The Naked Face is the first novel (1970) written by popular novelist, Sidney Sheldon. It won the Edgar Allan Poe Award from the Mystery Writers of America.
Plot summary
Judd Stevens is a psychoanalyst faced with the most critical case of his life. If he does not penetrate the mind of a murderer he will find himself arrested for murder or murdered himself... Two people closely involved with Dr. Stevens have already been killed. Is one of his patients responsible? Someone overwhelmed by his problems? A neurotic driven by compulsion? A madman? Before the murderer strikes again, Judd must strip away the mask of innocence the criminal wears, uncover his inner emotions, fears, and desires-expose the naked face beneath...
Sidney Sheldon was an extremely expressive writer