From Library Journal
Miami police detective Malcolm Ainslie, a former Catholic priest, is summoned to hear the confession of Elroy Doil, a serial killer he helped put away, hours before Doil's scheduled execution. Ainslie has always had doubts about Doil's involvement in the murder of City Commissioner Gustav Ernst and his wife, whom Doil insists he didn't kill, though he is happy to take credit for all the other murders he was charged with (and a couple he wasn't). This novel by the author of famed potboilers like The Moneychangers moves slowly and predictably from here, with Ainslie in charge of a new investigation of the Ernst murders. The characters are flat and uninteresting and the writing so poor as to make slogging through this dull story painful indeed. Not recommended.
-?Elizabeth Mellett, Brookline P.L., Mass.Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
From Booklist
Miami police department detective Malcolm Ainslie is almost out the bureau door when he takes one last call. It's the chaplain at Raiford Prison. Elroy Doil, a convicted serial killer awaiting execution, wants Ainslie, a former Catholic priest, to hear his final confession. Doil admits to another 10 murders, but he insists he didn't kill city commissioner Ernst and his cop daughter. In spite of Doil's obvious madness, Ainslie believes him and sets about to answer the obvious question: If not Doil, who? The investigation has to start with surviving daughter Cynthia Ernst, Ainslie's former lover and now a superior officer within the department. Hailey, who lives on the best-seller lists, is likely to find himself there once again with this engrossing thriller. There's nothing fancy here, just Hailey doing what he does best: develop a topical plot; move it forward with identifiable, carefully drawn characters; and present a satisfying, logical, and exciting conclusion. Highly entertaining fare.
Wes Lukowsky
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
by Arthur Hailey
by Arthur Hailey
