Something Wicked — Gayle Farmer

DESCRIPTION: Dennis pulled himself to his feet with a grunt and pretended to stretch. He watched her make her way to the top of the beach and hesitated. She could be heading for the parking lot or she might be coming out to the pier for a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants that lined the sand. He waited. She walked toward the parking lot, a swing in her step, long hair waving about her shoulders. As he picked up his pace, a peculiar swishing sound accompanied him. His massive thighs, gelatinous in texture and always raw, rubbed against each other, wrinkling his pants. He rounded the corner just in time to see her get into a bright yellow Mazda Miata. She backed out of the slot and hesitated, as though giving him the chance to read the license. He snickered. LAKATY. A personalized plate. They were all easy to trace, but this was a piece of cake. He pulled his cell from his pocket and started dialing. He watched her turn onto 66 and merge into traffic. She was his. Now or later, but soon. Very soon. He headed for a blue Lexus sedan. REVIEWS:I've been reading Ms. Farmer since I found a copy of Secret Lives on a friend's coffee table. Her novels are original, entertaining and downright scary and her newest novel, Something Wicked, really delivers. Farmer's known for her snappy, realistic dialogue, and convincing characters and she's at her best here with a truly creepy tale of a psychotic killer known as the LA Carver. And then, there's Frankie. Guaranteed to please. K. Ackerman, Los Angeles Intense and disturbing is the only way to describe this up close and personal look into the mind of a serial killer. The characters are so real and the descriptions of the Los Angeles area are accurately portrayed. I could not put it down. J.W., Denver