Kim Wozencraft, The Devil’s Backbone

The Devil's Backbone

Kim Wozencraft

St. Martin's, September 2006, $24.95

ISBN: 0312290632

Katherine "Kit" Metcalf and her sister Jenny reacted differently to the family dynamics after their mom died. Whereas Jenny obeyed their martinet father by becoming a cop like him, and is engaged to an undercover police officer, Kit chose philosophy in college and avoided anything remotely involving law enforcement. Adding to Kit's estrangement is a rape that she never has come to terms with or gotten over. In anger towards all males, Kit becomes a stripper at Austin's Blaze gentleman's club where she can safely tease men with glass between her and them.

However, the dynamics change again when Austin police detective Jenny, investigating a porn ring and related murder tied to Blaze, is found dead. Needing to obtain justice for the sister she feels she let down, Kit begins to obtain therapy with psychiatrist Dr. Emily Wolfe and investigates her sibling's murder over the objections of everyone she knows. However, one objector has personal reasons to prevent Kit from succeeding, either with therapy or her case. That adversary attacks Dr. Wolfe and steals Kit's file. Kit ponders if it is her dad, her late sister's fianc Luke Saner, or someone else close to her who needs the truth to remain buried perhaps in her subconscious mind.

More a psychological thriller than an amateur sleuth tale, fans of both sub-genres and anyone who appreciates a deep character study will want to read this superb candid tale. The storyline is action-packed, but it is the psyche of Kit that grips the audience, as she grieves with no help from her stiff upper lip family who didn't help her when her mom died. Kim Wozencraft provides an incredible look at a woman over the edge without a safety net. The Devil's Backbone is a chillingly thrilling tale.