Scott Frost Never Fear

Never Fear

Scott Frost

Putnam, Jul 2006, $24.95

ISBN 0399153403

Pasadena, California Homicide Chief Detective Alex Delillo remains haunted from when she was five years old and her father, two bit actor Thomas Manning left her mother, brother and her. Her memories of him come more from Nickelodeon reruns though she still has sinister memories just out of focus pertaining to him. Still she has managed to move on burying the baggage.

That is until now when she learns that a person she never heard of, John Manning, who just committed suicide, was her half-brother. He apparently shot himself in the head at a spot by the Los Angeles River where almost two decades ago three young women were murdered; the case was remains unsolved. Apparently LAPD interviewed Manning, who was a prime suspect in the River Killings cold case homicides of the three females. When more corpses ate found and her early childhood memories begin to lucidly focus on her abusive father, Alex concludes that he is back with a vengeance.

NEVER FEAR is an exhilarating complex crime tale that effortlessly merges a psychological thriller within a powerful police procedural. Alex is terrific as the center holding the complex action-paced storyline together. Her memories and fears leave her wondering if she is strong enough to face her worst nightmare. Fans will want to read what will be considered by most readers one of the top suspense novels of the year. Readers are recommended to peruse Alex's first appearance too in RUN THE RISK

Harriet Klausner