The Beholder

A Maddie Richards Mystery, Book 1

By: David Bishop

Narrated by: Tanya Eby

Maddie Richards is an efficient and resourceful detective with a secret wish that she could handle her messy personal life as well as she handles her work life. As a homicide sergeant for the Phoenix, Arizona Police Department, she has one of the highest solve rates in America. Her success leads her chief of police to assign her a serial killer case. Some sicko the press calls the Beholder is killing beautiful women. Her chief describes the case as “a career maker or breaker, get me?”

She has an ex-husband she still cares for, but who was bad for her and her 10-year-old son. Her widowed mother who lives with her is both a blessing and a trial. And, oh yes, her ex-husband has married an extremely wealthy and politically connected woman who cannot give birth. So, Maddie’s ex is filing a motion to obtain permanent custody of their son, citing the risks attendant to Maddie’s police work endanger the boy.

If that were not enough, the brother-in-law of the chief of police is using his position as an administrative assistant to sexually harass Maddie. She could file a formal complaint, but the good-old-boys network in the department is watching how she handles the situation.

Further complicating Maddie’s life is two love interests: Gary Packard, a hunk who recently moved in across the street, and Lincoln Rogers, a confirmed bachelor, who lives thousands of miles away and works for the FBI.

As the case develops Maddie learns that the victims all wore the same bra size. She must decide if this is merely a coincidence or a criterion the killer uses when selecting his victims. She also finds that each of the victims is somehow connected to the Phoenix police department. This realization isolates her further as she must pursue the killer without disclosing this theory to her department because, if her suspicion is correct, the Beholder would learn she is closing in.

As the story races toward its climax, Maddie is betrayed by those closest to her, and she begins to believe her own name may be on the killer’s list.

©2014 David Bishop (P)2019 David Bishop

Suspenseful Procedural...

This is the first book I've ever listened to by David Bishop. Reviews on this book from other sites are quite different. From Goodreads the average rating is 3.8, Amazon rates the book at 4.3. I'm with the folks from Amazon.
I thoroughly enjoyed this procedural. I found it believable and plausible. The protagonist is Maddie Richards. The author gives her just enough personality and just enough of a personal life with all it's problems to make her character more realistic and likable.
The antagonist tells his story through sickening childhood memories. His crimes are gruesome and described. Keep this in mind if you find this objectionable. I was not able to guess who this was until he was revealed.
I look forward to the next book in this new series.
Tanya Eby does an excellent job narrating.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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