By Blood: a Novel by Ellen Ullmam

BY BLOOD brings you into the story of a voyeur listening in on the psychoanalysis of a young, successful woman struggling with her sense of idenity and belonging.  The voyeur, is a disgraced professor currently on suspension pending the university's investigation into his alleged stalking of a male student.  The prof. rents an office in a San Francisco (SF) building next door to a psychiatrist.  The walls are so thin the prof. becomes privy to the analysis sessions and becomes completely obsessed with listening in on every appointment while keeping his presence unbeknowst to them.  The triangular relationship between the prof., patient and psychiatrist are the basis for a peverse and irresistable look into the minds of all three.  The story takes place during the terror reign of the Zodiac Killer.  The prof. is also a disturbingly deranged individual.  Meanwhile, the young woman tells her Dr. of her troubles with her lesbian lover and her feelings of being unloved as the adopted daughter to a self-absored, heartless mother.  The patient/Dr. dialogues are compelling as is the prof's assessments on how they are progressing.  The story takes another dark turn into the history of a German Holocaust survivor.  This is a very intrusive tale that will entwine you into its web should you choose to become a voyeur too.