Review: Bloodborn

Forensic pathologist Dr. Anya Crichton may have met her match with the Harbourn family. The brothers make a game out of committing horrible crimes against girls and Mother Harbourn not only defends her sons but seems to taunt the authorities who investigate and try to prosecute them. Only Savannah, the oldest of the girls in the family shows any humanity, and in the end, that sense of justice costs her.

It started when Giverny Hart was snatched on her way home from her ballet lesson and raped repeatedly by the Harbourn brothers. The first case was thrown out, but finally, Giverny was to have her day in court. Anya and prosecutor Natasha Ryder stopped to pick Giverny up on their way to court. But she didn't answer the doorbell and when they investigated they found her garage door was slightly open and her car was vandalized. In their hearts they knew already what they were going to find when they went inside. Giverny is just the first of several Harbourn victims in Bloodborn. As the bodies pile up, Anya is shaken by the brutality, but is determined to finally put the brothers away for good. However, their mother hires excellent legal counsel for her sons, so there are no easy battles here.

The other storyline in the book deals with Anya's personal life. While the ongoing relationship issues with her ex-husband and her son make her a more complete character, a reader who has not read the previous books might not be all that interested in this part of the book. Her current relationship with defense attorney Dan Brody is more interesting by far. She befriends Dan's father, an elderly man unable to speak, and discovers a shocking secret in Dan's family's past. Fortunately for readers, there's no cliffhanger here-this plot line is tied up by the end of this book.

The body count in this series is high, and the crimes committed are uncomfortable ones to read about-much along the lines of the current television show Law and Order Special Victims Unit. But in spite of this, the books are compelling reads. The series compares very favorably to such works as Kathy Reichs, the early Patricia Cornwell and Linda Fairstein. Readers who enjoy those authors should definitely give this series a try-although I would recommend starting with the first book in the series Malicious Intent.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Caryn St. Clair

Please Note: Books reviewed are usually provided by the publisher, author, or an agent. Reviewers usually get to keep the book.

Book Review: Bloodborn

Please Note: Books reviewed are usually provided by the publisher, author, or an agent. Reviewers usually get to keep the book.