Chief Russ Van Alstyne is 50 and strongly attracted to Clare. These are two highly moral people who have never acted on their desires, though their feelings have been growing for nearly three years. The Chief’s wife has been dead five months now, and both harbor grief and guilt over the cause.

First one Latino body is found in the area, then two more. The violence escalates. Clare and Russ are both involved in the investigation.

Hadley Knox, single mother of two, joined the force for the paycheck. She’s feisty and capable, but the danger gets to her as the case wears on. Kevin Flynn, another younger officer, is excited by the job and by Hadley. The trashy and none-too-honest Christie brothers play a major role. Their sister Isobel gets her own romance story as well.

The characters are well-drawn. Many were introduced in earlier books by Spencer-Fleming. This in number six in her series about Millers Kill. It reads well on its own, but most readers will want to start at the beginning and get the full story.

The author skillfully develops the multi-dimensional plot and gives us a cast we truly care about. The mystery is logical and well-paced. Julia Spencer-Fleming keeps us guessing, hoping, and constantly surprised by the twists of fate. This series just gets better and better.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Mildly sensual

Reviewer: Lynn Bushey
July 22, 2008