A Great Summer Read By Candida Eittreim on Jul 11, 2008 - Updated Oct 15, 2011

Beyond Recognition is one of Ridley Pearson's best novels in his Lou Boldt series. Set in Seattle Washington, the atmospheric mood sets the scene for this brooding, edgy thriller.

Someone setting fires, killing fires. Someone setting fires, killing fires. Detective Lou Boldt is racing the clock, trying to figure out the motive behind the horrific killings. And when he'll strike again. This is no ordinary formulaic thriller, but a taut suspenseful read.

There are enough twists and turns, enough questions, and action to satisfy even the most jaded reader.

The relationship between Boldt and Daphne Matthews, the Police Psychologist is for once, thankfully in the background. Their relationship is the one thing I personally find irritating in the series. Lou Boldt is married to an intelligent and very complex woman. Their relationship at times has been less than ideal, and it was during one of their stormier moments, he slept with Matthews.

Though this was years ago, Daphne plays him like a harp, even when involved with someone else. In my opinion, she is the weak link in the Boldt series. The other characters, from Jake La Moia- a flamboyant womanizer and fine detective to his captain- a tired, cynical bureaucrat, are very finely drawn.

Someone setting fires, killing fires. Detective Lou Boldt is racing the clock, trying to figure out the motive behind the horrific killings. And when he'll strike again. This is no ordinary formulaic thriller, but a taut suspenseful read.

There are enough twists and turns, enough questions, and action to satisfy even the most jaded reader.

The relationship between Boldt and Daphne Matthews, the Police Psychologist is for once, thankfully in the background. Their relationship is the one thing I personally find irritating in the series. Lou Boldt is married to an intelligent and very complex woman. Their relationship at times has been less than ideal, and it was during one of their stormier moments, he slept with Matthews.

Though this was years ago, Daphne plays him like a harp, even when involved with someone else. In my opinion, she is the weak link in the Boldt series. The other characters, from Jake La Moia- a flamboyant womanizer and fine detective to his captain- a tired, cynical bureaucrat, are very finely drawn.

As the tension increases with each new fire, Boldt becomes increasingly concerned there is some hidden agenda behind these very unusual fires. And the terror mounts with each page as he discovers his own home has been targeted.

If you want a fast paced, first class mystery, and a great summer read, don't miss Beyond Recognition.