Customer Reviews

The Devil is in the Details

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Nothing is ever what it appears to be when the Devil is in the details.

THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS is the first novel in a new series of mysteries by Ariana Overton. Overton's previous credits include the paranormal Glass House trilogy (GLASS HOUSE, A GLASS DARKLY, LOOKING GLASS) and time-travel novel TAPESTRY. THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS introduces FBI agent Jake Daniels and his "dream team" of scruffy but savvy investigators: psychologist and Daniel's childhood friend Dr. Martine "Marti" Joyner, former San Francisco policeman M.M. "Sam" Quigley, and strip club owner and computer whiz "Tigger" Tiggs.

When we meet Daniels he is well on his way to drinking himself out of a pension, the agent haunted by the murders of his wife and partner, both victims of serial killers during the past two years. His career in a nosedive, the FBI assign Daniels to the northern California community of Santa Rosa to stop a maniac who has butchered five women since Valentine's Day. The FBI claim apprehending "The Holiday Killer" is Daniels' last chance to rescue his career...or so it appears. Daniels knows one agent has already been dismissed in disgrace from the case for failing to stop the Santa Rosa murders; he is not too blitzed to realize the FBI expect him to fail to justify their finally firing him.

What neither Daniels or the FBI could have counted on was his uncovering evidence suggesting The Holiday Killer may have had a hand in his wife's murder.

Daniels' efforts to discover the truth are complicated by Santa Rosa Police Chief Hartigan and the local coroner, Dr. Russell, who resent the FBI agent...or so it appears. Neither will help him any more than is necessary, and Daniels suspects they may even be trying to sabotage his investigation. If it weren't for his own team of investigators and two token Santa Rosa policemen assigned to help them, Brian Denton and Cameron Parker, Daniels' task would be hopeless. Meanwhile an aggressive television journalist, Connie Braxton, is determined to get the scoop on The Holiday Killer's identity...or so it appears. Her commitment sometimes seems to border on the pathological. She will do anything to uncover The Holiday Killer's identity, including jeopardizing the career of one of Daniels' team by seducing him.

Overton has created an intriguing cast of characters for THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS, as well as weaves an intricate plot in a fashion that is entertaining and easy to follow. She will not lose you or bore you, though the book does start off slowly, much in the manner of Tom Clancy novel. Like Clancy, though, once Overton's characters and situations have all been properly introduced and set in motion, her novel will carry you away.

Be warned, this is a rough book that deals with sexual perversion and mutilation. To her credit Overton does not dwell on every seamy or gory detail, as other authors are wont to do; however, she does not shy away from them. Daniels' team is pursuing a clever and elusive homicidal maniac, after all. But Overton, a mature authoress, makes certain that her novel's suspense and tragedy are as real as its blood. She is to be complimented for that, as well as her gift for juggling suspects and plot twists with the adroitness of a street busker. At one point or another almost every character in THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS falls under suspicion of being The Holiday Killer. Even Daniels! That is one neat trick, as is Overton's ability to create reader sympathy for Daniels in her novel's early pages. It is not easy to feel sorry for a drunken protagonist who has lost confidence in himself, but Overton succeeds. What's more, when Daniels does defeat the demons that haunt him, awakes from his melancholy, and dedicates himself to stopping the maniac, he establishes himself as a hero worthy of challenging the devilish and daring Holiday Killer.

THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS is a thrilling launch to a new series of mysteries. Ariana Overton is going to win over a lot of new fans and please a lot of old ones with this novel.

Buried in the myriad pile of details lies the answer to Sonoma County's serial killer. But when those sworn to uphold the law impeded its enforcement, even FBI agents find their path blocked. As each holiday brings another gristly murder, the citizens clamor for an arrest. Yet the Bureau doesn't believe that they have serial killer, despite three victims, with the same signature on the kills, in the past three months.

The Holiday killer almost ruined a good field agent's career because he couldn't solve the case. The Behavioral Science Unit profiler says he can't help any more without new information. Yet the FBI is no closer to solver these gristly crimes than a year ago when the case came to their attention. Now agent Jake Daniels, whose career is already spiraling downward, has been assigned to the case.

Jake also carries the baggage of his past. His partner was killed by a serial killer. His wife was tortured and murdered while he watched, unable to come to her assistance. Now the FBI has taken him from a desk job to the field, assigning him to a difficult case just to keep the investigation going, not because they faith that it will be solved.

Author Ariana Overton presents a gristly, brutal serial killer with the clarity and insight that has become a trademark in her work. With eerie attention to detail, Overton creates the clues and the red herrings that keep the pages turning. Even as the surprise conclusion seems to leap out from the novel, the reader will be on the edge of the seat. Further, her meticulous attention to detail also creates vividly realized characters. Very highly recommended.

Overall story line was pretty good but it reads very rough. Does not flow/read smoothly. I am sorry she passed away. She had potential.