The plot of this 24th addition to the 'Lucy Stone' series incorporates two topics prevalent in the news today: immigration and drug use. The amateur sleuth in these stories, Lucy Stone, is a wife, mother, and reporter for the 'Pennysaver' newspaper in her home town of Tinker's Cove, Maine. In the course of her work Lucy observes both of the above issues affecting her community.
The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
Lucy Stone is out jogging with her dog Libby, preparing for the Turkey Trot Race scheduled for Thanksgiving morning, when she spots a body in Blueberry Pond. The deceased is identified as college student Alison Franklin, daughter of local billionaire Ed Franklin.
Ed is well known in Tinker's Cove for several reasons: he built a huge, ostentatious mansion that clashes with the town's ambiance; his beautiful trophy wife is pregnant; he's head of the community's 'Board of Health'; and he's an outspoken xenophobe who doesn't like 'Mexicans.'
Alison's death is a shock to the local residents, who speculate that opioid use was responsible for the accident. However, Alison's toxicology screens haven't come back, and Lucy isn't convinced the girl was a user.....or that her death was an accident.
Nevertheless, Alison's father publicly lambastes Mexican drug pushers for killing his daughter. Moreover, when three Latino youths are arrested for selling drugs in Tinker's Cove, Ed sponsors a conspicuous billboard showing the boys' mug shots - with the caption "America for Americans."
Ed also harasses Rey Rodriguez, a California television chef/cook book author who recently moved to Tinker's Cove. Rey, who's descended from Spaniards who came to America before the pilgrims, is about to open an upscale restaurant called 'The Cali Kitchen'......
…….which will be managed by his son Matt.
Bigoted Ed refers to Rey's family as 'unwanted Mexicans' and - citing (phony) regulations about dishwater effluent - says the eatery has to use paper plates. Rey's attorney is confident that Ed's restrictions won't hold up, and preparations continue to open the classy restaurant.
Shortly afterwards, a group calling itself "America for Americans" holds a raucous demonstration at The Cali Kitchen, shouting and throwing rocks.....with Ed looking on from his SUV. In the midst of the hubbub, someone is shot to death, and Matt Rodriguez becomes a suspect.
In a side plot, Lucy observes regular drug sales in a parking lot near her jogging path. Planning to write an article, Lucy stakes out the spot with her camera.....and sees a young man named Hank - who went to college with her daughter - making a buy. Lucy confronts Hank about the drugs and the police about the pusher.
Though the story contains two deaths - as well as illegal drug sales - it's not structured as a typical mystery. There's very little detective work, either by Lucy or the police. Instead, a 'lightbulb moment' leads Lucy to the truth about what happened to Allison and Ed, which (to me) is cheating.
I have two more quibbles with the book.
First, when Lucy looks into rehab facilities for Hank, she learns that they're hard to get into and very expensive. However - almost miraculously - a spot becomes available; money is found; and Hank is happy to go. This isn't realistic, and probably doesn't reflect reality for most drug addicts.
Second, Ed Franklin's blatant xenophobia is overdone. Ed's frequent, obnoxious rants against Mexicans are meant to show how 'wrong-thinking' he is.....but there's a LOT of this mean-spirited blather.
To be fair, in an interview the author noted that her novels explore current topics that catch her attention. In this book the things that inspired Leslie Meier were President Trump's 'personality' (nuff said); and how ubiquitous the drug trade has become.
I think long-time fans of the Lucy Stone series would like this book, which contains well-liked, familiar characters. New readers, however, might want to start with a different volume.
Rating: 3 stars
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