Book Review: Darker Than Night

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Darker Than Night     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
John Lutz
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Serial Killer   Thriller   Police Procedural
Pinnacle, Nov 2004, $6.99, 549 pp.

While investigating a drug deal murder, New York Police Department Lieutenant Frank Quinn discovered that a group of his peers were receiving kickbacks to look the other way on illegal activities. Before he goes to Internal Affairs, someone informed IA that Frank raped a fifteen years old girl. He chooses the moral path, but his wife and IA do not believe in his innocence and takes their daughter across the country leaving a stunned Frank behind. He took a half pension rather than be fired

A serial killer The Night Prowler is murdering married couples in their kitchens. Nobody seems to hear him when he lets himself in using an apparent key. Assistant Chief of Police Henry Cortez, with a chance for the top job, feels Frank can solve the case and brings him on as a civilian consultant. Frank feels he has a chance to redeem himself and get his job back.

Readers will believe that they just stepped off a tilt-a-whirl after reading this action-packed police procedural. Though he knows he got a raw deal, the protagonist instead of whining and feeling sorry for himself, he jumps into the fray the first chance he has to prove himself. Fans will root for Frank, who has powerful enemies that he is unaware of who want him removed form the scene. John Lutz places Serpico in a serial killer venue with his blue knights still after him.

Harriet Klausner

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

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