Book Review: The Next to Die

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Next to Die     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Kevin O'Brien
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Thriller   Adult Content
Kensington, May 2001, $6.99, 416 pp.

In Portland, happily married Jim Gelder meets actor Tony Katz at a restaurant. The famous Hollywood star invites Jim to accompany him for a drink at the Vogue Vertigo. Awe-struck, Jim agrees. However, when Tony realizes that Jim is not gay, he tries to end the evening because the Vogue Vertigo caters to the homosexual crowd. Before they can part, assassins arrive and kill both men. The media plays up Tony's gay lifestyle while concluding that Jim was his new boy toy in spite of the complaints of his family.

Rock and Roll superstar Leigh Simone requests that actress Dayle Sutton provide a eulogy at a special tribute to Katz. Dayle agrees and provides a moving tribulation by underscoring her role. Dayle and Leigh meet not long after the event, but not long afterward someone kills Leigh for her open support of gay rights. With Dayle connected to Tony and Leigh and about to play the role of a lesbian lawyer, one must wonder if she might be THE NEXT TO DIE?

Kevin O'Brien provides a taut thriller that centers on a sexual preference cleansing. The story line is crisp and non-stop as the audience wonders if Dayle or some other Hollywood star is next. The cast seems genuine adding to the tight plot. Fans of a killer thriller that focuses on extreme homophobia will want to read Mr. O'Brien's powerful novel.

Harriet Klausner

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