Burnt River

In Salvalaggio’s absorbing second mystery featuring Det. Macy Greeley (after 2014’s Bone White Dust), Macy investigates the shooting murder of 26-year-old John Dalton, a highly decorated veteran of the Afghanistan war, in Wilmington Creek, Mont. The victim and his twin sister, Jessie, shared a secret involving militia leader Ethan Green, a secret that’s hinted at in the first chapter and that resonates throughout. Macy has to deal not only with the dysfunctional Dalton family, headed by powerful Jeremy Dalton, but also with her married boss, Ray Davidson, head of the state police, with whom she has a one-and-a-half-year-old son. Green hasn’t been seen for a year, but may be behind the shooting. While Davidson becomes convinced that Green was the culprit, Macy has her doubts. More killings follow, raising the tension all the way to the cliffhanger ending. The rugged Montana terrain matches the ruggedness of its inhabitants. [em]Agent: Felicity Blunt, Curtis Brown. (May) [/em]