"The Killing Song"

"The Killing Song" is the first book I've read by P. J. Parrish. Parrish turns out to actually be two sisters (Kristy Montee and Kelly Nichols) who co-author books. They have a series of books whose lead character is a South Florida detective, Louis Kincaid. One of the books in this series was nominated for a 2009 Anthony Award for Best Novel and another one won the Shamus Award as well as the International Thriller Writers Award.

"The Killing Song" introduces what I hope will be a new series. Their new hero is Matt Owens, a Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist. At a time when investigative reporters are being let go at most newspapers, Matt Owens is reevaluating his future. He's restless and wondering if he should finally finish that novel he hasn't really been working on lately. However, when his younger sister is murdered while visiting him to celebrate her birthday, he turns his investigative skills to finding her killer. It leads him to France and a woman police officer willing to listen to his theories. Together they uncover a serial killer that no one had a clue about previously.

Not only is this a great thriller it's a story about relationships -- Matt's with his American ex-fiance police detective and the woman detective he works with in France and her niece. Although it would have been easy for the authors to set up a romance with Matt and his French cohort, I loved that the authors didn't follow that "predictable" route but used it to help him work through his past with his ex-fiance and bring some resolution to that relationship.

I liked this book well enough that I want to read more by Parrish and I recommend it to anyone who loves a good mystery.

pazt

"HeartSick"

04/01/10

I recently read "HeartSick" by Chelsea Cain, an author who grew up in Bellingham, WA. (Her web site: www.chelseacain.com.) This book is about a female serial killer and I wouldn't recommend it for the faint of heart because, if you don't like graphic details, this book isn't for you. However, it's called an "addictive read" by Tess Gerritsen and I agree because I didn't want to put it down until I'd finished it. Although there are many strong supporting characters, the main focus is on Portland cop, Archie Sheridan, and Gretchen Lowell, the serial killer he put behind bars, but can't quite put out of his life. Woven throughout the book are relationships between parents and children, lovers, husbands and wives as well as friendships and the positive aspects of stonrg, supportive friendships -- those people who will be there for you no matter what -- the friends we all hope to share our life.