Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
The Midnight Before Christmas
Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
William Bernhardt
Class/Genre: Mystery Legal Setting
Ballantine, Nov 1998, $14.95, 240 pp.
On Christmas Eve in Oklahoma City, ex-cop Carl Cantrell beats up one man, viciously knocks down another person, and violently rages at his ex-wife, Bonnie, because he insists on seeing his seven-year old son, Tommy. Though he tries to forcibly enter her home, Bonnie refuses to allow him to see the child because she fears that Carl will abuse him as he has done before. Carl blames all his troubles on Bonnie and not the alcohol that has cost him his law enforcement position. Carl vows to see his son over the holidays or no one will ever see the kid alive again.
Because of his harassment, Bonnie turns to lawyer Megan McGee for relief. She tells the attorney that the local police offer no solution because they still consider Carl one of theirs. However, it turns out to be too late to obtain a restraining order because Carl has calmly taken Tommy from the Villa Veronica Day Care. Even though they may rescue Tommy this time, Megan knows that she is dealing with a serious lunatic who has the protection of his former peers at least until something horrendous happens to the boy.
THE MIDNIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS is a taut thriller that focuses on every nurturing parent's worse nightmare. The relationship-based story line is tense and exciting as the terror grows in counterpoint to most of the townsfolk celebrating the holiday season. The characters are first rate, but its' interesing to observe the lack of loving affinity between the victim and his tormentor. William Bernhardt, renowned for his wonderful Ben Kincaid legal thrillers, scribes a fantastic Yuletide novel that should elate fans who get off on a non-stop family drama.
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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