The King Falls

At the start of Lee’s solid fourth Bridge to Death mystery (after 2021’s Cold Reading Murder), Wendy Rierson, an investigative reporter for the Rosalie, Miss., Citizen and the president of the Rosalie Country Club Bridge Bunch, receives an invitation from King Kohl, a successful realtor who’s a womanizer and a bridge fanatic, to his next card party. The day before the party, Wendy receives a text from King canceling it and asking her to come to his house so he can explain why. But as she approaches the house, an agitated man rushes out of the front door declaring he just found King with his head bashed in. He’s Marcus Silvertree, a rival realtor, who becomes a suspect in the subsequent murder investigation conducted by Wendy’s police detective husband, Ross, who’s fond of telling her how much he admires her talents as an amateur sleuth. Wendy’s involvement in the case leads her to the most narcissistic, evil, demented killer she has ever encountered, and it’s up to Ross to save someone Wendy puts in mortal danger. Colorful characters make up for the somewhat confused plot. Fans of edgier cozies will be satisfied. Agent: Christina Hogrebe, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (Apr.)