The Lynchpin

Burton’s sequel to 2012’s The Chessman falls short of the high standard set by its impressive predecessor. FBI agent Drew Cady has taken a break from the pursuit of violent psychopaths to serve a stint on the Minneapolis Medicare Fraud Strike Force, and to solidify his relationship with resort manager Terri Ingram, but he soon becomes involved in two separate homicide cases. After 23-year-old Katrina Mortensen is fished out of Lake Superior, the police discover that she was drained of her blood and infused with embalming fluid—while she was still alive. Meanwhile, Cady’s old boss, Roland Jund, an FBI assistant director, claims he strangled an intruder who attacked him in his house in the middle of the night. When the dead man is identified as the husband of Jund’s lover, his assertion of self-defense becomes a harder sell. Fans of The Chessman dismayed by the routine plotting that follows will hope Burton returns to form next time. (Feb.)