Book Review: Ellipsis

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Ellipsis     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Stephen Greenleaf
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Private Investigator   Hard Boiled
Series: John Marshall Tanner # 14
Scribner, Jul 2000, $24.00, 282 pp.

After the death of his police officer friend two years ago, Bay area private investigator John Marshall Tanner is dating Assistant District Attorney Jill Cappanella. He also seeks cases to pay off his bills. Best selling and wealthy author Chandelier Wells is receiving threatening letters stating “If you don’t stop it you will die.” Chandelier may not know what the letters want halted, but she takes the warning seriously and hires Marsh to act as her bodyguard.

Initially, Marsh thinks the person terrorizing the author is a diehard lunatic of a fan, trying to get a rise out of Chandelier. He changes his mind when a bomb explodes in her car killing two people and injuring Chandelier. The MO seems like that of a pro. Marsh suspects someone close or formerly close to the writer as hired a hit man. As he steps closer to the truth, Marsh places himself and his loved ones in life threatening danger.

John Marshall Tanner is an extremely likable sleuth who at fifty remains vulnerable and compassionate, making him very appealing especially to women. ELLIPSIS is a fast paced but intricate work whose villains are shockers yet realistic. Stephen Greenleaf humanizes all of his characters within a fabulous tale that shows why his Tanner books have been award winners.

Harriet Klausner

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