ALL THE DEAD FATHERS: A Wild Onion, LTD., Mystery

In Walker's riveting fourth mystery to feature Dugan, a lawyer, and Kirsten, the proprietor of the Wild Onion detective agency, the sleuthing couple pursue a savagely efficient murderer. A self-appointed executioner has targeted priests charged with various abuses, and Kirsten's estranged uncle happens to be on the death list. Against the protests of lawyer Dugan, who has no sympathy for his wife's formerly beloved relative, Kirsten agrees to help the marked priests, whose crimes weren't all proven and who are now isolated in a purgatorial prison outside Chicago. Subtle threats chillingly appear in Kirsten's home and office the same day as the first slaying, confirming her theory of the killer's identity, sussed out from a shortlist of known enemies. Kirsten adopts the murderer's malignant logic as she struggles to stay a half-step ahead of her nemesis. Though warned off by the stereotypical FBI suits, she's unable to quit when her blissfully unaware hubby is thrust into the center of the bloodthirsty campaign. Despite a somewhat formulaic plot, the fast pace, well-rendered cast and solid Midwest flavor make this a potential crowd-pleaser. Agent, Danielle Egan-Miller. (Apr. 6)

FYI: Walker is also the author of No Show of Remorse and other titles in the Edgar-nominated Mal Foley series.