A Simple Act of Violence

Starred review from May 2, 2011
At the outset of this superb crime thriller from Ellory (The Anniversary Man), Det. Robert Miller, a veteran Washington, D.C., cop who doesn't have much of a life outside his job, arrives at the house of Catherine Sheridan, an attractive woman who's been badly beaten and strangled. Around her neck is a ribbon attached to a luggage tag, the hallmark of the Ribbon Killer, who's claimed three other female victims in the same upscale neighborhood over the past eight months. Bizarrely, Sheridan's murderer ordered pizza delivered, thus insuring that the corpse would be found right away. Meanwhile, in creepy first-person asides, someone using the alias John Robey reveals he knows a great deal about the crimes. As the case unfolds, the motive behind the murders gradually comes into focus, connecting with much larger political issues. Impressive prose and pacing, coupled with a grim, unflinching view of reality that James Ellroy would recognize, make this a must-read for noir fans. 5-city author tour.

Kevin Kenerly narrates Ellory's thriller with all the suspense and depth it deserves. He offers an intense, deep, and even troubled first-person portrayal of Jon Robey, a CIA assassin with a backstory that spans from his childhood to his 1980s operations in Nicaragua to his present-day role as a college professor. His chronicle is juxtaposed with the third-person account of Detective Robert Miller, who leads the Washington, DC, police department's investigation into Robey's connection to the murders of four women. Kenerly provides an interesting touch of warmth beneath the urban-cop exterior of Miller, along with a host of believable supporting characters. This is a crime story with government conspiracy, violence, corruption, and psychological intrigue expertly woven throughout by both author and narrator. K.C.R. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine