  |
|
|
|
Index Interviews: Stephanie Laurens Articles: You've Finished Writing the Play: Now What? (Part I) Tries Hard, Could Do Better Using the Internet to Crack the Greeting Card Market Upcoming Events Calendar Book Reviews Reader Mail Return to This Issue's Index Return to Homepage Subscribe
|
|
Mystery Book ReviewsPage Three of ThreePray for Us Sinners by Philip LuberFawcett Books, Feb., 1998.Paperback, 294 pages. ISBN: 0449183297. Ordering information: Amazon.com. | Amazon.co.uk 
This is the third entry in the series starring psychiatrist
Harry Kline and FBI agent
Veronica Pace, following Forgive us our Sins and Deliver
us From Evil. When Veronica was only nine years old, she
was forced to watch the brutal murder of her mother by a masked
assailant in their own home. The crime was never solved and
Veronica has been haunted by it ever since. Twenty years later,
Veronica is now in a position to investigate the unsolved
crime. Using her expertise gained as an FBI agent, Veronica
is intent on finding her mother's killer. Against Harry's
wishes, she takes a leave of absence to pursue her
investigation. Concerned about Veronica's state of mind and her
motives for finding the killer, Harry agrees to help with
the investigation. As they delve into the old police records
and start visiting old witnesses, a trail that should by all
rights be stone cold begins to heat up as the pair uncovers
some disturbing facts which throw new light on the old crime
and on some of Veronica's current acquaintances and family.
As the investigation progresses, it becomes clear that this is
one murderer who was only sleeping and has now been
awakened by the duo's investigation into the past. As the
violence and betrayals escalate, Harry and Veronica must
face their own sorrows and fears while finding a cunning
and elusive murderer.
Luber's skill as a forensic psychologist is readily apparent in his latest novel. Someone who actually interviews killers for a living, Luber has a special ability to get inside the minds of his characters and portray their inner struggles and complex emotions in a way that is unique. Told from Harry's point of view, the story hooks the reader into Luber's created world immediately and irrevocably. Harry tells the story of his amateur detecting escpades with a shrewd and self-deprecating humor which will endear him to readers. Especially intriguing is Harry's relationship with a local Mafioso who just happens to live in the house where Veronica's mother was murdered. A morality play with lots of action and a compelling emotional plot, Pray for Us Sinners firmly establishes Luber as an authoritative and compelling voice in the mystery/thriller genre. The Puzzled Heart by Amanda CrossBallantine, Jan., 1998.Hardcover, 272 pages. ISBN: 0345418832. Ordering information: Amazon.com. 
Kate Fansler returns in this sequel to An Imperfect Spy, the
last entry in the continuing series starring feminist professor
Fansler and her attorney husband, Reed Amhearst. The story opens
on a shocking note; Reed has been kidnapped and unless Kate follows
the instructions of the kidnappers to publish a treatise which will
totally destroy her credibility in the academic world, Reed will be
killed. Never having faced such a crisis before, Kate turns to her
new friend, Harriet Furse who figured prominently in An Imperfect
Spy. Harriet is an elderly former professor who left academia to
pursue her own interests. A devote of John Le Carré, Harriet uses
his methods to become a successful private detective, assisted by
the fact that in our society elderly women are basically ignored
and are therefore invisible. With the help of Harriet, her old
friends and a new puppy named Bancroft, Kate sets out to solve
the most important mystery of her life while her husband's life
hangs in the balance. Although Reed is easily rescued, finding
out who was behind the plot is not. And Kate will not be able
to relax for one minute while the threat still exists.
Less strident than An Imperfect Spy, The Puzzled Heart continues the premise that the right wing conservatives will literally do anything -- including resorting to violence -- to silence radical feminists. If you accept that premise, you're in for a real treat. Cross' prose is elegant and crisp and her voice comes through clearly in her erudite dissection of modern society, right-wing conservatives and, of course, academia. In The Puzzled Heart Cross (which is actually the pseudonym for outspoken feminist professor Carolyn Heilbrun) breaks new ground in the series by showing us a totally different side of the flawless Kate Fansler. This is a Kate Fansler with all of her defenses removed: vulnerable, confused and not sure of what to do. She even falls in love with a Saint Bernard puppy! But she doesn't fall apart, and regains her customary aplomb just in time. It is a mesmerizing character development of one of mystery's favorite female characters. The new facets of Kate's personality are endearing and render the seemingly perfect Kate more likeable, more approachable to readers. Cross fans will be delighted. Rough Justice by Lisa ScottolineHarper Collins, Sept., 1997.Hardcover, 272 pages. ISBN: 0060187468. Ordering information: Amazon.com. 
Everything is going perfectly for Marta Richter. She has all but
won an acquittal on a murder charge for her client, a wealthy and
handsome banker named Elliot Steere, with whom she is quickly
falling in love. Then, suddenly, Marta's life goes into a tailspin when Steere
lets her know that he has been guilty of murder all along. Marta
immediately vows to turn the tables on her client and find evidence
of his guilt, but finds it difficult when Steere sends a henchman
after her and the all-woman law firm where she works. The clock
is ticking as Marta finds
herself eluding a killer in the midst of a ferocious blizzard while
risking her career to
find evidence of her client's guilt.
Rough Justice is an exciting legal thriller, full of action, deceit, interesting characters and plot twists. Marta Richter, the brave and determined attorney, is a wonderful character that will be loved by fans of the thriller genre. An entertaining, action-packed read. Mystery Reviews Page One | Page Two Return to Book Reviews Index ** To visit the archives of mystery books reviewed in The IWJ, please click here. |