I won’t deny a certain amount of reticence in reading the newest crime novel, OUT OF NOWHERE, by one of my all-time favorite authors, Sandra Brown. She tackles an issue that is too real and candidly frightening. The entire concept that people enjoying an event or concert might become the target for an evil sick or deranged person has kept many of us out of the audience. However, I was immediately caught up in the story even fully aware of what was going to happen.

OUT OF NOWHERE is about the aftermath and the lingering effects of an unthought-of evil. These events stay in your mind for years, if not forever. Who can forget those images of the ill-fated Boston Marathon? Certainly not those grievously injured or those left behind. And neither will we nor we shouldn’t. But neither should we inadvertently create a martyr of the assailant.

One television station has chosen not to broadcast the face of these evil doers. And Sandra Brown reminds us that although some may leave behind writings to support the idea that they were mad, as in deranged, others were simply mad, as in angry.

So welcome to OUT OF NOWHERE bravely tackled by Sandra Brown.

Calder Hudson is the first named character that we meet. Prior to meeting Calder, we have already seen inside the mind of the shooter. Calder is a survivor--he's wounded but will recover and when offered help with his emotional recovery is quite adamant that he just wants to forget it all. Next in the lineup of the cast is Elle Porter and her son Charlie. They, along with Calder, are central to the script. The cast of supporting characters is equally impressive, as you will see.

OUT OF NOWHERE is a difficult book to review because it is compelling but at the same time sad and heart rendering. I am purposely glossing over the plot and storyline. That is for you, the reader, to experience.

Now I’m going to say something that may sound horrible considering the topic of OUT OF NOWHERE, but considering the considerable talent of the author must be noted. We are on the team to find the shooter and identify this evil person and so we are immediately swept into the investigation. This means when the investigators tell us something they have found or believe, it is up to us whether we buy it. And my face breaking out in a smile while reading this book told me this was going to be an interesting ride.

Sandra Brown has done her homework and due diligence while researching aspects that would never occur to most folks. With each step, this commitment to truthful, factual reporting is awe-inspiring. Sandra Brown has been a long-time favorite of mine. Her older novels are dog-eared from repeated reads. From time to time, I like to sort through my older books and declutter my teeming bookshelves. When I come across a Sandra Brown book I invariably sit down and start reading it all over again. Like visiting an old friend.

OUT OF NOWHERE is going to be a blockbuster. You heard it here first.