The Criminalist, by Eugene Izzi

Eugene Izzi. The Criminalist. New York: Avon Books, 1998. 341 pages. ISBN 0380975408.

Published two years after Eugene Izzi's untimely death, The Criminalist is a suspenseful mystery that explores the dynamics between three brothers who've been psychologically damaged by the violence inflicted on them by their father. It tells the story of Tom Moran, psychiatrist; Terry Moran, police officer; and Frank Moran, addict and vagrant. Twenty years ago Tom's wife was violently murdered, but her killer has never been found. Initially suspected, both Tom and Terry have suffered for many years from lingering suspicions, but they've affected Terry's career the most. Bitter from his past experiences, Terry hides from the police when a dead woman is found whose murder closely mirrors that of Tom's wife.

Detective Dominick DiGrazia and his new partner Janice Constantine try to untangle the threads that connect all of the characters involved in both murders. What is the role of DiGrazia's former partner, a detective who became obsessed with the earlier murder? Is the same person responsible for both murders?

This book kept me turning the pages until the very end. It's well-written and impossible to put down. It's a shame that this is Izzi's last book. I recommend this to anyone who likes detective stories with a lot of action.