Paint It Black (Louis Kincaid Mysteries) [Paperback]

P.J. Parrish (Author)

Book Description

Series: Louis Kincaid Mysteries | Publication Date: January 1, 2002

Florida's scenic Sereno Key has been shaken to the core by a ritualistic serial killer who is targeting black men, leaving his victims faceless and marked with spray paint. Finished as a cop in Michigan, Louis Kincaid is persuaded to take the case as a PI and he joins forces with rookie FBI profiler, Emily Farantino. But without a badge Louis is trying to work in limbo, not knowing where his limits end, and the suspect's rights begin. Hindered by a false confession, an incompetent county sheriff, and the killer's changing pattern, Louis is still struggling to deal with his demons from his previous case. Before long it becomes clear that these gruesome murders are no ordinary hate crimes, and Louis finds himself the next victim of a predator more twisted than he ever imagined ...

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

PJ Parrish has worked as a newspaper reporter and editor, arts reviewer, blackjack dealer and personnel director in a Mississippi casino. The author currently lives in Southaven Mississippi and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Pinnacle (January 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786014199
• ISBN-13: 978-0786014194
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #280,276 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

P.J. Parrish is actually two sisters, Kristy Montee and Kelly Nichols. Their books have appeared on both the New York Times and USA Today best seller lists. The series has garnered 11 major crime-fiction awards, and an Edgar® nomination. Parrish has won two Shamus awards, one Anthony and one International Thriller competition. Her books have been published throughout Europe and Asia. Parrish's short stories have also appeared in many anthologies, including two published by Mystery Writers of America, edited by Harlan Coben and the late Stuart Kaminsky. Their stories have also appeared in Akashic Books acclaimed Detroit Noir, and in Ellery Queen Magazine. Most recently, they contributed an essay to a special edition of Edgar Allan Poe's works edited by Michael Connelly.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars exciting private sleuth tale, December 21, 2001

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Paint It Black (Louis Kincaid Mysteries) (Paperback)

At twenty-six, his police days seem over so when his former boss in Mississippi Sam Dodie calls to offer him some private work, Louis Kincaid leaves his current home in Michigan for Sereno Bay in the Florida Gold Coast. Sam introduces Louis to attorney Scott Beldsoe who wants the former cop to investigate who killed Walter Tatum, the husband of his client. The local police believe Walter's wife Roberta and her missing brother Levon Baylis committed the murder that looks like a crime of passion.

Louis immediately realizes that his black skin got him the job because the white lawyer needs someone to communicate with his difficult black client. A second similar murder of a black man, Anthony Quick, soon occurs. As Louis works closely with Police Chief Wainright, a deadly pattern of a nasty serial killer surfaces, one who must be stopped if the carnage is to end.

PAINT IT BLACK is an exciting private sleuth tale that actually reads more like a police procedural because of Louis's background and his cooperative alliance with Wainright. The story line is fast-paced and loaded with non-stop action. Louis is an engaging lead character and the support cast augments the plot by allowing the audience to see the star in different relationships. PJ Parrish has crafted a tense serial killer thriller that sub-genre fans will appreciate and they will want to read Kincaid's previous novel DARK OF THE MOON.

Harriet Klausner

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to like., May 23, 2003

By 

nobizinfla "nobizinfla" (Windermere, Florida USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paint It Black (Louis Kincaid Mysteries) (Paperback)

In "Paint It Black" Florida author P.J. Parrish brings protagonist Louis Kincaid to Soreno Key in the Sunshine State.

Louis Kincaid's former cop boss has hooked Louis up with a local lawyer for some investigative work.

His attempt to clear his client of murder leads to a search for a serial killer.

Louis and the Soreno Key PD work well together and are joined by a feisty, rookie FBI profiler. This alliance is further strengthened as they attempt to prevent an incompetent county sheriff from botching the investigation.

This is an efficient police procedural filled with nifty twists and turns. I bit on enough of the subtle red herrings to remain in doubt until the conclusion.

"Paint It Black" is nominated for this year's Anthony Award in the Paper Back Original category. Well deserved!

This is a smart series with a strong lead character; solid secondary characters and now set in Southwest Florida.

I look forward to the further adventures of Louis Kincaid.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!, September 27, 2002

By 

T. Miller (San Antonio, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Paint It Black (Louis Kincaid Mysteries) (Paperback)

In Paint it Black, we once again catch up with Louis Kincaid, this time he's in Florida hunting a vicious serial killer who murders black men in a violent, ritualistic fashion. Louis must overcome the demons in his past, as well as those in his police chief's in order to hunt the killer down.