Death in Victory: Harry Starbranch Mystery

In his third adventure (after Long Shadows in Victory), Harry Starbranch, police chief of tiny Victory, Wyo., finds his best friend, Mayor Curly Ahern, charged with murder. The victim, Liam O'Bannion, was shot to death with Curly's gun. The previous night, O'Bannion had slapped his lover, Curly's daughter Faith. The enraged Curly beat O'Bannion and threatened to kill him. Harry uncovers a connection between O'Bannion and trucking boss Sam Pantaleo, who is already being investigated for trafficking in bear paws and bladders. This illegal business infuriates local Indians and conservationists but commands big money from West Coast Asian communities. When Harry skips work and heads for San Francisco to learn more about O'Bannion, the Victory city council votes to fire the sheriff. A sociopathic Pantaleo henchman viciously attacks Harry's aging landlady and kidnaps Faith, who knows something about Liam's murder but won't tell, even to help her father. Now Harry must hurry to clear Curly and save his daughter. In this solid series, Harry Starbranch rings true as the fiercely independent Westerner who stands by his friends and does the right thing, no matter the cost to himself. (June)