Book Review: Third Person Singular

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Third Person Singular     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
K. J. Erickson
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Police Procedural
Series: Marshall "Mars" Bahr # 1
St. Martin’s, Jan 2001, $24.95, 320 pp.

Minneapolis Mayor Geff tells her Chief of Police Turner and Special Detective Marshall Bahr that the murder of the teen could not have come at a worse time or place. Someone killed the perfect high school coed Mary Pat Fitzgerald of nearby wealthy suburb Edina. Geff orders Mars to quickly find the killer, preferably be another suburbanite. Geff worries that the negative PR from the murder of a homecoming valedictorian will halt federal matching funds to an urban renewal project that she already has invested a lot of city and state money into.

The cops dub Mars as the “Candy Man”, but not for the company. Instead his moniker comes from his handling of all non-drug/non-gang homicides while reporting to Turner. He begins his inquiries after setting up the control cell with his partner Jeanette “Nettie” Frisch, who works exclusively in the office. Mars leans towards a family member or perhaps the boy friend, but wonders why the killing seems aloof yet planned rather than passionate as expected with a loved one. As clue after clue fails to go anywhere and the Edina police chief seems more hindrance than help, Geff increases the pressure on Mars to produce the culprit.

THIRD PERSON SINGULAR is a magnificent police procedural starring a fabulous law enforcement official. The story line centers on Mars’ investigation, but subplots involving his ex-wife and precocious son as well the relationships with Turner and Nettie provide insight into the lead player. The who-done-it is very entertaining and somewhat complex leaving the audience seeking more novels by KJ Erickson starring her wonderful protagonist, the Candy Man.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner