Title: A Psychopath’s Pause
Author: K.B. Pellegrino
Publisher: The Ewings Publishing
ISBN: 979-8-89419-300-7
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 241
Reviewer: Allison Walker
Hollywood Book Reviews
Author K.B. Pellegrino’s A Psychopath’s Pause is an intricate and suspenseful addition to the Captain Beauregard Mystery novels. Combining a seamless blend of classic whodunit elements, modern police procedural dynamics, and the return of a deeply engaging protagonist, A Psychopath’s Pause once again establishes Pellegrino as an exciting voice in crime fiction. This latest addition to the series will not disappoint fans.
Pellegrino’s story leaps into action immediately with the sudden and suspicious juxtaposition of two seemingly unrelated deaths; that of a vagrant cruelly strangled and wealthy town resident Barry Greer discovered dead in his home. To West Side Major Crimes Unit Captain Rudy Beauregard, Greer’s death screams accident but whispers murder. Then, Beauregard lands squarely in the thick of chaos when connections between the two victims begin to unravel a more complex and jarring conspiracy. Only one thing becomes certain: no one is exactly who they seem.
Captain Beauregard’s tangled web of facts and fiction becomes more mysterious when the murdered vagrant is revealed to be an undercover FBI agent and Greer’s suspicious death uncovers his hidden identity, an identity hidden even from his wife. The FBI muscles into the investigation, linking the case to a serial killer responsible for over forty murders on the East Coast, but also adding layers of tension and jurisdictional friction. Struggling with procedural constraints, Beauregard turns to unconventional allies for help, including citizen investigator Beryl Kent, military veteran Nate Connault, and attorney Norbie Cull. As the investigation narrows to a key suspect, Beauregard devises a daring plan, one that does not end exactly as planned. The result is a gripping tale of secrets, justice, and the unpredictable hand of destiny that will keep readers guessing to the very end.
The novel’s most compelling feature is its layered plot. Pellegrino intertwines multiple story lines without overwhelming the reader, resulting in a narrative which challenges but never confuses. She deftly balances the methodical pacing of a procedural police investigation with the emotional resonance of a character-driven story. Beauregard, in particular, is a fascinating central character and it’s easy to see why scores of readers are eager for Pellegrino’s Captain Beauregard Mysteries. He is a tenacious and intelligent detective with a knack for piecing together the puzzling shards of a mystery, yet not infallible. His team of unlikely crime-solvers, each with their own areas of expertise, add excitement and depth to the story.
A Psychopath’s Pause is a fast-paced and challenging addition to the Captain Beauregard Mystery Series that will captivate long-time fans and new readers. Although part of a series, each novel can be easily read as a standalone story. Its complex characters, sharp plot, teasing clues and suspenseful conclusion make it a compelling addition to the crime fiction genre.