To say it is a murder mystery, or book on the occult, or a book about the Hollywood life, or jealousy, I'd not do this book justice - it has to be read to be experienced.

Bear in mind, it is in parts gruesome, and 'deliciously' evil. But that's what a great horror book is supposed to be, isn't it?

Hollywood - the fast, 'glamorous' life - Two writers: David Lynx, an uber successful, best selling author, is nearing his deadline for his next great book - the trouble is, he has writer's block - big time, and has done nothing.

David's best friend, Nicholas, the other writer, is not as fortunate as his friend - he's always a step behind his bud, living the good life in his friend's shadow - partying, drinking, drugging, and womanizing (I'm cleaning this term up a lot) with David.

David has become desparate to find inspiration for his book's subject dealing in the occult. He figures one of the best ways instead of taking the time to do the research, he will experience the occult first hand.

He purchased a book of spells, and all interspersed in the occult, the Kaballah, and spells, David starts incanting a spell to invoke powerful spirits. It seems to be working, when the mood is broken when the doorbell rings, then Nicholas yells and bangs and won't go away until David opens the door. Nicholas wants to par-tay with his girlfriend, and brings another girl for David, and they have a mini-orgy -

Trouble is, David's occult circle wasn't closed - did anything uninvited come to play???

Soon, David starts to write - about a beautiful lady whom he loves and has wonderful sex with...until she starts asking for more terrible things.

Nicholas' concern for his bud makes him think Dave is more into drugs, but David says no it's a virus, but he's writing and will be ok.

In the meantime, people are starting to die - no ordinary murders, but mirroring murders in the 1960's dubbed The White Lady Murders, where bodies are horridly mutilated, and the police is sent poetry written in the victims' blood.

Did an evil entity gain entry to the world again? Is David a victim or a murderer? Can Nicholas hold onto David's coattails if he's going down physically and mentally?

Ah...not so easy answers in this excellent book by Wendy Potocki. The jealousy of success and failure, the 'sweet'(?) taste of revenge, the reality of the occult...all come into play in this book - Is evil the embodiment of what is in your soul? Are there things out there that can take advantage of it?

You'll be thinking about The White Lady Murders long after you close the book. Be forewarned - it is gory in parts - but is an excellent read by a very talented author.

ellen george

The White Lady Murders by Wendy Potocki, ISBN: 978-1-4257-8741-7, Xlibris Corporation, review by ellen george