SLICE

Williams’ (Grass, 2011, etc.) latest thriller reunites police detectives Sal Mitchell and Eddie “Sandman” Sandovan to solve several baffling, gruesome murders.

In the opening to this sequel to Williams' debut thriller, a severed head is found on the fence of a public garden. It’s not just any head: The murdered man turns out to be the president of a local college. When the heads of other prominent public figures start appearing around town, Mitchell and Sandovan must uncover the connection between these seemingly unrelated victims. Meanwhile, Mitchell’s ad-executive girlfriend, Mya Laing, preps for an important pitch to a Japanese company that’s developed the world’s most technologically advanced razor. When she suddenly disappears the day before her presentation, Mitchell makes the investigation personal. Williams, a marketing and advertising veteran, skillfully and realistically depicts the fast-paced atmospheres at the ad agency and the police department. He supports his convincing character relationships with quick, naturalistic dialogue, and uses humor with a light touch to help offset the story’s more grisly elements. Indeed, this enjoyable novel’s main shortcoming is that it feels too short. While the story has a gratifying ending, readers may wish they were able to spend a bit more time with the characters. If Williams’ aim is to leave readers wanting more, he succeeds; he does include a passage from the series’ next installment. If he broadens his scope and continues to create such likeable characters and nimble plots, he may establish an enthusiastic following.

A too-brief thriller that otherwise has all the right elements to satisfy readers.