The Body of David Hayes
Ridley Pearson
Hyperion, April 2004, $23.95, 352 pp.
ISBN 0786867256

Six years ago, Lieutenant Lou Boldt's wife Liz had an affair with one of her co-workers and he found out about it. The man was convicted of embezzlement ($17 million worth) even though it was never found and in the mean time the Boldts put their marriage back together. Now David Hayes is out on parole and has gotten in touch with Liz who meets him to tell him she won't help him get the money. He sweet talks her into thinking about it but when she leaves him she goes to Lou and tells him everything.

Although Lou is very angry, he holds his emotions in check because he knows there are very dangerous people who want to use Liz to get the money from a con artist to a Russian Mafioso to an over zealous police man. They only have a few days to get the money because the bank is merging with another bank and the way David set the system up, the money will be lost forever once the two financial institutions merge Law, Liz and a few trusted friends race against time to outsmart the thieves without risking their lives and their jobs.

Once again Ridley Pearson writes a wonderful crime thriller that is so mesmerizing the audience will read it in one sitting. The readers obtain an up front and personal look into the lives of the Boldts as they deal with guilty consciences and a crisis that could destroy their marriage. THE BODY OF DAVID HAYES is a tremendous tale that deserves best seller status.

Harriet Klausner