Thoughts of God

A series of kidnappings and murders are juxtaposed against the personal reflections of God in this ambitious first novel. Dennison York is head of a crack mercenary SWAT team that specializes in solving cases the NYPD bungles. When a young junior high girl is kidnapped, York and his team swing into gear. As the narrative follows both the good guys and the villain, Arnie Watts, Kanaly intercuts ""reflections,"" personal musings on the Earthbound action, by God Himself. These are dry, cerebral, even pedantic diatribes that seek to share some universal truths about good and evil. When Watts kills one of York's teammates, he is in turn shot dead by York. While God's cosmic plan calls for the evil one's soul to suffer eternal torment, the payoff proves somewhat unsatisfying and begs the question as to what kind of God would feel the need to keep a diary. (July)