Damon Garr considers himself an artist, but not one who creates paintings or sculptures. The blank canvases he uses are covered “with the vermilion hue of blood.” Rather than a studio, he finds other venues to display his work – weddings. After targeting a bride and groom, he murders one, leaving the survivor behind to mourn. He displays the victim in a way that doesn’t readily reveal murder. Two such events in Italy are written off as accidents by the authorities. But when one occurs in California, the police believe they are after a serial killer. He’s dubbed the Honeymoon Killer and Homeland Security Investigations agent Carmen Sanchez and her partner, security expert Jake Heron, must discover who he is before he strikes again.
Jeffrey Deaver (Photo Credit: Nikki Giovanni Coniglio 2010)
The Grave Artist is the second collaboration between bestselling authors Jeffrey Deaver and Isabella Maldonado. (Read a review of Fatal Intrusion.) Deaver has written more than 50 novels including those featuring Colter Shaw, Lincoln Rhyme, and Kathryn Dance. Besides three series with Daniela Vega, Nina Guerrera, and Veranda Cruz, Maldonado graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico and was the first Latina to attain the rank off captain in her police department. The combination of their talents is a perfect storm, bringing together Deaver’s ability to create complicated, devious villains, and Maldonado’s extensive knowledge of police procedure. They get into the heads of their characters. The musings by the Honeymoon Killer, Damon Garr, are chilling, while the interactions between Sanchez and Heron provide a glimpse into the workings and, yes, the tedium of police work. Another valuable member of the team is Declan, an acronym for Decoder-En-Coder Language-based AI Network. Declan is able to gather up data from any number of sources to help in police investigations.
Isabella Maldonado (Photo Credit: Skip Feinstein)
Sanchez and Heron are part of a new agency called I-squared, the brainchild headed up by Supervisory Special Agent Eric Williamson. But when Homeland Security’s Deputy Secretary Stan Reynolds wants to turn the search for the Honeymoon Kiiller into a dubious hunt for a Russian spy, Sanchez and Heron must work quickly before Garr can escape.
The lives of law enforcement personnel are complicated. The pressures of long days and nights often means family takes second place. Sanchez’s father, Roberto, was an accountant who died three years ago when he fell from his office building. He left a note and his death was ruled to be death by suicide, but Carmen, and her sister, Selina, never believed he would kill himself. With Carmen tied up in the HK investigation, Selina, over her sister’s objections, is determined to discover who killed their father. She focuses on the note Roberto left behind, believing he was sending a secret message to his daughters. What she finds sends her on a chase that could put her life in danger.
Sanchez and Heron soon identify Garr, but he also learns who is after him. This cat and mouse game leads to several hits and misses on both sides. Garr tries to take out Heron, but instead injures an LAPD detective. At the same time, the I-squared team thwarts Garr’s next killing, making him even more determined to score another hit.
Garr soon finds himself with two “helpers,” Tristan Kane, one of the world’s most skilled, and amoral hackers, and Maddie Willis, a beautiful woman who is also into killing. As with most killers, Garr’s childhood was traumatic. After his mother died, his father disappeared and he was raised by a governess, Miss Spaulding, who encouraged the young boy to watch violent films. Money has never been a problem for Garr since his father’s death left him the family fortune. With the police closing in, he plans his escape. Will Sanchez and Heron be able to stop him before it’s too late?
The Grave Artist
Jeffrey Deaver and Isabella Maldonado
Top photo: Bigstock
Our editors love to read and independently recommend these books. As an Amazon Affiliate, Woman Around Town may receive a small commission from the sale of any book. Thank you for supporting Woman Around Town.
