Rating: 1 star
Law professor Elliott Spence meets his estranged college buddy, Ross, for drinks and is then killed by a hit-and-run driver. Elliott’s wife, Kathy, fits the description of the driver and her car is found a few blocks away with Elliott’s blood on the windshield. Kathy has a past with Ross; and a recent run-in with him that didn’t go so well. Now Kathy is about to be indicted for murdering the man she loved.
Anne Marshall court reporter, part-time law student and amateur sleuth doesn’t think Kathy Spence had the motive or the ability to kill her husband. Although she has been warned to keep her nose out of the case, Anne feels it’s her duty to prove Kathy’s innocence. So, with the help of her father’s ghost, Anne gets to work gathering evidence. However, Anne’s diligence will uncover some dark secrets that will once again put her life in danger.
Despite the interesting concept of a father’s ghost teaming up with his daughter to solve crimes, the writing style is painful. Fullerton has a tendency to over-explain every detail—things that should be assumed or inferred. Coupled with the fact that everything was so blatantly obvious from page one and the author’s insistence on repeating things over and over, raises the annoyance level right off the charts.
There are way too many frustrations with the plot line to even begin to list. I could overlook the oft-used revenge killing and framing of a loved one, but most of the characters were just one fried brain-cell away from wearing a helmet. I’m sorry, but when the investigating detectives are given “new evidence” from a court reporter/part time law student because she interviewed the bartender where the deceased was having drinks moments before his death, you’ve entered a whole new realm of special-kind-of-stupid.
Then there’s Anne herself. Instead of being helpful and endearing, her actions come off as juvenile and reckless; a civilian investigating a homicide which includes withholding evidence, tampering and impersonating an officer of the court. Maybe if Anne was arrested for obstruction and interfering with a police investigation (like she deserves) she would learn to mind her own business.
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Paperback: 300 pages
Publisher: Thomas House LTD (May 10, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-0984381500