The Black Stiletto by Raymond Benson

Title:  The Black Stiletto
Author:  Raymond Benson
Genre:  Adult/Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Publisher:  Oceanview Publishing
Format:  NetGalley/Kindle
Publishing Date:  9/5/2011 (subject to change)

Imagine finding out that your mom is a famous superhero from the 1950s and you never had a clue.  This is the discovery Martin Talbot makes about his elderly mother. All his life, his mom was really the Black Stiletto, a vigilante crime fighter. Martin has a million questions--What caused his mom to become the Black Stiletto? Where did she learn to fight? But most importantly, why didn't she ever tell him? Martin begins reading his mother's diaries, hoping to learn more about the woman known as the Black Stiletto.

Raymond Benson weaves an intriguing tale of the early life of a superhero. The Black Stiletto-aka Judy Cooper-is a very relatable character. Her innate humanness, despite her special abilities, is just one of the many likable qualities of Benson's leading lady.  Judy is a superhero that is real, she suffers the bumps, bruises and black eyes that any normal person would get in a fight. There are no miracle cures for the Black Stiletto.  Benson also very skilfully utilizes various points of view. He switches back and forth between first person and third person, but manages to do so effectively and in a clear-cut manner.  The story is aided by Benson's talent as a writer of James Bond adventures as well. I believe that helps him weave the mystery and suspense throughout the story very well.  The Black Stiletto never disappoints, it keeps the action moving and the story flowing.

I was a little reluctant to read this story at first, but I decided to give it a shot.  I am very glad I did.  It was well-written and fun to read.  The story was interesting and original. It even left you hanging with a few unanswered questions. Maybe Benson is planning a sequel, which would definitely be a great read. I recommend this book to any one who likes mystery or suspense books. If you are looking for a great escape read, this is the book for you.