The Disappearance of Trudy Solomon

Det. Susan Ford of the Monticello, N.Y., PD, the 53-year-old narrator of this enticing series launch from McCreary (The Deeper You Dig), is assigned to a cold case involving the recently discovered skeletal remains of a gunshot victim as a way for her superiors to keep her out of the public eye while a civil suit is pending against her for shooting an unarmed teenager. The skeleton may be that of Trudy Solomon, a waitress at a popular Catskills hotel, who disappeared 40 years earlier in the summer of 1978. Susan’s happily retired detective father, who worked the case originally, serves as a consultant. The simple goal of finding out what happened to Trudy expands into the investigation of multiple murders, possible child abduction, and an extortion scheme. Meanwhile, Susan’s inquiries take a personal turn, bringing her face to face with uncomfortable childhood memories. Flashbacks to Trudy’s experiences help build the suspense, and more than one twist will catch the reader by surprise. Susan is a strong protagonist who can easily carry a series. (Sept.)