Mystery/Thriller Book Reviews

Page One of Two

The Hunted by Alan Jacobson
Pocket Books, February 2001.
Hardcover, 404 pages.
ISBN: 0671026801.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.

The Hunted
by Alan Jacobson

Psychologist Lauren Chambers has worked hard to overcome her debilitating agoraphobia and panic attacks, and has built up a practice in quiet Placerville, California. But her carefully constructed life shatters apart when her beloved husband, Michael, disappears on a skiing trip with friends. Lauren meets private investigator Nick Bradley, and the two set off on a cross-country quest to find Michael. But the more they dig into Michael's past, the stranger things get. What's worse, a professional assassin is stalking Lauren in order to get to Michael, who he believes is the ex-FBI agent who sent him to prison years ago.

Alan Jacobson, author of the bestselling False Accusations, spins a complex tale full of heart-pounding action sequences, plot twists and fascinating characters. Lauren Chambers, the psychologist who herself suffers from terrible panic attacks due to a childhood trauma, is a unique heroine for a thriller. She's smart and courageous, but she has these debilitating attacks which she must overcome. It's an interesting choice of characteristics for a heroine in a thriller, and Jacobson uses it to full effect. Is Lauren really being followed, or is she just being paranoid? And how well do you really know the people in your life? The tension builds until an exciting (and surprising) denouement. If you like thrills, psychological suspense and complex characters, this should definitely make your summer reading list.

--Claire E. White

Black Lotus by Laura Joh Rowland
St. Martin's Press, April 2001.
Hardcover, 352 pages.
ISBN: 0312268726.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.

Black Lotus
by Laura Joh Rowland

In 1693 Japan, fire is one of the most feared disasters. With the use of so much paper and wood, a small fire can quickly destroy an entire city. When a fire breaks out in the Black Lotus Temple, three people are found dead. Haru, an orphan girl is found near the scene acting quite suspiciously. Samurai-detective Sano Ichiro, the Emperor's Most Honorable Investigator of Events, Situations and People is called in to investigate the triple homicide which is now being blamed on the unfortunate Haru. Against his better judgment, Sano asks his wife, Reiko, to assist him in interrogating the girl. Reiko is convinced of the girl's innocence, and decides to do some unauthorized investigating on her own, which infuriates Sano and causes a rift between the formerly happy couple. Meanwhile, the investigation into the Black Lotus Temple uncovers some very disturbing facts indeed: it appears that the seemingly innocent religious retreat is actually a hotbed of prostitution, extortion and possibly something even more dangerous.

Progressive for his time period, Sano has actually allowed his wife to assist him in his investigations from time to time. After all, as a female of the samurai class, Reiko can gather all kinds of information from the women that Sano would never know about. Laura Joh Rowland provides a multi-layered mystery in Sano and Reiko's latest adventure; the Temple of the Black Lotus houses some very nasty secrets indeed. But the key to the case is the pathological liar, Haru. Her story constantly changes, and she certainly trades on Reiko's protective instincts. Rowland will keep you guessing until the very last page as to Haru's motivations, and hoping that Reiko and Sano can find a way to patch up their marriage. This is another fascinating entry in an excellent historical series.

--Claire E. White

Mystery Reviews
Page One | Page Two

Click Here to Return to the Book Reviews Index

Mystery/Thriller Book Reviews

The Hunted by Alan Jacobson

Black Lotus by Laura Joh Rowland