Blindsided

by Clyde Phillips

Book Overview

San Francisco homicide detective Jane Candiotti never shies away from the risks of the job. Now she's finally ready to gamble on her personal life, inviting her partner and boyfriend Kenny Marks to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688171540
• ISBN13: 9780688171544
• Release Date: March 2000
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 305 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Applause for Clyde Phillips!

The vivid and shocking opening of Blindsided pulled me right into the vortex of this chilling drama about a madman seeking revenge on the San Francisco Police force. Once drawn in, I found it impossible to put the book down until I reached the last pate. Not only were the twists and turns of the story compelling, the characters came to life on the page through Clyde Phillips' extraordinarily tactilce prose; each a complex portrait of his own unique human condition. Without justifying his evil acts, the author reveals Jacques Carpenter's twisted motives by bringing us back to the place of his betrayal, where we see how a man can be moved to such sadistic fury. Thankfully, the tonic in this fast paced thriller is the relationship between Inspector Jane Candiotti and her partner Kenny Marks. In the face of terror they manage to breathe compassion into each other and make it possible to deal with the gruesome reality of their work. Also, Jane's tender feelings toward her father, Poppy, allow us to see her on yet another level. Blindsided is truly more than just a "page-turner." The author gives us characters we care about. I can't wait for the next episode.

Excellent for the action lover

Fast paced ride with plenty of action and thrills. Funny that I became acquainted with the author's work because of his Suddenly Susan connections --because this book isn't anything like SS. Sort of the opposite end of the spectrum. I'm pleasantly surprised by the author's ability to run the gamut of material.

Fast-paced thriller, intense, action-packed

I'm amazed that the SAME writer who created Suddenly Susan(the upbeat television show starring Brooke Shields) also wrote a book where the opening chapter contains a segment where a man's eyes are gouged out of his head with a rusty spoon before his head is shattered by a rock. Then again, maybe it isn't so odd, because this novel is written with a spare, tight intensity that keeps it moving along, eidted as tightly as those television shows made to fit 30 or 60 minute formats. The basic story involves San Francisco Homicide Inspector Jane Candiotti and her partner Kenny Marks, forced to take down a madman with revenge on his mind, a revenge he spent 15 years planning while locked away in prison. Although action, not character portrayal, is writer Clyde Phillips strong point, I did find Candiotti to be a compelling personality, a woman who is finally allowing herself to think of committing herself to a future that goes beyond her job (and involving, not so coincidentally, her partner, Kenny), a cop with a domestic side. Fellow cop Kenny Marks is equally compelling and figuring out who the killer is and what motivates him makes for an intriguing read - and a satisfying one.

Bring on the Glowing Reviews!

I purchased this book based on a rave review I happened upon in Publisher's Weekly whose reviewer, I'm sure, did not know Clyde Phillips. Nor do I, though I feel I want to respond to one here posted as "Only Mystery Is The Good Reviews". Thrillers are my thing. I read many. And I have to say that Blindsided is an expceptional thriller on every level -- plot, character, dialogue. If there are more glowing reviews on this site, must be because the book deserves it. It was great. Take it from me.

An exciting police procedural and a relatioship drama too

As law enforcement officials, Inspector Jane Andriotti and Kenny Marks risk their lives to serve and protect the public. At times, they may perform heroic acts, but like most police officers, the couple recognizes they are just performing their jobs as members of a unique club linked by the danger of their occupation. However, the relationship between Jane and Kenny goes way beyond that of comrades in arms They are lovers and the day they move in together, the brass assigns them to investigate the brutal murder of a former cop turned druggie.The killer Jacques Carpentier served fifteen years of hard time. Back on the street, Jacques has a personal agenda to complete. Jacques plans vengeance on specific members of the SFPD. By the third murder, the police conclude a serial killer has targeted them for termination. Neither Jane, in charge of the case, nor Kenny has any idea who the perpetrator is or why he is killing cops and former cops. Though they jeopardize their lives doing their job, Jane and Kenny know they must stop the culprit before another person is found dead.The taut story line with its switching locations and superb characterizations are so well written, it will blind-side the sub-genre by turning it into a new direction. The story line is fast-paced while Mr. Phillips' magically switches locales in an effortlessly manner that actually propels the plot forward. However, it is the humanization of the characters, who grow as they learn from their errors, that turns this thriller into a mega-chiller. Readers of BLINDSIDED will be obsessed to read Clyde Phillips' previous novels.Harriet Klausner