Out At Night

I loved this novel. Susan Smith's first novel "The Timer Game" introduced Grace Descanso as a protagonist we could all relate to, a gamey good guy with an edgy past, but it's Smith's voice that makes it worthwhile to shell out the price of a hardback book. This woman can write. She's got more talent in her thumb than the thriller genre deserves. She really ought to be writing for a broader readership.

I found this book to be very fast-paced with a lot of heart. Grace Descanso, the lead character, not only is smart, she's funny and a single mom to boot. With lots of interesting characters and a good story line, this book is a great read.

As a forensic scientist in Southern California, I had to read this one. The mystery is mysterious, the characters have character, and I can find no fault in the story line. I finished it in just a couple of days and quite enjoyed it. The reason for the title of this review is that finally someone wrote a book about crime scene investigation that is realistic. The procedures are real, the techniques are real, there's no "blue-light CSI high heels and halter top" nonsense. The author has obviously done some research into how things are done. I own the first two Grace Descanso novels and eagerly await the next one.

This is the second in I hope a series of Grace Descanso thrillers that have well paced action. Love to see Out at Night as a movie. Being a native San Diegan I enjoyed the vivid local color. The plot, driven by science, is compelling and builds with suspense and a maze to the thrilling end.

In Palm Springs, California, at an international agricultural symposium, protesters peacefully march against genetically modified crops. That is no violence until someone shoots an arrow into the chest of Professor Thaddeus Bartholomew. The assailant quickly follows up, while people watch in horror, by pouring gasoline on the professor and igniting it with a match; but before his death Thaddeus sends a text message: "FIND GRACE DESCANSO." The FBI suspects the violent group Radical Damage killed the professor to cast a dark shadow on the conference and most likely to plan an even more ferocious assault during the closing ceremony. Grace a San Diego police crime lab technician is yanked back from her vacation with her daughter by her FBI Agent Uncle Pete. As the niece works with her uncle investigating the homicide and potential follow-up terrorism, another murder occurs and while the moment of truth draws closer, there remains too many suspects including Grace's pregnant cousin to prevent an expected tragedy. OUT AT NIGHT, the second Descanso police procedural (see THE TIMER GAME) is an exciting thriller from the moment an expecting to die Bartholomew sends his text message and never slows down until the final confrontation with agricultural terrorists. The gripping story line hooks the audience, but never quite explains why the professor picked Descanso and waits until the latter half of the tale to provide the actual terrorist threat and the rationale. Still fans will enjoy this enjoyable family affair. Harriet Klausner