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Book Review By Harriet Klausner
Vapor Trail by Chuck Logan

Harper Collins, April 2003, 24.95, 320 pp. ISBN 0060185732 Last year in Stillwater, Minnesota, elementary school teacher Ronald Dolman was put on trial for molesting six-year-old Tommy Horrigan but despite the overwhelming evidence against him, the jury voted to acquit him. Somebody took the law into their own hands and murdered Ronald, an action the media and the public approved of wholeheartedly calling him or her “The Saint”. A year later “The Saint” kills a priest in the confession booth because he was supposedly molesting little boys. Sheriff John Eisenhower deputizes private investigator Phil Broker (see ABSOLUTE ZERO) so that he can legally question Harry Cantrell who he suspects of knowing the identity of the Saint. After Phil gets the information from Harry, he is supposed to escort the policeman to a detox facility. Harry doesn't intend to make life easy for Broker who he holds responsible for the death of his wife and the Saint is not making it easy for the police. She has gone from vigilante to serial killer: methodical, organized and deadly. Author Chuck Logan has written an exciting police procedural thriller starring a protagonist whom tries to work on the right side of the law even when it cost him his friendship with Harry. The plot is full of red herrings, misdirection and unexpected twists and turns making VAPOR TRAIL an exciting roller coasters ride of suspense. The author ensures that the reader will read his next book by telling the audience where the hero's daughter can be found. Harriet Klausner
Plot Tone of story - very humorous How difficult to spot villain? - Very difficult--no foreshadowing/clues Time/era of story: What % of story relates directly to the mystery, not the subplot? - 70% Kind of investigator Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Any non-mystery subplot? descript. of violence and chases - 10 % Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 60 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20 % How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 10 % Crime Thriller Yes Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes Main Character Gender - Male Profession/status: Age: - 40's-50's How much violence does he/she use? - just the right amount Ethnicity/Race How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters Physique - very athletic Main Adversary Identity: - Female Age: - 40's-50's Profession/status: How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount Motive of antagonist - insanity How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters Physique - very athletic Setting United States Yes The US: - Midwest Style Person - mostly 3rd Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment How many deaths? - 5-7 Amount of dialog - significantly more dialog than descript