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Bloodborn    by Kathryn Fox Amazon.com order for
Bloodborn
by Kathryn Fox
Order:  USA  Can
Harper, 2009 (2009)
Paperback, e-Book

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* *   Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth

If you like criminal forensic pathology, you'll love this book. If you like a really good mystery, you also will love this book. If even just a good plot will make you break out in huzzahs, here's the book for you.

Dr. Anya Crichton, forensic pathologist, returns to her home in Australia after a brief vacation with her son and ex-husband. The ex is a stay-at-home dad and Anya pays him to care for their son. A horrific crime takes place that calls for her expertise. Two sisters were attacked in their own home; both repeatedly raped by four men and then stabbed over and over again. Only one survives. Four brothers from a fanatically devoted family of criminals are accused of the headline-making crimes.

Other women have also been attacked and killed. As Anya tries to help the families of the victims, one of the brothers is brought to trial. He plays the system in what he thinks is a clever way, setting up a situation where he cannot be tried again for the same crimes. As time rolls on, a totally unexpected murder takes place and throws the court system into a panic for the lives of anyone connected in any way to the brothers. Even Anya's five-year old son must be protected.

Action in Bloodborn only stops occasionally to take a breath. It's easy to take umbrage over the ways the criminals seem to take the upper hand and leave the victims behind to mop up their own blood. Once or twice, the plot grew a tiny bit thin and then would come screaming back to pick up the slack. The characters are believable but I never really felt I got to know them. Possibly they'll feel a little friendlier in a sequel. There is one, isn't there? If so, I look forward to it.

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