Taffy Cannon, Blood Matters

Blood Matters

Taffy Cannon

Perseverance Press, April 2007, $14.95, 244 pp.

ISBN 1880284863

San Diego Sheriff's Department homicide detective Roxanne Prescott is taken aback and so is her senior partner when they enter Sam Brennan's mega mansion. It is huge and contains various collections like antique cars, salt and pepper shakers, and neon signs. Everything is presented by themes in the various rooms in the house, which is also unique with oval rooms, secret passages and a priest's bolt hole.

Sam was murdered by someone he trusted which limits the suspects since he wasn't close to many people. He died when someone hit him in his head with a Michael Jackson statue. Sam founded Adoption Central to reunite adoptees with their birth family and to facilitate adoptions. Everyone at work liked him and he got along with his half-sister even though he detested her right-wing radio talk show host. After days of interviewing people, they have not even one suspect in hand. Roxanne comes up with an idea that will either make her look foolish or trap a killer.

Taffy Cannon has written an excellent police procedural that shows two bored and frustrated cops working a murder case that goes nowhere. The protagonist is a strong woman who gets along equally with men and woman while she is willing to learn from those who are willing the mentor her. The investigative process is fascinating, the supporting characters are well designed as Ms. Cannon proves one doesn't need blood and gore to make a police procedural believable.

Harriet Klausner