Bound by Blood

Nelson's bland debut fails to capture the feel of its Big Easy setting (pre-Katrina, apparently), and its two story lines are loosely intertwined at best. New Orleans detective Jack Brenner learns that death row inmate Emmett Graves has information on the murder of Brenner's cousin, David, and another young civil rights worker more than 30 years earlier in Bon Terre, La. Graves hints that Avery Hammond, a prominent businessman, may be involved, but Brenner discovers that Hammond has a tight grip on the town and no one wants to talk. Trying to solve not only his cousin's murder but also the recent death of a promising high school athlete, Brenner finds himself mired in a conspiracy reaching deeper than he ever imagined. With the help of his new partner, Keisha Lundy, and Willow Ashe, a determined TV reporter and Brenner's first love, he must stay one step ahead of men who will stop at nothing to see that their secrets stay buried. Since Nelson fails to generate suspense for either murder investigation, the reader quickly loses interest. (Feb.)