In this 7th book in the 'Tracy Crosswhite' series, the homicide detective investigates three cases. The book can be read as a standalone, but familiarity with earlier books is beneficial.
*****
At the core of the story are three unsolved deaths, all of which occurred in Cedar Grove, Washington. Heather Johansen - an eighteen-year-old girl who worked for the then mayor was killed in 1993; Jason Matthews - a retired criminal defense lawyer hired to look into Heather's death was killed in 2013; and Kimberley Armstrong - a journalist writing a book about Heather's murder recently died in a house fire.
Cedar Grove's Chief of Police, Finlay Armstrong, has connections to all of the above. Finlay was Heather Johansen's stalkerish ex-boyfriend 26 years ago; was acquainted with Jason Matthews; and was Kimberly Armstrong's husband.
Since Finlay can't investigate his wife's death - AND is a person of interest - he's on mandatory leave. Former Police Chief Roy Calloway, who has always been a formidable figure in Cedar Grove, is now Acting Chief, and is investigating Kimberley's demise.
It so happens that Seattle Homicide Detective Tracy Crosswhite and her attorney husband Dan - new parents to two-month-old Daniella - are staying in Cedar Grove while their Seattle house is being renovated.
Both Tracy and Dan grew up in Cedar Grove, and they're staying in Dan's family home with their baby, their two Rhodesian mastiffs Sherlock and Rex, and their nanny Therese - who was hired to help with Daniella.
Acting Chief Calloway, an old friend of Tracy's family, asks the detective - who's on maternity leave - to help investigate Kimberley's homicide AND the cold cases. Calloway believes all three murders are related, and may have been perpetrated by the same person. Tracy agrees, to the dismay of Dan - who was hoping his wife would stay home with baby Daniella.
Tracy proceeds to re-examine all the murder scenes, and to re-interview people who knew the victims. It soon becomes clear that someone doesn't want Tracy to investigate, and will take drastic measures to stop her.
In the meantime, attorney Dan accepts a local client named Larry Kaufman. Larry, who owns the only open business on Market Street, is being pressured to sell. The city wants to rejuvenate the run-down area, and has bought almost all the old stores and sold them to developers.
Now the city's lawyers are trying to use some murky statutes to acquire Larry's establishment, and Larry is fighting them. Since Dan is in town, Larry hires the lawyer to help him. When Dan looks into the matter, he learns that things going on 'under the table' could generate a lot of money for Market Street entrepreneurs.
Two favorite recurring characters in the series, Seattle Detective Vic Fazzio (Faz) and his wife Vera, drive to Cedar Grove to help Tracy. Faz assists with the homicide investigations, Vera helps with the baby, and both Fazzios prepare meals.
It turns out that Tracy's investigation and Dan's legal case have connections, and uncovering them helps resolve all the mysteries in Cedar Grove.
I enjoyed this intriguing story and recommend it to readers who enjoy suspense novels, especially Tracy Crosswhite fans.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author (Robert Dugoni), and the publisher (Thomas & Mercer) for a copy of the book.
Rating: 3.5 stars
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