Blood Vengeance - Paperback

by Sam Waas (Author)

Houston private investigator Mitchell King is drawn into a gruesome homicide, the murder committed by a serial killer, former policeman George Burgess, aka the Slicer. Blaming Mitch for the suicide of his younger brother, Burgess is "dedicating" victims to Mitch, leaving taunting notes and messages for the PI. Knowledge of this and guilt for perhaps triggering these vicious murders has led Mitch into bouts of alcohol-induced self-anesthesia and rampant anguish. Two of Mitch's pals, Homicide Detective David Meierhoff (Mitch's best friend) and David's boss Homicide Captain Joe Duggan, sympathize with Mitch and enlist his help in searching for leads to find Burgess, knowing that Burgess' fixation on Mitch may cause him to slip up and be caught. Mitch reluctantly agrees, understanding that any reminders of these terrible crimes will create more internal turmoil for himself. Mitch had earlier befriended a wild teenage girl, Cheryl Stern. Cheryl is the daughter of Hispanic crime boss Julio Cardozo, or "Julie Cards." Cardozo imposes upon Mitch for insider information from cop pals about a rival gang, Barrio Colombia (BC). Although Mitch feels fatherly affection for Cheryl, he's affronted by Cardozo's attempt to work him for tips. He defers any cooperation but due to a slipup in the Cardozo gang, BC has issued a vendetta on him. There are now two enemies who have Mitch in their sights. As Mitch continues to work the Slicer case, he's still plagued by the feeling that he's responsible for the murders. Mitch searches his soul for strength and struggles to regain his self-esteem. He then undertakes a self-imposed mission to find George Burgess and enact justice.

Author Biography

Sam Waas has been a writer throughout his adult life. He began by editing an underground newsletter while in college at the University of Kansas, and has freelanced ever since. He's written book reviews for major dailies, strung for newspapers with sports car racing coverage, and has written articles for gun magazines and local newspapers, varied pieces for slick monthlies, and short stories, screenplays and essays. He's also written numerous book reviews for the online mystery website Over My Dead Body. Recently, Sam's concentrating on his Mitch King private detective novels, based in Houston and the surrounding Gulf Coast region. There are three novels thus far: Blood Spiral, Blood Storm and Blood Vengeance, and he's now writing his fourth Mitch King novel. Sam worked in science, technology, and research for many years. He was involved in polymer physics, programmed for structural engineering firms, worked with high tech computer ventures, and has also edited petroleum exploration and production specifications as a tech writer. Sam believes that his science and engineering background augments his fiction, in that it provides insight into meticulous details which lend texture and flavor to his mystery novels. Sam is a longtime fan of classical music and opera, and as a classically trained baritone, sang in opera, chorales, and Episcopal church choirs. He also enjoys classic rock and progressive jazz. A voracious reader, Sam's favorite book is James Joyce's Ulysses, which he's read several times and of which he's made a personal study. He also enjoys books on Imperial Roman history, quantum physics and cosmology, science fiction, biographies and of course, mysteries. Besides Joyce, his favorite modern mainstream authors are Cormac McCarthy, James Dickey and Joseph Heller. His favored mystery writers are Bill Pronzini, Robert Crais and John Sandford. Sam enjoys attending opera and classical concerts, pistol shooting, playing chess and pool, and just hanging out at the local pub. He makes his home in Houston.