Book Review: The Smoking Gun

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Smoking Gun     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Eve K. Sandstrom
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Amateur Sleuth   Woman Main Character   Classic   Psychological Suspense
Series: Nell Matthews # 3
Signet, Mar 2000, $5.99, 240 pp.

Grantham Gazette reporter Nell Mathias and her boy friend police officer Mike Svenson help honor the opening of the new women's shelter when a tragedy occurs. A man wielding a knife attacks the shelter director Patsy Raymond forcing Mike to kill the culprit. The renowned hostage negotiator has had to kill someone for the first time in over a decade. Mike and Nell are shocked by the incident. However Neil's shock turns to fear for Mike when the deceased is identified as the son of Enid Philpott Howard, the most powerful individual in town. She expects the matriarch to cause trouble for Mike.

Instead, Mrs. Philpott blames Patsy for her son Paul's death, blaming the woman for harassing her son and daring him to kill her. The next day someone kills Paul's wife Cherilyn. Patsy blames herself for the woman's death, as she never returned Cherilyn's frantic call. Patsy denies calling Paul while there is no evidence that Cherilyn called the shelter. Nell begins her own sleuthing, which places her in danger from the killer.

THE SMOKING GUN deals with two major social issues. They are the need for women's shelters and the traumatic aftermath of a police officer using his weapon. The two issues excitingly intertwine into the main story line. That, along with excellent characters, makes Eve K. Sandstrom's mystery a triumphant and educational tale deserving best seller status.

Harriet Klausner

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