Book Review: Chill Factor

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Chill Factor     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Chris Rogers
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character
Series: Dixie Flanagan # 3
Bantam, Feb 2000, $23.95, 226 pp.

At one time, Dixie Flanagan was a prosecutor. Now she is a bounty hunter with strong ties to the various Texas police departments. She is alternately tough on her prey, but a marshmallow when it comes to those she cherishes. She is especially tender towards her neighbor Edna Pine, who she has known for years and thinks of as a loving “surrogate aunt”.

So when she observes the law abiding Edna robs a bank, Dixie is more than just mortified and shocked. The police follow Edna in a high-speed chase that leads to a deadly shoot-out with the robber killed. This incident is the area’s third granny hold-up in the last few weeks. One woman escaped clean with her loot, but Edna and a friend died in their attempted robberies.

A group called the People kill two of the officers involved in the Edna shoot-out. They threaten further retaliation if specific politicians fail to resign. The police suspect Edna’s son Marty as the prime culprit. He hires his long time friend and former sweetheart Dixie to investigate what happened to his mother. Dixie goes down many paths before realizing the true answer lies much closer to home.

The gifted Chris Rogers provides readers with an understandable heroine. Dixie balances her needs to contribute to the common good of society with her ability to hold her own in a male dominated arena. She knows when to lead with her heart and when to proceed using her brain. The story line of CHILL FACTOR is mesmerizing as the various subplots work together to fashion a tense climax. Readers will demand that Mr. Rogers provides more tales in Dixie’s neighborhood.

Harriet Klausner

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