The Burned Woman

Susie Roman, an ambitious TV reporter, makes her husband, Dan, jealous when she tries to interview a famous pop star, but she makes him even more concerned when she disappears

Moral frailties and the dark side of human nature are explored in this intriguing mystery featuring Texas-based private investigator, Dan Roman. In his fifth outing, the 42-year-old ex-cop and his wife, Susie, an ambitious TV reporter 16 years his junior, are having marital problems. Their discord is exacerbated when Susie seeks an exclusive interview with rock star Mickey Conrad, who becomes infatuated with her. The singer and his henchman invade the couple's home in the middle of the night in hopes that Susie will leave her husband. She does--after she and Dan cannot resolve their differences. Later, when Susie does not return from a meeting at Conrad's home, Dan grows fearful and immediately begins searching for his missing wife. But there are only two clues: accident victim Charlotte Wilkins, and her car's fender, which bears a streak of silver paint, the same color of Susie's Toyota. Through legwork, Dan discovers that Charlotte was a prostitute whose clients included politicians and prominent citizens. One holds the key to Susie's disappearance. Mathis's ( Natural Prey ) compelling characters enrich the fast-paced prose of this solid, well-crafted story.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Mathis continues his entertaining Dan Roman series with the mostly unemployed Texas investigator feeling insecure about his much younger wife, Susie. The two quarrel, but Susie's disappearance that evening comes unexpectedly. Spurred out of a drunken lethargy by discovery of Susie's possible involvement in a fatal automobile accident, Roman frantically plows through police cover-up, sexual corruption, and political expediency before the picturesque but derivative denouement. A sometimes aggravating "hero," naturally smooth dialogue, and an inexorable slide to the end make for solid enjoyment.-- REK
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.