Sharon Carter Rogers, Sinner

Sinner

Sharon Carter Rogers

River Oak, Dec 2006, $13.99

ISBN: 1589190971

The Stranger attacks Father Michael Renault of St. Anthony's Cathedral with a strength and viciousness few could conceive in anyone human. Considering that the priest is a big man and former linebacker, the intruder's assault so easily accomplished is shocking as he breaks Michael's ribs and arm and physically removes an eye; leaving one to see as a warning reminder to stay away from young Hector Gomez as the Father has failed to do with other youthful parishioners.

Investigative writer CK Ivors is shocked at the fury of the attack and the symbol left behind, that of the legendary Sinner, who allegedly meted out justice to those deserving of punishment but above the law of man and God since the Civil War. She obsesses with knowing the truth, so, using money earned from previous books, she hires a team of experts to help her make inquiries into Sinner though she believes he is just a series of different people over the last century and a half, each using the cloak of myth to hide his vigilante justice. As she gets closer to the truth, she meets Loftis Johnson, who seeks the Sinner for personal revenge motives. Meanwhile, her target must decide what to do with the obstinate investigator who has not caused anyone harm yet may expose him to the light of day.

This is a great suspense thriller starring two incredible "antagonists." Whereas Sinner is the Frank Miller dark Batman, CK is early Lois Lane needing to uncover the secrets of this super avenger and Johnson adds a sense of impending doom and confrontation to the mix. Sinner pulls no punches when he cleanses evil as Sharon Carter Rogers is vividly graphic (my left eye still blinks). Fans will appreciate this stark tale of a collision between an avenging angel who believes God is a sinner, a tenacious writer and a third party with revenge on the mind.

Harriet Klausner