Michael Ryan had been found dead in a downtown motel supposedly at the hands of a beautiful woman. The woman was brought to trial, later freed with the suggestion that Ryan was involved in some shady deals and most definitely not an honest cop. Paris knows Ryan was as straight as they come and the Ryan family had already had more than their share of tragedy when a car hit their daughter, putting her in a wheelchair for life. Paris is determined to clear Ryan’s name first and foremost, though this will probably come through the solution to the bizarre murders that have plagued the city.

In Kiss of Evil, Mr. Montanari has chosen to alternate several voices. When telling Paris’ story he uses the third person, as he does discussing some of the other action, while he uses the first person for the voice of the villain. There seems to be little consistency or pattern to the change of voice, scene, or even time frame, which makes a very confusing read for anyone unlucky enough to not have enough time to finish the novel in one sitting.

The author changes voices or viewpoints at every chapter, which with seventy-odd chapters is roughly every third or fourth page. Adding in the author’s penchant for starting the chapter with pronouns rather than proper nouns the reader is forced to pay strict attention to ascertain who is speaking, when the action is taking place, and what is in fact happening. I, frankly, don’t think it’s worth it.

The basic plot, when one finally unravels it, is not too bad. The death of Paris’ friend Ryan and the more recent bizarre deaths are all connected in a unique way and the murderer’s logic, twisted though it may be, has some sense.

Having to struggle to make sense of the multiple viewpoints to fathom the plot was difficult. It would have been a much better book told in one voice and in one time frame.

--Andy Plonka