In
this seventh installment of the Sticks Hetrick series, author Lindermuth once
again brings the fictional setting of Swatara Creek vividly to life … and
death, as it were, this being a murder mystery after all.
The
power of the Hetrick series (as with all of Lindermuth’s work) is the depth of
the characters and the simple yet detailed way the author captures and presents
them. The people of Swatara Creek are, for the most part, basically decent,
hard-working, middle class folks the reader truly comes to care about. This is
on particularly strong display in this entry where the Hetrick character is
essentially given a supporting role while center stage is taken by Police
Officer Flora Vastine, someone Sticks previously mentored when he was the town
police chief before moving on to his current position as a special county
investigator.
The
main plot this time out revolves around a former classmate of Flora’s who is
first reported missing and then found murdered. Other matters involving illegal
timbering, auto theft, and some romantic entanglements are also smoothly woven
in but, through it all, Flora doggedly follows her own instincts and in the end
--- with some timely intervention by her old mentor Sticks --- sorts out the
true culprits from the myriad suspects.
Colorful
characters, some surprises and twists, nice touches of wry humor, all served up
with crisp dialogue and the clear, straightforward narrative of a talented
writer make this another highly enjoyable read from Mr. Lindermuth.
Strongly
recommended.
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