Book Review: Blindsided

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Blindsided     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Clyde Phillips
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Police Procedural   Thriller
Series: Jane Candiotti / Kenny Marks # 2
Morrow, Mar 2000, $24.00, 320 pp.

As law enforcement officials, Inspector Jane Andriotti and Kenny Marks risk their lives to serve and protect the public. At times, they may perform heroic acts, but like most police officers, the couple recognizes they are just performing their jobs as members of a unique club linked by the danger of their occupation. However, the relationship between Jane and Kenny goes way beyond that of comrades in arms They are lovers and the day they move in together, the brass assigns them to investigate the brutal murder of a former cop turned druggie.

The killer Jacques Carpentier served fifteen years of hard time. Back on the street, Jacques has a personal agenda to complete. Jacques plans vengeance on specific members of the SFPD. By the third murder, the police conclude a serial killer has targeted them for termination. Neither Jane, in charge of the case, nor Kenny has any idea who the perpetrator is or why he is killing cops and former cops. Though they jeopardize their lives doing their job, Jane and Kenny know they must stop the culprit before another person is found dead.

The taut story line with its switching locations and superb characterizations are so well written, it will blind-side the sub-genre by turning it into a new direction. The story line is fast-paced while Mr. Phillips' magically switches locales in an effortlessly manner that actually propels the plot forward. However, it is the humanization of the characters, who grow as they learn from their errors, that turns this thriller into a mega-chiller. Readers of BLINDSIDED will be obsessed to read Clyde Phillips' previous novels.

Harriet Klausner

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