Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
Angel of Death
Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Jay Brandon
Class/Genre: Mystery Legal Setting Thriller Ethnic
Series: Chris Sinclair
Forge, Nov 1998, $24.95, 383 pp.
Who is the real Malachi Reese? The African-American community of San Antonio feel he is a genuine hero, a pillar of the city, who helps the poor, down-trodden, and hungry. However, to District Attorney Chris Sinclair, Malachi is the ANGEL OF DEATH, whose need for power is that of an addict. Chris feels that Malachi has killed anyone who steps in his path as he thirsts for greater and greater control. Chris prosecutes, and against all odds, gains a murder conviction against Malachi.
However, the charismatic Malachi does not idly sit in his death row cell. Chris has detoured his path to the top and punishment must be enacted. Using his loyal followers as pawns, Malachi begins his quest for vengeance with the killing of an assistant DA, who was a protege of Chris's. Other crimes aimed at undercutting Chris follow. Though the assistant DA killer is arrested and heads to court, the real trial is between Chris and Malachi, two individuals who loathe each other.
ANGEL OF DEATH is an exciting legal thriller that is a fabulous one-sitting read. It asks penetrating questions about how equal is the so-called blind justice system? Without preaching, the story line is fast-paced and moving and filled with action that occasionally overwhelms the poignancy of the tale. The characters are fully developed, especially the enigmatic Malachi and the obsessed Chris, who will leave readers wondering about each of them. Clearly, this novel is one of the sub-genre's best books of the year.
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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