Alex Delaware is spending a quiet evening at home when he receives a phone call from Rand Duchay, a young man who had been sent to jail for the murder of Kristal Malley. Kristal Malley was two years old and at the mall with her mother when she disappeared. Rand Duchay and Troy Turner were accused of the murder and sent to jail. Troy didn't last long in jail. He was murdered in what was deemed a gang related killing.

Alex had been hired by Judge Thomas A Laskin III to evaluate the defendants psychologically at the time Duchay and Turner were getting ready to go to trial. Now eight years later Rand is calling requesting that Alex meet him to talk in person about Krista's death. Alex agreed but Rand was a no show. After waiting awhile Alex returned home.

The next day he learns from Milo Sturgis, his friend in the police department, that Rand's body has been discovered. Milo with help from Alex begins the investigation. All of the old evidence is reviewed and it appears that many of the people connected with the murder of Kristal are now deceased and not through natural death.

The investigation leads them down many avenues including foster home fraud. The book will keep you interested to the end. It is a good book but not on a par with the early Alex Delaware novels.

REVIEWED BY PATRICIA E. REID

DO NOT REPRINT WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE REVIEWER, PATRICIA E. REID