Connolly is Irish, but these books are set in the USA.
In Maine, Colleen Clark stands accused of the worst crime a mother can commit: the abduction and possible murder of her child.
Everyone—ambitious politicians in an election season, hardened police, ordinary folk—has an opinion on the case, and most believe she is guilty.
But most is not all. Defending Colleen is the lawyer Moxie Castin, and working alongside him is the private investigator Charlie Parker, who senses the tale has another twist, one involving a husband too eager to accept his wife’s guilt, a group of fascists arming for war, a disgraced psychic seeking redemption, and an old, twisted house deep in the Maine woods, a house that should never have been built.
Reviews said the first third of the book was confusing — but finally started to make sense towards the end.
True. But — for me — this stand alone book was a big letdown after Osman’s excellent Thursday Murder Club series.
It’s somewhat amusing. Slightly entertaining as an absurd cozy mystery.
BUT I never did start to care much about any of the characters.
AmyWheeler is a private security officer for Maximum Impact Solutions, a private security company, currently protecting Rosie D’Antonio, “the world’s bestselling novelist, ‘if you don’t count Lee Child’”.
Her husband, Adam Wheeler—Steve’s son—works in finance and also spends most of his time traveling; they view their relationship as a long-term bet and don’t mind not seeing much of each other for now.
Amy’s father-in-law, SteveWheeler, is a widower and retired police officer who loves to stay at home. Talks to Amy by phone every day.
The plot’s confusing. Somebody seems to want to kill Amy. She’s under suspicion in the deaths of others who have been killed in 3 separate incidents, each murder occurring when Amy was nearby.
Amy’s suave boss, Jeff, seems to have disappeared. His former partner and best friend, Henk, might be responsible.
The foibles and eccentricities of the characters are interesting. But ultimately I can’t recommend this book.
31st in the John Sandford Prey Series featuring Lucas Davenport.
Ocean Prey (2021) is interesting in that the author brought in his other book series character — Virgil Flowers — to investigate the murder of three members of the Coast Guard in Florida.
Personally, I like Virgil much better than Lucas Davenport.
I found the book too slow. But it was interesting to see how the murdering drug smugglers operated in moving their dope from South America into the USA.
The novel reached number one an Amazon’s Most sold list April 24, 2021
Virgil’s love interest Rae is the most interesting character of all.
Click PLAY or learn about Sandford on YouTube. He didn’t publish his first book until age-47.
Grisham and Jim McCloskey tell 10 gripping and galling tales of the wrongly convicted.
One of the worst cops wrongfully putting people in jail was Norfolk, Virginia Police Detective Robert Glenn Ford. In February 2011, Mr. Ford was sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison for other crimes. Ford served his sentence and been released — though some are calling for further investigation into his past extorting confessions from innocent people.
Rick McCharles 