Last Known Victim-Erica Spindler

Last Known Victim
Erica Spindler
Mira, Oct 2007, $24.95
ISBN: 9780778324614

The Doomsday predictions accompanying Katrina prove true as New Orleans Police Captain Patti O’Shay surveys the city that has ninety percent of its buildings including police headquarters flooded. NOPD worked out of Harrah’s Casino and police headquarters is located in the Royal Senesta, but rescue efforts are hampered and Patty worries about her missing in action spouse Sammy until she found him dead, shot in the back twice.

Two years later, the city still recovers from the aftermath of the hurricane and the failure of the government at all levels. Meanwhile during the rescue efforts, a massive refrigerator had been found to contain six female right hands inside; the media calls the culprit "The Handyman." Now a victim has been found buried in City Park; her right hand was severed, but amongst her remains is Sammy’s badge. Still grieving her loss and angry at government at all levels, Patti needs to know the truth although it means breaking all the rules that she has lived her life by; she expects a confrontation in which she will either bring him down or become his LAST KNOW VICTIM; as the Handyman looks forward to adding her right hand to his grisly collection.

This suspense thriller hooks the audience from the onset with its deep dark look at New Orleans after Katrina has turned the city into a big bowl of water. The cat and mouse game picks up two years later as Patty breaks procedures while knowing her adversary stalks her; the better man (she hopes woman) left standing in a KILLER TAKES ALL showdown. Police procedural and suspense thriller fans will fully appreciate this enjoyable action-packed (rightfully so no romance) thriller.

Harriet Klausner