Headcase

Ash Aiken is investigating a gruesome series of murders by “the Slasher.” He’s got a lot on his mind and health problems to boot, but he’s applying himself the best he can, given his circumstances. Zack Freeman is a college student out for a good time with an intense fascination with his sex life. He doesn’t make the best of decisions, letting his little brain rule things. Louie Freckles is a scary youth with flat black eyes and a penchant for using his stiletto to get his way. Lizzie Januss has some serious mother issues and is relying on her therapist to keep her sane, but her therapist isn’t really committed to her job. Willi St. Juste is an ex-cop private eye with a past that’s about to catch up with him years after he had a justified shooting of a criminal. The brother was just released from jail, and he isn’t very happy.

Rosenberg writes this very disturbing and crass novel at the intersections of these characters’ lives as they go about their daily business. Don’t look for explanations, descriptions, or a thorough immersive read; expect a quick-paced surface-level voyeuristic experience. The reader is essentially peering into the day-to-day life of these characters as they cross paths through distinct and succinct vignettes. The content of each vignette is dark and twisted, with no redemption for the characters by the end. There is no hero. The title plays out in several different ways, which added a touch of morbid humor.

While the shock-value of the writing was unrealistically extreme and normal activities were purposely written with crudeness, I acknowledge that Rosenberg really has a well-edited and -written psychological crime novel in Headcase for those who are interested in characters and perspective from a more seedy and shallow interpretation of life.