T. Jefferson Parker returns with an explosive new thriller that pits an unlikely team of detectives -- who become an even more unlikely pair of lovers -- against a ruthless serial killer.
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Book Description
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From Publishers Weekly
The plot may sound familiar, but surehanded thriller writer Parker (Where Serpents Dance) proves ever-surprising in his latest novel, the story of an unusual pair of police protagonists and a serial killer stalking beautiful women in California's Laguna County. Tim Hess is a retired cop, fighting lung cancer, who's called back to active duty to find the diabolical killer who "signs" his murders by eviscerating his victims. His boss and partner in the investigation is an attractive, brusque detective named Merci Rayborn, who quickly dismisses the lone suspect in the case, a paroled, chemically castrated Romanian rapist living under virtual house arrest in an apartment complex near the latest crime scene. Hess stays on the rapist's trail, though, tracking an embalming machine that may be part of the killer's bizarre m.o., but by the time the clues come together, Merci is in murderous hands. Parker places his building blocks with meticulous precision, balancing the feisty yet somewhat melancholic interaction between Hess and Rayborn with a terrifying portrait of a psychopath, although the physical relationship between the two cops does seem a bit forced. The details of the crime are presented with judicious authority as Parker consistently underplays the more sensational aspects of the homicides to keep the narrative unpredictable and dynamic, making it far more gripping than the average serial-killer thriller. Author tour.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
Parker serves up another Orange County, CA, police procedural, this time pairing retired expert cop Tim Hess with brash young detective Merci Rayborn. They're an unlikely team fighting a nasty serial killer who abducts wealthy, attractive women, eviscerates them, and then apparently saves their bodies. What is even more unlikely is that a 70-year-old retiree fighting lung cancer could take orders from and work effectively with an ambitious woman half his age. But not only do they work well togetherAthey find themselves falling in love. Parker's seventh thriller (after Where Serpents Lie, LJ 1/98) has enough chills and twists to keep the pages turning, but the real story here is the surprising love match that Parker manages to pull off with realistic characters and true emotion. This will be another hit for Parker's fans and will appeal to Michael Connolly's as well. Recommended for all fiction collections.ARebecca House Stankowski, Purdue Univ. Calumet Lib., Hammond, IN
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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First Sentence
That Sunday evening Tim Hess lumbered down the sidewalk to the snack stand at 15th Street. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
That Sunday evening Tim Hess lumbered down the sidewalk to the snack stand at 15th Street. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By Haseeb
Format:Mass Market Paperback
It was hard for me to decide whether to give this book four stars or five. The strong story and suspense as well as the drama which unfolded between two unlikely police partners in a search for a serial killer was about as good as one would expect from the genre.
The reason I finally decided to give this book four stars instead of five however, was because I really was not very fond of one of the main characters (Merci). Merci is a tough ambitious police woman who is partnered with a semi-retired hard-boiled cop (Tim Hess) who is dieing of cancer. I think the relationship between Merci and Tim is believable. But I just didn't find Merci very likable because it seemed as though she was just driven by rage and hate (nothing more). People like her undoubtedly exist in the real world (I've met some like her). I'll even go so far as to say that under some circumstances, I've had some characteristics of Merci.
The story revolves around the relationship between Merci and Tim but the main theme is the search for a serial killer called the purse snatcher who kills young women (attractive professional types) and drains all of the blood out of their bodies. The story moves relatively fast with a number of suspects and leads being interrogated by the police. I thought however that it was easy to figure out who the killer was. I figured out who the killer was very early, but assumed later that the author wouldn't make it so easy for readers to figure it out, but it was.
By J. Minkey
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I typically get all fired up and write a review on a book I can't stand. I'm finally writing one for a book I loved. This is one marvelous read. It works wonderfully as a thriller but it's the depth of the characters that really makes this a special book. On top of that Parker has a great way of creatively moving the story along that keeps you guessing right up to the end. Merci Rayborn's character is not very likeable yet she never becomes annoying. She's argumentative and abrasive and completely tactless and non political but the truth is that I know many people just like that...including me! She often say's just what I had been thinking. I was hoping that she would grow up a little bit and be less self absorbed, sort of my wish for myself as well. I found this book after discoving T Jefferson Parker with Silent Joe, which I also loved, and I've become a confirmed fan! He is truly gifted and it'll be fun to continue reading his books.
Format:Mass Market Paperback
In this police procedural, the partner combo of young, ambitious, abrasive Merci Rayborn and retired, insightful Tim Hess make a terrific partnership. Merci has planned out her path to being police chief but this plan was interrupted by her lawsuit charging sexual harassment by her former partner. This assignment, to track down a henious serial killer who leaves behind only the purses of the women he abducts and supposedly kills,may be Rayborn's last chance to redeem herself on the force. Hess is also familiar with last chances as he is undergoing chemotherapy for pervasive lung cancer and his call back from retirement is another chance for him as well. This unlikely duo really works and complements each other. It is really fascinating to see how the veteran Hess deduces what the killer is doing with the phantom bodies and how both Rayborn and Hess track down the clues. Meanwhile we are led on several false goose chases where the killer is supposedly revealed. Hess also mentors Rayborn to be more insightful and less compulsive, something really needed as she is a very unlikable person. A relationship develops between the two and comes into play when one of them is threatened by the killer.
The ending is exciting and unusual, to say the least, but satisfying. I look forward to reading more of this series.
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4.2 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tight, Tense, and Suspenseful.....
Detective Merci Rayborn is smart, talented, ambitious, and also very rough around the edges. By Sheriff Department standards she's pretty unpopular, and does not work or play well... Read more
Published on Aug 31 2002 by Roz Levine
5.0 out of 5 stars
exhilarating novel
This was the first novel in which Mr.Parker introduces us to Merci Rayborn and after reading this one I'm currently up to the third in this series! Anyway,I digress... Read more
Published on Aug 25 2002 by Barton H. Mills
4.0 out of 5 stars
This is how mystery books must be written
I just finished the book and I have to conclude it was a good read. The main characters are Vess(the old and experienced) and Merci (the unexperienced hard) in chase of the purse... Read more
Published on July 3 2002 by Walter A
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
This is the first T. Jefferson Parker book I have read and I already have Red Line and Black Water waiting in the wings. This book has kept me interested and glued to the pages. Read more
Published on Jun 24 2002
4.0 out of 5 stars
Something smart and different
Tim Hess is assigned a difficult partner-- a young detective named Merci Rayborn who struggles under both her father's legacy and her own prickliness. Read more
Published on Jun 14 2002 by frumiousb
5.0 out of 5 stars
tremendous plot, characters we care about, new series!
We know Parker has six previous titles, but this first of the (now) three Merci Rayborn stories was our first Parker as well. Read more
Published on Jun 9 2002 by Gerald M. Bull
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mastery of the written word abounds
in this serial killer mystery. Parker has such great definition of the characters and such mastery ot the plot that it becomes impossible to put it down. Read more
Published on Jun 2 2002 by Joymarie
4.0 out of 5 stars
A gripping intense crime novel
Based on his proven track record, semi-retired senior officer Tim Hess is required back on duty by the Orange County Police Department Chief Brighton to catch a murderer called... Read more
Published on Feb 9 2002 by Manuel Gwiazda
4.0 out of 5 stars
A gripping intense crime novel
Based on his proven track record, semi-retired senior officer Tim Hess is required back on duty by the Orange County Police Department Chief Brighton to catch a murderer called... Read more
Published on Feb 9 2002 by Manuel Gwiazda
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Odd Couple
T. Jefferson Parker's The Blue Hour captures two unusual police detectives at work on a series of murders. Read more
Published on Dec 11 2001 by Edna H
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