Title: A Dead Eye
Author: Katherine Coss
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 978-1-5320-6305-3
Pages: 130
Genre: Fiction
Reviewed by: Tara Mcnabb

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A drunken night of clubbing turns into a never-ending nightmare in this unsettling drama about murder and suspicion in author Katerine Coss’ A Dead Eye.

Kate has just woken up with a terrible hangover. Her girlfriend, Marie, is still asleep by her side. Kate starts to remember their wild night partying the day before; they spent the evening drinking and socializing at their favorite gay and lesbian dance clubs. And yet, Kate feels haunted. Her strange flashbacks are beginning to hint that something else happened last night, something too terrible to recall. Panic starts to set in as grotesque images of a deadly hit-and-run fill her mind, causing her to question her own sanity. Was she so drunk last night that she’d disregarded the meaning of right and wrong? And more to the point, was she a murderer? As Kate takes it upon herself to search for clues to find out what really happened, the line between dream and reality begins to blur in terrifying ways.

The opening scene reads like it’s out of a Hitchcock film; a decomposing corpse lies in a South Florida canal, already beginning to smell from the sweltering heat. This successfully sets the tone for the rest of the story as the sense of dread builds with each chapter. And although it’s a somewhat quick read at only one-hundred and thirty pages, the author skillfully packs enough twists and turns into the plot to keep the reader absorbed. The heavy mood of foreboding and paranoia is enticing not just because it heightens the tension, but also because it gives us a window into Kate’s psychology as she frantically tries to solve the mystery. Her attempts to calm her chaotic mind illustrate her often spunky personality; “…Think, Kate. Remember! Damn it! Stop focusing on your own ass, and remember the altercation and what lead up to it.” These little scenes of introspection help enhance her character to feel more complex and relatable to the reader.

For those with weak stomachs, it’s probably better to skip this one; there are several grisly and violent moments, especially towards the end. But if your tolerance for blood and guts is a bit higher, you should do just fine. The focus on gay and lesbianism feels relevant considering the political climate; it’s refreshing to read fiction that features a lesbian couple as the key players. The combination of an unsolved murder with a sinister villain feels edgy and contemporary while avoiding clichés. For those looking for something dark and chilling just in time for Halloween, this one should fit the bill.