Death Angel

>I've never been a huge fan of mystery/suspense writing. But when a friend <br />>highly recommended Death Angel to me, I decided to take the plunge and <br />>check it out. And boy am I glad I did! Powers weaves a powerful tale of murder, betrayal and suspense with characters so well developed that it's <br />>impossible not to feel emotionally involved in the plot. The conclusion is so chilling and such a surprise - a rewarding payoff for a fantastic book that had me reading for hours on end. I enjoyed it so much and may even read it again!

In Death Angel, the tragedy of losing a child to a heinous crime is the impetus for the book's main character, Kate Warner, to dive headfirst into a world of sleuthing, danger and ultimately, revenge. As a parent, Kate's determination and courage are inspirational in the face of horrendous circumstances and utmost despair. Determined to find her child's killer and clear her husband's name, Kate takes the law in to her own hands and leads the reader on an unexpected journey into the darkness of everyday America. Her character adds new heights to the emotional complexity of a child's murder and grips the reader like few characters can. A must read for any mystery lover and avid reader alike.

Kate Warner is living every mother's worst nightmare. Her young daughter, Jenny, has been brutally murdered, and the investigation has focused on her husband. Unable to accept Richard's possible involvement in Jenny's death, Kate feels helpless in the face of public and private scrutiny. Pickard's chief of police, Carl Leidecker, is a former member of Chicago's finest. He also knows the Warners. Leidecker dives into the case of Jenny's murder with all available resources. When Richard Warner, Leidecker discovers there's more to the family than meets the eye. The case follows a twisted trail of leads that pull Kate Warner and Carl Leidecker in a deadly direction. Not knowing who to trust and who to blame is a dangerous game. If the killer isn't found in time, the Death Angel will be sure to strike again. In this haunting suspense, Martha Powers weaves a spell of heartbreak and rage guaranteed to affect even the most jaded readers. She dives into the psyches of the grieving mother, a dogged investigator, and the sadistic killer. Readers will be kept guessing until close to the end, with a chilling climax sure to keep you on edge. Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer 9/26/2006

Reviewed by Kristina Patton for Reader Views (08/06) Blatant lies, hidden truths, and broken hearts are all a part of Martha Powers' new thriller "Death Angel." Powers takes us down a road that no parent could ever imagine experiencing, let alone actually go through it. The unfathomable crimes of a child molester are just the beginning of the next few tortuous weeks for Richard and Kate Warner. As an award-winning romance novelist and humorist, author Martha Powers has crossed the threshold into a completely new genre. But, after reading "Death Angel," this category seems as familiar to Powers as it is to Mary Higgins Clark or James Patterson. "Death Angel" is thrilling, full of twists, and seemingly straight out of the headlines. The characters come alive as we watch the story take life on the movie screen of our imagination. Powers renews the meaning of a best-selling thriller. As Kate Warner begins to believe that her life is as it should be, her world is turned upside down. With the loss of her eight year old daughter, Jenny, normally dependent Kate becomes even more dependent on her husband Richard. As the story unfolds, Kate must become an independent woman and must really think about who she can and cannot trust. She can no longer just go through the motions. In between Kate's fight for independence, we enter the mind of the killer......and we know he's close. While Kate inches closer to the truth, Powers' twists the story in yet another angle. "Death Angel" will keep the reader on the edge of their seat with their back to the wall. Readers Beware: Do not read this at night, or alone! - It may cause paranoia and a scared silly reaction to anyone who walks into the room.