cover image Can't Go Back

Can't Go Back

Debra Webb. Thomas & Mercer, $15.95 trade paper (320p) ISBN 978-1-5420-3231-5

At the start of Webb's intricately plotted third and final book featuring Birmingham, Ala., police detectives Kerri Devlin and Luke Falco (after Gone Too Far), the two are called to the scene of a double homicide at the home of Logan Boothe and his family. The victims, dead by smoke inhalation caused by arson, are Logan's wife and small daughter. The police wonder why Logan, the obvious suspect, was found unconscious on the lawn outside by a neighbor and wasn't inside with the others. Lately, Logan had been under pressure. He had quit his job and was having severe financial difficulties; his daughter needed treatment for leukemia, and medical bills were mounting. Logan readily confesses to the murders, but something doesn't feel right to Kerri and Luke. Is Logan protecting someone-or is he afraid of someone? To complicate matters, Logan, like Luke, was once an undercover agent, and both were supervised by the same handler. The stakes rise when their worlds begin to overlap, putting Luke's career and life in jeopardy. Police procedural fans will be sorry to see the last of Kerri and Luke. Agent: Stephanie Rostan, LGR Literary. (Dec.)