Lt. Jacqueline Daniels is head of the Violet Crimes Unit of the Chicago Police Department.  She is known as Jack because as she states, "only her mother called her Jacqueline".  Jack has had some personal problems in her life.  Her boyfriend left her for his personal trainer. To make matters worse, she has had insomnia and managed to max out her credit cards.

Jack is called to the scene when the body of a woman is found in a trash can.  After some investigating, it didn't take long to realize that the police were handling a serial killer case.  The killer tortured the victim before murdering her.  A note was left stapled to the victim's chest stating, "You can't catch me I'm the gingerbread man." 

Jack soon becomes the target of the Gingerbread man.  When he realizes that a woman is heading the investigation, it almost becomes an obsession to him. 

Will Jack capture the Gingerbread man before he gets her?  What does the Gingerbread man do to taunt Jack?

This novel had my attention from the very first page.  J.A. Konrath has written an exciting thriller.  There are two firsts about this book.  It is the author's first novel and so it begins the first in a series of Jack Daniels mysteries.  It's hard to believe there could be some humor in a story of a serial killer but you will laugh many times.  If this book is any indication of the author's writing skills, we should see several great novels in the future.  Add this one to your reading list - you will not be sorry!

REVIEWED BY NANCY EATON

DO NOT REPRINT WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE REVIEWER, NANCY EATON