Rookie policewoman Cindy Decker is having a tough time fitting in with the other cops of the Hollywood Division. Because of her college degree, and her family ties, she's seen as a snob who is riding on her father's coattails. While some of the griping is just sour grapes, it must be admitted that Cindy doesn't help her own cause. She second guesses her boss and drops her father's name into every possible conversation. She's not a bad person, just an ambitious and insecure one.

But it's possible that someone, either on the force or on the streets, resents Cindy more than a little. Strange, vaguely ominous things start happening - an object in the wrong place in her apartment, a cryptic note on her steering wheel. Is Cindy really being stalked or is she overreacting? Is she just a random target? Or is someone she knows trying to terrorize her?

Peter Decker can't help worrying about his daughter. Meanwhile, he's also dealing with a rash of recent car-jacking crimes committed against young suburban women. While none of the victims have been seriously hurt, they are terrified by the experience. Decker wonders if there could be a link between these car-jackings and the year-old car-jacking death of a prominent businessman - a man who just happened to be Cindy's workout partner at the local gym. Decker tries not to overreact to Cindy's possible involvement in the case, but Cindy is less than forthcoming with the details. Then, in the midst of the investigation, the case becomes even more personal when Decker's wife Rina is drawn into the situation in a way that no one envisioned.

Stalker is the twelfth book in the Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus series. Peter and Rina met in the first book of the series, The Ritual Bath. Rina was a young Orthodox Jewish widow with two small sons. Despite the differences in their backgrounds, Rina and Decker fell in love and eventually married, after Decker formally converted. The series has been given added depth by focusing on Decker's gradual acceptance of his new lifestyle and the unusual but strong love between husband and wife.

Rina has been fading into the background in the past few novels, as if Kellerman can't quite figure out what to do with her. This time, she doesn't even appear until almost halfway through the book, and her presence is missed. Fortunately for the reader, when she does show up, she ends up in the thick of things.

Stalker should be more accurately described as a "Decker and Daughter" novel. Most of it is written from Cindy's point of view, and that's a less than satisfying experience. Her superior attitude is annoying, and it's difficult to know (or care) what makes her tick, other than her obvious desire to be a good cop. At one point, she identifies with a song on the radio about feeling alienated, but the reader doesn't know (or care) why she would feel this way.

However, Cindy's presence does shake up things a bit, which is good for a series that could have stalled without new direction. It changes the dynamics between father and daughter, and gives Decker some anguished moments as he tries to remain professional when Cindy lies in danger. The usual cast of supporting characters, including Decker's former partner Marge, are back. Cindy's growing involvement with one of Decker's subordinates, a man who previously came across as a total pig, actually makes him seem human.

An engaging new character is also introduced to the reader through Cindy. Hayley Marx is a veteran policewoman in Cindy's division who takes a strong interest in the rookie. Does she want to mentor Cindy and prevent her from making too many mistakes, or is her interest more sinister? Hayley is tough and complex yet sympathetic. I hope to see more of her in future books.

The last 100 pages of the novel are edge-of-your-seat gripping, as Cindy puts her life on the line to solve the case. Your assessment of Stalker will depend on what you're looking for. If you want a well-written police story with danger and suspense, you won't be disappointed. But if the characters are as important to you as the story, you may find yourself wishing that Cindy would step aside and "make room for daddy."

--Susan Scribner