The End of Emerald Woodsw

Edgar nominee Walker is up to his usual good-humored form in his third Wild Onion mystery (after A Beer at a Bawdy House). John Michael Hurley, an unscrupulous commercial real estate developer, wants to turn pristine Emerald Woods, in Miracle City south of Chicago, into a megamall. Eudora Ragsdale, a former public housing resident in Chicago, joins with others in Miracle City to form CREW (Committee to Rescue Emerald Woods). As CREW's treasurer, Eudora finds herself in big trouble when someone steals cash raised to benefit CREW from her home. Alerted to the theft, husband-and-wife team Dugan and Kirsten of the Wild Onion private investigative firm head for Miracle City on what they think will be a routine case. The local cops, Chief Frawley and Officer Galboa, don't welcome them with open arms, but at least they don't escort Kirsten and Dugan out of town. Instead, they direct the duo to the house of Mama Dee, Eudora's best friend and probably the wisest woman in Kankakee County. There, Kirsten and Dugan are almost burned to death after discovering a dead body. Then the action really begins. Throw in the humorous banter between Kirsten and Dugan, and you have a wonderful mix of fun, local Midwest charm and a compelling plot. Walker is also the author of the Malachy Foley series. Agent, Jane Jordan Browne. (Dec. 12)