Book Review: Dead Air

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Dead Air     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Rochelle Majer Krich
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Police Procedural   Ethnic   Woman Main Character
Series: Jessie Drake # 4
Avon, Mar 2000, $23.00, 304 pp.

Dr. Renee Altman left her psychology practice to become the famous advice-giving talk show host Dr. Renee. Her career move led to her husband wanting a divorce, alimony, and child support because he demanded full custody of their six-year old daughter. As she struggles to cope with her former spouse's demands, Renee begins to feel that someone is stalking her. She receives strange anonymous gifts, letters with no return address, and phone calls without a speaker. Renee persuades her friend Los Angeles homicide detective Jessica Drake to conduct a discreet investigation.

A man calls the radio show begging Renee to tell his wife to come home and bring their son with her. When Renee refuses to assist, the person kidnaps Renee's daughter, insisting that the little girl will be returned when his family returns to him. The abductor taunts Renee on the air, which sets off media and talk show frenzies. Jessica and her partner learn who the perpetrator is, but have no idea where the child is. Both know that if they fail to find the girl quickly, tragedy is imminent.

Jessica Drake is a superb law enforcement official, but her personal life remains in shambles though she seeks contentment. She has mixed and confusing feelings about her ex-husband. She slowly is coming to terms with her Jewish heritage. Finally, Jessica struggles with an inner conflict involving her abusive mother and her "see no evil" father who ignored it. Because Jessica seems so real, the entertaining mystery appears even more genuine. An excellent story line is made even stronger by Rochelle Krich's talent for characterization.

Harriet Klausner

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