Jezebel

By Paul Werner

This story involves a seductive but dangerous woman, a sexually depraved serial killer, and a small town, morally conflicted cop with a couple of very large problems. The interaction of the three produces a narrative that ultimately leads to a shocking conclusion that few readers will anticipate. Carlo Jardina is a detective on the police force of Prescott, AZ. He's a man who grew up on the streets of South Philadelphia, a juvenile delinquent headed for a life of petty crime. He was turned around, however, by a chance encounter with an organized crime boss who regretted his own life choices, and who adopted and rehabilitated him. Life is good for Carlo in sleepy Prescott, until he's told an intriguing story by a local snitch, and subsequently meets Jezebel Waterhouse on a weekend trip to Las Vegas. She's the most seductive woman he's ever met, and he falls hard for her. She claims she loves him as well, and will be his forever if only he will do her the small favor of helping her murder her wealthy husband. Things get still more complicated when upon his return he learns that the first of what is to become a string of sadistic sex killings has occurred in Prescott. He's the lead investigator assigned to the crime. The killer, who calls himself Stephen, begins to taunt Carlo with letters that include abstruse clues and small trophies from his victims. As the sweltering Southwest summer drags on, and the bodies of gruesomely slain young women stack up, Carlo is tortured by two dilemmas. The killer has gone interstate, and the FBI are now leading the investigation. But he's the one getting Stephen's correspondence, and he's the one with the chance to get inside Stephen's head. So how does Carlo solve the puzzle and stop him? Then there's Jezebel and her spousal problem. Carlo is carrying on a torrid love affair with her, and the two are actively developing a plan for Roger Waterhouse's demise. But when the time comes, will he really be able to commit such an immoral act? Are Jezebel and her money really a prize worth his soul? What would his now deceased father think of that? Is he serious, or is he just stringing Jezebel along? What the narrative has not revealed is that Jezebel has certain appalling secrets in her past, while Carlo has his own secrets and his own hidden agenda. Together these unrevealed elements will cause fate to propel the two lovers toward a wholly unexpected ending: one stunning act that will solve both of Carlo's dilemmas but leave him with a lifetime of regret.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 148233867X
• ISBN13: 9781482338676
• Release Date: June 2013
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 298 Pages
• Weight: 1.14 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.7" x 6.0"