Slipping Into Darkness

by: Peter Blauner

Published by: Little, Brown and Company; Time Warner Book Group

Reviewed by Jackie Baumgarte

The opening paragraph of Slipping Into Darkness aptly sets the scene and the mood of this book--multilayered and suspenseful, horror running just below the calm facade.

New evidence suggests a grievous error was made 20 years ago. Either 17-year-old Julian Vega was wrongly convicted of the gruesome murder of a young female doctor--or he's a serial murderer. Another young female medical professional turns up murdered right after his release

Francis X. Loughlin, lead detective in the case, literally reopens the investigation by digging up the first woman's body and meticulously reexamining the evidence of both murders. DNA suggests the two murders are linked or related.

The author takes us into the mind and life of a man released from prison after 20 years, revealing his frantic struggle to reclaim his life and prove his innocence. Juxtapose this with the lead detective who is just as haunted by his past decisions and very fearful of his uncertain future.

The characters in this book are edgy, Julian's desperate efforts to exonerate himself, the first victim's mother who lives in a sketchy reality and Francis's reluctant acknowledgement of his illness...there are no happy endings--only real life laid out for us with grit and guts.

Armchair Interviews says: Powerful writing about murder and imprisonment