Termination Interview

Rating:
Summary: Don't judge a book by its cover; read this book
Review: Ingrid Hunter is a photographer, a novice student of the martial arts, and a temp word processor. Miranda Falk, a high-school classmate of Ingrid's, has a much more enigmatic and sordid background. When Ingrid takes a job word processing at a law firm, she is surprised to learn that her old classmate works there. On Ingrid's first day, Miranda manages to schedule a lunch for them. The rest of the time, Miranda spends giving "termination interviews"--she fires people--or taunting nervous employees with her power. At lunch, Miranda makes Ingrid an offer she can't refuse but doesn't spell out just what the offer is. Before Ingrid can learn the details, Miranda plummets to her death from her office window. There is no question who wanted Miranda dead, for nearly everyone did. But who did it? Was it the elderly head of the firm? His playboy son? Ingrid's ex-con ex-husband? One of the workers Miranda fired? While the police seem content with the idea of a suicide (and there was a note), Ingrid is not so content. When her apartment goes up in flames and threats to her safety are made, Ingrid realizes she must get to the bottom of everything. "Termination Interview" is the first novel from Lynne Murray ("Larger Than Death"). Ms. Murray handles her initial effort adeptly, giving us a strong central character and a mystery that is anything but obvious. Sadly, the publishers chose to adorn the book with a cover that almost repels the reader. However, if one can follow the adage "Don't judge a book by its cover," the reader will be well rewarded.