Eyes of Prey

Marred by a choppy style, poor sequencing, numerous syntactical errors, annoying repetition and rambling scenes, the self-published sequel to Hungry Eyes (and the second in what threatens to become a tetralogy) focuses on Philadelphia crime victim Lysette Ormandy, who becomes a violent vigilante as she strikes back at the man who has killed her family. Known as the Nightwatcher, Lysette becomes the inspiration for a citizens' coalition to take action against crime. Reporter Deidre Caffrey draws Lysette out, while Shara Farris, an abuse victim who loves to punish bad guys, identifies her in a strip club and persuades her to turn herself in. At the same time, two cops are on her trail: Nina Rios, who wants to be accepted by the boys, and Lamar Briggs, an African American haunted by the memory of his daughter's rape. They all end up feeling good about one another until a shadowy coalition of Philadelphia WASPs and organized crime (known as The Fist) steps in to restore vice and disorder. Hoffman seems obsessed with rape victims, but his descriptions of their fear and dissociation are unconvincing--as indeed is the whole scenario of this preposterous thriller. (Sept.)