By Faye Kellerman
Warner Books
Hardcover, Audio Cassette (Abridged), Audio CD (Abridged) and Large Print Editions

Authors have to perform a unique balancing act when writing a series of novels. On the one side, they need to create new stories that keep previous readers coming back for more. On the other side, they need to write the stories in such a way that new readers will not be lost not knowing what has gone before.

Old readers need fresh tales and will not have the patience to sit through a rehashing of background material covered in previous books. Faye Kellerman, after writing more than a dozen books in the Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus series still manages to keep that delicate balance in her latest, Stone Kiss.

Peter Decker is asked to return to New York to investigate the murder of Ephraim Lieber, his half-brother's brother-in-law and the disappearance of Ephraim's niece. Even before he goes, Peter questions the wisdom of getting involved in a case in now unfamiliar territory for relatives that have only recently learned of his existence.

Despite strong reservations, Peter and his family trek to New York to offer their condolences and assist in both finding the missing girl and the murderer. As soon as they arrive in New York, the people who asked Peter to help do everything possible to thwart his efforts.

Stone Kiss Excerpt "Can you take Rina to your in-laws, then back to Brooklyn?" "You're not coming?" "I can't, Jon. Something came up-" "What?" The rabbi's face instantly filled with color. "Are you on to something?" "No, not at all," Decker lied. "Just tying up loose ends with the detective." "You wouldn't miss shiva for that," Jonathan snapped back. "You've got a lead." "No, I have nothing to tell you," Decker insisted. "You'll have to trust me. Still, you can't talk about me to anyone-not your brother-in-law, not your father-in-law. If they ask where I am, tell them I'm not feeling well." ©2002 Faye Kellerman Published with permission from Warner Books

If there is any flaw in this novel, it is the lack of motivation for Peter Decker. Much of the opening is spent trying to rationalize Peter's decision to take on this case. He finally flies out to New York simply because he does not want to risk damaging his fragile relationship with his biological family. However, once these same relatives become antagonistic toward Peter because of his investigation, Peter for some inexplicable reason perseveres, continuing to work the case despite the hostility he is fostering. This lack of clear, comprehensible motivation is a source of confusion.

Another source of confusion came with the inexplicable use of the first person when writing from one particular character's point of view. This shift in perspective brought the story to a halt until it could be determined just whose point of view was being related during the course of the narrative. Perhaps it was an attempt at artistic flair. In any event, this shift in point of view and person did not serve the story.

However, once past these obstacles, Stone Kiss is a tightly plotted mystery. Every peculiar detail is explained, and all the loose ends are neatly tied. It is, in fact, in the denouement that it becomes apparent just how neatly everything is resolved. It's as if the events of this story have had no lasting effect on the characters. Despite the traumatic nature of these experiences, everything goes back to normal for Peter Decker and his family. They all live happily ever after.

In the end, Stone Kiss is an enjoyable mystery. What it lacks in terms of complex characters, it makes up for with a complex plot.

Bookworm's Briefing
Faye Kellerman's Stone Kiss is the 14th novel in the ongoing Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus series. She writes with such skill that new readers of the series will have no trouble following the story and old fans will follow each development eagerly, seeing where it takes their old friends. Despite some confusion in terms of motivation and point of view, this novel works very well, and has a tight, if convoluted, plot. Kellerman lives in Los Angeles with her husband and fellow author, Jonathan Kellerman and their children.