Book Review: Split Second

Reviewed By: Woodstock - RAM

Split Second     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 # 2

Maggie Odell is an FBI agent, and by some twisted reasoning process she has been targeted by a serial killer for his "special" attention.

One by one, young women who have had some casual contact with Maggie - delivered her a pizza, served drinks to her in a bar, or some other casual encounter - are found slain and mutilated. Even more gruesome, some internal organ has been excised from each body and delivered to Maggie - in a restaurant carryout container, on a hotel room service platter, and so on.

Working with another agent recently assigned to the case, Maggie races against time to apprehend the murderer. As events unfold, persons more closely associated with Maggie are in danger as well.

This is a reasonably satisfying suspense novel. However the main character Maggie is a victim of what I call "superhero syndrome." During the entire duration of the action she struggles with chronic insomnia, drinks Scotch neat to excess, gulps caffienated beverages at every opportunity, and eats very little. Any real person holding responsibility would be totally unable to function after a few days of a similar regimen. Readers will have to decide for themselves if they are willing to suspend disbelief in order to enjoy the story.

Woodstock - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Woodstock - RAM