Book Review: A Perfect Evil

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

A Perfect Evil     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Alex Kava
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Serial Killer   Police Procedural   FBI
Series: Maggie O'Dell # 1
Mira, Aug 2000, $22.95, 384 pp.

Just before the state of Nebraska executed him for the heinous murders of three boys, Ronald Jeffrey confesses his sins to Father Francis. Ronald insists that he only killed and raped one of the lads, Bobby Wilson. He swears to God that he never murdered, mutilated, or raped the other two boys. No one including the confessional priest believes Ronald is anything but a serial killing monster. Three months after the electrocution of Ronald, a new corpse of a young butchered boy is discovered in Platte City. Relatively new Sheriff Nick Morelli has no experience with this type of investigation.

He asks the FBI to lend him a top profiler. Maggie O'Dell is tired to the bone after a particularly nasty case. Her boss gives her a choice of some R&R or helping Nick. With personal demons that reject any notion of rest, Maggie travels to Platte City to assist the local law enforcement team. As they work together to uncover an evil presence who has murdered again, they fall in love, but as Maggie knows, the aftertaste of a case leaves little room for happiness.

A PERFECT EVIL is a near perfect serial killer thriller that will excite fans of the sub-genre and police investigative stories as well. The manhunt story line is fast paced, never slowing down for a moment. However, the plot succeeds because of the depth and understanding of the characters. They seem genuine whether they are police, psychopathic killers, or support cast. Alex Kava has debuted with a winning tale that will leave sub-genre fans anxiously awaiting the obvious sequel that hopefully will close out the few loose ends.

Harriet Klausner

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