a little harder to figure out. I was able to figure out who was the bad guys pretty early on...
May 25, 2025
An interesting concept - a murder investigation where the main suspect (Helen Troy) has a multiple personality disorder based on a Greek chorus - different mythical characters popping out at different times. As well as Helen, there’s a detective, and a psychiatrist as the main characters, with the different relationships between them constantly getting in the way of the investigation. A few other less prominent but important characters also make a recurring appearance.
It helps if you have a passing knowledge of the geography of San Diego and the northern suburbs - done of the scenes seemed to assume the reader knows the locality.
There is a conclusion, you get your answers, but it all felt a bit rushed - almost like a checklist of things to get to finish off the book.
I found the idea of a multiple personality involving Greek myths (and the explanation behind them and how they manifested) more interesting than what is essentially a fairly average story.
It helps if you have a passing knowledge of the geography of San Diego and the northern suburbs - done of the scenes seemed to assume the reader knows the locality.
There is a conclusion, you get your answers, but it all felt a bit rushed - almost like a checklist of things to get to finish off the book.
I found the idea of a multiple personality involving Greek myths (and the explanation behind them and how they manifested) more interesting than what is essentially a fairly average story.
November 28, 2018
For me, this was a good read. The plot is complex, stemming from the multiple identity disorder experieienced by a main character, but engaging for the same reason. Cheever and Rachel are portrayed as caring reasonable professionals, realistically complex, yet real. The story has a major dose of mythology as the personalities of the character Helen are manifest as mythical characters.
I always hated mythology, and still do, but it did not interfere with my enjoyment of the story.
Bottom line: I will search put and read more by this author, based on authentic characters. This was a bargain on Kindle Unlimited, and a cut above the quality often found there.
I always hated mythology, and still do, but it did not interfere with my enjoyment of the story.
Bottom line: I will search put and read more by this author, based on authentic characters. This was a bargain on Kindle Unlimited, and a cut above the quality often found there.
July 18, 2017
Seriously disturbing
What a horrid love it takes for a person to become so fractured they develop alternative personalities.
This is an area in which there is much disagreement. Some in the psychology field day this does not exist others say it does. How could a person live this nightmare without some dissociate personalities happening?
Very captivating story serious with its funny parts
What a horrid love it takes for a person to become so fractured they develop alternative personalities.
This is an area in which there is much disagreement. Some in the psychology field day this does not exist others say it does. How could a person live this nightmare without some dissociate personalities happening?
Very captivating story serious with its funny parts
September 2, 2017
Holly Holy
You are going along listening to a story. A simple story of a protagonist going forth, maybe fighting or pushing back a bit. And then Alan Russell slaps you with texture, no context. Depth in knowledge, feeling, emotions and ideas move you along into a complete complex morality mystery thriller. Enjoy.
You are going along listening to a story. A simple story of a protagonist going forth, maybe fighting or pushing back a bit. And then Alan Russell slaps you with texture, no context. Depth in knowledge, feeling, emotions and ideas move you along into a complete complex morality mystery thriller. Enjoy.
July 5, 2017
Very disturbing, well written as usual
Deeply disturbed individuals, murder mysteries, art, cop, therapist and lots of interesting personalities. So much going on here, too much for me.
Deeply disturbed individuals, murder mysteries, art, cop, therapist and lots of interesting personalities. So much going on here, too much for me.
September 4, 2017
Interesting book..
I enjoyed this novel very much, it kept my interest all the way through. I will be reading more of Alan Russell's work, the mix of police procedure and psychology worked well for me..
I enjoyed this novel very much, it kept my interest all the way through. I will be reading more of Alan Russell's work, the mix of police procedure and psychology worked well for me..
September 20, 2017
Nicely written detective/mystery in which a woman with multiple personalities is either a witness or a suspect in a murder. The author cleverly explores the phenomenon of multiples without sensationalizing it, which offers the reader a close and realistic look at it.
April 23, 2019
Spoiler:
This one was simply too disturbing for me to like. To have a rather graphic description of child sexual abuse was just too much for me. The characters were great and Helen/Holly's disorder was well researched.
For what it's worth, I also just can't watch SVU.
This one was simply too disturbing for me to like. To have a rather graphic description of child sexual abuse was just too much for me. The characters were great and Helen/Holly's disorder was well researched.
For what it's worth, I also just can't watch SVU.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2020
I wanted to love it
Psychology is my jam. I wanted so much to be drawn into this book, but it just didn't happen. I've read a couple of the author's other books and liked them but this one was a struggle.
Psychology is my jam. I wanted so much to be drawn into this book, but it just didn't happen. I've read a couple of the author's other books and liked them but this one was a struggle.
Read
March 3, 2021It was okay
I gave this 3 stars because I felt that it was a little long and boring at times but not enough to give up reading it. The last few chapters of the book were really good. The author has quite an imagination.
I gave this 3 stars because I felt that it was a little long and boring at times but not enough to give up reading it. The last few chapters of the book were really good. The author has quite an imagination.
June 15, 2025
This was a fun read
I liked the portrayal of Mental Health specifically the multiple personality disorder. It was predictable and I was pretty sure I knew who did it 1/2 way through the book but it was still a fun read.
I liked the portrayal of Mental Health specifically the multiple personality disorder. It was predictable and I was pretty sure I knew who did it 1/2 way through the book but it was still a fun read.
July 22, 2017
Great reading!
Enjoyed reading this book, didn't want to put it down until I finished it. Thanks to do many characters the book kept me on my toes.
Enjoyed reading this book, didn't want to put it down until I finished it. Thanks to do many characters the book kept me on my toes.
August 17, 2017
Wow!
A really good book! A bit difficult if you have a problem reading stories about mental illness. Mr. Russel did a great job with this one. I really enjoy his books! .
A really good book! A bit difficult if you have a problem reading stories about mental illness. Mr. Russel did a great job with this one. I really enjoy his books! .
August 23, 2017
Excellent read
First read by this author. Now I am looking for another. This book was so deep and kept me interested from beginning to end. I didn't want it to be over.
First read by this author. Now I am looking for another. This book was so deep and kept me interested from beginning to end. I didn't want it to be over.
August 29, 2017
Wow
This one I could not put down! I began yesterday evening and finished this evening. Plot was great and characters strong! I would recommend this thriller to all my friends.
This one I could not put down! I began yesterday evening and finished this evening. Plot was great and characters strong! I would recommend this thriller to all my friends.
January 15, 2018
Good storyline just not sure it’s really relatable to real detective work.
February 13, 2019
Good Read
Enjoyable Story, I liked the characters. Will definitely read more from this author. This was a relatively quick read. I recommend it.
Enjoyable Story, I liked the characters. Will definitely read more from this author. This was a relatively quick read. I recommend it.
March 1, 2019
The start of the novel was quite slow, and somewhat lackluster. It started picking up near the end though. Overall, pretty good read if you can get past the first 250 pages or so.
August 29, 2019
Another great and suspenseful read from Alan Russell. I love his Gideon series and this story of multiple personality is fascinating, even if I doubt cases are anything like that in real life.
December 11, 2019
Multiple personalities and psychology are not really of much interest to me but the author treated the subject well and the ending was good.
January 9, 2021
I couldn’t finish, Andrews’ narration epic!
I gave up! The story just didn’t hold my attention. One of the reasons I bought it was because of the brilliant narration of the talented MacLeod Andrews. I jumped to the last chapter.
I gave up! The story just didn’t hold my attention. One of the reasons I bought it was because of the brilliant narration of the talented MacLeod Andrews. I jumped to the last chapter.
April 1, 2013
One of the things readers want more than anything else when it comes to their book choice is a unique story. Well, when it comes to this particular story, readers not only receive a fantastic plot, but they also receive one of the most unique and original stories to appear in a good, long time.
We delve into the case of a brutal murder of art gallery owner, Bonnie Gill; a case which is placed on Orson Cheever’s shoulders to solve. Being a Detective on the San Diego police force, Cheever is assigned to capture the killer; but as he begins his investigation, he has no idea that the leading suspects will turn out to be a very bizarre bunch.
All of the witnesses and/or suspects are actually living inside the ‘mind’ of artist, Holly Troy - a client of the gallery. Holly suffers from an identity disorder, and her ‘personalities’ all hail from classic mythology. With a given name of Helen Troy, Holly has ‘entities,’ such as; Caitlin, Cronos, Eris, Eurydice, Hygeia, Nemesis, Maenads, Moirae and Pandora, living inside her brain.
It is when Cheever takes Holly to lunch and watches as she orders meals for all of her inner personalities, (which is a great scene), that he discovers she hasn’t got a clue who she was the night of the murder, whether or not she actually witnessed anything, and - to top it all off - she has no recollection if she was actually the person who committed the crime.
For Cheever, this is no longer a ‘standard’ case with a corpse and a suspect; it truly becomes a frightening psychological journey into the human mind. Add to all this the fact that Cheever begins to ‘feel’ for this woman because of an issue in his own past, and readers have at their fingertips a highly unique story they will not be able to put down. The end result? The entire realm of mystery, suspense and paranormal book lovers will have an absolute ball with this one!
Until Next Time, Everybody,
Amy
We delve into the case of a brutal murder of art gallery owner, Bonnie Gill; a case which is placed on Orson Cheever’s shoulders to solve. Being a Detective on the San Diego police force, Cheever is assigned to capture the killer; but as he begins his investigation, he has no idea that the leading suspects will turn out to be a very bizarre bunch.
All of the witnesses and/or suspects are actually living inside the ‘mind’ of artist, Holly Troy - a client of the gallery. Holly suffers from an identity disorder, and her ‘personalities’ all hail from classic mythology. With a given name of Helen Troy, Holly has ‘entities,’ such as; Caitlin, Cronos, Eris, Eurydice, Hygeia, Nemesis, Maenads, Moirae and Pandora, living inside her brain.
It is when Cheever takes Holly to lunch and watches as she orders meals for all of her inner personalities, (which is a great scene), that he discovers she hasn’t got a clue who she was the night of the murder, whether or not she actually witnessed anything, and - to top it all off - she has no recollection if she was actually the person who committed the crime.
For Cheever, this is no longer a ‘standard’ case with a corpse and a suspect; it truly becomes a frightening psychological journey into the human mind. Add to all this the fact that Cheever begins to ‘feel’ for this woman because of an issue in his own past, and readers have at their fingertips a highly unique story they will not be able to put down. The end result? The entire realm of mystery, suspense and paranormal book lovers will have an absolute ball with this one!
Until Next Time, Everybody,
Amy
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews