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There’s a killer on the loose.

Killer Career is a walk on the wild side as Morgan Mandel pours forth a compelling story of deception and intrigue.

Julie and Dade have a thriving law firm based in Chicago, but she wants something else.  She’s always been a good writer when she prepares her briefs for the court and now she feels there is something missing.  She attends a conference given by mystery writer Tyler Jensen and is mesmerized by his attitude and knowledge.  During the conference, Julie asks questions to challenge Tyler’s expertise and he dotes on her from the podium.  She is embarrassed by his forthright attitude and how he singles her out of a crowd.  She feels weak in the knees when he makes his own challenge for her to attend a workshop that he will be giving.

Meanwhile, someone stalks the park looking for a kill.  We don’t know his identity but become very aware that he is out to kill.  And kill he does.  We hear his thoughts as he strangles the life out of his victim whom he refers to as trash.  There seems to be no connection to Julie and Dade until the killer strikes at their office and takes the body of their secretary with him.

Julie becomes more and more convinced that she can write and signs up for Tyler’s workshop on writing.  In the first meeting he scorns her weak attempts to defend the fact that she has a job at a law firm and is quite busy by telling her that writing comes first and nothing should stand in her way of writing a novel.  Although entranced by Tyler’s demeanor, she decides the only way she can be a successful writer is to give up her law practice and devote all her time to writing.  She has dreams about Tyler and the effect throws her into a state of frenzy.

Ms. Mandel writes a convincing story and weaves a plot that I’ve not read before.  The surprise ending will have you gulping for air.  She is not new to the writing arena with two other books (“Two Wrongs,” and “Girl of My Dreams”) under her belt.  She writes what she feels and can’t be stuck in a niche as just a mystery writer.  Her books are easy to read and pull the reader into the action that is taking place.  You can tell she enjoys writing from the very first page to the last of her novels.

I’ve not had the opportunity to sit down with Ms. Mandel, but would love to pick her brain and find out what makes her tick.  We have emailed back and forth which to me makes her more than some “distant” personality; she’s like a friend.  You will enjoy this novel because it’s a page turner and can catch up with the latest form Morgan on her Web site http://www.morganmandel.com.

I’m thinking Killer Career will make an excellent movie so long as Morgan writes the screenplay.  Happy reading!

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