Review: "A Spine Tingling Crime Thriller"
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 7, 2013
This is a sequel to "A Perfect Husband."  That novel was one of the most suspenseful novels I read last year.  I have to say, Author Douglas Wickard has outdone himself in this new Sami Saxton novel.  I felt his first novel was very similar to the works of thriller author Jeffery Deaver; but now I think Wickard surpasses Deaver.  In this story Sami and her wonderful dog Blue have moved into a new apartment overlooking the Hudson River and Riverside Drive in New York City.  From her previous misfortunes she suffers from post traumatic stress syndrome, and even some paranoia.  She relies on some medications to help her cope ... leaving the safety of her apartment alone, riding in elevators, and still having terrifying nightmares, which seem to be increasing. She is still being plagued with the notoriety as the Superwoman who killed a serial killer.  Now, with a call from her ex-husband, Jerry Saxton, she is thrown into a tornado of new events that are beyond belief.  Jerry is telling her he was arrested on the suspicion of murder of Miranda Davies, a simple mid-west girl enjoying life in the Big Apple.  Detective "Hutch" Hutchinson and Detective Brenda Stokes have been assigned to the case.  They themselves have issues in their personal lives that further spark this novel.  This novel is written for mystery fans who like to figure out who-dun-it before reaching the end of the story.  I challenge every reader to choose among the varied protagonists in this story.  It's like you are sitting down to a 1,000 piece puzzle trying to put it all together.  I, myself, played detective, jotting down everything I learned about these characters.  I didn't come close to the double-whammy ending ... or you might say the triple surprise ending.  It's a complex mystery, but one I couldn't put down, nor can I put it out of my head. As I nearly reached the end, I was so absorbed in the story my heart was pounding with the terror which is thrust upon Sami again.  The writing style is unique and decidedly vigorous; the characters are unique, some strange, and all captivating.  There are so many plots and twists that you will feel like you are traveling through a maze, wondering who really is the villain ... or villains.  I am convinced, that Author Douglas Wickard has a very imaginative mind and will be writing more captivating thrillers.  Read this to the end ... it is a mystery which will keep you entranced.