A freight train pulls into St. Louis and one of the boxcars is bloodied beyond the experience of most police. The country still recalls the mass murderer who was a railroad hobo, and not only are the local cops on the scene, but the National Safety Transportation Board has sent representation and the Northern Union Railroad has sent its corporate security. The forensic expert on the scene is able to deduce from the blood patterns that two people fought, and one of them lost a great deal of blood and is possibly dead. There are no bodies.

Nell Priest is corporate security and is there to deal with the possible public relations nightmare that could erupt if the press concludes another hobo killer is on the loose. She also knows that the NTSB is aware that there have been a rash of freight train derailments and other accidents within the past 18 months. At roughly one every six or eight weeks, corporate fears that a railroad terrorist is on the loose and that this case may be related.

The NTSB has a new contract hire in Peter Tyler. Peter was a homicide cop who lost it when he beat a defendant almost to death. His subsequent trial revealed the man was bashing an infant’s head against the wall and that Peter was reacting to that crime. Although exonerated, Peter lost his job, his significant other, and is now in the process of having his home foreclosed. He is motivated more than most to succeed at this job, as his career prospects are bleak. He sees much to be gained by a liaison with Nell Priest and works toward that end. In a joint visit to a nearby hobo camp they garner enough information to start their search.

Which brings us to Umberto Alvarez, former science teacher, former husband, and former father to twins. His life was unalterably changed 30 months prior when The Northern Union Railroad crossing guard failed to stop the car his wife and children were in. He blames the railroad for their deaths and intends to override their disclaimer of liability with a studied campaign of terrorism.

The plot is credible, the characters are convincing, the dialogue is consistent and the imagery is outstanding. Parallel Lies is a beautifully written thriller.

--Thea Davis