Robert Dugoni, Damage Control

Damage Control

Robert Dugoni

Warner, Feb 2007, $24.99

ISBN 0446578703

Looking back on her once recently idyllic life, Seattle attorney Dana Hill wonders how everything that seemed so perfect could fall apart so fast. A few days ago she was on the top of the world, at least the Space Needle, believing she was successful at her vocation; thought she shared a loving relationship with her husband, and enjoyed raising their precocious three-year-old daughter Molly. Though her spouse seems to have had less time for her or Molly, Dana missed the signs. Then she learned she had breast cancer, caught her spouse enjoying sex with another woman in their bed, and learned her academia twin James, who told her recently he had dire problems that Dana ignored, was murdered in what the police declare was a robbery turned ugly.

Needing a distraction from her troubles, Dana looks at the homicide scene only to find an exotic earring that somehow the crime scene investigators missed. Police Detective Mike Logan assists and encourages her with her inquiry as she begins to wonder if perhaps her brother's death was premeditated. Dana tries to learn who owns the earring, but a killer who wants the case to go cold is ready to murder a second twin.

Ironically Dana's bulldog tenacity is the strength and weakness of this entertaining, fast-paced thriller. She switches from ambitious yuppie to avenging sister as Dana continues her quest in spite of attempts on her life and clues that twist and turn her inquiry every which way possible. However, she ignores Molly's safety and constantly steps into danger without learning from previous mistakes. Additionally, while key support cast members like her philandering husband lack depth, Dana is terrific as her efforts make for a fun thriller in which she and the killer step closer to High Noon.

Harriet Klausner