Jigsaw

Delaware and Sturgis team up again to investigate a trio of murders in Los Angeles. A woman has been found strangled to death, homicide detective Milo Sturgis tells forensic psychologist Alex Delaware, who consults for the LAPD. The victim's sleazebag ex-boyfriend is an obvious suspect. And then another woman's body is found in a freezer, her arms severed, her appearance grotesque, because "death was a sadistic stylist." Milo is shocked to learn her identity--she was a retired detective he used to work with. Another cop speculates on the manner of the murder, but Alex does not. "Two whodunits," Milo says. "What deity have I offended?" But then two murders become three as a young woman dies from blunt force. She had been living in Safe Place, a repository where rich people house their developmentally disabled children. Given three different killing methods, the search is on for a common thread. In this 41st Alex Delaware novel, the most fun as always is in the easy relationship between Alex and Milo. "The worst in people brings out the best in Milo and me," Alex says. He's white, straight, intelligent, and handsome. He and his partner, Robin, delight in each other's company both in and out of bed. Milo is gay, intelligent, not so great-looking, and loves to eat. In particular, he enjoys exploring Alex and Robin's refrigerator to make huge sandwiches. They are all amiable and devoid of problems like alcoholism or troubled lives that other sleuths often face. So they aren't heavily layered personalities and don't go in for navel-gazing. "Introspection's the enemy of getting the job done," Alex says. Meanwhile, an analysis of the second victim's dismemberment focuses on the type of tool the killer may have used. Milo suggests that it was a jigsaw because of the marks made on the bones. The plot moves at a steady pace and ends with a grace note that highlights Alex's decency. Crime fans will like this one. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.