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It’s a few days before Christmas, and New York City is in turmoil. A ruthless serial killer has been out on the loose, and the police have no leads and no suspects. Time is running out, since it’s not a matter of if or when he strikes but where. He kills at least one victim every day and thus has been labeled the “Daily Killer.”
The streets are dead, but what the public doesn’t realize is that the killer doesn’t strike in the open—only in buildings—and there doesn’t appear to be forced entry. Also, there seems to be no connection between his victims—they’re of different ages, genders, race, and socio-economic backgrounds. Sometimes he murders single victims or an entire family or office. The only connection is that he leaves a note, which taunts the police.
Not even NYPD’s finest, Detective Deke Durgess, is any closer to figuring this one out. He’s anxious not only because of the obvious but also because he’d like to take some time off to make amends with his wife, from whom he recently separated, and start to be a father to his young children again. This job has cost him a lot more than sleep.
Due to increased pressure, the FBI is brought in, and Deke is forced to work with a young agent. However, even with the Feds’ resources and clout, they don’t seem to make any progress. This killer is always one step ahead.
Luck of the Draw is quick and entertaining…enough. A major plus is that there are a sufficient number of characters without making you scratch your head while trying to keep track of them all. A few of the victims are portrayed in depth, so you can see that the killer doesn’t seem to discriminate. However, they are stereotyped to the point that they become caricatures of themselves. For instance, one set of victims is the “perfect” family—a couple with two young children. Quite a few pages are dedicated to them, and, yes, you’ll feel sorry and angry for them, but you’ll still question their lack of flaws. On the other end, there’s also an alcoholic couple—the “trailer trash” who are about to lose their children to Social Services. At the conclusion, the author also goes into the childhood of the perpetrator, which doesn’t seem to align with his choice of victims.
Though some of the minor twists can be figured out way ahead of time, the culprit is somewhat of a surprise. Most of all, though, I found the final resolution particularly gratifying. Is that enough? Let’s just say that if you’re looking for a challenging, unusual read, then pass on this one. However, it you’re seeking something quick to pass the time, perhaps Luck of the Draw is for you.
