cover image Shadow of Death: A Mystery Novel

Shadow of Death: A Mystery Novel

Noreen Gilpatrick. Mysterious Press, $19.95 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-89296-515-1

Engaging Seattle detective Kate MacLean, last seen in Final Design, must call on her abundant reserves of shrewdness and sensitivity to uncover the sins of a modern city-on-a-hill. The killer of young Sarah Taft carefully, almost affectionately, laid out the body of the lovely teenage girl in the park where she died. Kate discounts random violence, which is the preferred theory of Sarah's only acquaintances, members of a tightly knit Christian church and school community who frustrate Kate's inquiries: they don't do murder, and that's that. Kate is left with scraps of gossip (e.g., boys who had crushes on Sarah) and fragments of the community's practices and history. Sorely missing her former partner, Sam, who has taken a desk job and attempted a reconciliation with his wife, Kate is desperate enough for clues to pursue a meddling civilian's lead to an informant who is convinced the church runs a harem. A second murder shocks the community, but not into openness and not in time to prevent more horrors. In her affecting portrayal of high intentions betrayed and corrupted, Gilpatrick frames a compelling puzzle that makes great demands on her game sleuth and fully rewards her readers. (Dec.)