Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
The Broken Hearts Club
Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Ethan Black
Class/Genre: Mystery Police Procedural Psychological Suspense
Series: Conrad Voort # 1
Ballantine, Feb 1999, $24.00, 326 pp.
Led by psychologist Ian Bainbridge, the members of the BROKEN HEARTS CLUB meet every week at Mackey's Steak and Ale Tavern in Midtown Manhattan to discuss their ailing souls. Even as he tries to heal the melancholy participants, Ian plans to write a book about them. The other three (the banker, the literary agent, and the mechanic) believe they each have an ax to grind with the women who hurt and betrayed them. However, one of the club members takes the next violent step: murder.
NYPD detective Conrad Voort has his own heartbreak to deal with since his lover Camilla Ryan ended their relationship. Camilla's new love is Ian. Conrad has no time to nurse his injured psyche as his superior assigns him to investigate the recent murder of a woman. He soon ties the case to the BROKEN HEARTS CLUB. However, before he can solve who is the killer and how the remaining trio fit in the puzzle, more murders occur.
THE BROKEN HEARTS CLUB is a thrilling police procedural that concentrates on the affairs of the heart more than on detective work. The fast-paced story line bounces back and forth between the prime characters even more than a bouncing Tigger could accomplish. Though confusing at first, Ethan Black brilliantly ties the plot together and readers will see the logic behind the constant shuffle. The emphasis on non-police matters fails to add to the character development, leaving readers not caring whether any of the broken hearts ever mends.
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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