White Out

The murder of Abby Jensen, found strangled in a dumpster in Hagen, N.Dak., propels this solid thriller from Girard (Cold Silence). Abby was one of five girls who disappeared years before and were tortured over 16 months by kidnapper Derek Hudson. Soon after three of the girls escaped, Derek was killed under murky circumstances. When Kylie Milliard, Hagen’s only police detective, checks on Lily Baker, one of Derek’s three other victims who escaped, Kylie discovers that a recent car accident has left Lily not knowing who she is or how she came to be in the car. Bar owner Iver Larson is looking after her. Before Lily’s kidnapping, she and Iver were close friends, and even though she doesn’t remember him, she instinctively feels she can trust him. Then, Abby’s boots are found in a box in Iver’s truck, and he becomes the prime suspect in Abby’s murder. The discovery of the strangled body of the third girl who escaped raises the tension. Readers will cheer the dogged Kylie on to the overly complicated resolution, which leaves some plot threads dangling. Until then, Girard tells an exciting story. Agent: Meg Ruley, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (July)