Evidence of Murder

There are many forensics experts. There are many writers. Rarely, however, do the two meld as seamlessly and synergistically as in Lisa Black's //Evidence of Murder//, the eagerly anticipated sequel to //Takeover//. Theresa MacLean, forensic investigator, is trying to move on with her life after the tragic loss of her fiancé. Will the puzzling case of Jillian Perry, young wife and mother, give Theresa the focus and motivation she needs? When Perry's autopsy fails to provide a Cause Of Death (C.O.D.), MacLean, convinced it is murder and unable to prove it, is forced to bring all her expertise and intelligence to the table in order to protect Perry's young daughter. With spot-on forensics, a unique C.O.D., a knotty mystery, and engaging characters, Black gives her fans a rollicking good read, fast paced, entertaining, and with enough surprising twists and turns to keep even the most jaded mystery fan turning pages. This is a keeper, and definitely head-and-shoulders above the rest of the crowd in a crowded field. Reviewed by Claudette Smith

Eight months have passed since Cleveland forensic expert and single mom Theresa MacLean's fiancé Paul Cleary was killed during a bank robbery. She has tried to move on, but still grieves her loss and struggles at home and on the job. The murdered corpse of twenty-four year old former escort Jillian Perry is found in the nearby woods. Theresa's cousin homicide detective Frank asks her to help him on the investigation. She disagrees with the prevalent police theory that Jillian committed suicide. Instead Jillian had turned her life around and had every reason to live as she loved and cherished her five-month-old child and was a newlywed with an adoring husband, who along with a partner was about to make millions on a video game they invented. Soon after she joins the inquiry, a man steps forward claiming he is Jillian's boyfriend and files for custody of her baby. The sequel to TAKEOVER is a fabulous forensic investigative thriller as the murder case ironically brings Theresa back to life though she still mourns her loss. The police investigation is intelligent though it contains a high degree of implausibility. Still the audience will not care as readers will root for the heroine who brings sass and wit to the job. Harriet Klausner