KILLROD: The Cross of Lorraine Murders
By Bill Ison
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: Paper: 9781432713997
Pages: Paper: 388
Price: Paper: $15.95
eBook: $5.00
Chance encounters turn deadly.
“Killrod” is the story of Hollywood sculptor, Hart St. James; an art that Mr. Ison shares with his character. Hart is hired to work on, film star, Kelly Moran’s fireplace mantle. Chance brings these two people together with both wondering if they can succeed where so many Hollywood relationships fail.
Before they can explore their new love, Kelly is murdered. Murdered during the night, in bed with Hart. Why was Hart not killed?
Was Kelly involved with something she shouldn’t have been or was it just Chance that made her a victim? What part of did Chance play in creating the assassin, Monk?
Hart decides he must find Kelly’s killer, a search that takes him from the politics of Hollywood to the procedures of police departments to the politics of Washington. Who is this Monk and what is the Chance he would have the same killing stick Hart made and used in Vietnam?
Mr. Ison’s premise is interesting. His insight, based on his art of sculpting and sculpting for Hollywood are two examples of his book’s strengths. I like his character, Hart. I can’t quite put a finger on why I like this character as I have some difficulty with believing different aspects of this character. However, there is something engaging with the character’s personality, if not abilities.
If I was a critique partner of Mr. Ison, I would point out where I found the book weak and/or unbelievable, here is not where that belongs.
Look up “Killrod: The Cross of Lorraine Murders” and decide for yourself.