Burn What Will Burn

Despite having plenty of family money, Bob Reynolds, the narrator of this gritty, atmospheric crime novel from Edgar-finalist McKenzie (Bad Country), seeks refuge in an old rundown home in Rushing, Ark., to avoid the Houston police, who suspect he might have been responsible for the recent fatal drowning of his wife in their bathtub. Bob, happily a loner in this isolated small town, has his serenity disturbed when he discovers a man’s body in Little Piney Creek near his property. Bob reports the matter to Sheriff Baxter, only to find that the sheriff is familiar with his past and distrustful of his character and sanity. Suddenly, Bob is embroiled in the murder investigation, fearing he may be charged with committing the crime. Among the several entertaining and offbeat characters are a disreputable woman to whom Bob is wildly attracted, a former university professor who leveraged sex from students, and a cafe owner with family issues. The well-executed plot builds to a clever, somewhat farcical ending. (June)