Blood Kin

Adoptee Kate Lundgren, 23, is caught up in murder as she pursues her biological mother in this emotionally intense mystery with a surprise ending. After years of legal efforts to get in touch with the woman who bore her but who has twice refused contact, Kate discovers the woman's name in a letter in her adoptive father's files. Traveling across Minnesota from White Bear Lake to Woodard, she confronts Terry Cruzan, who is curt and secretive and insists that Kate leave her alone. Refusing to believe Terry isn't interested in her, Kate dogs her steps and spies on her house. Then she discovers Terry's strangled body and vows to locate her natural father, whose identity she is convinced Terry died to protect. With the help of local developer Jack Kramer, Kate learns that Terry was being bankrolled, perhaps by a mysterious man she met periodically in Duluth. Kate's own life is threatened before she learns a series of hard truths. Dorner ( Freeze Frame ) delivers credible motivation and well-crafted suspense. (Aug.)