When Katie arrived the next morning there was no answer to her bell, her home phone or her cell. Becoming concerned, Katie went to Terry’s landlady and the two entered Terry’s apartment to find Terry lying in bed, nude, bound to the bed with black stockings, apparently strangled to death.

Homicide detective Lieutenant Steve Markarian is called to the scene where he discovers his partner Neil French together with Bobby Mangini from the Medical Examiner’s office, Tim Callahan from the Jamaica Plain Police Department, and a crime scene technician. When they view the body, both Markarian and French realize they were acquainted socially with the young woman. Though both men should have acknowledged that fact and disqualified themselves from the case, they did not realize how severely their involvement would compromise the case.

As the investigation proceeds it becomes clear that Terry is not the first homicide of a woman about forty with similar facial features and body build. It appears that a serial killer is at work, but other than their obvious physical similarities, the women have no other connection. There is possibly a sexual motive although none of the victims were raped or showed any signs of physical abuse.

Markarian and French both have personal problems which they are eager to avoid confronting, making the thought of immersing themselves in a case attractive. Both soon discover that their prior association with Terry precludes the case serving as a diversion. In addition each man has carefully avoided informing his partner of the extent of his involvement with the victim.

While Skin Deep is yet another foray into the popular serial killer theme, author Braver manages to go easy on the gore content and does an admirable job of keeping the story moving through both action and dialogue. The perpetrator will be easy for most mystery devotees to guess; the real mystery is how he manages to do it.

The underlying theme of the novel which has a medical slant is cosmetic surgery. Thee author gives a good overview of the procedures involved in many of the common types of cosmetic surgery as well as providing a valid case for having it done other than providing oneself for an entry into a film career. The emotional challenges of suddenly and radically changing one’s facial appearance are not trivial.

Though not destined to keep readers awake at night contemplating philosophical questions, Skin Deep provides a pleasant diversion for a rainy weekend or a longish plane ride. It certainly beats the food choices offered these days on most flights.

--Andy Plonka