Guest Review and GIVEAWAY: 'Killrod' by Bill Ison

Killrod: The Cross of Lorraine Murders
By Bill Ison
ISBN-10: 143271399X
ISBN-13: 978-1432713997
Paperback, 388 pages
October 23, 2007
Outskirts Press
Reviewed by Barbara McDuffie

Hart St. James is a sculptor who creates set pieces for film studios. He lives and works in his own small studio in North Hollywood. His life takes an unexpected turn when he is hired to design and sculpt a fireplace mantel for the Bel Air mansion of beautiful movie star Kelly Moran. The two immediately connect and their relationship quickly escalates. A short week later Hart awakens in Kelly’s bedroom with his head bloodied and aching. He is lying next to Kelly’s cold body. She has been murdered with the Killrod, a special weapon that Hart created to use while a soldier in the jungles of Vietnam. A devastated Hart vows to find Kelly’s murderer. His investigation leads him to a professional assassin known only as Monk. Part of the mystery Hart needs to solve is the connection between Monk and the Killrod. How has this professional killer learned about the weapon Hart secretly designed years earlier?

Author Bill Ison has created a surprisingly unusual “hero” in Hart St. James. He uses his own experiences as a sculptor for the film industry to make St. James an interesting and believable character. But what really makes Killrod such a great read is Ison’s refreshing style of writing. He doesn’t waste time with a lot of “fillers” that serve only to add pages to the book. He has a story to tell, and he does so with a fast pace and a direct style that keeps the reader engrossed. Ison’s first novel reads like the work of a seasoned author, only with more imagination than mystery lovers have come to expect. I sincerely hope we will hear more from the character of Hart St. James. My only disappointment is that my copy of Killrod was not signed by the author, because I believe Bill Ison will soon be on the best sellers list.

Barbara has been absolutely raving about this author. She enjoyed the book so much that she wants to share it. She has kindly offered up her own copy for a Breeni Books giveaway! So if you'd like the chance to read it...you know the drill. Comment here, make sure you leave me some type of contact information, and good luck! (US only, please.) Deadline is end of day on Sunday, March 30, 2008. I'll randomly select a winner the following Monday.

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