TEST
Just as every reader has a preferred level of sensuality, every reader also has a certain threshold for violence. Tami Hoag’s Ashes to Ashes one of the most extraneously violent, lurid books I have ever read – so violent that I really couldn’t enjoy it. However, I realize that some readers may be better able to handle this book’s brutal scenes. In assigning a grade, I tried as best I could to separate my feelings about the violence in the novel from my over all opinion of the book. Even apart from the violence, the book remains flawed.
Ashes to Ashes is the tale of a brutal serial killer – dubbed “the cremator” by the press – who tortures women to death and then burns their corpses. Kate Conlan works for the police as a witness advocate, and she is called in to help when there is a witness to one of the cremator’s grisly deeds. This sets Kate on a collision course with her past, because John Quinn, an expert on serial killers for the FBI, is also helping with the case. Years ago, Kate also worked for the FBI. She and John had a torrid affair during that time, and though it ended badly, he is the only man she has ever loved.
Kate and John do fall back into love during the course of the book, but the main emphasis of the book is on solving the crime. The plot follows a police procedural pattern, and it’s focus is not limited to the efforts of John and Kate, but also includes those of the rest of the police task force. One of the flaws of this book is that the plot is not particularly tight. When I read a suspense novel, I really expect it to be a page turner, and this one definitely isn’t – at least at first. While the last third of the book is quite compelling, the first two thirds are packed with unnecessary scenes, and the plot moves forward at a snail’s pace.
This book contains some interesting characters, especially within the police force. These secondary characters are well-developed during the meandering first half, but they at first they do spend an inordinate amount of time exchanging vulgar jokes. John and Kate are sympathetic characters, and their little side romance provides the reader with some relief from the relentless violence. However, for someone who is involved in the investigation of a serial killer, Kate is pretty nonchalant about her personal safety. Even when it becomes clear that she is in danger, she doesn’t get any more careful – pretty unbelievable for someone in her line of work.
While I was reading this book, I kept asking myself what the point of it was. The point of a romance is to tell the story of a couple falling in love, and the point of a mystery is to solve a crime. It might be argued that the point of a suspense novel is to disclose the would-be criminal and let the tension gradually build from there. Ashes to Ashes doesn’t fit neatly into any of these molds. To me it seemed as if the book’s only purpose was to showcase the violent acts of a serial killer. In my opinion, the violence crossed the line into excessive – the story could have been told more effectively if it had been toned down. Do you want to know exactly what a burned corpse smells like? Do you want to be privy to the graphic fantasies of a torturer? Do you want to watch as the heroine is tortured? All that and more is included here.
This is suspense at its most graphically violent extreme. Even if that doesn’t give you pause, perhaps the inconsistent plotting and the $24.95 hardcover price tag will make you think twice. At any rate, you won’t find me reading Tami Hoag again, ever. If I’m in the mood for a page-turner, I’ll pull out Nora Roberts, Kay Hooper, or even Elizabeth Adler. Then I’ll check – just to make sure – that my doors are locked.
Grade: D
Book Type: Suspense
Sensuality: Warm
Review Date: 29/03/99
Publication Date: 2000
I've been at AAR since dinosaurs roamed the Internet. I've been a Reviewer, Reviews Editor, Managing Editor, Publisher, and Blogger. Oh, and Advertising Corodinator. Right now I'm taking a step back to concentrate on kids, new husband, and new job in law...but I'll still keep my toe in the romance waters.
Related Reviews
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.