Book Review: "Blow Out" by Catherine Coulter

I enjoy reading Catherine Coulter's books because she is such a good writer. Coulter writes in two different genres: historical romance with a strong dose of humor and contemporary suspense thrillers with romance intertwined. Blow Out falls into the second category. It is the 9th in her FBI series that features agents Sherlock and Savich, who not only work together in the same unit, but are married to each other. I love both of these characters because not only are they intelligent with open minds, they have a sense of humor, their love for each other and their family shines through very clearly and let us not forget they both are expert butt kickers. I just love that combination. This book came out in 2004 and I have reread it many times as I have all the other books in this series (Coulter is publishing the 12th in the FBI series this June and is in the midst of writing the 13th). Why am I reviewing this book instead one of the other 11 I've read? I just finished rereading it this morning and it is fresh on my mind.

Lacey Sherlock Savich is always called Sherlock, not Lacey and not Mrs. Savich. Dillon Savich is both her husband and her boss. Sherlock and Savich work in the FBI's Criminal Apprehension Unit, live in Georgetown with their adorable little boy.

This book starts out quietly in the Pocono Mountains with Sherlock and Savich on a rare mini vacation with their toddler son, Sean; then by the third page things start changing. Dillon Savich is on the way back home from grocery shopping when he has a flat tire, which is great timing because a young distraught woman comes out of nowhere screaming that "He's going to kill me." While Savich is looking for the man causing trouble, the woman disappears. This is a troublesome occurrence, so Savich picks up his wife, Sherlock and their son, Sean and go talk to the sheriff. Things get a little wonky when the sheriff tells them that the woman, Sarah Barrister, died 30 something years ago.

As interesting as this is, the trio have to leave almost immediately because a Supreme Court Justice has been murdered in the library of the Supreme Court. This recent murder victim takes precedent, but don't worry they don't abandon Samantha Barrister. Savich and Sherlock are joined by Ben Raven, a Washington DC Metro cop, who is the liaison between the FBI and the Metro Police and by Callie Markham, an investigative reporter for the Washington Post and the stepdaughter of the victim. I love the interaction between Raven and Markham as their relationship develops. I'm ready for a book with this couple as the main characters (hint, hint).

This is all of the story I'm going to tell you, go forth and read it for yourself. You will be glad you did.

To learn more about Catherine Coulter go to her website: http://www.catherinecoulter.com. She has a list of her books, a newsletter and even pictures of her cat.