This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Stephen L. Brayton for Readers' Favorite
Freelance writer Syeeda Mckay is still recovering from breast cancer surgery when she receives a text from someone who claims to have information regarding a serial killer who has been shooting black prostitutes in Los Angeles for twenty years. McKay, who has been investigating these slayings for another book, agrees to meet the woman but discovers her murdered in a manner similar to the other victims. This woman, Tamar Haist, however, was a minister’s daughter and McKay soon discovers she was far from being a holy preacher’s child. While McKay discovers the life Haist led before her death, a college classmate shows up. Toni Fortune had dated and finally married a man who was continually unfaithful. Soon another college buddy, Krystal, shows up to try to put McKay ‘on the straight and narrow’. Krystal was a drunk and prostituted herself through college. As the days pass and more victims are discovered, McKay starts uncovering complex connections between Haist, Toni, and Krystal. The killer of Haist may not have killed the previous prostitutes. Syeeda soon finds herself targeted by the man she has named the Phanton Slayer.
This story was conceived from actual events in Los Angeles and Howzell does a fine job of showing the people, attitudes, emotions, and culture that are beyond the Hollywood glitz. McKay is determined but shows emotion and horror at the crime scenes. She is not a superwoman but caring and continues to pick up the real story even when faced with obstacles. There are some pretty good suspenseful moments, a few you might not see coming. Sometimes I felt as if her attitude toward her classmates was a little off based on how they spoke and acted, but I liked the relationship problems between McKay and the lead detective. Fairly tight writing, a bit slow in places, but the story doesn’t drag. Howzell presents the clues in a logical manner and puts together a complex puzzle and I was surprised when the picture was finally revealed.
