The Street Where She Lived (Michael Carpo Mystery)

Rating:
Summary: No sophomore slump here...
Review: Mark Miano's second book featuring Channel 8 newswriter Michael Carpo is an exciting story with plenty of action and enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing. When a serial killer named the Sandman strikes in the East Village, Michael Carpo is drawn into the investigation because not only is he a witness to the crime, but the victim, a young flight attendant, was his neighbor. Mark Miano sets himself apart from other writers in the genre by not only delivering good stories without depending on graphic violence or profanity, but by giving us believable characters that the reader can like and care about. **Don't miss FLESH AND STONE, the first book to feature Micahel Carpo.

Rating:
Summary: Thought provoking; a good read
Review: The Sandman is the latest serial killer to catch the attention of the public. He is a madman who confines his murders to women living on the lower east side of Manhattan. The media gave him his moniker because of his ability to slip unnoticed into the living quarters of his victims. Unlike his mythological namesake who gently puts people to sleep, the killer uses an ice pick to pluck out the eyes of his victims. Through his window, Michael Carpo, a TV news writer, notices a man in a trench coat running at the same time he hears woman screaming.

The hysterical woman has just discovered the mutilated corpse of her neighbor, Cheryl White. The police believe that Cheryl is latest casualty of the feared Sandman. Instead of just reporting the story, Carpo has become part of the story. He begins to investigate the death of Cheryl. He soon learns that the Sandman goes after brown eyed girls, not blue eyed like Cheryl was. If he continues down the path he has chosen, Carpo may find his life is the next offering of a copy cat killer.

Mark Miano's latest novel is a very good story that is loaded with action, well-developed characters, and incredible layers of atmosphere that capture the reader's notice. Though atmospheric based books typically fail, in the hands of Mr. Miano the story becomes a one sitter. The ending is a total surprise as a murder mystery inserted within a murder mystery is cleverly accomplished. Fans of serial killers and who-done-its in general will want to visit THE STREET WHERE SHE LIVED because this is one trip that will not disappoint anyone.

Harriet Klausner