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Emily Thompson had an idyllic life; first as a young, much-loved only child and then as a wife. Unfortunately both parents died in a car accident, and her husband was killed when his car crashed after someone (kids reportedly) threw rocks off of an overpass onto his car. Now Emily is a cop, in suburban Naperville, Illinois. The day isn't starting out too well for her when she is called out to a crime scene where she first finds a dead animal and then a crashed car near a cemetery. The driver, who is dead, had one of Emily's cards in her purse. Clearly, this is no coincidence and Emily is the target of a killer with an agenda. Emily can't believe that someone would kill a person just to send her a message. But the other cops are taking it very seriously. After other killings, all of them seemingly pointed towards Emily, an all-out effort is made to investigate everyone who came in contact with her in the almost 40 years of her life. Does her approaching birthday have any significance? This is very much a procedural novel; Emily and the other cops appear to be very authentically portrayed. At least it seemed authentic to me, and I've read a lot of cop books. For a first novel BLOWN AWAY is exceptional. The characters, the pacing and the thriller aspects are all top-notch and indicate a very talented writer. Emily is well-drawn and a sympathetic figure, who is surrounded by good friends and fellow cops who are dedicated to finding this killer. And happily for the readers, Emily and her fellow officers will be featured in another outing -- BURNED AWAY -- which will be published in 2007. Very good news, indeed. I think that we will be hearing much more from Shane Gericke once readers make the acquaintance of Emily and her brother cops.
Reviewed by Lorraine Gelly, March 2006
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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