Book Review: Line of Sight

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Line of Sight     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Jack Kelly
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Noir   Thriller
Hyperion, Sep 2000, $22.95, 324 pp.

In Mansfield, New York everyone considers Ray Dolan to be a by the book police officer. Though he enjoys his job and his simple lifestyle, Ray remains a lonely person having no family, girlfriend, or close friend. That changes when the Travis family moves near Ray. He becomes obsessed with sexy but sad Sheila who acts like the victim of spousal abuse.

Sheila senses Ray's infatuation and begins to take advantage of him. When her husband is murdered, Ray comes to Sheila's aid. Even as he knows who the killer is, Ray cannot stop interfering with the official investigation in order to keep Sheila safe, even at the cost of his own life.

LINE OF SIGHT is an in your face Noir novel that never slows down for a moment. The story line is filled with twists and turns that continually fool the audience. Sheila is a great female character in the mode of Double Indemnity (or perhaps Jessica Rabbit). Readers will feel empathy towards Ray, but at the same time want to smack him awake because he seems a bit too ingenuous. Fans of non-stop action filled with double crossing twists will enjoy Jack Kelly's taut tale.

Harriet Klausner

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