By Reason of Privilege by Frank Caceres, Ph.D. Search Amazon for other books by or about Frank Caceres, Ph.D.. Rating: Reviewed by: Maurice Williams

Stoned and drunk Matt Garcia, twenty years old, careens home in his expensive sports car and accidentally runs over nine-year-old Tommy Colon. Matt is so drunk that he doesn't realize what happened. He parks eight blocks away to sleep off his drunkenness as Tommy lies dying in the street.

Tommy's parents, Pete and Gari Colon, unaware of the accident, are busy preparing a Thanksgiving banquet for their extended family. They hear sirens and rush to the accident. Pete's brother-in-law, Luis Ortiz, a Tampa policeman, gets assigned to the hit and run case. Since the driver skipped, Pete suspects drugs and calls in Fred Hodge, a specialist in drug related crimes.

Matt's father, who is already involved in criminal activity, arranges to have his son's car repaired immediately to avert suspicion from his son. As the story develops, it becomes apparent that the father is involved with some very dangerous Albanians. Luis, because it was his nephew that was killed, doggedly pursues the evidence. The Albanians become alarmed and resort to some drastic measures.

This action-packed novel takes the reader through many twists and turns as Luis Ortiz and Fred Hodge relentlessly pursue every clue. What started off as a hit and run gradually evolves into something far more serious. Those involved in the criminal activity, no matter how much they plot to save their own necks, become very much at risk as the Albanians try to cover their tracks. You will enjoy this cleverly plotted novel.

Maurice A. Williams January 28, 2008