Boston Cream

Boston serves as the backdrop for Shrier’s explosive third crime novel featuring Jonah Geller, a Toronto PI with a penchant for cases south of the border. When the Brookline, Mass., police are unable to find David Fine, a “transplant fellow” and devout Jew who’s disappeared from Boston’s Sinai Hospital, Fine’s parents hire Geller to investigate. Aided by partner Jenn Raudsepp, Geller follows a twisted trail that involves Fine’s distinguished transplant surgeon boss; a mob guy with a new scam; Fine’s rabbi; a Boston lawyer whose wife needs a kidney; and an Indian grocer who vanished the week before Fine. When Raudsepp’s life is on the line, Geller calls in reinforcements, including a friend who’s a former contract killer, and prepares for war. Having won Arthur Ellis Awards for 2008’s Buffalo Jump and 2009’s Chicago High, Shrier should make it three in a row with this excellent effort. Agent: Helen Heller. (Jan.)