Book Review: Solar Eclipse

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Solar Eclipse     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
John Farris
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Forge, Jul 1999, $25.95, 384 pp.

While traveling to see her father, a pick-up truck deliberately rams the vehicle of Hollywood stuntwoman Shay Waco, and her adolescent daughter, off the road. The two women find themselves precariously hanging over the edge of a deep ravine. The pick-up truck tries to complete the job. Shay and her daughter manage to leap to safety with only minor injuries. They head towards a house they see in the distance. When they arrive, horror greets them as someone executed the adults and children, leaving only a toddler alive.

Shay calls the police before she and her daughter go to the hospital where she meets Tobin Bonner, a person she briefly met in Las Vegas. They remember one another and Shay provides the little information she has about the crimes. However, the Feds claim jurisdiction, removing Tobin from the case. Still, as the local sheriff of Solar County, Tobin feels responsible to continue his own investigation, which places Shay and him in danger.

SOLAR ECLIPSE is the usual totally absorbing psychological thriller by genre great John Farris. The numerous subplots eventually merge into a powerful story line. However, some of the characters in these subplots are stereotypes that add little to the overall tale. The main characters are genuine and intriguing, especially the remarkable Waco women. Mr. Farris’ novel is very entertaining as he successfully integrates a believable romance to soften some of the tension from the superb prime plot.

Harriet Klausner

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