By A Spider's Thread    by Laura Lippman Order:  USA  Can William Morrow, 2004 (2004) Hardcover, e-Book     Reviewed by J. A. Kaszuba Locke Laura Lippman is again on track with Private Detective Tess Monaghan. By A Spider's Thread features Mark Rubin, husband of a beautiful wife, Natalie and with three children (Isaac, Penina and Efraim), whom he loves intensely. Tess Monaghan is hired by Mark Rubin to find Natalie, who has disappeared with the children, leaving no indication of why, where, or how. Rubin has some suspicion that Natalie may have left to protect her husband from something evil. It turns out that ex-con Zeke travels with the not-so-innocent Natalie and the children - in a plot that will knock your socks off! Tess Monaghan is a detective who's not afraid to get her hands dirty, even when the search for evidence takes her into dumpsters. She tactfully and discreetly gathers information pertinent to her cases by wooing contacts. Monaghan also has a special network of assistance over the Net - the 'SnoopSistersDigest'. Members are located in various states, cities, and professions, and provide assistance to 'detecting sisters' in need. Laura Lippman's writing style is spectacular, moving at an easy pace, giving a hint of information here and there, but not enough to allow for too early conclusions. She spends time building her characters, giving readers the opportunity to know who they are, how they think, how they inter-relate to each other, and what motivations lead them to do the deeds they do. Descriptions of the Baltimore locale are vivid and real, creating a solid background for the story. By A Spider's Thread plays out from different angles, weaving through sadness and joy, among friends and family, victims and suspects, and those not guilty. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews