A Review of "Third Degree" by Greg Iles

The book "Third Degree", written by Greg Iles is a fast paced, drama filled book that will hold your attention from the first page. It is certainly one book that you will not be able to put down until you read the last page.

The book begins with Warren Shields, a doctor tearing through books in his library while his wife, Laurel, hides in the bathroom and takes a pregnancy test. Her fears are confirmed with a positive reading.

We find out right away that the reason for the secret test is that Laurel, a special education teacher, has been having an affair with the father of one of her students. Now she is pregnant and she is not sure who the baby's father is. Her own worries overshadow her husband's strange behavior at first. She believes he is upset over a pending investigation and audit by the IRS of his medical practice.

She finds out when she returns home early that day with a migrane that her husband has not gone in to work. Instead, he has searched the house until he found a note written by her lover, hidden in a book. From that time on, Laurel becomes a prisoner, literally, in her own home. Her husband becomes obsessed with finding the identity of her lover. Held at gunpoint, she is helpless, as he searches her computer for the password that will allow him access to her emails and the name of her lover.

The tension becomes even greater when the couple's two children arrive home from school. Laurel becomes increasingly certain that her husband intends to kill himself and the entire family. At one point she manages to get her son out of the house to inform a neighbor.

The story continues as the police surround the house and try to talk the doctor out. In the meantime, Warren is becoming more and more unstable.

This book is an exciting and emotional story. It is an excellent book to read if you enjoy fast paced stories. Mr. Iles, the author, does a wonderful job of portraying a man facing the ultimate betrayal. Even though you may not agree with his actions, you have to feel his pain and anguish even as he holds his family hostage.