The Suspect [Abridged] (Audio Cassette)

Among Duran's enemies, many of which were made over the course of a successful career, is a convict, recently released from a particularly miserable, high security prison. This nut case, Otto Kline, was put in isolation for 18 months, following his learning of his wife's death. She committed suicide - in a woman's prison. He swears revenge on Duran and Duran's wife, Anona Stack, herself an artist - both of whom Kline blames for his own wife's death.

This story takes a number of twists and turns, as Duran's wife is kidnapped, her former husband is poisoned, and her son is found dead.

While Duran is considered the prime suspect in all of this, he realizes that no one else is going to help him find his wife, and that time is running out. The anniversary of Otto's wife's suicide is only two days away, and Duran must work fast to find his wife - alive.

This is a fast-paced read; set aside a couple of hours, as you won't want to put The Suspect down.

Roberto has many enemies, including his wife's former spouse, her son, their family lawyer, and countless criminals he helped get arrested. One of the men he sent up the river is about to be released. This individual plans to make his nemesis pay for all that time and suffering. He kidnaps his enemy's spouse and plants evidence to make it look like Roberto is the culprit. Regardless of the personal danger, Roberto realizes that if he is to rescue his beloved wife, he goes it alone as the police will not offer any help.

Jerry Kenealy, a two time Shamus nominee, has written his best novel to date with the publication of THE SUSPECT, a crime thriller that has prize winner written all over it. This book is a gritty work that is not for the faint of heart. Though very graphic, the tale is mesmerizing due to the heroic protagonist, who represents the best in human nature. At juxtaposition to the hero is the villain, who symbolizes the depravity of the human condition (think Beowulf vs. Grendel). It is this stark contrast that makes this story into an enthralling crime noir and leave readers chanting mas to Mr. Kenealy.

Harriet Klausner