Full Tilt-Rick Mofina

Full Tilt

Rick Mofina

Mira, Jan 27 2015, $7.99

ISBN: 9780778317456

In Rampart, New York, RPD Detective Ed Brennan rushes to the hospital where a third degree burned mid-twenties white female dies after seemingly being tied up in a fiery barn on the vacant Rose Hill insane asylum cemetery.  Near the inferno the cops find an abandoned truck belonging to Carl Nelson, who left an apparent murder-suicide note.

Following her coverage (and active involvement) of a Texas child abduction case (see Whirlwind), Newslead rewards investigative journalist Kate Page with a position in their Manhattan headquarters.  The Children’s Searchlight Network calls Kate to tell her that the Rampart Police Department seeks someone who recognizes a tiny guardian angel charm identical to what she possesses.  Soon afterward Ed calls a hopeful Kate to inform her that a murder scene contained this piece of jewelry on a necklace.  Two decades ago, Kate survived a car accident in which her younger sister Vanessa and their foster parents apparently drowned.  Feeling guilt for not being able to hold onto her sibling, Kate leaves her young daughter with a friend and takes the train to Rampart.  Kate soon learns of the serial killings of multiple prisoners locked away for years inside Rose Hill by a brilliant psychopath.

The second Kate Page investigative mystery (see Whirlwind) is an adrenaline pumping chilling thriller from start to finish; with the case extremely personal.  The gripping storyline maintains readers’ attention throughout; as we increasingly anticipate the closing clash between the heroine and the serial killer, and also wonder (along with Kate) if Vanessa is one of the dead. 

Harriet Klausner