A Killing Rain

This is another in the excellent series featuring detective Louis Kincaid. This time the ex-husband of Louis' current girlfriend snatches their son and Louis goes after him. Generally, I avoid books around stolen children. They are cheap as plot devices and way too predictable. But, Parrish avoids everything obvious and turns out an excellent story - once again. I am a little concerned, however, since their (P.J. is actually two sisters) website has been shut down. I hope they are busy writing instead.

Publishers Weekly, 2005-01-10
A missing child and a truly vicious family of killers make for a brisk race against time in Parrish's latest adventure featuring Florida detective Louis Kincaid (Island of Bones, etc.). Kincaid has just begun to connect romantically with defense attorney Susan Outlaw when her estranged husband, Austin, a globe-trotting businessman of shady ways and means, arrives at her doorstep, wanting time with son Ben. Father and son head off for ice cream, but don't return. Louis follows their trail, which leads back to Austin's office, where police have just discovered the brutally murdered bodies of Austin's partner and secretary. Austin later lands in Louis's custody but Ben remains missing. Austin eventually reveals show more his botched role in a transaction to purchase Micronesian women as slaves. This lean, fast-paced yarn takes a rather silly final turn, when the ruthless patriarch behind the whole mess, and his motives, are revealed (the slaves weren't used for work or sex but for hunting prey, a la John Saul's Manhattan Hunt Club). This might have constituted a dandy surprise ending had the back jacket copy not given it away; as it stands, it feels like an afterthought in an otherwise worthwhile thriller. Agent, Maria Carvainis. (Feb.) FYI: Parrish is the pseudonym of sisters Kristy and Kelly Montee. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information. show less