Every City Is Every Other City: A Gordon Stewart Mystery

At the start of this refreshing series launch from McFetridge (Black Rock), movie location scout Gordon Stewart agrees to do a favor for the production manager on his current film: locate her missing uncle, Kevin Mercer, whose pickup was found in a wooded area near Sudbury, Ontario. Given the high suicide rate among older men, the authorities assume that Kevin took his own life and that hunters will eventually find his body. Kevin’s wife, however, believes he’s alive. Meanwhile, Gordon, who does freelance work for OBC, a private investigation firm, accepts OBC’s offer of a quick job tailing a woman for a few hours. Gordon suspects that she might be one of those accusing a billionaire client of OBC of rape. Gordon persists, despite misgivings about both investigative jobs. He’s occasionally helped and sometimes hindered by movie extra Ethel Mack, who’s writing a one-woman show about comedy sidekicks. The lively exchanges between Gordon and Ethel lighten the mood while providing insights into some serious topics such as suicide and the #MeToo movement. Intelligent characters are a plus. Readers will look forward to seeing more of Gordon. (June)