Review: The Halo Effect

The Halo Effect Amazon US PB Amazon UK PB Amazon Canada PB
M. J. Rose
Class/Genre: Mystery Woman Main Character Amateur Sleuth Police Procedural
Series: Butterfield Institute # 1
MIRA Books, July 2004, 337 pages, $12.95

When high priced prostitute in New York City discovers she is unable to relate physically to the man she intends to marry, she turns to a leading sex therapist, Dr. Morgan Snow. The prostitute, Cleo Thane, reveals herself to be very successful, wealthy and sensitive. Dr. Snow, demonstrating many of the same attributes, quickly forms a connection to the other woman.

Over several therapy sessions Cleo reveals she is writing a tell-all novel. Shortly after this revelation, Cleo disappears. At about the same time New York detective Noah Jordain, begins to suspect he is chasing a demented sociopath who is killing prostitutes. Because of her previous work with the police Jordain consults Dr. Snow. By now Snow is becoming increasingly concerned because Thane has missed appointments, unusual behavior for her. She begins to believe the manuscript may be the cause of Cleo's disappearance.

With nothing to go on other than Cleo's missing some sessions, police are unwilling to connect her disappearance to the murders of several prostitutes. Snow, under pressure from Thane's fiancée, decides she will have to search for Cleo herself. Other conflicts arise in snows life, revolving around her daughter, husband and her own history with the failed mother.

THE HALO EFFECT is enthralling, horrific, explicit and it certainly holds a reader's attention. The novel contains several chilling, haunting scenes, enough to satisfy any thriller fan. It has been called an erotic novel. I didn't find it so; rather, it is considerably more explicit or graphic than most novels of this type. If a large portion of the novel, perhaps too much, is devoted to some whiney child raising problems, that may be a matter of personal taste. There are other problems which are disappointing.

Some of the grammatical errors may be attributable to a Canadian editor, but subject/verb disagreements shouldn't be. There are also some events relating to blood flow which are incorrect. They contribute to the powerful punch of certain scenes; however, in my view, they should have been excised or corrected.

Nevertheless I found the characters interesting, consistent, and well worth following. The novel moves across multiple layers that I found most intriguing. The author evokes New York City as she needs to and given the subject matter, never descends into pandering to prurient interests. This is not a novel that everyone will enjoy but it is a crime novel that belongs on many shelves and will likely provoke several lively discussions.

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

Please Note: Books reviewed are usually provided by the publisher, author, or an agent. Reviewers usually get to keep the book.

Book Review: The Halo Effect

Please Note: Books reviewed are usually provided by the publisher, author, or an agent. Reviewers usually get to keep the book.