fast paced work

Cold Heart Genre: suspense Chandler McGrew Bantam Books ISBN 0-553-58371-9 Electrifying read………. Recommended………….. 4.5 stars The Review: Houston Police Officer Mickey Ascherfeld suffered the horrendous death of her parents as a teen. Years later in Houston, Mickey once more faces a merciless foe that leaves her brutalized and unsure what to do. When Mickey receives a letter from old friend inviting her to Alaska she finally decides to go. Four years later, McCray, Alaska is proving to be a healing refuge to the woman who now pursues stained glass as an outlet for pent up stress. The tiny settlement provides the slow pace of life that Mickey needs to get her life back together. Then without warning the town oddball Eldred Hoskins ensures Mickey’s life will take another drastic turn. She must use every bit of police training to keep herself and a local teenager alive. Writer McGrew has outdone himself with his first foray into writing. COLD HEART is a fast paced work filled with short snappy chapters presenting a tale that is mostly confined to a time period of four hours. The tightly drawn, fear-inspiring suspense thriller is jam packed with gore, chills, a maddened killer and a bit of a surprise as to what has set old El off. The inaccessibility of the hamlet lends to feelings that escape is impossible and that the people living in the area must either find a way to stop the mad man or be annihilated. Some characters are not fleshed out as completely as might be. What might have led to El's frenzy is not foretold in subtle clues. The surprise causation for El's behavior is not quite as trustworthy as would be, had a few perspicacious hints and red herrings been tossed into the mix during the period leading up to the rampage. Writer McGrew does throw in an abundance of turns and twists. The book is sure to please all who enjoy a good suspense filled, action packed read. Despite the small omissions surrounding El and his lapse of reality COLD HEART is an entertaining read, perfect for a winter afternoon in front of the fireplace. Reviewed by: molly martin http://www.angelfire.com/ok4/mollymartin http://www.AuthorsDen.com/mjhollingshead