Alien Rites : Elaki, Book 4

David Silver #4

by Lynn Hightower

Homicide cop David Silver and his Elaki partner hunt an arsonist/killer who exterminates humans and aliens alike.

Saigo City is caught in the grip of a savage murder spree by a perp who kills without compunction, then eliminates the evidence by torching the crime scenes. After a private residence is set on fire, killing two adults and four children, the hunt intensifies for this monster who seems intent on destroying both humans and Elakis. But there may be something else going on. The arsonist is targeting supper clubs, and afterward, the burned-out real estate is being snatched up by members of a sinister cult. With the help of an Elaki law enforcer named String and the alluring female psychic Teddy Blake, homicide detective David Silver follows his instincts and uncovers two startling connections between the arson a shadowy mind institute and the disappearance of a Chicago heiress. As he moves closer to the truth, Silver is thrust into the line of fire. His marriage and life are on the line as he races to unmask the killer before the uneasy peace between humans and Elakis is destroyed forever.

Audible Audio

First published July 1, 1995

About the author

Lynn Hightower grew up in Kentucky, and graduated from the University of Kentucky, where she studied creative writing with Wendell Berry and earned a degree in Journalism. She also teaches novel writing in the Writer’s Program at UCLA. Survival jobs include writing television commercials, catering waitress, and bartender for one day.

Her books have been included in the New York Times List of Notable Books, the London Times Bestseller List, and the W.H. Smith Fresh Talent Awards. She has received the Shamus Award, and been nominated for the Kentucky Literary Award, the Kentucky Librarians First Choice Award, and the Mary Higgins Clark Award. Hightower’s books have been published in numerous foreign countries, including Great Britain, Australia, Japan, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Israel and The Netherlands.

Hightower spends ridiculous amounts of time curled up reading, but also enjoys small sports cars and tame horses. She is married to The Frenchman, writes full time, shares an office with her Belgian Shepherd, Leo the Lion, plays bad but fierce tennis, loves to dance and is learning to Tango.

Hightower enjoys canoeing and is witty after two glasses of wine. She has studied French and Italian, but is only fluent in Southern.

Hightower is a Kentucky native, and lives in a small Victorian cottage with a writing parlor.

Reviews

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last David Silver/Elaki novel stays true to its police procedural roots. Silver, and his partners Mel (a human) and String (an Elaki) get the late night call when the expensive car of a missing college student is found. The person who called it in is the missing student's girlfriend, Annie, who lives in the ghetto and being crucified in the press for the death of her infant son. This is the start of several plot threads that Hightower ties together very well by the story's end. Other plot points include Mel's missing girlfriend, a disease that has crossed over from the Elaki home planet, and an Elaki antique dealer (his primary good is Terran teddy bears and he is searching for the elusive Pez).

The procedural parts of the novel are very strong. Hightower though continues to neglect the development of Rose, Silver's wife, and their marriage. Rose acknowledges that something is wrong with their marriage, and that she wants it to work. All the while Silver hides his affair with Teddy from her (the previous book) and his severe dissatisfaction with their relationship. He barely acknowledges the effect this is having on their three children.

A stronger police procedural than the Inspector Ghote and Yellowthread books I recently read. I feel I can recommend the four book series, but be prepared to dislike David Silver by the end (as I did so-intensely).

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something tells me if I hadn't started with book 4 my reactions would have been less lackluster :-)