Thursday, August 26, 2010

Trail of Blood-Lisa Black

Trail of Blood
Lisa Black
Morrow, Sep 7 2010, $24.99
ISBN: 9780061989339

In an abandoned warehouse in Cleveland, a mummified corpse is found. CPD assumes the victim was murdered by the city’s first known serial killer, the taunting Torso Killer during the Great depression. Although over seven decades have passed since this brutal psychopath dismembered people the case still haunts the department as it was never solved.

Soon after finding the remains from the 1930s, another recently murdered person is found using the same M.O. as the infamous Torso killer. CPD believes an apparent copycat killer paying homage committed the gruesome homicide. Forensic pathologist Theresa MacLean and cousin Frank Patrick look at both cases and assume lunatics committed the atrocities then and now.

The latest MacLean Cleveland police procedural (see Takeover and Evidence of Murder) is a terrific double murder mystery that effortlessly moves back and forth between the present day inquiry and Miller’s investigation of the Torso Killer. Both cases are fascinating although readers will know the respective killers before the cops do. With MacLean’s personal life still in the tank but perhaps looking up, Trail of Blood is an entertaining well rounded mystery.

Harriet Klausner

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