The Hero Pose

Ebisch (When the Last Dance Is Over) introduces a very private, very reluctant sleuth in this engrossing mystery. Alison Randall, an ex-Army MP who was badly scarred physically and emotionally from her experiences in Iraq, now runs a yoga center in Cornwall, a small town on the southern Maine coast. When yoga student Lauren Malcolm seeks Randall’s help to locate Lauren’s missing, married boyfriend, Dr. Jim Schianno, Randall begs off, explaining that she avoids getting involved in other peoples’ lives. Still, Randall agrees to talk to another student, a police lieutenant, to find out what she can. Gradually, Randall gets drawn into the case as she picks up links to a hit-and-run fatality, possible blackmail, possible suicide, and possible revenge. A second death makes Randall commit fully to the investigation. Readers will hope to see more of the emotionally brittle Randall, who struggles with normal human interactions as well as her physical health. (Apr.)