Et cetera : What We're Reading: A Cold Trail

Thirty years ago, 18-year-old Heather Johansen mysteriously disappeared from a country road. When she was found dead in the woods four days later, nobody in the town knew why she had been killed and by whom; the killer was never captured, and the trail went cold. A few months later, Sarah Crosswhite, also eighteen, died under eerily similar circumstances. This time, a "psychopath" was apprehended and charged with both crimes, although he vehemently denied committing either.

Now decades later, Sarah's older sister Tracy has become a homicide detective, and has returned to her hometown so that she and her husband can refurbish his parents' old house. Although technically on maternity leave, Tracy is called back into service by the former Chief of Police, once retired, who has been forced back into his former position by a new murder, that of his replacement's wife.

Attorney Dan O'Leary, Tracy's husband, has returned to town as well, in connection with a Cedar Grove redevelopment plan which may be pushing an illegal agenda. Soon, their cases coincide, putting both in the path of dangerous men who have too much at stake to give up.

I could hardly put this book down, two nights in a row! It was compelling to the point of obsession, and I loved every minute! Goodreads gave it 3.8 out of 5, but I gave it a much higher score of 9/10. Dugoni has hit the bullseye! "A Cold Trail" is available at the Vinton Public Library with no waiting list at present.

~Connie