AFTERIMAGE
By Kathleen George

Library Journal:

In investigating two brutal murders, detective Colleen Greer, the rookie member of the Pittsburgh Homicide Squad, is shocked to discover that she slightly knew the female victims (a quiet divorcée and an angelic child) from working at a family-counseling service. With little evidence, few suspects, and no apparent motivation for the killings, Greer must prove to her boss that her instincts are sound and her ability to handle the investigation is rock solid. In her third crime novel (after Fallen; Taken), George showcases her ability to craft a good mystery with an in-depth understanding of police work and attention to detail. George lives in Pittsburgh.

Kirkus Reviews:

The Pittsburgh Homicide squad catches two new cases, both with ties to the squad's rookie, Colleen Greer.

Laura McCall has been stabbed to death. Her body was found by her boyfriend, but detectives are more interested in David Hoffman, her estranged husband. Colleen used to work as a counselor at the family counseling center where David was in charge. Now he's clinging to his past relationship with her for reassurance as he fights his inner demons. Colleen, for her part, feels he's innocent yet hiding something that could help with the case. Laura is soon joined in the morgue by strangling victim Jamilla Washington, 13 and pregnant. Her parents, former clients of the counseling center, are chronic alcoholics who left Jamilla to run the household and care for her younger brother and sister. Questioning her family and friends reveals that Jamilla spent a lot of time running errands, shopping and apparently signing in at the center, where everyone denies ever having seen her. Colleen is partnering the squad leader, charismatic Richard Christie. Her crush on him is intensified by the fact that her boyfriend is dumping her. Hours of investigation into every aspect of the two murders turn up many leads, but it's Colleen's shocking hunch that pays off in the end.

Even though George (Fallen, 2004, etc.) reveals whodunit fairly early on, the skillfully rendered characters draw you into their lives. An excellent procedural.

Mystery News:

Afterimage sizzles with irony, tension, and surprises. The author’s theatre background seems to have prepared her especially well for her skillful rendering of characterization through dialogue, which means that this highly recommended, fast-paced, character-driven thriller relies very little on extraneous narrative exposition and manipulative authorial intrusion (the latter being one of the unforgivable blemishes in too many efforts by fledgling mystery novelists). Nearly flawless in its plot and execution, Kathleen George’s Afterimage is—we can all hope—just one of many Colleen Greer adventures waiting for us in the future.