In this 2nd book in the 'Kathryn Dance' series, the kinesics expert investigates a case stemming from bullying on social media. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
Online bullying can have unfortunate consequences, up to and including murder. When a high school boy named Travis Bingham is blamed for the death of two girls in a highway accident on California's Monterey Peninsula, the bullying blogosphere goes stratospheric.....and bad things result.
It all starts with a post from righteous crusader James Chilton, on his blog 'The Chilton Report.' Chilton merely questions the quality of road maintenance on the Peninsula - not even mentioning Travis - and the resulting comments soon turn to the boy. Before long Travis is being called every kind of foul name and being accused of all manner of disgusting behavior.
This leads to the attempted murder of a high school girl named Tammy Foster, who posted nasty comments about Travis. The incident was foreshadowed by a cross being placed along the highway, decorated with rose petals and bearing the date of the crime.
The case falls to Agent Kathryn Dance of the California Bureau of Investigation. Kathryn is the foremost kinesics (body language) expert in the state, and can tell when people are lying. This is useful when Kathryn and her partner, Deputy Michael O'Neill, interview suspects, witnesses, or other persons of interest.
Kathryn speaks to Travis Bingham about the attack on Tammy, but the agent lacks direct evidence and doesn't arrest the boy. Travis then disappears and another blog bully is attacked.....followed by the murder of several people. By now, anyone who posts anything on The Chilton Report is a murder target, and each crime is heralded by a wooden cross and rose petals.
Kathryn is frustrated by the terrible crimes, by Travis's elusiveness, and by the fact that Chilton won't cooperate by shutting down his blog. The agent has other serious concerns as well. Her mother Edie, a nurse, has been arrested for euthanizing a badly burned patient. The prosecutor - a zealot who sees this as an opportunity to make a name for himself - has accused Edie of first degree murder and may even go for the death penalty.
While Kathryn works on the roadside crosses case, Deputy O'Neill is called away for another investigation. So Kathryn is assisted by a college professor who's knowledgeable about computers.....
...... and a talented young cop with good instincts.
On the downside, Kathryn is frustrated by a self-serving, publicity-seeking boss.....
.....and an ombudsman from the governor's office who's ethically challenged.
The book's main plot is augmented by side issues such as the environmental impact of desalination plants; political corruption; family interactions; multiplayer online role-playing games; and more.
I enjoyed the book, and liked Kathryn's analyses of body movements that signal deception. (This is very reminiscent of the old television series 'Lie to Me', starring Tim Roth.) I do have a
quibble with the book however. Deaver likes to end chapters with a cliff hanger that leads to a surprise. After this happens once or twice it becomes predictable and is no longer a twist.
Deaver has a deft hand with mystery/thrillers and I'd recommend the book to fans of the genre.
Rating: 3.5 stars
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