The Midnight Before Christmas - Hardcover

Bernhardt, William

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0345428102 ISBN 13: 9780345428103

Publisher: Ballantine Books, 1998

Synopsis

William Bernhardt has won critical acclaim for his bestselling series of legal thrillers featuring Oklahoma-based attorney Ben Kincaid. Now Bernhardt takes a holiday from the courtroom to deliver a suspenseful, pulse-pounding tale of Christmastime crime with all the trimmings.

'Tis the day before Christmas, and all through the town,
someone evil's at large, spreading mayhem around!

Thirtysomething lawyer Megan McGee is facing a quiet Christmas with her bulldog when Bonnie Thomas, a battered wife, comes looking for legal protection from her violent ex-cop husband, Carl. In a recent bout of rage, Carl vowed to kill their seven-year-old son, Tommy, rather than be separated from the boy. It's no idle threat, either--as Bonnie assures Megan: "He's tried before."

And when Tommy's school unwittingly allows him to leave with his father, Carl gets his chance to try again.

Now, with the town all but shut down for the holiday, Megan races against time--and terror--to keep Carl's Christmas Eve jaunt from turning into a slay ride.

This season, the weather outside isn't the only thing that's frightful. . . .

About this title

Review:

Like homemade eggnog with a bite of something stronger, this Christmas-themed thriller by William Bernhardt (best known for his legal thrillers set in Oklahoma City) introduces several thoroughly miserable characters destined to run afoul on Christmas Eve. Carl, an alcoholic ex-cop and ex-husband, rages against his former wife Bonnie and threatens to kill his 7-year-old son Tommy. The police still regard Carl as one of their own, and they won't listen to Bonnie's complaints of violence. Meanwhile, Megan McGee, a lawyer and ex-Episcopalian priest, is delivering Christmas cookies to the elderly, accompanied only by her unwanted roommate, a smelly and drooling bulldog named Jasper. By the time Bonnie catches up with Megan to get a restraining order on Carl, he has abducted Tommy and disappeared. Now, it's up to Megan to track Tommy down before Carl's bloody rantings become reality. The characters reveal more depth than anticipated from a holiday novel, and the chase is especially disturbing set against the backdrop of a quiet city celebrating peace on earth. For those who enjoy seasonal fiction, this fast-paced dose of Christmas thrills will provide a delicious escape after a busy shopping frenzy.

From the Back Cover:

Thirtysomething lawyer Megan McGee is facing a quiet Christmas with her bulldog when Bonnie Cantrell, a battered wife, comes looking for legal protection from her violent ex-cop husband, Carl. In a recent bout of rage, Carl vowed to kill their seven-year-old son, Tommy, rather than be separated from the boy. It's no idle threat, either -- as Bonnie assures Megan: "He's tried before".

And when Tommy's school unwittingly allows him to leave with his father, Carl gets his chance to try again. Now, with the town all but shut down for the holiday, Megan races against time -- and terror -- to keep Carl's Christmas Eve jaunt from turning into a slay ride.

About this edition

• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0345428102
• ISBN 13: 9780345428103
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224