George D. Shuman, 18 Seconds

18 Seconds

George D. Shuman

Simon & Schuster, Apr 2006, $23.95

ISBN: 0743277163

A blind orphan, Sherry Moore calmly explains to the police that she has the gift of seeing the last eighteen seconds in someones life. When someone asks for help with a questionable death of a loved one, Sherry always tries to provide closure to the grieving soul, as she feels strongly that she should share her abilities with those who need to know.

As the Pennsylvania and New Jersey police departments become aware of Sherry's skill, they have doubts about her claims, though slowly some cops use her to help with a case. Police Lieutenant Kelly Lynch-O'Shaugnessy knows her reputation is at stake to stop serial killer Earl Oberlein Sykes who preys on young ladies at the shore, as some veteran cops believe she got help from the sister network above to gain her current position. As she makes little progress, a desperate yet doubting Kelly turns to Sherry to assist her, though this time her talent is not used to help a grieving person, but to capture a deadly human predator; at the same time Sykes targets Kelly who once sent him up the river.

The paranormal element deftly augments a powerful cat and mouse police procedural in which the cop chases the killer, while the killer chases the cop. The storyline is action packed, but in many ways is a battle of wits with the two women taking on the serial killer. George D. Shuman provides a fantastic thriller loaded with suspense and strong characters, especially the triangle lead protagonists.