Review of Forcing Amaryllis (Hardcover)

The last time I was so excited about a first-time mystery writer, I was reading Jonathon King's The Blue Edge of Midnight, which went on to win the Edgar Award for best first novel.Forcing Amaryllis by Louise Ure is a powerful novel, with a fascinating protagonist.

Calla Gentry is a trail consultant in Tucson, a woman who only served as a consultant on civil cases because she was afraid to deal with criminal cases.Seven years earlier, Gentry had been a strong woman who worked in advertising.But, that was before her sister's brutal rape at knife point.Calla lost her sister, Amaryllis, when her failed suicide attempt put her in a coma.Calla also lost her own confidence and sense of security.Amaryllis' rape incapacitated Calla so much that their aunt told Calla she needed to take her life back.She told her, "Just like Amy.It's a life of suspended animation."

When Calla's boss forces her to take on a rape/murder case, she is struck by the similarities between that case and her own sister's.Together with two friends and a private investigator, Calla attempts to link other rapes with Amaryllis'.The descriptions of the rapes, although not graphic, are not easy to read.The jury selection process in the book, and the trial itself are fascinating.But, it is the change in Calla's character, as she forces herself to move out of her safe surroundings, that is the most fascinating.

Give Calla a chance.In my opinion, Forcing Amaryllis by Louise Ure deserves to be nominated for this year's Edgar for best first mystery.



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Review of Diary of a Serial Killer (Mass Market Paperback)

Twenty years ago Alan Lombardo, accountant to the mob boss George Heinrich, was convicted of killing nine people.He swore he was innocent, but nobody believed him.Now after two decades in jail, he hires law partners Zack Wilson and Terry Tallach to find a loophole that will get him a new trial.They reluctantly take the case.They think they have found an opening when they learn who originally defended the convicted CPA; as Zach's father was on two payrolls with Alan and Heinrich both paying him.His father, now a respected judge, could get disbarred if his conflict of interest goes public.

Complicating their ethics dilemma is that the attorneys begin to believe their client is innocent even before a serial killer begins a series of murdering using the same MO as the Springfield Shooter did.The pinky of each victim is cut off and the phrase "Welcome to my World" is left with each victim.That information was never made public.Back then the police barely looked at author Malcolm Ayers as their serial killer because Lombardo fit so perfectly; however evidence points towards him being the "Eternally Yours" killer except lead detective Vera Demopoulos has doubts as everything is to simply perfect making her wonder about a frame, but proving it without dying is quite a task.

DIARY OF A SERIAL KILLER is appropriate titled because it was Lombardo's journal that ultimately convicted him.Readers will feel sorry for the mild-mannered obsessive-compulsive convict who does not come across as a psychopath.The cat and mouse game between the cop and the killer will fascinate the audience who will obsess over deciphering clues from the present.Ed Gaffney has a hit series with this fine thriller as an indication.

Harriet Klausner



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