ELEVENTH HOUR
Catherine Coulter
Putnam
Thriller
ISBN: 0399148779

Father Michael Joseph is killed gruesomely in the confessional booth by a serial killer. The priest's twin brother FBI Special Agent, Dane Carver is a friend and colleague of the husband and wife team of Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock, who are well-known characters in Catherine Coulter's FBI series. There is a single witness to the murder, a homeless woman by the name of "Nick" Jones, who is running away from her own brand of personal terror. Dane finds himself in the unlikely role of her bodyguard and a romance develops between them.

Nick's past --- and the danger that accompanies it --- is revealed in abrupt flashbacks that initially keep interrupting the main mystery. Also, the relationship between Nick and Dane converts a little abruptly from sympathetic to romantic, but nonetheless the reader is engaged.

At the same time, a new TV show called The Consultant features murders that are uncannily similar to the ones committed by their serial killer. Who is copy-catting whom?

In this book, Savich and Sherlock are as good as ever. Savich and his trusty MAX are once again working miracles while Sherlock is an eclectic mix of strength and explosive femininity. Dane is convincing as the grieving, but determined, brother and agent. Nick is an enigma, who now has more than one person trying to kill her. And there are the fabulously wealthy --- and picture-perfect beautiful --- actors and actresses of the TV show who contribute glamour, heat and tension.

Coulter provides interesting bits of information about what goes on behind the scenes of "The Consultant." The dialogue, characterizations and conversations all help to flesh out the book. There are little bits of humor scattered throughout the book that try to lighten the tension though they sometimes fall short of the mark.

Great suspense coupled with action, daring chases, and breathless escapes --- all make Coulter's latest book a highly enjoyable summer read.

    --- Reviewed by Rashmi Srinivas

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