The Scarecrow takes an Internet criminal who is also a serial killer and an investigative newspaper reporter and turns them into a thriller ripped from today's headlines. Once again, Connelly has written a sure fire bestseller.

Wesley Carver, chief technology officer and primary designer of all Western Data's computer systems. Western Data a.k.a. The Farm, is a cut above all other such secure computer information collectors. Their clients know their records are safe from all threats, but are they really safe? You might ask the Scarecrow. You know, the one who keeps all the dirty birds off the crops, like computer hackers, trolls, and virus carriers.

Jack McEvoy, ace news reporter for The Los Angeles Times has just received a pink slip and two weeks notice from the paper. The Times is cutting a hundred employees in an effort to save the dying paper. Jack decides to go out with a bang by writing the final and definitive story of his career. Maybe this will show the powers that be what a mistake they've made in letting him go.

McEvoy's current assignment is covering the murder of Denise Babbitt whose body is found stuffed in the trunk of her car. Alonzo Winslow, a sixteen-year-old gang banger has been arrested for the murder. The police think they have a tight case, but Jack discovers evidence that the boy may indeed be innocent and sets out to prove it. He calls his story The Trunk Murder Case.

Angela Cook, a green reporter has been assigned to Jack's desk once he's gone, but is determined to weasel her way into his headline grabbing story. Using her wiles on editor Prendo is easy and she's on her way to co-writing Jack's story. Once she sees his notes, she googles the words trunk murders and comes up with a site named "trunkmurder.com."

Angela's action creates a red flag at The Farm as the Scarecrow has this site rigged to notify him of any action. With his expertise he quickly traces Angela's account and hacks into her computer at the newspaper. Once in he reads her emails and discovers Jack McEvoy is on the case. A veteran crime reporter looking into this latest adventure is a major problem. Further reading into The Times's web site and McEvoy's own computer reassures him that Jack the giant slayer is climbing up the wrong beanstalk on Babbitt's murder. He relaxes. After all, the Scarecrow is the only one who knows what really happened except, of course, for that poor boy, Alonzo Winslow. And all he knows is that he is innocent.

One more probe and Scarecrow will let this matter rest. He probes Jack's editor's computer and finds a new email from Jack to Prendo that raises his ire. McEvoy has made the connection to the trunk murder in Las Vegas with the one in Los Angeles. This is not only bad it cannot be tolerated. A critical mistake on his part? Yes. Perhaps he did repeat his modus operandi too soon. Before he signs off, Scarecrow makes sure Jack's trip to Nevada is not an easy one. Child's play it is to wipe out Jack's bank account, cancel all his credit cards, and change his password into the paper's computer. If only these people knew how easily every piece of vital information known about their personal lives can be accessed they'd be more careful. They don't and this makes his work a piece of cake. Once he's finished with both Angela and Jack's personal data, he packs a bag and heads for Los Angeles.

Once Jack makes the connection to Vegas he's on his way. His story will be sensational even though he'll have to share it with Angela. A killer is on the loose and whoever he is he seems to be running just ahead of Jack and the police. How can he possibly know Jack's next move? Truth is, he does. Then, without notice, Angela disappears.

Connelly creates suspense as compelling as an 8.0 earthquake. The tantalizing plot twists and turns with characters so deftly drawn they keep you feeling each adrenaline rush. If you loved McEvoy in Connelly's "The Poet," you'll fall in fear with him all over again.

Warning, the next time you're browsing the Internet take care. In cyberspace dragons lurk. Clever, calculating predators who hang out in chat rooms and innocent looking web sites eager to identify their next victim. When you traverse the Internet never forget, you're not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy!
"The Scarecrow" should be on book shelves by the time you read this review. It is an awesome read which I highly recommend.