Reviewed By: Ruth Jordan - RAM
A Picture of Guilt
Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Libby Fischer Hellmann
Class/Genre: Mystery Woman Main Character Amateur Sleuth
Series: Ellie Foreman # 2
2003, Poisoned Pen Press, 313 pages
Libby Fischer Hellman made quite a splash last year with AN EYE FOR MURDER. This year’s A PICTURE OF GUILT proves that she’s here to stay. A PICTURE OF GUILT opens with a long overdue vacation going just a little bit wrong and then we jump into a plot that is extremely ambitious for a sophomore author. Ellie Foreman has a video and in this video there seems to be evidence proving that accused murderer Johnny Santoro is innocent of the murder of which he’s accused. The problem? A radio frequency compromises Ellie’s clip and soon her life. In a plot so horrifying that not only the reader but also Ellie must be ready to believe the seemingly impossible Ms. Hellman tells a tale of darkness and evil in Chicago that keeps you turning the pages.
Everything is not golden for our Chicago suburbanite in this second book. There are problems at home, problems at work, and Ellie’s budding relationship with David seems to be turning sour. Oh and then there’s the danger. Ms. Hellmann takes many of today’s prejudges and threats and gives them a life in this book. Her Chicago continues to breathe and her heroine is not afraid to show her warts to her reader. There are new characters we hope we see again and returning characters we’re becoming very attached to.
Only a talented writer could throw all of this into 300 pages and leave you satisfied. I, for one, am very satisfied and waiting for Ms. Hellmann’s junior outing.
Ruth Jordan - RAM
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Ruth Jordan - RAM
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