Spring Girls

In Katchur’s captivating third Northampton County thriller (after 2019’s Cold Woods), it’s spring in Bangor, Pa., and another young woman has been found dead in a local lake, the fifth strangling victim in seven years with her hair neatly braided as if wearing a crown. Det. Geena Brassard has been working the Spring Strangler case for two years, first with her recently retired partner, Albert Eugenis, and now with a new partner, Det. Parker Reed, whom she isn’t sure she can trust. The two detectives make little progress, until Geena discovers that Albert is keeping a critical witness hidden for personal reasons—Janey Montgomery, the Spring Strangler’s intended first victim. An information leak creates a media circus that puts Janey’s life in jeopardy as Geena and Parker try to connect the dots. Distinctive characters enhance the fast-moving, twist-filled plot, and the killer’s identity comes as a nice surprise, despite the weak motive. Katchur is on a roll. Agent: Carly Watters, P.S. Literary. (June)