Book review: "Cold Judgement" by Joanne Fluke

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“Cold Judgement” (1985, Kensington, 279 pages) is a pedestrian thriller by Joanne Fluke that does not contain many thrills. Minneapolis therapist Dr. Theodore Elias is 53 and diagnosed with terminal cancer. He is less troubled by having a few weeks left to live than concern for his remaining eight patients. Elias is expert at “curing” particularly difficult cases. Fluke introduces the reader to each patient as Elias reviews their case notes for referrals, They range from the mayor’s wife to police officer to priest. There are paranoid schizophrenics, pyromaniac, potential child molester and other issues. That sounds worse than it is and Fluke makes these people sympathetic characters living normal lives and seeking help. Dentist Jerry realizes the monster within when nearly assaulting a young girl and seeking treatment. He is the most extreme patient and you applaud that he has not hurt anyone yet and desperately trying to get better. The author takes time for the reader to get to know them and draw their own conclusions. Dr. Elias reads reports from the referral therapists and is not pleased. He decides all are a danger to themselves and others and death is the only prescription. The man is weak and pumped with pain killers and begins killing his former patients. Story moves from murder to murder with the dwindling group panicking in between. Some clearly do not deserve such a fate. Has Elias become unhinged? Fluke is weak in establishing his reason beyond just a superficial premise for a book. Reducing the number of patients might have been beneficial to develop greater character depth. Conclusion is predictable. “Cold Judgement” is an easy read falling somewhat flat and disappointing.