Brian McGrory, Strangled

Strangled

Brian McGrory

Atria, Feb 2007, $25.00

ISBN 0743463684

Forty years ago, someone killed Albert DeSalvo, the self-confessed "Boston Strangler," in prison; case closed. Until now that is. Boston Record reporter Jack Flynn, on the verge of marrying his beloved Maggie Kane, ignores his upcoming nuptials to investigate a new string of homicides that eerily parallel that of the Strangler. The press dubs the new killer the "Phantom Fiend."

Jack begins his investigation by scanning the 1960's record to determine whether he agrees with officialdom that DeSalvo was the original killer. However, not surprisingly, at least to Jack, who used to work the DC beat (see THE INNOCENT), several Massachusetts' prominent citizens, especially those in law enforcement today and in the 60s, want him to leave the past buried with DeSalvo. His first police contact FOJ (friend of Jack) Leo Goldsmith tells him for his own good to back off from that approach. Pressure to cease and desist comes especially from supporters of Stu Callahan, the State senior Senator who prosecuted the DeSalvo conviction. Ignoring everyone, including his fianc e, Jack receives correspondence from the apparent killer who forces him into a contest in which not playing or failure means women will be STRANGLED.

Though an exciting, journalistic, investigative thriller, STRANGLED is one of those tales that could have been a classic, but chooses the modern day cat and mouse action over the more fascinating look back at the DeSalvo confession. The storyline is fast-paced as Jack knows he cannot ignore the deadly contest even if every politico law enforcement-type demands he does as he believes the serial killer must be stopped and he has the insider track though the cost on his personal life might prove expensive. Readers will enjoy this murder mystery, but once done wonder about DeSalvo.

Harriet Klausner