The fifth book featuring U.S. Fish and Wildlife agent Venus Diamond (after 1999's Habitat) wraps an exhilarating mystery around the wistful history of the Columbia River, its dams and its beautiful salmon. In order to track down the terrorists responsible for dam bombings along the river, Venus and a male colleague travel to the town of Kettle Falls, Wash., posing as Juneau and Kay Lynn Jones. The two set up housekeeping in a mobile home and circulate rumors about their demolitions expertise. Meanwhile, the enigmatic mastermind behind the bombings, a man known only as Gerald, has fixed his attention on the Grand Coulee Dam. His companion, Darla Denny, is by turns otherworldly and sharp as a tack. It was she who placed the anonymous phone call that brought Venus onto the scene. Eventually, Juneau and Kay Lynn hook up with Gerald and are able to learn some—but only some—of his plans. Gaining the full trust of Gerald is only one of their problems; they can't convince their boss at Fish and Wildlife that the dams are in imminent danger. The stakes are raised when Venus learns that two major presidential candidates are each scheduled to give a speech at the Grand Coulee Dam. There's plenty of suspense here, punctuated with lyrical passages on the plight of the salmon, a drowned waterfall, a lost Indian tribe and other ruminations. And while Moody winds up the story nicely, she has the confidence to leave some questions unanswered. (July 16)
FYI:The author has published works of nonfiction under the name Kathy Kahn.
