Book Review: Irresistible

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Irresistible     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Ethan Black
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Police Procedural   Psychological Suspense   Adult Content
Series: Conrad Voort # 2
Ballantine, Apr 2000, $24.00, 400 PP.

Nora Clay keeps files on people. She knows their secrets, the real reasons for their success, and the indiscretions they have committed. She uses her knowledge to benefit herself but Nora’s real pride resides in the special list containing four names. The first person on her list is TV producer Paul Anderson, who Nora brutally knifes to death, removing his penis.

NYC sex crimes detective Conrad Voort heads the official investigation into the Anderson murder. The crime scene reveals no clues outside of the viciousness of the killing to either Conrad or his partner Mickie Conner. As the second and third persons on Nora’s list die, Conrad struggles to come to terms with the knowledge that the city’s first female serial killer is responsible for the vicious homicides. Unbeknownst to Conrad is that the fourth name on the list is his.

With novels like the BROKEN HEARTS CLUB and now IRRESITIBLE, readers will come to know Ethan Black as a master of psychological thrillers. Though the identity of the criminal is revealed early in the tale, the excitement never eases up as the audience wonders if Nora will complete her quartet homicide scenario with the murder of Conrad. Nora feels chillingly real in a black widow sort of way. However, what makes Mr. Black’s novel simply IRRESTIBLE is the compassionate Conrad, whose caring nature would seem far-fetched in the hands of a lesser talent.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner