Time of Death [Hardcover]

This is the fifth book in Shirley Kennett's riveting series
featuring PJ Gray and in the opinion of this fan, the best so far. Her story centers on PJ Gray, a virtual reality specialist who consults with the St. Louis Police Department and is the head of a team of 3 police detectives who solve high-profile murder cases with a combination of old-fashioned procedural police work and high-tech virtual reality simulations. Let me briefly tell you about the fascinating virtual reality world PJ employs, since this is a unique aspect of the Kennett series. You do not have to be a computer genius to go with PJ into the simulation since Kennett has a knack for clearly explaining what is happening without speaking down to the reader. These simulations feature genman, genwoman, gengirl, genboy and genbaby as well as generic houses, cars, and other locations and are programmed by PJ to match the particulars of the crime. The author has also instilled an fascinating artificial intelligence aspect to the simulations, in which the program suggests the most likely outcomes/novel outcomes/possibilities.

This case involves an extended family, in particular well-to-do sisters, and ranges over generations and locales. Most of Kennett's books are set in the St. Louis area and this story follows suit. The settings are so vivid and realistic that I can smell the onions when PJ opens the door of Millie's diner! Time of Death begins with the discovery of a mangled corpse on the St. Louis levee near the Arch. The first setting in every PJ Gray book is a shocking introduction to the story and this one is no exception. You will be hooked and rush to continue reading the story to see the outcome of the case.

PJ is a middle-aged mother of a teenage son (Thomas), whose husband left her for a younger woman. PJ picked up the pieces of her life, loaded her son into her car and moved to St. Louis to start a new life. She is attracted to the experienced detective Leo Schultz who is assigned to work with her. Their developing relationship gives yet another aspect to the series, a romantic and emotional overtone based on mature attraction and concern for bringing up Thomas properly in this day and age. In this story, Thomas strays into danger from following onling role-playing gaming to a dangerous conclusion.

Every family has secrets, right? Discover one family's secrets in this well-written, realistic and gripping story.

In St. Louis psychologist Dr. Penelope Jennifer "PJ" Gray never expected to be involved with the police as she is now, but her Computer Homicide Investigation Program (CHIP) has proven so successful, she is an adjunct on murder inquiries. The single mom of a teen, PJ provides virtual reality forensics to crime scenes and is seeing on and off her partner homicide detective Leo Schultz, who recently has been sarcastic with her.

Their current case involves the brutal Metro Mangler as they dub him who abuses his or her victim, the latest being realtor Arlen Merritt, whose penis was removed. The spouse seems odd in how she grieves her loss, but does not appear to have been the killer especially since she would need a lot more bulk to move the body as it was done. Another killing with much of the trademark of the Mangler occurs, but with major differences especially the cold precision without the heated frenzy of the Merritt murder. While Leo thinks two culprits are committing the crimes, PJ wonders if there is one clever murderer disguising the real motive with two disparate homicides.

TIME OF DEATH, the latest PJ Gray police procedural (see GRAY MATTER), is an interesting homicide investigative tale starring a fully developed team including the lead couple struggling with a difficult case made more complex with a second murderer. The story line moves mostly along the investigative track, but is brilliantly supplemented with the seemingly dysfunctional relationship between PJ and Leo as seen totally from her perspective. Though the heroine provides plenty of interesting observations, the use of CHIP is limited so that the forensic virtual reality program takes a back seat to old fashion sleuthing.

Harriet Klausner

I have read and loved each of her books. Shirley brings her characters to life. I look forward to her next book with great anticipation.

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