Barbara Fradkin is a child psychologist with a fascination for how people turn bad. Her compelling short stories haunt numerous magazines and anthologies, but she is best known for her two series of gritty, psychological novels, one featuring Ottawa police inspector Michael Green and the more recent one with foreign-aid worker Amanda Doucette. Barbara won Arthur Ellis Best Novel Awards for both Fifth Son (2005) and Honour Among Men (2007). Her work as a school psychologist helping adolescents and younger children, many of whom struggle with reading, has also made her a strong advocate of programs that help develop reading as a lifelong passion. She lives in Ottawa, Ontario.
Fradkin's writing feels pitch perfect for this kind of piece. She largely follows the structure that comes with the mystery genre and employs many of the conventions we've come to expect from this kind of book. It's a testament, though, to her storytelling skills and comfort with the language that these elements which in the hands of another might feel obvious and overbearing are subtle and organic to the story being told...Fradkin has skilfully adjusted the genre to fit the story she wants to tell, making the book appealing to a wide range of readers, both reluctant and eager alike. Highly Recommended. -- CM Magazine Rick is an engaging character at home with a good mystery to solve but very ill at ease when it comes to talking to the female police detective. Like other amateur sleuths, his presence often irritates the authorities, but ultimately Rick's help closes the case. This third installment in the Cedric O'Toole mysteries is written to appeal to struggling adult readers looking for a fast-paced mystery story, but it would work equally well for young-adult readers and adults who are simply overscheduled and lack time for reading for pleasure. -- Booklist Simple vocabulary, a relatable male character, and a fast-paced plot line that hooks the reader immediately...Ideal for adults who have difficulty reading or for anyone who simply enjoys a quick read with nonstop action and adventure...Those who work with high school-aged English language learners may find titles in this series useful recommendations as well. -- VOYA