When an author has a series as extensive as Faye Kellerman's "Decker/Lazarus" novels, it could be a little difficult for a first time reader to step into novel number nineteen and be able to pick up on the gist of the story. With HANGMAN, I, as a first time reader, had no problem whatsoever in diving right into the family of Pete Decker and Rina Lazarus and know exactly who, when, where and what was going on. Now that's the sign of a great writer!

L.A.P.D. Lieutenant Pete Decker is a busy man with two pressing cases on his hands. The first involves the strange death of Adrianna Blanc, a nurse who was found hanging at a building construction site. While questioning her family and friends, Decker picks up on a series of coincidences and unexplained murders that leads him and his crew on a merry chase to find a killer before another young woman loses her life.

Decker's second case hits a little closer to home. When long-time acquaintance Terry McLaughlin asks Decker to supervise a visit from her somewhat volatile husband, Chris Donatti, Decker helps her to negotiate what appears to be a peaceful separation. But when Terry's 14-year-old son, Gabriel, calls to report his mother is missing and his father is not returning phone calls, Decker has a feeling all is not as it seemed. He invites Gabe to stay with his family while the search for his parents is on. The shy young music prodigy soon adapts to the rowdy, rambunctious Decker/Lazarus family's ways. Good thing, since his stay seems to becoming more permanent by the day.

Fans of Kellerman's family-oriented detective series will love catching up with the family, friends and colleagues of Pete Decker and his lovely wife, Rina Lazarus. Kellerman incorporates a lively and fascinating story of family life wrapped with Judaic customs with a fast-paced, spellbinding police mystery that keeps readers on the edge of their seats to the very last page. Although I was a bit embarrassed to admit I had not read Faye Kellerman's work before HANGMAN, suffice it to say that it is a problem I fully intend to remedy. Soon I will be starting at the very beginning.