Assessment:
In this engaging fourth title in the Peri Minneopa mystery series, one case turns into two for the the stubborn, marriage-wary private investigator. While tracking a series of stalking incidents involving her friends, several clues lead Peri to the gang members who killed two police officers and injured two others — including her comatose longtime boyfriend, Skip Carlton. Despite some contrived dialogue, small plot holes, and a few too many characters, the story reaches a complex and compelling crescendo. Fans of the series will find a lot to like here.
Date Submitted: June 10, 2016
Peri Minneopa's in a bind in more ways than one: her detective boyfriend of 10 years, Skip, is in a coma in a hospital after being shot and she can't even visit him (since they're not married), while her client is facing a deadly stalker.
Blinded by grief and thwarted by an impossible task, Peri looks at death from both sides of her desk as she struggles to make sense of her life.
The reality of hospital limitations on non-relatives ("Um, I’m sorry. This group is for relatives and spouses only.” “But I’ve been dating him for ten years.” Peri reasoned with her. “We lived together.” “I’m sorry, Ma’am.” The nurse sounded contrite. “We have rules. Confidentiality, you know.”) comes to life in the saga of a police officer down and sends Peri into a tailspin; especially since her client's case keeps conflicting with police investigations.
It may take more than a bullet to bring Skip down, but his greatest challenge in life is well on its way to making a direct hit on his home turf at the same time as he faces his own struggle for survival.
This riveting saga will engross any interested in police procedural mysteries, adding a powerful sense of purpose and angst between two protagonists who must not only face the demands of their jobs, but their own relationship.
Can Peri investigate a shooting she's been giving a "hands off" order to avoid when new clues fall directly into her hands? Can friendships prove harder than being alone? And what happens when the hunter becomes the hunted?
As the detective and P.I. struggle to regain their lives and find new purpose in them, readers are swept along in a mounting story of intrigue and strange associations in a satisfyingly complex, engrossing mystery from start to finish.
