Review by Booklist Review
Angela Richman, death investigator for Chouteau County, Missouri, is kept busy processing the scenes at a rash of deaths caused by several murders, manslaughter, a DUI resulting in a death, and an overdose, as well as assisting detective Jace Budewitz with his investigations--not a part of her job description. The widowed Angela's developing romantic relationship with patrolman Chris Ferretti complicates matters as she is conflicted about whether or not she is ready for a serious relationship. Angela, Jace, and Chris fight the current police culture that protects the rich and powerful in the county while attempting to resolve all the cases on their plates. Richly framed by details of death investigations from the moment the investigator arrives at the scene through the autopsy and the criminal case itself, this fast-paced series entry will appeal to fans of Patricia Cornwell and Kathy Reichs.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Death investigator Angela Richman has her hands full in Agatha finalist Viets's solid sixth mystery set in Chouteau County, "a pocket of white privilege some thirty miles west of St. Louis" (after Death Grip). First up is Chouteau Forest businessman Tom Lockridge, who was shot dead in his bedroom. Everyone believes the infamous Ghost Burglars, who have been terrorizing the Forest's elite, are responsible. Yet valuables were left behind, and Tom was killed while sound asleep. Both Angela and Det. Jace Budewitz are suspicious of the dead man's much younger widow, Cynthia, who was spending money faster than Tom could make it and rumored to be sleeping with their lawyer. After another death ties into the Ghost Burglars and the Lockridge investigation, Jace is under pressure to solve the case quickly or else. Angela, as usual, is keen to help, but is distracted by other death investigations as well as her steamy romance with a cop. Colorful characters match the crafty plot twists. Viets consistently entertains. Agent: Joshua Bilmes, JABberwocky (Nov.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Missouri death investigator Angela Richman investigates the demise of a powerful developer. Tom Lockridge built much of the commercial real estate in Chouteau Forest, amassing a vast fortune in the process. In order to share his wealth, he married his office manager, Cindy, who grew up in Fairdale Manor Mobile Home Park. Seeking to fit into Tom's upscale lifestyle, Cindy remakes herself as Cynthia Lockridge, a budding socialite who drives a red Jaguar and hosts lavish parties at their vacation home in Lake of the Ozarks. She's in the office of her spacious home, trying to figure out how to give their attendees at the upcoming Chouteau Forest Christmas Ball the steak dinners they deserve while still making millions for charity, when her husband is killed with three shots to the head in the bedroom wing. Naturally, she's Detective Jace Budewitz's leading suspect in the murder, especially when he hears rumors of her affair with attorney Wes Desloge. Angela isn't so sure. She's swayed by Fairdale manager Shirley Rawlins, who describes Cindy as a hardworking teenager who avoided the park's more unsavory residents. As Angela helps Jace with his investigation, the body count soars. A dog walker is shot by a vigilante with an assault weapon, a bank teller is run over by a drunk octogenarian, and Lockridge's new bookkeeper is poisoned. Not all the deaths she investigates stem from the Lockridge murder, but whatever their origin, steady, efficient Angela makes sure no detail is overlooked. Viets' fans should enjoy her latest corpse-filled outing. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
