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Non-fiction and autobiographical, this fascinating book details some of the court trials, both criminal and civil, at which the eminent clinical and research neurologist Dr Klawans was called as an expert medical witness. It has a flavour of Oliver Sacks and House, M.D with a dash of Erin Brokovich and Ally McBeal - in that many of the cases involve detailed neurological investigation to find the mysterious cause of severe symptoms or to explain bizarre violent crimes or to get redress for innocents injured by corporate negligence. It has great science writing, the satisfaction of mysteries being methodically resolved as well as high court-room tensions and drama.

Beautifully written, concise and really holds the reader's attention. The cases described are fascinating - ranging from really curious, odd to the bizarre and dangerously, violently criminal and often raise really profoundly thought provoking questions of medical and legal morality. One example is that of a sleep-walker who apparently murders and maims multiple victims in a fit of rage - was he really sleep-walking and is he responsible for the carnage?

Highly recommended for fans of science writing and particularly medical/ neurological writing for non-experts in those fields, and also those who enjoy "investigative" science mystery and real court / trial cases. Dr Klawans has written several other books that focus on real perplexing medical cases from his career and famous people or events in history where neurological disease was key.