Everyone is sure Walter Whitiker killed young Steven Foster, but when the judge excludes evidence on a technicality, Whitiker gets three years on a secondary charge and is let out early on good behavior. When he is assassinated on the day of his release it is obvious that the Fosters (who purchased a rifle and subsequently disappeared) are prime suspects.
This does not make the reader or Dub Walker, forensic investigator and police consultant, happy. Suddenly the good guys are the bad guys and the predator is the victim. Walker, along with his good friend homicide detective Thomas "T-Tommy" Tortelli, and his ex-wife, TV journalist Claire McBride begin following leads to find the truth. This is a page turner that leaves the reader never quite sure about things that should be quite clear.
Dub is a great character to follow, and T-Tommy and Claire help round out the search. It is amusing to me that so many protagonists in this genre have ex -wives who remain good working friends. Many of my friends are divorced and would find a trip to the market together, let alone a trip to far off cities, untenable. That being said, these stories wouldn't be quite as much fun without the bickering and support that this subplot brings.
The best friend being a policeman is also an overused devise, but hey...if it works...
I really enjoyed this book and plan to find others that Lyle wrote. Some might be annoyed at the things that stretch credibility, but it is fiction, and I can look past those things.
- Beverly
Publisher - Oceanview Publishing
Date of Publication - August 7, 2012