Sgt.
Randall Blackburn has just finished his routine patrol in San Francisco.
However, this was not a routine day.
Just moments later, the Great Earthquake of 1906 strikes.
After all the chaos, the next few days become a race against time in trying to locate any survivors.
There are mangled bodies everywhere.
Sgt.
Blackburn discovers the grisly bodies of a family that do not resemble the rest of the victims.
What is different about these bodies? There is a serial killer in San Francisco.
The killer is known as "The Surgeon".
There is also one witness to the murder of this family.
It is twelve year old Shane Nightingale.
He is hiding in the cupboard and the trauma has left him unable to speak without a stutter.
After he escapes from the house, he just blends in like any other orphan on the street.
Shane finds a place to stay at the Mission Dolores.
While there, he helps solve a crime and Sgt.
Blackburn is impressed.
As a result, Shane's picture gets into the paper.
This is not good because the serial killer now knows he is alive and would like to finish the job.
Will Sgt.
Blackburn, with Shane's help, find the serial killer before it is too late? This novel is the start of a series featuring Blackburn and Nightingale.
It is loaded with suspense and the reader will find many twists and turns throughout the book.
The author does an excellent job of providing a historical novel blended with fiction with the 1906 earthquake as a big part of the story.
This one is a real page-turner and I look forward to more in this series.
You will find the character of Shane an interesting one who surprises you by becoming a big help to Sgt.
Blackburn.
This book is highly recommended.