Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1598775 in Books
• Published on: 1998-04-21
• Released on: 1998-04-21
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

From Booklist
P. J. Gray, psychologist and computer whiz, is feeling pretty satisfied with herself after successfully solving her first case as head of the St. Louis Police Department's Computerized Homicide Investigations Project. But she doesn't have much time to rest on her laurels: someone is using brilliantly engineered computer scams to alter hospital records, making lethal adjustments in prescribed treatments and drug dosages that have caused the deaths of two patients. Using virtual-reality computer simulations, P. J. reenacts the murders, hoping she'll find a clue to the killer's identity. Instead, she finds that a fiendish computer hacker has prepared a series of horrifying computerized "clues" to warn her of more deaths to come. P. J. and her feisty partner, Detective Leo Schultz, combine their considerable skills to mount a devious trap for the killer, who will stop at nothing to exact the revenge he's spent his entire life plotting. Kennett's gripping, thoroughly entertaining read will appeal to fans of Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta mysteries. Emily Melton

Ingram
PJ Gray, psychologist and expert in the groundbreaking field of forensic computer simulation, made an impressive debut in Shirley Kennett's acclaimed first novel, "Gray Matter". Now, PJ returns to track down a cunning killer who is manipulating the computer system of a busy St. Louis hospital.

Customer Reviews

Makes you think about the computer age
I just discovered Shirley Kennett's story-telling, and all I can say is, "Can't you write them faster?!"

In FIRE CRACKER, PJ Gray (plus son, Thomas, and wonder cat, Megabite) and Leo Schultz appear again to take on Will "Cracker" Carpenter--a computer geek who is bent on revenge on Mom Elly--his evil stepmother (in his mind).

Since PJ is also very knowledgeable with computers, it may seem surprising that Cracker knows even more--and is NOT bashful in letting her know.

I really like the characters PJ, Thomas, Leo, & yes, the wonder cat, Megabite. They are REAL people--almost unheard of in today's fiction. Yeah, they get put in very unreal situations--it wouldn't be fiction & a thriller if it wasn't. I e-mailed Shirley and told her how much I enjoyed her stories; she told me that she has 7 cats; I can see that since Megabite has many qualities that my own share!

The story itself has several interesting points of interest--among them, Cracker's ability to thwart PJ; when PJ steps into the virtual world & confronts Cracker's Grim Reaper (had me squirming!); and hints that maybe Cracker ISN'T the machine he wants to be.

Mostly, though, I really love the characters in Shirley's world. PJ, Thomas, Leo, & Megabite; Dave (who gets queasy at the thought of blood & guts); Anita--the steady, up & coming detective wannabe; PJ's bosses; Millie's diner & Millie (makes me wish we had a Millie's here in Danville). The whole package.

Great characters and a cutting-edge plot
I'm sure this author is headed for the big time in the suspense field. Fascinating story. The villain here is a little like Darth Vader, because there is some good buried beneath the surface. Way beneath the surface. The character PJ Gray is something different in the overabundance of female leads these days. She comes across like a real person, with problems at work and at home that others can relate to. Her partner Schultz is a detective who doesn't have some flaw, the kind I'm tired of, like being drunk all the time or practically suicidal. He's just a guy with a lot of dedication who thinks he's doing some good. This book isn't a piece of fluff like many of the books with female leads, and I rate it one of the best I've read in a loooong time.

NOT BAD AFTER ALL....
This is my first time reading one of Kennett's books. I couldn't help but compare her characters to those of P.Cornwell's. By the time I was halfway through though, the characters had become more endearing to me. I enjoyed the computer imaging involvement. I wasn't happy knowing who the "bad guy" was from the start. As the book progressed, I realized that this knowledge was a building block for understanding the psyche of the killer. In the end, I was glad that I read this book and I will seek out more of Shirley Kennett's work.