cover image Evan Blessed: A Constable Evans Mystery

Evan Blessed: A Constable Evans Mystery

Rhys Bowen, . . St. Martin's Minotaur, $23.95 (256pp) ISBN 978-0-312-33206-8

In Edgar-finalist Bowen's smooth, fast-paced ninth Constable Evans mystery (after 2004's Evan's Gate ), the case of a girl who's disappeared while hiking on Mt. Snowdon interrupts Evan Evans and Bronwen Price's wedding preparations. A search fails to turn up the girl, but the police do find a bunker dug into the mountain, complete with survival supplies and chains and handcuffs. As the investigation continues, Evan receives an odd note, a threat in the form of music. Convinced he's dealing with a clever, twisted mind after other missives follow, Evan never suspects that Bronwen could be a target. When his fiancée goes missing, Evan is even more desperate to solve the riddle of the musical threats. Bowen keeps the suspense slowly building to a satisfying and tidy conclusion. Agent, Meg Ruley. (Aug. 8)