An Image of Death
Ellie Foreman series
By Libby Fischer Hellmann

       Chicago filmmaker Ellie Foreman specializes in video documentaries but seems to become involved in murder investigations. She is filming a documentary about foster children for wealthy Ricki Fedman. She receives an anonymous hand delivered unmarked surveillance videotape that apparently shows the cold-blooded murder of a young woman. She takes the tape to the police, but they come up with no leads. She feels an urgent need to become involved in the hunt for the killer.

      She uncovers a web of deceit and betrayal connected with the breakup of the Soviet Union. A young widow in the Soviet Union is betrayed by her husband's best friend and she must overcome poverty, death and betrayal to survive. In doing so she learns secrets of the diamond trade and money laundering which lead her into peril. Ellie finds there is a connection between the Soviet Union and the videotape murder, and is threatened with death by people who believe she knows too much.

      This well-told thriller is a riveting tale of greed, corruption and deception. It depicts the story of strong women: a Russian who is trying to make a better life for herself against incredible odds, and Ellie, who tries to make the best of what life has to offer. There is much technical information about film making that is of interest. Also of interest are the intricacies of the diamond trade and of the techniques of money laundering. This is a suspenseful story with powerful characters interacting with each other.