Shortly before the first important management meeting of SoluCent that Charlie will attend, he gets a email from a woman identifying herself as Anne Pedersen of the consumer products marketing division at SoluCent. She claims that she has important information for Charlie that he must understand before he makes his first presentation to the management. Charlie agrees to meet her for lunch. She convinces Charlie that there are some people trying to sabotage his product. He must be wary of these people. She indicates certain key points that should be made at the meeting regardless of whose toes are stepped on.

Charlie spends the next few days frantically reworking his presentation to combat any opposition. When he makes his spiel he is surprised by the lack of opposition which he was told to expect. In fact his presentation makes him look more than a bit paranoid. Other bizarre things begin to happen. Charlie finds notes written in his own handwriting which indicate plans of which he has no memory.

Most executives of Charlie’s stature would easily put such circumstances down as a prank thought up by a jealous colleague or disgruntled employee, but Charlie is worried. Both his father and his brother suffer from schizophrenia. As the condition is inherited Charlie fears that these notes and unexplained lapses of memory may indicate trouble for him. Charlie’s life as well as his career is threatened as mental health professionals begin to adopt the assumption that there is something neurologically wrong with Charlie and suggest his admission be it voluntary or involuntary into a mental health facility.

The pivotal point on which the plot of Delirious turns is the question “Is Charlie mentally stable?” Author Daniel Palmer discloses enough information for most readers to assume that Charlie is being victimized. The issue then becomes who is doing this to Charlie as well as why, and perhaps most curiously, how is said perpetrator accomplishing his task. The cast of characters assembled gives a full range of behaviors from obviously well grounded in this universe to individuals that are clearly orbiting in a universe of their own construction. There is an ample amount of smoke and mirrors in this volume, yet the novel does not even encroach on fantasy.

There is an ample amount of hard facts with regard to computer technology to keep those versed in the area entertained. Not being one of those elite, I hope I am accurate in saying the information presented is correct. The author has spent a portion of his life in the field and sounds knowledgeable. He does explain the finer point in non technical language that the general public can follow the logic without being overwhelmed.

Human relationships also play a significant role in the story. Though Charlie has obviously suffered from having to live with a father and brother whose mental stability is rocky, he has not written off his family. Though he regrets that his family life is less than ideal, he recognizes that emotionally he is tied to his family as they are to him. The sensitivity with which these issues are dealt makes for an enlightening read.

Delirious presents a different interpretation of a crime novel. The reader is encouraged to experience the difficulty one might face if they were forced to prove they were sane. One assumes this is an easy task, but Mr. Palmer shows us that sanity is a tricky thing.

--Andy Plonka