Steven B. Mandel Another Lost Angel

Another Lost Angel

Steven B. Mandel

Five Star, May 2006, $25.95

ISBN: 1594144133

Chicago Police Detective Linny Nomar works in the Property crimes Section where he has a decent record. Not because he is a good cop, but instead the Chicago Outfit employs him to close his eyes when they commit a theft. Linny goes through the motions having never recovered from the abduction of his then three year old son Connor compounded two years ago when his wife Emmy committed suicide.

To his shock and without a request, Linny is transferred to the City-wide Homicide Unit (CHU), who is investigating a serial killer who mutilates teens before dumping them in water. To his surprise the new assignment awakens Linny from his stupor since the abduction. He admires his teammates and his boss, but especially is attracted to a peer Detective Julie McCallister. However, his mob handlers want him to back off the case until they can set up a fall guy; for the first time since they hooked him, Linny says no even though he knows he probably will lose his job and perhaps go to jail because his handlers have the evidence and the connections to do so.

Linny makes ANOTHER LOST ANGEL an interesting police procedural as his two personal losses makes him not care about anything until the new assignment awakens his basic needs to belong, to care, and to love. The story line is action packed and the revelation of who snatched his child and why seems implausible yet works quite well in the context of the demise and rise of a cop. Readers will root for Linny to find his way back to life and to remain what he has once again become, a dedicated police officer.

Harriet Klausner