Monday, June 7, 2010

Killing Me Softly-Maggie Shayne

Killing Me Softly
Maggie Shayne
Mira, Jun 29 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780778327936

Shadow Falls, Vermont police officer Bryan Kendall was shot in the line of duty. Healed, a party is thrown welcoming him back to work. The next day Bryan awakens up on his bathroom floor. Confused, he enters his bedroom to see Bettina Wright lying dead in his bed.

The murder looks identical to the M.O. of the Nightcap Strangler; who was just executed by the state after fifteen years on death row. Learning what happened from her biological mother, Bryan’s former girlfriend Dawn Jones decides to help him prove his innocence so she comes from the West Coast to New England. She hears voices in her head, but ignores them as she has for five years ever since she broke Bryan’s heart by leaving. However, for Bryan’s sake she heeds the voices when she realizes she is a dead ringer for the latest victim of apparently The Nightcap Strangler.

This is a superb paranormal murder mystery with a supporting second chance at love romantic subplot. The story line is fast-paced with a strong support cast especially the intriguing killer and a great unique witness to the homicide in Bryan’s bedroom. Readers will relish Maggie Shayne’s taut thriller as Bryan and Dawn (see Thicker Than Water and Darker Than Midnight for her previous appearances) work the case while rekindling their love.

Harriet Klausner

No comments: