Olga Bicos, Deadly Impulse

Deadly Impulse

Olga Bicos

Mira, Sep 2005, $6.99, 384 pp.

ISBN: 0778322114

The trial ended with a hung jury, but most people believed that photographer Clayton Chase killed his pregnant wife Jillian though he insisted he was unconscious having been hit by lightning. Currently, Clayton receives mental counseling from Piper Jordan who specializes with lightning cases ever since her beloved spouse died when he was struck. She raises her two children though the older teen Mandy is not her biological daughter while her preadolescent son Simon suffers from electroporation as a result of the same strike that killed his dad.

Clay's lawyer Aidan Parks informs him that Florida is re-prosecuting the case. Clay cannot understand why Aidan represents him as Jillian's influential and wealthy dad wants Clay executed. Meanwhile Clay realizes that he is falling in love with his counselor especially when she is the only subject he can photograph since he was struck by lightning. However, he also knows, as the trial starts, he will not see her or help Simon who is only a scared child not suffering from an illness. To her chagrin, Piper is attracted to her patient, who is probably a spousal killer.

DEADLY IMPULSE is an exciting romantic suspense thriller that grips the audience who will want to know whether Clay really killed his wife. Though the story line has perhaps too many sidebars, ultimately they come together turning into a tense final confrontation. Fans will appreciate this strong thriller while hoping for a sequel involving a reappearance of secondary players, a married ADA and her private investigator spouse.

Harriet Klausner