TripTych
Karin Slaughter
Delacorte, Aug 2006, $25.00
ISBN 0385339461

Atlanta homicide detective Michael Ormewood knows he is bone weary and probably suffering from battle fatigue syndrome from working with the city's underclass in the city's poorest neighborhoods like Grady. His wife Gina, a nurse, and Michael raise a mentally impaired son Tim so though he loves both his relief from work is limited at home.

Michael is investigating the brutal murder of a young prostitute in Grady. However, before he can get very far into his inquiries, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation claims control because the culprit sliced off the victim's tongue, linking it to a serial killer. GBI Investigator Will Trent believes the prime suspect is sex offender John Shelley, who just was paroled after a conviction for a violent crime when the tongue murders began.

Moving away from Grant County for this stand alone inner city police procedural, Karin Slaughter provides her audience with an exciting tale that contains a major twist as well as a switch from the first person narration of Michael to that of John once the case changes lead. The story line is fast-paced and fun to follow especially the latter half as John follows clues. Though the ending seems obvious Ms. Slaughter's fans will appreciate her suspenseful trek into Atlanta.

Harriet Klausner