A Colombo-type trick

This is a fair TV Movie mystery for those who like serial killer stories. And good acting from Richard Crenna and Tyne Daly.

Crenna is a detective on the trail of his god-daughter's murderer. He has to deal with his own emotional involvement in the case. Psychological profiling is part of his method. The killer's victims are left with their eyes and mouth mutilated. A flower is left at the scene and items belonging to the victims are taken as trophies. All these clues are collected by Crenna who has a limited time to solve the case before he would be relieved of that duty.

Tyne Daly plays a therapist who displays just the right type of menace. Crenna's god-daughter had been a client of hers.

Crenna uses a Colombo-type trick at the end to bring the true reveal of the killer's motive. The colouring of the movie's print has deteriorated. But not so much that it spoils the viewer's enjoyment I would say. A decent 90 minutes of diversion for mystery fans.