Book Review: The Fifth Angel

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Fifth Angel     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Tim Green
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Warner, Feb 2003, $24.95, 372 pp.

Though the proof is overwhelming that repeat sex offender Eugene Tupp raped the fifteen year old teen, the New York Judge rules key evidence was illegally obtained by the police and not admissible. Apparently, the search warrant was for Tupp’s house and not his garage. Former prosecutor and highly regarded attorney Jack Ruskin is irate that while his daughter lies semi-comatose this animal will receive a slight slap of the wrist instead of locking him away forever.

Jack needs vengeance and he finds it by killing an Upstate sex offender. Tasting blood and not feeling fully satiated, Jack is obsessed with wanting to exterminate sex offenders. He uses the net to find his prey, but soon the FBI realizes that a serial killer is murdering sex offenders. Special Agent Amanda Lee begins searching for a culprit, who she sympathizes with as she has a child and her partner was recently killed by a child abuser.

Though the premise has been used before (Bronson), THE FIFTH ANGEL starts off as if the reader will receive an action packed yet philosophical look at defining justice. However, once Jack turns into a typical serial killer, the story line intensifies the action at the expense of moving the audience into the gray definitions of justice. Tim Green provides a strong thriller that many fans will say could have been brilliant.

Harriet Klausner

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