Book Review: The Other Extreme

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Other Extreme     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
T. J. MacGregor
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Kensington, Dec 2001, $6.99, 416 pp.

Jay Hutchin is a circuit court judge assigned to the criminal division of Tango County in the Florida Keys. He dresses right, makes the right kind of marriage, goes to society social events to see and be seen by the elite, and acts like a man who is totally in charge of his life. That is a false image because Jay is totally obsessed by Hollywood actress Diane Jackson, who is buying property in the area.

When he spots her stepping out on him, he becomes so enraged and jealous he strangles her to death. Jay tries to go on his way as if nothing happened, but two things stand in his way. He is on the short list to be the Attorney General of the United States and an innocent man is going to trial for the actress’s murder. The defense council is Kit Parish who has only lost one case in her years practicing law. Jay was the one to mentor and train her. In a spooky turn of events, Kit’s son seems to know too much about the murder and having killed one person, Jay will not hesitate to do so again if he feels his life is in danger, even Kit’s son.

Although readers know from the very beginning who the killer is and that the jailed suspect is innocent of any crime, this work of psychological suspense fascinates the audience into making it a one slippery ride. The paranormal elements circling around Kit’s son serve to enhance the feeling of believability in the plot and adds dimension to the story line. T.J. MacGregor has written another winner.

Harriet Klausner

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