Deviant Ways by Richard Montanari
Signet (pbk) (0 45 118911 6) £4.99
A sadistic serial killer
is stalking the streets of Cleveland. The singles bars and clubs are the hunting ground,
the young women who frequent them the prey. What makes the killings infinitely more
frightening is that the women leave willingly with the killer, the prospect of sex and a
possible relationship with him the final enticement leading them to their death. The night world of singles bars and clubs of a more dubious nature become the focus of investigation for detective Jack Paris and his colleagues. In an attempt to lure the killer out, an undercover operation is launched.
But how could you recognise such a killer? Most people believe they wouldn't be tricked by such a man. Surely there's something about a killer that sets him apart from the rest, some deviant behaviour that signals his obscene tendencies. The women were obviously so lonely and desperate that they ignored vital signals. But apparently not! Conversely, through Jack we begin to feel that even "normal" sexual behaviour may not hold up under close scrutiny and might at any time somehow turn perverse.
The hunt is on, emotions and relationships become fraught. The killer must be caught before he strikes again. Jack's suggestion that a woman may be involved in the killings is not taken seriously and the consequences are appalling. The story leads to a tense and electrifying climax, you're quite never sure at what point Jack's finally got it right.
Deviant Ways, Richard Montanari's first novel is powerful, gripping and totally convincing. The depravity, cleverness and coldness of the killer is terrifying. Jack Paris, an attractive, ageing, slightly lonely detective with a deep affection for women, his daughter and dog is cleverly set against this horror. The wide variety of interesting, odd and downright dubious characters are all dealt with with equal skill and the author has produced an intelligent, thought-provoking, fast-paced and exciting psyco-thriller. Detective Jack Paris would make a wonderful series detective and I eagerly await his return. (E.A.L)
