Book Review: Thread of Evidence

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Thread of Evidence     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Frank Smith
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Police Procedural
Series: Neil Paget # 4
St. Martin's, Mar 2001, $24.95, 320 pp.

Upon immediately entering the crime scene, a hotel room in Broadminster, the amateur sleuth (apart from a cozy) would react by saying a hooker killed the victim. However, the police believe otherwise. They feel the killer hastily set the room up to appear as if a prostitute stabbed building contractor James Brolin to death during a rough sex exchange.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Paget heads up the investigation team looking into who had the motive to kill James. He starts with family members such as the victim's sibling who had a nasty public argument over a business deal. A second murder of a prostitute follows that complicates an already difficult case to solve as Neil and his team have found several other family members and professional colleagues with motives to murder James.

THREAD OF EVIDENCE provides undisputed proof that the Neil Paget British police procedurals are consistently some of the best sub-genre entries. The latest tale is a cleverly designed, very enjoyable story line starring a likable lead character that is the epitome of a British police officer. Anyone who relishes a well written, complex mystery with a solid cast will derive joy from this novel. For that matter, readers will also gain pleasure from the previous three Paget books (see CANDLES FOR THE DEAD) and Mr. Smith's other stories also.

Harriet Klausner

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