Sheriff Roy Maven has been riding private investigator Alex McKnight since he took office. Now, he needs his help. Maven's partner during his days on the Michigan State Police is seeking independent research into his son's suicide, found hanging from a tree overlooking Lake Superior. A little digging by McKnight reveals that he isn't the only former state cop's kid to have recently killed himself or herself. Further developments strongly point to a pattern ...

It is tough to review this book without providing any spoilers, so this may be a bit vaguer than usual. Hamilton's characterization of the people in and around Paradise, Michigan continues to be the most enjoyable aspect of this series; he obviously loves them and wants the reader to do the same. BUT, he also knows that they're human, and as such have their own personal quirks and flaws. In this book, somehow Hamilton manages to humanize Sheriff Maven, and allows him to interact with other characters while making it clear that the lawman's curmudgeonly nature is only temporarily suppressed. McKnight's attempts to overcome recent personal tragedy are also examined through his interactions with others and his reflections on their own situations.

Another winner from an accomplished author.

RATING: 5 stars

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