Just Jennifer

Burnt River by Karin Salvalaggio (Minotaur Books, May 2015)

In the second novel featuring Detective Macy Greeley, almost two years have passed and Macy and her toddler son Luke are living with her mother, Macy still uncertain where she stands with his father Ray, the head of the Montana state police.  After a call from the governor, Macy finds herself in the small northern Montana town of Wilmington Creek to investigate the death of Afghanistan war veteran John Dalton.  John was shot in an alleyway outside a bar and though nothing about it points to a random shooting, including a menacing text sent from John’s phone to his Alzheimer suffering mother, Macy can’t seem to find anyone with any reason to want John dead.  His twin sister Jessie has plenty of secrets, but as Jessie is a recovering addict, Macy isn't sure that any of Jessie’s secrets would help in the investigation.  A series of wildfires and a hotter than normal summers with less rain than usual threaten to uncover secrets hidden in the valley, secrets that may just crack the case wide open.  Macy knows she has walked into a hornet’s nest but isn't afraid what she might stir up in Wilmington Creek. What Macy doesn't expect is the personal ramifications her search for a killer will have.  Fast paced, Burnt River may not keep readers guessing, but has enough twists and turns to keep them engaged and pages turning.  Some readers may be a little disappointed in Macy as she seemingly trades in one set of relationship problems for another, but will cheer as she does what she knows is right and deep down inside knows is better for everyone, herself and Luke included.