Separated at Death (An Elizabeth Hewitt Mystery)

by Sheldon Rusch

Book Overview

A shattering new novel of suspense from the acclaimed author of For Edgar. His debut novel For Edgarwas named by Kirkus Reviewsas one of the Ten Best Mysteries of 2005, and hailed as "prose worthy of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425219488
• ISBN13: 9780425219485
• Release Date: April 2008
• Publisher: Berkley Hardcover
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 1.1" x 6.5"

Customer Reviews

exciting police procedural

On the day she became engaged to Brady, Illinois State special agent Elizabeth Hewitt is assigned to what will prove to be one of the most horrific cases of her career. She and the daughter of her mentoring Captain has is daughter Jen Spangler job shadowing her. They are sent to the house of Rita Vandermause. There they find her body in a pool of blood, but her head is nowhere around. The obvious first suspect is the victim's estranged husband Joe, but he is found dead with his head missing too. A second couple is soon discovered dead with their heads missing. Elizabeth and Jen seek the common threads and learn the latest pair was estranged and like the first duet went to Big Shoulders Therapies for marriage counseling; the other commonality is psychiatrist Dr. Gerald Boccachio. Matters turn bizarre when pictures of the dead couples dressed up for a wedding are sent to Mundelein Dispatch owner Byron Biffle, whose father was murdered several years ago in a still unsolved case. Elizabeth has quite a list of suspects so she sends Jen to interview the person she considers least dangerous; her assessment will prove wrong. SEPARATED AT DEATH is an exciting police procedural showcasing an experienced cop mentoring a criminology student who starts off shadowing her but eventually persuades her teacher to allow her some independent field work. Both women are believable as bright and independent role models. There is plenty of action in this complex mystery, but the heart of the tale is the strong cast because this makes for a credible and terrific investigation by the two dedicated sleuths. Harriet Klausner

An intriguing story

A new engagement ring adorns the hand of Elizabeth Taylor Hewitt. Liz Hewitt, Illinois State Special Agent, has just become engaged to Brady Stephen Richter, who is also a detective. Weddings and marriage is the main theme of Separated at Death but in the most gruesome way imaginable. Ed Spangler, Liz's superior, teams Liz up with his daughter, Jen Spangler. Jen is a young single mother who still lives at home with her father. She has decided to study criminal justice at the university. Although her father is not happy with her career choice, he has agreed to allow Jen to shadow Liz and get some experience. Jen's first experience is shocking beyond belief. The first call she goes on with Liz is to a residence where a woman has been murdered. The scene is horrifying but made even more so by the fact that the murderer has removed the victim's head, and it is nowhere to be found. When Liz and Jen go to talk to the victim's estranged husband, they find that he has fallen victim to the same beheading. Therefore, the two investigators, one experienced, one wanting experience, find themselves going down a strange path. Liz meets with the marriage counselors who have counseled the victims. Big Shoulders Marriage and Family Therapy have a unique assortment of counselors for Liz to study. Jen takes off on her own to follow up a cold case that she thinks might have a connection to the violence currently taking place. Jen meets with Byron Biffle, newspaper editor, whose father was murdered years ago. Jen and Liz approach the investigation from different angles but finally observe the final ceremony that the killer has planned all along. Separated at Death will intrigue and shock the reader. I would highly recommend the book for any reader that enjoys an exciting read and is not disturbed by violent acts. This book is not for the cozy reader. Armchair Interviews says: Highly recommended if you can read a good story that also has violent acts in it.