Nancy Taylor Rosenberg Sullivan’s Evidence

Sullivan's Evidence by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg

Kensington, May 2006, $24.00

ISBN: 0758213026

Eight years ago vicious and remorseless Carl Holden was found guilty of the rape of four women and murder of a thirtyish housewife; everyone knew he was guilty and based on the recommendation of parole officer Carolyn Sullivan he received forty four years. However, Ventura County, California forensic lab chief Robert Abernathy tampered with evidence in the Holden case and others; Holden is free on probation with Carolyn as his officer.

New murders like those that fit Holden's M.O begin. Carolyn, a single mom of two teens, believes beyond a shadow of the doubt that this evil man walking the streets on a state technicality caused by a lazy bureaucratic moron is the killer; she plans to prove without a shadow of a doubt that is the case. However, a desire to do something does not prevent someone one, probably Holden ,wanting in turn to destroy one of the key people who locked him away for eight years. To succeed her children make a fine first target.

The third Sullivan legal-crime thriller (see SULLIVAN'S JUSTICE and SULLIVAN'S LAW) is a superb tale that provides readers with a deep look inside the California criminal justice system. The heroine is a terrific protagonist struggling with a case that is so personal, her mind cannot forget the images of the Anderson family, relatives of the housewife Holden killed while also battling as a single mom with teens. Carolyn's time is so tight that a fender bender with Marcus Wright seems right for a relationship but when. With fabulous forensic support (especially the bungling) and an incredible climax, Nancy Taylor Rosenberg writes a superb thriller that will make all the short mystery lists for top books of the year.

Harriet Klausner