Book Review: Fatal Truth

Reviewed By: Donna M - RAM

Fatal Truth     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Robin Burcell
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Police Procedural   Woman Main Character
Series: Kate Gillespie
2002, Avon books, 266 pages

Kate Gillespie is a homicide detective in San Francisco. She's just started a well-earned vacation when she's called back on duty to deal with a gang related murder. Near the scene of the murder she runs into her informant Squeaky Kincaid, who promises her something big. When he rings Kate the next day he's petrified and, it turns out, with good reason. Kate goes to meet him and is just in time to see him being gunned down before the killer turns the gun on her.

As the investigation progresses and all signs point to corruption within the department, Kate rapidly finds herself running out of people to trust. Determined to discover the truth, despite being stonewalled at every turn, Kate uncovers secrets about her colleagues and her brother who died several years before - apparently of a drug overdose.

Fatal Truth has an intricate and extremely well constructed plot which is suspenseful and well paced. It's authentic and believable and a very well told tale. But the main strength of the book is the character of Kate Gillespie. She's down to earth, sensible and professional. She's a strong woman who faces many challenges in a male dominated world - not least the perceptions of her colleagues about her imagined limitations as a homicide detective and whether she can watch their backs as well as a male colleague could. However, she may be strong, but she's not hard. She's a fighter but not agressive. She brings warmth, understanding and compassion to her job and struggles as much as anyone to balance the requirements of a demanding job and personal life.

Fatal Truth is an excellent follow up to the first book in the series. It answers some questions about Kate's brother Sean, continues to develop Kate's relationship with Torrance, and her friendship with Sam Scolari. The writing is a lot more taut, and the plot more focussed than the previous book. A very impressive, confident second novel and I have high hopes for the third in the series.

Donna M - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Donna M - RAM