Laura Bradford Jury of One

Jury of One

Laura Bradford

Hilliard Harris, Jun 2005, $16.95

ISBN: 15913304947

The residents of Ocean Point, New Jersey are stunned by the murder of highly regarded twenty-four years old Susie Carlson, who apparently knew her killer as there is no sign of forced entry or robbery at the crime scene in her home. Detective Mitch Burns heads the investigation while new reporter Elise Jenkins of the Ocean Point Weekly looks into the homicide too. The pressure on the cops to solve the case is immense because tourist season is about to begin.

Elise learns from Susie's grieving friend Maureen O'Reilly that a boardwalk fortune teller, Madame Mariah, warned the woman to be careful. A second homicide occurs whose victim Mariah also warned. As Mitch and Elise investigate separately and together, they begin to fall in love, but first must stop an apparent serial killer who executes anyone he or she believes has broken the first commandment.

This is a terrific investigative tale starring two likable protagonists who at first separately then together try to prevent a serial killer from providing biblical justice to those perceived to have broken the First Commandment (though the culprit breaks the Fifth). Mitch and Elise make a fine couple as he is attracted to her just from seeing her picture in the paper. The who-done-it is fun to follow especially with a wonderful red herring to fool the sleuths and the readers. Although the retribution killer seems out of leftfield, fans will appreciate this fine mystery.

Harriet Klausner