PRIOR BAD ACTS by Tami Hoag
Tami Hoag knows how to write about murder and suspense and her new novel PRIOR BAD ACTS is a perfect example of her talents. This book looks at the acts of a deranged killer and then the aftermath when someone is accused of the crime. A judge is attacked, an accused killer escapes, and a policeman lets a case take him over the edge. It's all there and all explosively powerful in PRIOR BAD ACTS.
The story opens with a crime scene being discovered. A woman and her two foster children have been killed. A drifter by the name of Karl Dahl is arrested and charged with the crimes. When he appears before Judge Carey Moore the prosecuting attorney asks that his prior bad acts be admitted into evidence. Judge Moore refuses even though she knows it will not be a popular decision.
Later she is brutally attacked and physically harmed. Detective Sam Kovac and his partner Nikki Liska catch the case. They think that it might be Dahl who attacked her since he has now escaped from jail. But There is also the husband of the murdered woman and her son who are suspects. Even Moore's husband David turns up on their radar based on his lack of concern for his wife's safety.
Later more murders occur and Judge Moore finds herself more and more in danger. Kovac does all he can to protect her but he fears that is not enough. Then he learns that one of the detectives in his unit has gone off the deep end over the judge's ruling and he really begins to worry. One horror leads to another and soon Judge Moore is kidnapped. Now Sam really does have his work cut out for him.
Hoag's style of writing is to amp up the terror and let it simmer. She manages to have two or three plot lines going at the same time but then brings them all back together for the resolution of the mystery.
At the same time the author is setting up the suspense twists she also manages to start a love story. Sam is only doing his duty at first, but then he begins to see the judge in a human light and his heart races with his brain. This romantic angle adds even more pleasure to the reading of this story.
For a great suspense and a romantic story pick up PRIOR BAD ACTS. This is a very readable book that will make you want to complete it in just one sitting. Tami Hoag writes with assurance and talent. You won't be disappointed in this one.
PRIOR BAD ACTS is published by Bantam Books. It contains 375 pages and sells for $26.00.