Book Review: The Blue Hour

Reviewed By: Woodstock - RAM

The Blue Hour     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
T. Jefferson Parker
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Police Procedural
Series: Merci Rayborn # 1
1999

This author was new to me, and I sought this book out when a review in the _Wall Street Journal_ caught my attention. Most emphatically not a cozy - the story follows a frustrating search for a serial killer who manages to transport women into thin air - leaving behind their purses - dubbed "The Purse Snatcher" by the press following the case.

The two protagonists are an interesting pair - Tim Hess, in his sixties, dying of cancer, and called back to the police force to utilize his expertise on difficult cases, and also to provide him a few more months of health insurance benefits. Merci Rayborn, an ambitious homicide detective in her thirties - with little or no patience for the male dominated traditions of police work which govern her daily routines. I found Hess' character more skillfully developed - the Rayborn characterization slipped often into overworked cliches about female cops and their struggles with a male dominated world.

The reader knows within the first 100 pages who the villian is - and follows him on a nerve wracking trip scouting for victims. Nevertheless Parker skillfully weaves a major red herring into the story, and several surprises are waiting before the conclusion.

The tone of the book is rather dark - emphasized by Parker as much of the action takes place at night. Individual rights to privacy, protection from self incrimination, freedom from harassment are all issues raised by the author, and no definitive answers provided!

Woodstock - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Woodstock - RAM