Chill of Night

Against the backdrop of a terrorized city, Lutz delivers a solid thriller with typical skill and style. Ex-NYPD homicide detective Artemis Beam made his reputation by running down serial killers. Now retired—in part because of a gunshot wound, in part his disrespect for the police hierarchy—Beam morosely deals with the inactivity of retirement, tragically complicated by the recent suicide of his wife. When Deputy Chief Andy da Vinci asks for his help in catching a serial murderer dubbed the Justice Killer—each of his victims at one time served as foreman on a jury that acquitted an "obviously" guilty defendant—Beam is lured back to the fold. As the adversary stays one step ahead of the investigation, Beam's team get the feeling that the Justice Killer may be looking to add them to his growing list of victims. Though it's a familiar setup, Lutz breathes fresh life into this genre piece by keeping the suspense high and populating his story with a collection of unique characters that resonate with the reader, making this one an ideal beach read. (Nov.)