Author: Jacob Jaffe

ISBN:  0-595-38421-8

Hobgoblins is a novel about a psychologist named Dr. Ritter who finds himself involved in a political plot to thwart the government.  One of his former patients is the main player in this political game and he finds himself in a difficult position as doctor and patient privacy is jeopardized.

The title of the book grabbed my attention because it gave me thoughts of mythical creatures controlling the minds of humans but the story is more drama than fantasy as the title leads you to believe.  This story would be most interesting to readers with a fascination in politics and conspiracies to enjoy what this book has to offer.

Told in the first person point-of-view from the eyes of Dr. Ritter, the work is well-written and easy to read.  Since the author is a licensed psychologist and a former professor, the medical scenes from the psychiatric clinic is realistic.  Jacob Jaffe definitely brings his experience and knowledge to the pages of his book.

The character Dr. Ritter is faced with the conflict of exposing his unstable client John Gerard.  After many years of separation and terrifying childhood memory, he has his father to deal with as well.  Not to mention the trouble he puts himself in with the clinic he works for and his fiancée Sharon.

The main character seems to dig himself deeper into a hole as he gets the people he cares about in trouble.  It leads the reader to believe who is the troublemaker in the story – Dr. Ritter or his patient, John Gerard.

Most of Hobgoblins centers on Dr. Ritter and his goings on with Sharon, his job at the clinic and his relationship with his father in the hospital.  The political aspect of the book, involving John Gerard, is written in a cloak and dagger style with a reporter who also knows his secret plan.  John Gerard’s character wasn’t strong enough to carry the story but the other character’s affected by him, made him seem more real.

The mention of the hobgoblin several times in the story, is not the typical one we know from fantasy as in The Lord of the Rings but more like a nightmare played out in the character’s mind – a nightmare both shared by Dr. Ritter and John Gerard.  The reader would think the hobgoblin scenes would be more exciting but the mention of the creature is just used to connect the characters together. 

Hobgoblins is a good novel but what was most interesting in the story is the reaction Dr. Ritter has towards his father and the relationship that repairs itself between the two characters.

The above review was contributed by: Jennifer Andrew -Freelance Writer and Reviewer. To read more of Jennifer's reviews CLICK HERE