Degrees of Murder

Police Chief Joe Weiss of the Lackenby police department hires Dr. Matthew Shea as an investigative consultant for a dollar a day plus expenses. Shea teaches a popular class at the local university on "Socio-Emotional Origins of Crime". Weiss once served on the New York City Police Department. Shea brings extensive investigative work and a degree in behavior sciences. Together they form an unbeatable team. Shea tells his students that all crimes have a pattern, if only you closely enough. But Weiss can't find the pattern in a recent rash of murders; three people have died in two weeks, and Weiss hopes a fresh pair of eyes will help. Weiss assigns the nitty-gritty work to his department, thus freeing himself and Shea to examine the bigger picture.The victims of the crimes have nothing in common. Different ethnic groups, male and female, economics and method of death separate them. Soon Shea realizes that the killer is staging the murders, making a victim look like she fought back, for example, when she was actually too drugged to do so. Then several of Shea's students unexpectedly complicate the investigation when they try to use techniques taught in the classroom on the streets.An extraordinarily well constructed mystery, DEGREES OF MURDER will hold the reader's attention riveted as plenty of misdirection and suspects fill the tale with suspense. The setting of a university for the class and many of the cast of characters lends the tale a touch of authenticity, without pushing the envelope of possibility. Moreover, Murphy's background in military experience in security and police work lends the narrative voice a complexity and depth that marks it as a classic. DEGREES OF MURDER is going on my keeper shelf. Very highly recommended.

With a background in writing, military, and police work, Kevin P. Murphy brings his own special expertise to the world of mystery writing. He has written more than 800 pieces, published in newspapers, the web, and magazines. He won third place in the 1998 Ridgewriters Branch of the California Writers Club Screenplay competition with "Something Bright and Alien."Set in Lackenby, Illinois, Police Chief Joe Weiss calls on his friend, Matt Shea, a behavioral sciences professor at State Line University when two murders occur. Shea is uniquely qualified to assist in the investigation, since his background consists of considerable experience in investigation. As the two search for identifiable patterns in the murders, more murders occur, and the only pattern that emerges is the lack of a pattern:"`What it says to me, Matt," Weiss continued, "is that we're dealing with a person who has some reason for making things look different than they are, and that is our pattern so far. What's the matter, Matt?' Shea shook his head as he muttered, `There was something there for a second -- almost visible -- something you just said triggered a memory of something -- but I can't get it out where I can see it.'"Murphy creates almost a modern day American Poirot, as Weiss and Shea puzzle their way through serial homicides. There is plenty of action to satisfy the reader; much of the trivial police work is handled by officers, leaving Weiss and Shea to formulate their theories. Murphy creates a clever twist and denouement, by placing the killer right smack under their noses. The final chapters contain the chase, which is suspenseful, intriguing, and just plain great entertainment. The university setting, with people's children at risk, makes a chilling setting.Degrees Of Murder is a well thought out old fashioned mystery designed to keep the reader at the edge of their seat. We never know when the killer will strike next, and as we get to know the characters better, we as readers develop an emotional stake in the outcome. Matt Shea and Joe Weiss are friends, honorable men, and we want them to succeed. The killer is a hateful villain: secretive; soulless; and intent on creating pain and suffering for kicks.Shelley GlodowskiReviewer