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William Bernhardt
Ballantine Books
Mystery
ISBN-10: 0345470192
ISBN-13: 9780345470195

• Read an Excerpt
• Author Interview –– September 21, 2007

William Bernhardt is a former trial lawyer who has written a successful series of legal mysteries featuring attorney Ben Kincaid. While Kincaid fans may be disappointed that this new book is not about their hero, they are sure to become just as attached to the unlikely couple originally created for DARK EYE.

Susan Pulaski is a former homicide detective who was moved from her position of authority to “light duty” after spending months in rehab for her drinking problem. You love her from the minute she decks an obnoxious masher through her struggles to maintain her sobriety in the face of distrust and disrespect from her fellow officers. Darcy O’Bannon, son of her Police Chief, is a brilliant math savant with the social skills of a five-year-old. Having worked with autistic kids during my residential treatment days, I applaud Bernhardt for capturing the essence of these amazing people --- so capable and mature in some ways yet the eternal child in others.

Despite his father’s objections, Darcy cajoles Susan into taking him along as she visits the crime scenes of a seemingly unrelated series of victims who are being killed and maimed at an alarming rate. What can the connection be between an Indian immigrant who is an engineer working in a fast food joint because he couldn’t find work in his field, and a porn star who broke through the glass ceiling and became head of her own production company? Yet both are victims of the same vicious killer, who leaves clues in the form of complex equations. Still, the police are baffled.

Although the murderer is known to the reader, Bernhardt has created a page-turner that will keep you guessing until he reveals the motive that drives these horrendous crimes. There is an element of religious fervor involved that is rooted in generational sin. Without giving anything away, the evil one is driven by the audacity to think that she could reduce the universe to a common denominator and then give God the finger.

As always, the author provides enough action to hold your interest but keeps things orderly enough to avoid confusion. His research and attention to detail allow the reader to feel the intensity of a crime scene and to experience the painstaking work necessary in solving a mystery. The wonderful characterizations are ala mode on this freshly baked pie! Susan --- sassy and sad, salty and smart --- stirs something in the hearts of all who have walked in her shoes. No offense to Ben Kincaid, but I will be looking forward to the next Susan Pulaski story.

    --- Reviewed by Maggie Harding, a substance abuse counselor in Phoenix, AZ who wanted to be Brenda Starr before life intervened. She reviews for www.Bookreporter.com and www.FaithfulReader.com.To contact Maggie, e-mail Magster2@cox.net.

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