Last Known Victim

I ordered this for my daughter who was not fond of reading until she found Erica Spindler, now she has read all of her books and on ERicas mailing list. Great author and a great dealer

I really liked the newest Erica Spindler novel. If you haven't read her other books that include the Malone family, you may be left feeling a bit confused. However, If you are like me and have read all of her books then you will understand this book and the complex character a lot more. I hope she continues writting about the Malone family because they are so interesting and I want to know what happens next for Stacy and Spencer.....

The predictions were bad, but the results were worse. Hurricane Katrina tore through New Orleans with a ferocity reserved for demons. It flattened buildings, flooded the city, destroyed property, tore apart families, and left law enforcement officials fumbling. It had been two years since Katrina came through, but Police Captain Patti O'Shay couldn't get past it. In the early hours after the storm, she lost her husband. There was no explanation for the shooting, no suspects, and with the cleanup efforts taking precedence, there was no real investigation. Until she knew who killed Sammy and why, she would grieve. When Katrina came through and the city lost power, the contents of over a million refrigerators and freezers were left to rot. Most residents abandoned the refrigerators rather than to try and clean them out. They were gathered up and set aside. Cleaning them out fell under the EPA's jurisdiction. They got on it, but for every refrigerator cleaned out, two more arrived. Two years and thousands of refrigerators later, they stumble across a cache of a serial killer's trophies, six severed hands. NOPD took possession of the evidence and opened the investigation. There were six unidentified victims out there and the Handyman was responsible. A few days later, the body of one of his victims was found in the park. Sammy O'Shay's badge was found lying beneath the victim. The Last Victim is a complex and compelling story. Patti O'Shay's grief and her determination to bring the Handyman to justice were both poignant and real. Add a plot that constantly twists and turns in unexpected directions, and you have an awesome story.

I love Erica Spindler. This book is everything I hoped it would be from her.

The Doomsday predictions accompanying Katrina prove true as New Orleans Police Captain Patti O'Shay surveys the city that has ninety percent of its buildings including police headquarters flooded. NOPD worked out of Harrah's Casino and police headquarters is located in the Royal Senesta, but rescue efforts are hampered and Patty worries about her missing in action spouse Sammy until she found him dead, shot in the back twice. Two years later, the city still recovers from the aftermath of the hurricane and the failure of the government at all levels. Meanwhile during the rescue efforts, a massive refrigerator had been found to contain six female right hands inside; the media calls the culprit "The Handyman." Now a victim has been found buried in City Park; her right hand was severed, but amongst her remains is Sammy's badge. Still grieving her loss and angry at government at all levels, Patti needs to know the truth although it means breaking all the rules that she has lived her life by; she expects a confrontation in which she will either bring him down or become his LAST KNOW VICTIM; as the Handyman looks forward to adding her right hand to his grisly collection. This suspense thriller hooks the audience from the onset with its deep dark look at New Orleans after Katrina has turned the city into a big bowl of water. The cat and mouse game picks up two years later as Patty breaks procedures while knowing her adversary stalks her; the better man (she hopes woman) left standing in a KILLER TAKES ALL showdown. Police procedural and suspense thriller fans will fully appreciate this enjoyable action-packed (rightfully so no romance) thriller. Harriet Klausner