Bloody Mary

May 30, 2005
Konrath's predictable sequel to Whiskey Sour
(2004) is no more original than its predecessor. When two arms, sans body, turn up at a Chicago morgue, Det. Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels is surprised to discover that the mysterious limbs are joined by her own handcuffs. The killer appears to have a grudge as well as unsettling access to Jack. The dual narrative alternately follows detective and murderer, leaving little to the imagination, particularly in the realm of gore. The author reveals so much about the crimes and their motivation that the plot loses steam until the fiend is caught (halfway through the novel) and the focus shifts to ensuring that he doesn't walk. The legal finagling is a bit far-fetched, but the battle of wills between the psychopath and the cop keeps the pages turning. And like any hard-boiled detective, Jack has a problematic personal life, juggling two unstable relationships and caring for her ailing mother. Konrath peppers the story with one-liners that are sometimes riotous, often groan-worthy and occasionally inappropriately blasé, but readers with a taste for the twisted should enjoy themselves. Agent, Jane Dystel. 6-city author tour.

July 15, 2005
A special problem confronts Chicago detective Jack Daniels and her partner, Herb Benedict, when they answer a call to the morgue: a pair of severed arms wearing Jack's stolen handcuffs. While the partners investigate, the scene switches to the serial murderer himself, whose painful headaches find sweet resolution in bloody butcherings. About the time Jack decides that the perp's a cop, he adds her to his list of potential victims. An atmospheric hunt ensues, with mounting tension and too-close-for-comfort calls. A hard-hitting sequel to Konrath's debut, "Whiskey Sour". Konrath is a native of Chicago. [Whiskey Sour received multiple awards nominations; see box at right. -Ed.]

Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2005
Konrath's follow-up to " Whiskey Sour" (2004) uses a narrative strategy typical of serial-killer novels: multiple points of view contrasting the killer's perspective with that of the lead investigator. Konrath inserts a twist here, though, by having Chicago police lieutenant Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels and her perpetually dieting partner, Herb Benedict, discover who the killer is halfway through the book. Case solved? Not so fast. The psychotic killer has convinced almost everyone he is innocent, and Jack and Herb must find another crime from the perp's past to sway the jury. An interesting subplot concerns Jack's current relationship with "safe" accountant Latham versus the rekindling of her feelings for ex-husband Alan, an unpredictable writer. Chicago native Konrath gets the city ambience just right but slips a bit with some predictable plot turns and an overabundance of gore. Still, her charismatic heroine wins the day. Readers will be ready for another Jack Daniels when they finish this one.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)