Murphy Anderson is
living on Kodiak Island in Alaska. She’s searching for her twin
sister who she fears was murdered by her serial killer boyfriend, but
there is no confirmation her sister is dead. When Murphy’s purse is
stolen, the police visit her apartment under a trailer. In the
process, they realize that she has artistic skills they could use.
Needing the money, Murphy agrees that she’s a forensic artist.
Her job as an
adjunct to the police department involves interviewing a dying
Russian fisherman who found five bodies on a small island ten years
ago. Murphy and the criminalist, Bertie, visit the island, but the
weather turns bad. Bertie is injured in a fall, and they barely
escape with their lives. This one visit puts Murphy at the center of
a widening series of murders: the old Russian and his caregiver, and
her landlady when the trailer home is burned. Now Murphy is fully
engaged in what is becoming a serious police investigation.
I’ve enjoyed other
Parks novels, but for setting this is my favorite. I enjoyed the
details about Alaska and the problems of severe and quickly changing
weather. Murphy is a likable character, but she’s hiding so much
and always on the run that it’s hard to get close to her.
The twists in the
plot keep you reading. Nothing is what it seems. There are many hints
of the psychological nature of Murphy’s quest to find her sister,
but noting is concrete until the end. I found the ending over the
top. All the clues were tied together to make a satisfying end to the
mystery, but I thought the revelation of Murphy’s character was
deceptive.
The writing is good,
and the plot moves quickly. If you enjoy a psychological thriller
with a female lead and great setting, you may like the book.
I received this book
from BookLook Bloggers for this review.
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