Tracking Time: An April Woo Novel

Tracking Time, the most recent book in this series that features Detective Sergeant April Woo suceeds not only as a thrilling suspense novel but a disturbing look at today's society. April takes on the whole department as she searches for missing psychoanalytic student Maslow Atkins and uncovers shocking family secrets and teen violence right out of today's headlines.Tracking Time is well-plotted with the added dimension and depth of well sketched characters and relationships that keeps you turning the page.

This is the first novel that I have read by Leslie Glass. "Tracking Time" explores the lives of the rich and selfish. Two teenagers named David and Brandy have parents from hell. Their parents are too wealthy and self-absorbed to know what is going on in their kids' lives. Brandy and David are twisted and bitter youngsters who embark on a campaign of violence and terror for the sake of a few thrills. The protagonist, Detective April Woo, is investigating the disappearance of psychiatrist Maslow Atkins and she senses that Brandy and David are somehow involved. There is little suspense here, since Glass lets us know up front who did what to whom. April has little to do in the way of investigating. The novel's best moments come from the analysis of the protagonists' lives. We learn about April's tortured relationship with her mother, whom she calls (disrespectfully) "Skinny Dragon," and with her good-looking lover, Mike Sanchez, who loves April but has a roving eye. The most wicked and enjoyable writing is reserved for the parents in the book and the two teens, who are all spoiled and nasty people. Glass is sarcastic and funny in the way that she dissects these warped individuals. The novel is well-paced and the dialogue is crisp and often amusing. "Tracking Time" is entertaining and I recommend it for fans of psychological suspense.

When Dr. Maslow Atkins, a young New York psychiatrist, goes for his jog in Central Park and does not come out, an immediate investigation is prompted...Leading the investigation is detective sergeant April Woo.After being urged by friend Jason Frank, to look into the psychiatrist's disappearance, April will dive into every aspect of Maslow's life, as well as his patient's...including a young girl who likes to cut herself and harbors a dark secret.Even when the entire police force puts pressure to close the case, April, will proceed to look for the missing doctor and solve the case."Tracking Time" is another great entry in an already excellent series. April Woo is the toughest, smartest and most genuine of all characters in suspense fiction, and Leslie Glass continues to turn out fresh, suspensful plots with each new novel she writes.Any fan of suspensful, police procedurals should look to the April Woo series for a great read.

Psychiatrist Dr. Maslow Atkins uses running in Central Park just before twilight to relieve some of his stress. One particular day, a patient, Allegra meets Maslow at the entrance to the park. He reminds her that he will see her in his office tomorrow. However, the next day Maslow fails to show up for an appointment with his mentor Dr. Jason Frank, who calls his friend Lieutenant April Woo to see what happened to Maslow.April conducts a search even employing a K9 team but all she learns is that a wino witnessed two people attack a third person that might be Maslow. April meets Allegra at the doctor's office, but has no grounds to detain the woman who they find out later is Maslow's half-sister. Allegra is the next one to vanish. April believes two teens associated with both victims have something to do with the incidents, but no one can find them either.With each new work, the April Woo tales seem to get better which is no mean feat since the quality has always been sky high. April continues to mature, as she becomes stronger due to her new experiences. Her newfound independence begins to separate her from a dependence on her Chinese relatives and the rest of the Chinese community. Leslie Glass uses her beguiling heroine to provide a humanized police investigation that turns TRACKING TIME into a wonderful treat for anyone who enjoys a great story starring a strong individual with a touch of romance to add flavoring to a tasty stew.Harriet Klausner