Time
of Death
A PJ Gray Novel
Five Star First Edition Mysteries
An imprint of Thomson Gale
ISBN 1-59414-309-9, $25.95
Read the opening here!
"The hook in Kennett’s PJ Gray
series, starring a St. Louis psychological profiler, is the use of virtual
reality software to recreate crime scenes. The high-tech wizardry is fine,
but what really makes this series go is the fiery relationship and strong
personalities of the costars, gutsy protagonist PJ (Penelope) and her Andy
Sipowicz-like boyfriend, Leo Schultz, a police detective. This pair could be
solving cases with legal pads and pencils, and readers would still be drawn
to them. This time single mom PJ is keeping an eye on the online gaming
addiction of her teenage son and trying to decide what kind of commitment to
give the lovably exasperating Schultz. Meanwhile, the police are struggling
with a series of brutal murders that may be tied to a serial killer. Schultz
hits the streets in search of clues, and PJ fires up her virtual reality
program to relive the grisly crimes. A top-notch series that satisfies both
readers seeking page-turning suspense and those looking for characters so
real you almost expect to see them at the local diner.” —
Booklist
“Shirley Kennett is finally getting the credit
she deserves for being one of the most accomplished page-turners working in
the suspense field today. Her books are smart, packed with tension, and
filled with people you cheer for.” – Ed Gorman, author of
Bad Money and
Blood Moon
“Kennett’s
writing is taut and unyielding, and like great baseball pitchers she throws
the curves fast and with uncanny accuracy. Reading this book was like
watching someone juggle plates while skateboarding down a steep hill. You
aren’t sure how it will end, just that it will be spectacular. I loved every
minute of this book and look forward to her next.” – Jon Jordan,
Crimespree Magazine
“The story line ... is brilliantly
supplemented with the seemingly dysfunctional relationship between PJ and
Leo.” – Midwest Book Review
“While PJ uses science and technology to solve
crimes, her partner Detective Leo Schultz uses his gut instincts. Ms.
Kennett has penned characters that are multi-dimensional and believable. A
worthwhile read.”
– Love Romances
“This rip-roaring, page-turner of a thriller
builds to its nail-nibbling climax on a solid foundation of police
procedure, cutting edge virtual reality crime scene simulation, and
realistic and likeable protagonists. So fasten your seatbelts: the murders
are multiple and bloody and past atrocities that spawned them are puzzling
and creepy enough to keep your lights burning all night.” – Carole
Nelson Douglas, author of Femme Fatale
and Spider Dance
The mutilated body on the St. Louis riverfront
is just the beginning. Forensic virtual reality expert PJ Gray has her hands
full when the Metro Mangler claims more victims. As the case heats up, so do
her feelings for her partner, Detective Leo Schultz. They’re like bolts of
lightning that sizzle and hiss the closer they get, swept up in a
relationship that is more force of nature than emotional state. As a wealthy
family’s secrets unravel and a thirty-year-old murder comes to light, PJ’s
in danger of crossing the line from investigator to victim.
