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Sometimes a book needs to come with a warning. The publisher sent me a review copy of [easyazon-link asin=”0989369609″ locale=”us”]”Chain of Evidence”[/easyazon-link], and I decided to start reading it over lunch. What she forgot to mention is that the villain is a necrophiliac. Good thing I have a strong stomach.

Once I got past that, it was a good book. The antagonist was compelling, and the idea was intriguing. Harvey, the antagonist, is a medical examiner who uses his position to conceal his murders by making them look like the work of another killer. It’s a creative use of the copycat idea.

Chain of Evidence

The main character, Moby Truax, the cop who is trying to figure out if there are one or two killers, was likable. He’s older, which does limit his potential as a series character, but he’s a good character. He’s experienced, and author D.B. Corey (pictured at left) writes him that way.

Sometimes an experienced character in the hands of a new writer doesn’t use all his potential, but I didn’t notice any obvious mistakes he made in his investigation. Well, maybe he was a bit too trusting of a particular dame, but then, Truax is a guy and can be forgiven that.

Other characters are well drawn, and Corey gives just enough detail to make you feel for the victims. No one feels two-dimensional, but nor does Corey drag his pacing down with too much character info.

The writing is impressive, even more so when you realize that this is Corey’s first novel. It does suffer from some beginning writer issues (like a character with an overdone Irish accent–mercifully in only a couple of scenes), and the writing in the first third of the book is a touch erratic.

It’s worth continuing, though. I read the last half of the book in one sitting, fortunately on a Friday evening, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I’m looking forward to seeing more from this author.

TeleRead Rating:

Chain of Evidence

Buy “Chain of Evidence” for Kindle from Amazon ($2.99)

Buy “Chain of Evidence” in paperback from Amazon

(The book is also available for free from the Kindle Lending Library)

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