Dead On is a story that can easily be envisioned as a movie. The book is as stylistically brief as a screenplay, and the plotline contains many elements we have all seen in movies. Although the lead character is a medical examiner of Oriental descent, she has little in common with Sam Fujiyama or his crusading boss, Quincy. Her role is much closer to that of William Petersen in Manhunter, a role he played very well prior to becoming Gil Grissom on CSI. Ms. Kelly's Ann Yang is a medical examiner that has recently moved into a new town and taken a new job as the county ME. Before she has time to settle into her Victorian house with a past, she finds herself leading the charge to nab an eccentric serial killer. The story is told through the voices of Ann Yang and the killer, as well as the words written in a century-old diary she discovers in her new/old house. Of course she has to have a love interest, and that moonlighting job is filled by the handsome carpenter hired to restore her house. The plot has more twists than a snake on acid, so you have to read carefully to keep up, but this is fairly easy to do with the brevity of the chapters. The bottom line is that if you are a fan of CSI, The X FIles, and serial-killer thrillers, as I am, you will enjoy this book.
Children will enjoy reading and hearing about the silly antics of a puppy still learning how to be a good listener. This story is about Riley, a cute, little, rescue puppy who gets into all sorts of predicaments.
