Only in the Ashes

ONLY IN THE ASHES is a great read. The characters of Anne Menlo, the child psychologist, and Bern, the police detective, have a depth and humanity that is rare in mystery fiction. I was disappointed to learn that there won't be another Anne Menlo book out in the near future. The series possibilities here are endless. Be sure to read Maxine O'Callaghan's other Menlo novel, SHADOW OF A CHILD, as well as the wonderful Delilah West series.

Child psychologist Dr. Anne Menlo lets her feelings of empathy overrule her professional judgement when she agrees to profile the last weeks of Kathleen Grayley's daughter. Kathleen doesn't know what happened to her daughter Rachel, because her estranged husband and his mother kidnapped the girl, taking her out of California to Arizona. The only reason Kathleen's husband called her was to inform her that their daughter and the housekeeper, died in a fire. ........ The grieving mother wants to find out if Rachel was a victim of sexual or physical abuse, but the case takes a criminal turn when the cause of the fire turns out to be arson. This development brings Anne's live-in lover, detective Bern Pagett, into the picture. Bern is decidedly not happy with Anne being involved on a case with him, since the last time the two of them worked together, they almost were killed by a madwoman (SHADOW OF THE CHILD). Bern's fears are warranted because somebody, presumably the same person who killed Rachel, tries to torch their house and kill them. Although they escape, the danger isn't over because there's still a murderer on the loose and Anne won't rest until she fulfills her promise to her client, even it means putting herself in danger once again. ........ This psychological police thriller is so suspense filled that readers will feel like they are stretched to the snapping point. Maxine O'Callaghan uses sleight of hand so well that the audience is constantly misdirected down the wrong path, leaving them think that they solved the story (not!). The finale is unexpected, dramatic yet believable, a combination that makes ONLY IN THE ASHES a top of the line thriller. The loving relationship between the doctor and the police officer fleshes out the characters, making them seem like three dimensional human beings instead of puppet characters. Let us hope another Anne Menlo work is out real soon. ........Harriet Klausner