Mystery author, Lou Campanozzi first introduced Lieutenant Mike Amato in The Killing Cards, a fast paced thriller about a serial killer leaving playing cards on the bodies of the victims. He brought the detective back in Ground Lions, an action packed mystery that starts with the body of a young man found in the parking lot behind a catholic high school. Before he passed away in 2002, Campanozzi was able to complete his last manuscript, Justice.

Someone is murdering kids in Rochester, New York. The bodies, when found, are arranged as if part of a showcase on display. The investigation is long and intense. For months Lieutenant Mike Amato and his team of investigators work more than twelve hours a day, seven days a week, aching to catch the killer and to put a stop to the murders.

The stress and nightmares from seeing the results of such horrible crimes is eating away at the entire police department. And when it looks like all hope is lost, a lead in the case comes through. After apprehending the killer and getting a sworn confession from the monster, the killer's attorney gets the matter thrown out of court on a technicality.

The killer has a story to tell. So once out on the streets, the only way he can see to continue to try and get his story heard is by returning to his old nasty and evil ways. The killing starts again. This time when the police go after him, dangerous questions run through their minds. They are over cautious. They don't want to risk messing up a second time, and risk having the killer set free again. But what can they do to make sure the killer doesn't slip through the judicial cracks a second time?

The heart pounding and intense police procedural is his finest book. It can easily stand up against books by legends such as Ed McBain, Robert Parker and Lawrence Block. It contains emotional and raw courtroom drama parallel to any book written by Scott Turrow or Steve Martini. Campanozzi out did himself with Justice. Thanks to his daughter and the rest of his family, Justice has been published. However, I wish he were here to reap the just rewards of such a fine and memorable crime novel.

REVIEWED BY PHILLIP TOMASSO III

DO NOT REPRINT WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR, PHILLIP TOMASSO III

Phillip Tomasso III is the award-winning author of Adverse Impact, Johnny Blade, Third Ring, Tenth House and Mind Play. He works full time as an employment law paralegal, freelances for a community newspaper and writes regular book reviews for Futures Mystery Anthology Magazine, The Best Reviews and Curled Up With A Good Book. Tomasso also writes middle grade novels under the pen name, Grant R. Philips. King Gauthier and the Little Dragon Slayer will be released by Port Town Publishing, September 2003; Sounds of Silence in the Fall of 2004 by Star Bright Books. Living in Rochester, New York with his wife and three children. Tomasso is currently at work on his next mystery and middle grade novels.