I just couldn't get into this book. In fact, I did something I rarely do, about 1/2 way through I decided to read the ending and move on. ( )

How do you find someone who’s not supposed to exist? That’s the detective’s conundrum.

Francis X Loughlin is losing his sight. He's a cop, and because of the genetically acquired retinitis pigmentosa his future on the force looks bleak. He's always been a loner so this means ever increasing isolation.

Two decades before, Francis had been instrumental in the incarceration of Julian Vega for the murder of a woman. Julian has been released following years of legal appeals he orchestrated, and soon thereafter a similar murder is committed. Now, however, the police have access to DNA technology and some very strange links and relationships lead Loughlin to surmise that Julian may have been innocent.

Blauner does a nice job of balancing the assorted POVs. We see Julian struggling to overcome the hostility of just about everyone, each assuming he's guilty and got off on a "technicality." He's somewhat baffled by societal changes having been isolated for more than a decade. The family of the dead girl still feels they haven't received justice, and Francis battles his own feelings about the case as well as the political powers who have everything to gain by hiding what may be the truth. You feel for all of the characters.

Great title with multiple meanings. ( )

Twenty years ago Detective Francis X Loughlin pushed a seventeen-year, Julian Vega to the breaking point and sent him up for murder of Allison Wallis. Now released from prison with the murder conviction dropped, another pretty, young doctor viciously killed, all fingers point to Julian. when Loughlin arranges for a DNA test, results blow-up in his face. ( )

I had mixed feelings about this book. The story was good, with enough uncertainty to the mystery, but something about the characters didn't set quite right. I did think that the picture painted of someone released from prison after 20 years trying to find their way in a new world was excellent. All too believable, I'm afraid. No wonder there are so many repeaters in the prison system. I had some trouble with Julian's character. He was 17 years old, with a full college scholarship when he was arrested and imprisoned. He spent most of his time in prison becoming a jailhouse lawyer, focused on his innocence and potential for release or appeal, and yet when out he is on the verge or real violence almost every moment. I do believe people are hardened in prison, but this was a completely different person even from the person he was while in prison. It was jarring to me. I liked the portrayal of Loughlin, the policeman, better, although I had difficulty "feeling" the language he used with his fellow cops. So, as I said....a bit mixed. ( )

Well done mystery. Good writing and interesting characters and plot. ( )