"A compelling end"
Reporter Frank Corso fell from grace when he was accused of
making up a crime story. However, Frank is resourceful and
easily reinvented himself into a true-crime writer who
claims to have insider information on a Texas high-society
murder. Rather than face the results of a subpoena
demanding he talk, Frank does what comes naturally; he goes
on the run. Accompanying Frank into hiding in wintry
Wisconsin is his photographer, Meg Dougherty. Following an accident caused by blizzard like weather,
Frank and Meg take shelter on an abandoned farm in Avalon.
In the shed, they discover the remains of the male members
of the Holmes family, whom everyone thought, simply left
town fifteen years ago. The local sheriff cuts a deal with
Frank that he won't be handed over to Texas if he
investigates the murders. Already fascinated by the grisly
scene, Frank accepts the terms. He starts his inquiries by
looking into the mother of the brood who's not part of the
skeletal remains. He soon traces her bloody trail to other
homicides, but the culprit has plans to add the writer to
the pile of deaths. The suspense is at the usual high level expected in a G.M
Ford novel starring the likable antihero Frank who is
accompanied by a support cast that adds exaggerated
regional eccentricities. Yet with all that the tale seems
off slightly because whenever Frank hits a dead end he
finds this incredible Ziggy like source that moves him
further along on the case. Still fans will continue
reading because the rapid pace, the chilling suspense, and
the quaint cast make for a strong entertaining read. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted June 29, 2003
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