Eyeshot

Succinctly and beautifully written, with a flawed lead character who immediately drew me in and had me cheering for her all the way through. Quite different from the rest of the current crop of female-detective-crime-murder-mystery heroines. I can imagine spending time with Sonora Blair and really enjoying myself! Looking forward to reading Hightower's other Blair offerings.

Cincinnati homicide investigator Sonora Blair, widowed with two children, has lost some credibility with the department since she mishandled the case of a female-stalking serial killer (see Flashpoint). The last thing she needs is a new high profile case, but that is what she ends up with when Butch Winchell files a missing person's report. Butch's spouse Julia was last seen attending a conference in Cincinnati with her lover. At first Sonora and her partner, Sam Delarosa, think that if the woman turns up dead, either the husband or the lover killed her. Evidence proves that Julia was murdered in cold blood. Her body was cut into small pieces and spread along the road between Cincinnati and her Tennessee residence to make identifying the body near impossible. Lady luck helps them prove that the body parts are Julia. The investigation turns in a direction neither law enforcement officer wants. Eight years ago, Julia witnessed an assailant drowning a pregnant woman in a college toilet, but was unable to prove anything because the culprit and the victim disappeared. While reading the local paper, she recognizes that killer is now a prominent local DA and media darling, and the victim was his spouse. Julia leaves behind a tape that points the finger at the guilty party. However, Sonora and Sam know that it will not be easy to prove that such a law abiding citizen is a cold-blooded killer. The politico is aware of the duo's suspicions, but is arrogant enough to believe he can get away with a game of cat and mouse with his two suspicions, but is arrogant enough to believe he can get away with a game of cat and mouse with his two favorite cops. Sonora and Sam think the clock is running out because the DA's second spouse is pregnant and he makes it clear that he is unhappy with that situation. Sonora expects this person feels he can get away with the removal of a second spouse unless she can act quick enough to stop him. Lynn S. Hightower is one of this reviewer's favorite authors due in part to the realistic picture she draws of her characters. She creates real people who have personal problems outside the job. The individuals have to wrestle with deep moral issues and personal demons every time they go out the door. Eyeshot is fast paced, believable, and totally enthralling. It is not a who-done-it but a how do we catch him (similar to Hitchcock's Frenzy) within the confines of the law. Harriet Klausner

I read this book in one sitting, could not put it down! Other than the fact that the main charactor, Sonora, seems to be drawn either to emotionally deficient men, men that she can't have, or men that are so sensitive-they make you want to gag, she seems like a person with alot of depth. Several times I caught myself looking at the book jacket to make sure that this wasn't a sequel to another Sonora Blair thriller, because it really seemed like there was another story in there somewhere that I had missed out on. The plotline was good, the female serial killer was scary, and the pace was excellent. OK, I admit, I wanted her to end up with the guy in the end