Rating: 3 stars
Agnes Hahn is a sweet-tempered, conservative girl who works at an animal shelter. Since going to live with her elderly aunts, Ella and Gerta, at the age of 4, Agnes has lived a pretty quiet life. After Gerta died, Ella was put in a home; leaving Agnes alone. Arriving at work, two police officers Agnes works with are waiting; only this time it’s her they’re arresting – for murder.
Over the course of the past few months there have been a series of gruesome murders. The victims are always men, their throats slit and their members decapitated and used by the murderer for one final act before she sets the appendage in the middle of the victim’s chest. Due to DNA and fingerprint evidence at the scene, sweet Agnes is their prime suspect; despite her unwavering protestations to the contrary. Although Agnes is confused and afraid, the voice in her head tells her not to worry.
Enter newspaper reporter, Jason Powers. Jason is covering the Agnes Hahn case, not only for the incredible newspaper coverage it would afford, but for the true-crime-bestseller he intends to write. Jason pairs up with the tough and gritty Det. Bransome in an effort to solve the case; but so far they have more questions than answers. Jason also visits Ella at the home to see if she can help, but between the Alzheimer’s and her refusal to talk, he’s getting nowhere. Just when Jason is about to get Ella to open up, she’s murdered – by Eddie Hahn, her brother. Eddie, as it turns out, has a few roles; he’s not only Agnes’s grandfather, but is also her father. Twist number two, Agnes is part of a set, she has a twin sister named Lilin.
Agnes Hahn was my first Richard Satterlie book. Although the author's writing is engaging, it wasn’t as intense as I expected –which just made it easier to read before bed. Satterlie managed a few interesting twists and turns, but the story dragged on just a bit too long and I was able to figure things out before they were revealed. I recommend reading Agnes Hahn, if only as an introduction to the sequel, Imola.
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Mass Market Paperback: 350 pages
Publisher: Medallion Press (August 1, 2008)
ISBN-13: 978-1933836454